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2018 to 2020 Worth it?

6K views 12 replies 5 participants last post by  tvan1974  
#1 ·
Any advantage to 2020 over 2018? I can basically keep my payment the same, but extend it a year. Better rates than when I bought mine. I know that's not the right way to look at it, but it's a wife thing.

Both Premium Lux ESV. I've got just under 35k on mine. My warranty is up March of 22. CPO warranty through March of 2024.

The 2020 went into service November of 2020 and has REALLY low miles. So full 3.5 year warranty. Also has Radiant package (not 100% sure I care for the grill or wheels). I put Michelins on mine 10k miles or so again. Would a dealer be open to a wheel swap? My tires have more miles on them.

I thought I may have heard they upgraded the backup camera to HD?? Or am I just in for a color change?

I'm liking the '21s more and more, but not paying those prices. Nor will I be a GM guinea pig for a first model year again. Tried that with 2015 Denali XL. I tend to change cars a lot. I would look into a '22 or '23 once the 2020 hits the end of its warranty in late 2024.

Any feedback is appreciated.
 
#2 ·
I was curious about this too... here's what I found on GMAuthority.com. (I had to compare the 2018 to the 2019... and then the 2019 to the 2020) And the one item in your post that really caught my eye was the possible HD rearview camera upgrade. Sadly not.

Changes from the 2018 to the 2019 Escalade

The 2019 model is getting a handful of updates to tide things over.

2019 Escalade Color Changes

The 2019 Escalade does away with two exterior colors and gains two new ones.

Deleted Colors
  • Midnight Sky Metallic
  • Dark Granite Metallic
New Colors
  • Manhattan Noir Metallic
  • Shadow Metallic
2019 Escalade Hands-Free Tailgate

The 2019 Escalade also gets a hands-free tailgate with a logo light as a standard feature across all trim levels. We’re not quite sure how the logo light works, but the hands-free part works by a “kicking motion” of the foot under the rear bumper. (I thought our 2018's had this, no?)

2019 Escalade Sport Package


The last change involves the introduction of a new Sport Package on Luxury, Premium Luxury and Platinum models that includes:

  • Black Ice Chrome on front grille/grille header, lower fascia trim, bodyside molding and rear applique
  • Black gloss DLO (daylight opening surround)
  • Unique finish wheels

Changes from the 2019 to the 2020 Escalade

There are no changes to the model line or the mechanical portion of the full-size luxury SUV line. Changes to the exterior are limited to the deletion of two exterior colors and the addition of a new color.

Deleted Colors:
  • Manhattan Noir Metallic
  • Bronze Dune Metallic
New Color:
  • Dark Mocha Metallic
The new Dark Mocha hue is an extra-charge color on all models, except for the range-topping Platinum trim.

Inside, the 2020 Cadillac Escalade deletes the DVD playback system with dual screens located on the backside of the front row head restraints as well as the dealer-installed rear-seat DVD entertainment system option. The changes leave the full-size luxury SUV with a single rear-seat entertainment system simply called Entertainment System. Assigned RPO Code U42, the package has the following features:

  • 9-inch LED backlit display
  • DVD player, Blu-Ray capable
  • Remote control
  • Two 2-channel wireless digital headphones
  • USB port (2.1 amp) and HDMI/HML inputs on rear of center console
  • Sound compression
  • CD-R, CR-R/W and MP3 capable
  • Streaming available through HDMI and Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA)
The package is not available on the base Escalade trim, but is optional on the Luxury trim, and included as standard with Premium Luxury and Platinum trims.

Finally, the 2020 Cadillac Escalade deletes the dealer-installed Escalade Noir Package, which was introduced for the 2019 model year and included the following content:

  • Premium carpeted floor mats
  • 22-inch split seven-spoke alloy wheels with Chrome finish
  • Polished exhaust tip
 
#3 ·
I was being really picky. I wanted Kona interior in red, white or gun metal grey (whatever Caddy calls it). Had to be CPO and under 15k.

