Yes, you all know exactly where this vehicle will come from. :)

2006 Chrysler Crossfire SRT6
--0-60 in 4.9
--19mpg mixed
--Nice shade of blue.
--Light and fun.
--Reasonable fuel economy.
--Prone to typical modern MB quality control problems.
--Only 25,000 miles
--Some build quality issues
--Extended warranty to 75k
--Cheaper road trips
--Less comfortable road trips
--No space. I'd have to buy a cheap little pickup or wagon for work.
--No room for friends

2006 Cadillac Escalade 2WD 6.0
--2WD means less weight, less issues
--15mpg mixed
--6.0 has more power
--Beautiful navy blue
--Navigation
--Reliable
--Very good build quality
--Has 75,000 miles
--Costs $200 more per month for gas/insurance
--Expensive road trips
--Comfortable road trips
--Tons of space to haul inventory. Would be my only vehicle.
--Room for friends

Both do very well in NHTSA crash tests. Both have perfect interiors and excellent sound systems.

Escalade would cost 5 grand more after all payments and 2400 more per year in insurance and fuel costs. Over five years, the Escalade would cost $17000 more to own.

Which should I get for my purposes and needs? I can afford both, but its an issue of getting more for my money.

--No space. I'd have to buy a cheap little pickup or wagon for work.Did you include this in your number crunching Jesda? If not then the Escalade is a no brainer as the two other vehicles will probably cost as much or more with the added insurance, fuel and maintenance.

Keep it simple and go for the Caddie. :highfive:

Oh snap, good point. Add $2000 to purchase price of a used pickup/wagon/SUV if I get the Crossfire.
Then $40/mo for basic liability insurance, which comes out to $2400 over five years.
Truck would get 4500 miles a year of use.
Add $2000 for five years of repairs.

Total is $6400 for five years of use for, say, a Mazda B2200 or Chevy S10.

How much per mile for fuel for the truck?

Do you have to have an Escalade?

All are poor choices from any standpoint. Get another BMW convertible ....... or look for the best pre-98 Seville you can find!

Get the Escalade. As long as gas isn't a huge concern, you really can't go wrong with one. The seats are very comfortable, the leather is buttery soft and smells great, and the truck drives very smooth overall.

Those SRT-6 have buckboard rides. Handle great, too stiff.

I think you need a sports car, so I vote for the SRT-6.

Crossfire just isnt a practical car...

My only thoughts against the Escalade are the miles and the 2WD in STL. However, to go from a 3 Series convertible to a Crossfire is a huge step down....I would definitely pass on that.

Or, don't buy either of them and go back to one of your favorites....first gen Q45, E34 5 Series, 1992-97 STS.

I vote for the Crossfire, simply because I've always been partial to Auburn Hills (well.. via Stuttgart).... and because it's something different - didn't you just get out of a Range Rover?

I think there was a Navigator after the RR, and then the 3. They're easy to miss though, they go by so fast :-)

One question though on these cars....who is responsible for selling them when you're done? B/C the Escalade is going to be almost impossible to unload. At least the Crossfire is a small car and even though the mixed MPG isn't much better, it would probably still be easier to sell.

And -- I'd forget about getting the little truck, I'd go and get a full size truck or an old full size SUV for pennies on the dollar. The small trucks are more in demand now b/c of the fuel $$.

And -- I'd forget about getting the little truck, I'd go and get a full size truck or an old full size SUV for pennies on the dollar. The small trucks are more in demand now b/c of the fuel $$.

Most definitely agreed... You could easily find a 10 year old F150 or C1500 for dirt cheap and if you get a 2WD/6-cylinder model, you'll still get 18-20 on the highway.

With that said... I'd still keep an eye out for an old S10 or even a Dakota. Years and years ago, I had a little 2-door S15 Jimmy with the 4.3L and it was a damn good little truck. I ended up selling it when I found my GW.... Had I known gas would triple/quadruple in the next decade or so, I may have thought twice about that whole thing!

And while not great on gas... I'd definitely try to keep an eye out for an old 2-door Tahoe... I've always been partial to them as well. In fact, I've always thought that were I to replace the GW with anything, it would be one of those.

If you can't figure this one out, you've got a problem. There is not right answer, you need to pick the vehicle that has the attributes you desire (this will vary by person and application). Jeez, talk about two different vehicles (and function).

My only thoughts against the Escalade are the miles and the 2WD in STL. However, to go from a 3 Series convertible to a Crossfire is a huge step down....I would definitely pass on that.

The Escalade looks and drives better than any other one I ever drove despite the mileage, it is in amazing condition and the '05/'06 updates really set off the interior.

I also sought out the 2WD version because it weighs less, gets better fuel economy, has a TON less expensive shit to break and maintain (I noticed that most of the high dollar repairs over the years have been transfer case and front diff related, with the occasional trans here and there), you STILL get the 6.0L in 2006, AND the AWD model doesn't even have low range gearing which is actually useful in the Z71 Tahoe. If we were talking about a selectable low range transfer case I'd probably opt for the 4x4 version.

The old Navigator was ALSO 2WD in STL winters and never even got remotely close to getting stuck or losing control due to AdvanceTrac. The 'Lade has the FAR superior Stabilitrak and even more ground clearance. There should be no problem.

As far as selling it, so long as I don't toss something else his way, in which case I would figure out a way to get rid of the escalade, he is probably going to keep it til the wheels fall off and pay it off.

Escalade.

I will take the "lade

Never been a fan of Crossfire. The '02-'06 Escalade isn't my favorite either, but from what I can tell they are good trucks. I don't see too many in my shop for anything more than an oil change. Just thank god the thing doesn't have a Northstar.

My mother has an '05 Yukon XL with AutoRide (w/e the hell that is) and its a really great driving truck. Doesn't feel as "big" as it really is. For some reason, the Ford Expedition's and Lincoln Navigator's feel really big.

I vote for the Crossfire.
The Escalade is a 47 yer old, overweight, heavy smoker greying wife.
The Crossfire is a Jr. in high school, 5'7" 37-24-36 & 117 pounds
who knows how to cook in 2 rooms, not just the kitchen !

LOL, I love Sandy's analogy.

Thanks.
I used to do some stand-up comedy,
but THAT was in a prior life.:yup:

Having driven a few sports cars, they're fun, but not the best for a daily driver if you're fairly big. I think you'd be happier over time in the Escalade.

Allante.

You've already become bored with a Landrover and Navigator SUV, and I bet the Crossfire would get tiring really
quickly as your daily driver.
Why not drive a low mileage, italian exotic with removable hardtop for next to nothing?
I'd search for a nice 92 with good service records, including the Bosch braking system.
The 93 has too much STS in it ... plus, the 92 has those gorgeous leather Recaros and the cheap
to maintain 4.5L motor.

Yeah, but what fun is a sports car without the most powerful engine available?

I vote SRT. I like the Escalade more just for its utility but having a spare small P/U truck on the side works out well. I drive my S10 most of the time and the Cobra when its a nice day or I'm going to the beach, etc. Its nice to have a vechicle that you dont care much about, like an old S10, Ranger and so forth. Its also nice to get out of your beater truck and take out the sportier car for a drive, almost like a treat.

Have you ever driven a Crossfire? Maybe I'm just a little tall, but it was a pain to get in and out of (Like the door opening didn't go far enough forward), actually cracked the speaker grille on the drivers door. The cupholder is dang near absolutely useless. Other than that, it was typical benz. I'd choose my R129 over that though. The Crossfire lasted ~6 months. It was a 2004 6-speed.