[Rivelite]

While I sometimes groan when my truck nickle and dimes me on maintenance, after a recent family road trip from Chicago to Orlando a few weeks back, I can say truly that it was a very enjoyable experience to drive over the course of 2800 miles. It never missed a beat or ever ever felt under powered on the highway fully loaded. Three adults, a teenager and toddler, 6 suitcases on the hitch and a Thule full length roof rack carrier (loaded), the truck was fully loaded. The air suspension did an awesome job of making the truck feel planted and never did I notice any of the weight on the outside of the truck. Everyone had their own TV and or plugs for power. The Navigation (Kenwood aftermarket) was spot on and rerouted us around traffic nightmares in Chattanooga and Atlanta. I averaged 16.8MPG for the whole trip which came as a surprise as we were fully loaded and I had the cruise set to 75mph all the time. The stand out for me was while on the road was when what seemed like a snoozing semi driver in the mountain in TN started to drift into our lane at about 70mph to which my only recourse was to punch it instead of break. The truck came to life in a split second and pulled right past the drifting semi with power to spare. Sorry but no other V6 or 4 could have pulled that off as it was very impressive.

All in all the ride was a success and I can vouch for its power when needed. On a separate note, while deal is still up at Amazon, there are Bosch double Iridium plugs for sale @ 6.14 for a 4 pack. Seems like a typo to me but it clearly says pack of 4. I ordered 2 so we will see by this Friday if they actually send me 8 or just 2. I need to do plugs and wires anyways.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00515NGVY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

 

[MrV8]

Great write up, these are truly great & solid vehicles when maintained well ...

 

[jnrsesv]

We throughly love road trips in our 2005 ESV, perhaps thats why I have just under 300k. Wow 16 mpgs, I am lucky to get 14 downhill loaded up with wife, 3 kids, gear and a mother inlaw!

 

[Rivelite]

I wish I would have held out a bit longer for an ESV but I could not pass up on the deal I got on mine. Also, just got the sparkplug delivered. Amazon as advertised sent me 8 for 12 bucks.

 

[carguy75]

I agree that a properly running and maintained 2002-2006 Escalade is a great vehicle to drive while being very functional. My 2006 Escalade is my most favorite vehicle to drive at my house even though I have a choice of two other newer vehicles that are way more refined.

Those Bosch iridium plugs will really wake up your engine. I have the same plugs installed in my Escalade and the performance increased dramatically over the older platinum plugs.

 

[carguy75]

While I sometimes groan when my truck nickle and dimes me on maintenance, after a recent family road trip from Chicago to Orlando a few weeks back, I can say truly that it was a very enjoyable experience to drive over the course of 2800 miles. It never missed a beat or ever ever felt under powered on the highway fully loaded. Three adults, a teenager and toddler, 6 suitcases on the hitch and a Thule full length roof rack carrier (loaded), the truck was fully loaded. The air suspension did an awesome job of making the truck feel planted and never did I notice any of the weight on the outside of the truck. Everyone had their own TV and or plugs for power. The Navigation (Kenwood aftermarket) was spot on and rerouted us around traffic nightmares in Chattanooga and Atlanta. I averaged 16.8MPG for the whole trip which came as a surprise as we were fully loaded and I had the cruise set to 75mph all the time. The stand out for me was while on the road was when what seemed like a snoozing semi driver in the mountain in TN started to drift into our lane at about 70mph to which my only recourse was to punch it instead of break. The truck came to life in a split second and pulled right past the drifting semi with power to spare. Sorry but no other V6 or 4 could have pulled that off as it was very impressive.

All in all the ride was a success and I can vouch for its power when needed. On a separate note, while deal is still up at Amazon, there are Bosch double Iridium plugs for sale @ 6.14 for a 4 pack. Seems like a typo to me but it clearly says pack of 4. I ordered 2 so we will see by this Friday if they actually send me 8 or just 2. I need to do plugs and wires anyways.

http://[URL]https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00515NGVY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

[/URL]

A word of advice, I would also swap out the stock plug wires for some Denso plug wires. The stock wires has a lot of resistance from what I read on many GM LS engine forums that reduces performance. Denso plug wires are cost effective and offer less resistance than the stock wires. I use a set of Denso plug wires and they have been reliable for about three years now, as well as the same Bosch Iriduim plugs you just bought.

 

[Rivelite]

Good call on the plug wires Carguy... I'll find out which Denso wires fit mine and get them ordered. I have to also do my yearly rear blend door actuator quick fix and switch the knob to heat . I have a failed blend door actuator in rear for the rear heat/ac and instead of replacing it I just pop off the panel and flip the actuator manually to heat in the winter and a/c in the summer then unplug it....😄

 

[tokuzumi]

I complain about my ESV all the time to anyone who will listen, but I do give it praise in that if I wait for it to die before I replace it, this will be the last car I ever own. It has no squeaks and rattles, which is impressive considering GM was circling the drain when this thing was built.

But when I get this thing on the highway, it's easy to see why every example for sale has over 200k on it. They just soak up miles without so much as a hiccup.