Just today I picked up a CPO '19 ESV Premium with Radiant Package, Kona interior and power boards. The CPO warranty is now 5 yrs (from in service date) and unlimited mileage. They also ditched the deductible. I tacked on the additional Cadillac warranty. It's essentially covered bumper to bumper for 7.5 years / unlimited mileage. It was only $2200 or so. Doesn't cover belts or hoses, but does cover struts.

A couple things surprised me during my shopping. I got way more than I thought I would for my '18 with 35k miles. However, not without some hassle. One dealer wanted to go strictly off Carfax values. They're much lower than KBB, NADA and Black book. I had offers as low as 51. I traded it in for 59. I paid 64.9 in Feb of '19. Think I did well there. Paid 71.9 for the new one, lowered my payment, got a few extras, really extended my warranty. I think I will keep it for a while. I'll let others be guinea pigs on the 2021+.

I stripped mine of the logo projector lamps, LED turn signals and license plate lights. It's not dark yet, so I can't verify the logo for the area to kick the tailgate.

I also recently put new wheels and Michelins on my 2018. Service department was closed today as it's Saturday. They're driving 60 miles to my house to drop off a loaner. They will pick my new one up, swap the wheels, balance and full alignment for free.
 

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#7 ·
Just listening to what you paid originally, are those out the door prices? Even if they weren’t out the door prices I agree all around you did well. I feel I did not negotiate my 2018 well at all. I priced mine on Carvana today and they are offering 53,000 for it. My truck is in pristine condition and only 22,000 miles. Additionally I’ve added lighted handles, Cadillac logo puddle lights, chrome exhaust tip, mud guards and license plate leds. I’ve seen trucks like mine on dealer sites being sold for 63 to 65 thousand . I’d be insane to let it go for that.
 
#8 ·
You would be insane to take their offer. LOL Carvana is way low on their offers. I too have a 2018 (Premium-Luxury) with a hair over 25k on the clock in excellent condition. Carvana offered $51k. They are WAY off base! KBB.com gives a range of $59 to $63k, and in this current market, I wouldn’t take a dime less than $61k for a trade. Around the DC metro area, you couldn’t buy my same vehicle at a dealership for less than $65k.

I also ran my 2009 Mustang GT with 15k on the clock through Carvana and Vroom and both are low balling at around $13k. CarMax offered me $17,500.
 
#11 · (Edited)
You would be insane to take their offer. LOL Carvana is way low on their offers. I too have a 2018 (Premium-Luxury) with a hair over 25k on the clock in excellent condition. Carvana offered $51k. They are WAY off base! KBB.com gives a range of $59 to $63k, and in this current market, I wouldn’t take a dime less than $61k for a trade. Around the DC metro area, you couldn’t buy my same vehicle at a dealership for less than $65k.

I also ran my 2009 Mustang GT with 15k on the clock through Carvana and Vroom and both are low balling at around $13k. CarMax offered me $17,500.
Yeah at J. Coleman they sell these bad boys used for 63,000 plus. Also after paying so much to begin with I just can't stomach taking such a beating and anyway I love it. Just today I installed LED license plates lights and they look oh so nice.
 
#9 ·
Used car market is nuts right now
Paid 59.5 for my 19 platinum with 38k miles on it in feb
Dealership now wants to buy it back, I’m not interested in their offer, love the vehicle
 
#10 ·
What I noticed is different dealers use different tools. They'll price their inventory at high KBB, NADA values. They'll price your trade or buy value off Carfax. Carfax is tough on trades right now.

My prices are not out the door prices. KY charges property tax on cars. I pay a percentage of value every year for my registration. Roughly $1,000 on $70Kish. Not to go too deep into the weeds, but my birthday is in August. If you owned the vehicle on January 1st of current you're on the hook for the entire year's tax. They will count the sales tax paid in 2021 towards registration until August of 2022 for me. Then I pay based off NADA average retail. Goes down annually as vehicle depreciates. You can also negotiate this for real market value if your vehicle has diminished value due to an accident, excessive mileage, title branding, etc.

