Looking to Purchase a Escalade ESV

Just being here for few months I have learned:
Front diff (no leaks)
Wheels (leaking air)
Rust under hood, like exhaust manifold, heat shield, Steering reservoir
Spare tire - deploy able mechanism
Fluids -new when ?/?
Folding mirrors
Noise at high speed thru the rubber seal around the side window.
Battery - last time replaced

Thanks for the Reply phlfly!

I doubt any CA will have rust issues, but how can i look for the Diff Leak, if there is one?

Also, Wheels leaking Air, I read some people had problems with this. Only way to figure this out is by driving around or just straight up asking the owner?

Battery, Fluids are easy fixes and noise isnt too much a problem for me and so isnt the folding mirrors.

In terms of Mileage, seems high or will the engine be good to run up to 200k with good maintenance, etc?

Service records! Ask if he has them or take the vin to a dealer to check. Check the rims carefully for any flaking/peeling.


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Just bought an 09 ESV in November. Make sure to listen to the level ride compressor to make sure 1) it works and 2) if it makes a noise. When I initially bought ours, I didn't hear anything, but after owning for 1 wk it started making a noise. It functioned properly, but my wife through the noise was rather embarrassing at the kids school.

tdisu19 said:

Just bought an 09 ESV in November. Make sure to listen to the level ride compressor to make sure 1) it works and 2) if it makes a noise. When I initially bought ours, I didn't hear anything, but after owning for 1 wk it started making a noise. It functioned properly, but my wife through the noise was rather embarrassing at the kids school.

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Noise? Are you talking about the noise it makes when bags are inflating?

LDYNREDD said:

Service records! Ask if he has them or take the vin to a dealer to check. Check the rims carefully for any flaking/peeling.


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Thanks for that information, i will definitely do that!

When the car starts, you will hear the compressor turn on. It will run for like 5 secs. As they get older or are starting to go out, it will make a rattling sound as it turns on. It still works fine, just very annoying.

just look under the car it should dry , like CA now.

tdisu19 said:

When the car starts, you will hear the compressor turn on. It will run for like 5 secs. As they get older or are starting to go out, it will make a rattling sound as it turns on. It still works fine, just very annoying.

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Ok sounds good! Thanks!

phlfly said:

just look under the car it should dry , like CA now.

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Lol...

Now in terms of Mileage, should I look for something under 75k, 85k, 100k? Does any of this make any difference in these engines. Correct me if I'm wrong, I heard they are well built and can last.

See these engines with 200k+ on them all of the time up north where temperatures are below freezing for 6 months out of the year. 96,000 miles is absolutely nothing if the engine was not beat on and most importantly, maintained. Cold start the engine, and take it for a drive after 30 seconds. See how it runs, and look for noise that should not be there. These engines are relatively low maintenance, and can last 200,000 miles easy.

Being an '09 with almost 100,000 miles, if the shocks haven't been replaced, they will need to be. Just take a look at them, and if they have a black film on them, then they are leaking and most likely shot which will make the truck ride like shit.

Take the VIN to a GM dealership, and see what was done under warranty. Ask the seller which dealership they took it to get serviced, and they will have the records available there for you. The Esky looks clean in the pictures.