Hey guys,
Im about ready to pull the trigger on a very clean garage kept 2003 Escalade 5.3
2wd model with 180k miles on it. It has 4.30'gears, full stainless exhaust, headers all the way back and no cats. Big slotted and drilled rotors. He had nelson do a custom tune on it as well.
My big question is, should i be worried about the mileage since it has the 5.3 vs the 6.0? Do both motor combinations have the same 4l60e, or does the 6.0 have stouter transmission.
This will be my first escalade but i have had a few Tahoes and Yukons. Or should i just buy a 2003 AWD with 130,000 for $4000 more?
Thanks guys and this is my first post. Killer site!
Hey guys,
Im about ready to pull the trigger on a very clean garage kept 2003 Escalade 5.3
2wd model with 180k miles on it. It has 4.30'gears, full stainless exhaust, headers all the way back and no cats. Big slotted and drilled rotors. He had nelson do a custom tune on it as well.
My big question is, should i be worried about the mileage since it has the 5.3 vs the 6.0? Do both motor combinations have the same 4l60e, or does the 6.0 have stouter transmission.
This will be my first escalade but i have had a few Tahoes and Yukons. Or should i just buy a 2003 AWD with 130,000 for $4000 more?
Thanks guys and this is my first post. Killer site!
Both vehicles are comparable your question to yourself should be do i want all wheel drive or not i love the all wheel drive... And I'm in cali, no real weather here.... Just solely for the launch ramp at the river
I live in Tennessee and the winters here can be very unpredictable and having the all wheel drive is awesome on snow and ice(you can't hardly tell the difference.
The AWD is also excellent on rain slick roads. I don't have any traction issues pushing my 6.0 AWD hard to move ahead of traffic in the rain from a stop light. It just stays hooked up no matter what.
The AWD is also excellent on rain slick roads. I don't have any traction issues pushing my 6.0 AWD hard to move ahead of traffic in the rain from a stop light. It just stays hooked up no matter what.
I just test drove the 2003 Escalade with 130K on it.. Im not to impressed with this truck that he had, it pulled real bad to the right. And the tires were worn and the drivers seat look like a gorilla had been sitting in it for 8 yrs with mechanics pants on.
Im test driving the higher mileage 2wd Lade tonight. Im selling my 7.3 Powerstroke that is lifted with 37's and I feel that my truck had more get up and go then the one I test drove this morning with a 6.0..
Maybe it needed a tune up or something. I used to own the Yukon XL 8.1L 4WD, and that thing was an absolute BEAST to drive..
It sounds like the one you test drove was in pretty bad shape. Then again, you can't really expect a vehicle with 130k to perform like new without putting some work into it first. You might consider test driving a 6.0L that is in better condition before you develop a final opinion. As far as your 7.3L having more get up and go, your comparing a big block turbo diesel to a small block Chevy (in a heavy SUV). My brother has an 01 F250 Powerstroke diesel and that thing has got some BALLS, but my 06 AWD 6.0 Escalade would get up and walk away from it easily (unless it's a towing race).
It sounds like the one you test drove was in pretty bad shape. Then again, you can't really expect a vehicle with 130k to perform like new without putting some work into it first. You might consider test driving a 6.0L that is in better condition before you develop a final opinion. As far as your 7.3L having more get up and go, your comparing a big block turbo diesel to a small block Chevy (in a heavy SUV). My brother has an 01 F250 Powerstroke diesel and that thing has got some BALLS, but my 06 AWD 6.0 Escalade would get up and walk away from it easily (unless it's a towing race).
I agree a gas truck or suv is going to feel weak compared to a diesel due to the fact the power bands are in different area in the rpm range
But the 6.0 can really move if it's good shape.
my 03 esv has 157k on it and seems to drive the same as it did with 110k on it when I bought it (very good). If the dip stick isn't scorched on the tip (black burnt onto the metal), the engine is probably clean inside and has been well maintained. If that is the case, it probably has lots of miles left on it. I'd be surprised if the tranny was still original. Mine was rebuilt around 90k. Look into that. You'd be rolling the dice on the front diff as they seem to have a fair amount of issues (mine hasn't yet knock on wood). If it's quiet though, should be fine.
Well, i drove the 5.3 lade tonight, and WOW!! It was an awesome driving rig, im not sure if it was the gears, exhaust, or tuning or a combination, but it was by the far the quickest suv i have driven in awhile.. Well maybe ot my buddies factory spercharged lad back in 04.. Lol lol
Needless to say, this will be my purchase on sunday if this buyer for my truck comes through this weekend.
If someone is sitting on the fence on getting their truck tuned by Nelson, do it.. It shifts so awesome! I thought the truck had a shift kit, he said nope, just all tuning...
Well, i drove the 5.3 lade tonight, and WOW!! It was an awesome driving rig, im not sure if it was the gears, exhaust, or tuning or a combination, but it was by the far the quickest suv i have driven in awhile.. Well maybe ot my buddies factory spercharged lad back in 04.. Lol lol
Needless to say, this will be my purchase on sunday if this buyer for my truck comes through this weekend.
If someone is sitting on the fence on getting their truck tuned by Nelson, do it.. It shifts so awesome! I thought the truck had a shift kit, he said nope, just all tuning...
It looks great and I like the grille it looks sharp
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