In turn, I only have to pay tax on the difference between my trade and the new used car. A lot of states make you pay tax on the entire amount of the used car, regardless if you have a trade or not. B.S. considering tax has already been paid on the car you're trading in.

Real numbers rounded to nearest dollar.

My 2019 CPO purchase price: $71,900
Dealer docs and registration fees: $291
7.5 yr / unlimited mileage warranty: $2237
____
$74,428

Less trade ($59k)
Taxable amount: $15,428
6% KY sales tax: $925

OTD price - $75,353. High, but not for the times. Extended my term, but lowered my payment. Having a lot of trade equity on my '15 Yukon that I traded towards my '18 ESV also helped. Getting a good deal on the '18, both at time of purchase and trade, lower interest rate, warranty forever, dealer swapping my wheels and tires, balancing, alignment, yadda, yadda, yadda....all of this slight of hand magic is how I justify the purchase to my wife. :)

I will say this. Logo puddle lamps, extra set of headphones, tint, upgraded floor and cargo mats, cool Cadillac license plate frames, LED lighting where incandescents were DO NOT MEAN ANYTHING if trading or wholesaling. I took EVERYTHING that wasn't bolted down out of my '18 in less than 15 minutes. Another justification for me. Same damn car that I only had to have tinted.
 
#12 ·
I paid the deposit for a CPO '20 Escalade Platinum today, going over to pick up on Thursday if all goes well. Super thrilled about it. This is Dubai, so the prices are not comparable. It was listed at $70.800, 11k miles. Since I'm a government employee here there is a ~$5k discount, that includes them covering the 5% VAT. They threw in some window tinting and ceramic coating worth a total of ~$900.

I'm coming from a Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo and I am really excited about the new-to-me Escalade. I've owned a 2011 CTS before and was very happy with it.

The problem is they haven't sent me the built sheet yet and I haven't seen the car yet in person, so I don't know a lot about the options, other than what they posted online. I'll get the built sheet from Cadillac locally eventually.

Spoiler for Options:
Finished with Black & Maple Sugar Leather Interior
Mileage: 18,600KM
Warranty: Till 19.10.2024 or 100,000 KM

PERFORMANCE:
• Engine: 6.2L V8 Engine Active Fuel Management
• Power/Torque: 420HP / 624NM
• Transmission: 10-speed automatic
• Steering: Rack-and-pinion with electric power assist
• Electronic Stability Control With Rollover Mitigation

INTERIOR:
• Apple CarPlay™ and Android™ Auto
• Bose® 16-Speaker Surround System with Active
Noise Cancellation
• Hands-free Power Lift Gate
• Rear Seat Entertainment System
• Head-Up-Display
• Power adjustable driver’s seat with memory
• Massaging Seats
• Wireless Charging
• Second Row Bench 60/40, Power
• Ventilated front Seats
• Leather Seats

EXTERIOR:
• High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps
• Adjustable power rear lift gate
• Power Sunroof
• 22” 7- spoke aluminum
• Assist Steps, Power-Retractable
• Full-LED headlamps and light-blade tail lamps
• Cadillac signature Daytime Running Lamps

SAFETY:
• Front, Side Curtain & Rear Airbags
• 360 Rear view
• Adaptive Full-Speed Cruise Control
• Front & Rear parking assist sensors
• ABS with 4-wheel antilock
• Lane Departure Warning
• Rear cross Traffic alert with Side blind zone alert
• Seat-mounted side-impact for thorax and pelvic protection
• Child doors and windows locks system
• Magnetic Ride Control
• Driver-selectable 4WD
 
#13 ·
Quick follow up. I had my new '19 for just over a week. Dealer drove an hour+ down, left me another Escalade. Took mine back to do my wheel & tire swap. Dropped it back off a couple days ago with a full tank of gas. They did a complete inspection, balanced all my tires and of course programmed TPMS. Have all my LED turn signals, logo puddle lamps, LED license plate lights installed. Got it tinted (maybe a little too dark). Night driving kind of sucks, but my car sits outside. Dealer has my old '18 listed at 66.9.

 

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