Rental car is a big boi

"fintail" (fintail) 09/13/2019 at 17:52 • Filed to: None

3

39

8 days in this thing, should be an experience. It was this or an Evoque, which was below my reserved class and was just too small . Not my first choice, but for a road trip rented on a very cheap rate, good to take the free upgrade and enjoy it. Uses all the fuel and is the size of a house, but comfy as a recliner on the highway and is pretty well equipped:

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > fintail 09/13/2019 at 17:58

0

I’d accept it as an upgrade, but I still doubt I could build any enthusiasm about driving it.

fintail > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 09/13/2019 at 18:01

3

The best way to enjoy this is with the cruise control on, on the interstate. This is the modern equivalent of a 1975 Fleetwood.

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > fintail 09/13/2019 at 18:03

1

Bigly Yuge

My X-type is too a real Jaguar > fintail 09/13/2019 at 18:03

1

Did it come with gold chains and cristal 

Chariotoflove > fintail 09/13/2019 at 18:05

4

Did it come with gold chains and medallions for you to wear, or do you have to find a flea market and buy your own bling?

fintail > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 09/13/2019 at 18:08

1

Texas mid-sized.

fintail > My X-type is too a real Jaguar 09/13/2019 at 18:08

0

Cristal is mandatory.

fintail > Chariotoflove 09/13/2019 at 18:09

1

Flea market.  Although it is loaded and has tech, some of it is like a vintage car compared to the MB I am used to.  These must sell far below MSRP.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > fintail 09/13/2019 at 18:09

1

I’d rather drive the ‘75 Fleetwood. Though in the bus they rented you, there was probably six hours of engagement learning how to work all of the whizbangery that’s included. Like the camera that shows you what’s inside the glove compartment when the glove compartment door is closed...

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > fintail 09/13/2019 at 18:09

1

Is it purple. Or is that an illusion.

I know the answer I just want it to be purple 

SBA Thanks You For All The Fish > fintail 09/13/2019 at 18:12

1

Keep us posted on mileage.  You might be surprised at the highway mileage-- the later DoD/AFM engines are a lot more fuel efficient.  I’ve rented Silverados and gotten well into the 20s on the interstate.

Chariotoflove > fintail 09/13/2019 at 18:12

1

I don’t know about that.  Aren’t these Cadillac’s one reliable cash cow?  Or has that changed?

SBA Thanks You For All The Fish > fintail 09/13/2019 at 18:13

1

It’s got a pretty smart suspension...  and with over 400HP it will cruise comfortably at about any speed below “handcuffs on the side of the road”....

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > fintail 09/13/2019 at 18:13

1

Sounds ‘bout right

CRider > Chariotoflove 09/13/2019 at 18:13

1

I don’t think people in n ew Escalades are shopping at flea markets for their bling. They buy name brands on credit cards, like real Americans.

fintail > Chariotoflove 09/13/2019 at 18:15

0

I suspect they cost little to build - yuuuge profit margins, where they can afford to cut 20% off MSRP.  This thing stickers in the upper 80s I think, pretty insane.

fintail > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 09/13/2019 at 18:16

0

The 75 would be more stylish, perhaps.  

I did have to look into one of the symbols on the dashboard. Funny thing, the glovebox opens via a button on the center stack, and isn’t easy to close. Not very intuitive.

fintail > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 09/13/2019 at 18:17

0

If only. Livery service black of course.

fintail > SBA Thanks You For All The Fish 09/13/2019 at 18:18

1

I think I am at about 20 so far. Trip computer has never been reset in the 10K life of the vehicle, lifetime average is ~17.    I notice it switches to 4cyl mode quite seamlessly.

fintail > SBA Thanks You For All The Fish 09/13/2019 at 18:19

0

It has a reasonably nice V8 noise, too. At interstate speeds it masks the feel of motion, and is like being in a recliner. Not bad for its intended use.

Chariotoflove > fintail 09/13/2019 at 18:20

1

I’ll never care enough to find out.

fintail > Chariotoflove 09/13/2019 at 18:22

1

Not how I’d spend my 80K, that’s for sure . But for $45/day including tax and full coverage insurance, I’m ok with it.

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > fintail 09/13/2019 at 18:23

2

According to a quick search on auto trader, they sell for ~$15k under MSRP

SBA Thanks You For All The Fish > fintail 09/13/2019 at 18:24

1

I was stunned to see how smoothly those new Silverados switch up and down on the cylinder count. I have several (Suburban, Silverado, Tahoe) of the 6.0L LQ4 trucks and basically can NEVER get above 15 MPG... so it was a revelation to get in a new Chebby and get over 21 a couple of times.

Caddy takes a lot of flak for how “unrefined” these Escalades are, but there aren’t many big SUVs on the road that are as versatile.

SBA Thanks You For All The Fish > fintail 09/13/2019 at 18:27

1

It does have a nice LS burble . Not many Barcaloungers that will tow 8000 pounds, either!

fintail > SBA Thanks You For All The Fish 09/13/2019 at 18:28

1

I think from a powertrain standpoint, it is a refined vehicle. GM knows how to build engines/transmissions, and this one is perfect for the application.

What might irk some are some of the materials, which are definitely engineered to a price, and some of the electronics don’t seem state of the art. Bluetooth related functions seem flawless, but the assist features seem basic, the nav seems like a prior generation holdover, and the camera quality doesn’t fit the price point compared to the crisp images produced by my MB.

Build quality also seems fine aside from a minor passenger door alignment quirk, but in a rental with 10K miles on it, I won’t immediately blame the car.

SBA Thanks You For All The Fish > fintail 09/13/2019 at 18:36

1

Heh. “Nav”. Yeah. Long standing problem. My “top of the line LT” 2005 Suburban came with a $5495.00 “Nav and DVD system”. It was a joke then and it’s almost hilarious to look at now...

I think that’s where the platform engineering doesn’t really help GM. You’d expect some of those refinements and features to “feel special” in the Caddy.... and they just don’t.

The Germans just do that stuff better.

fintail > SBA Thanks You For All The Fish 09/13/2019 at 18:42

1

I had an 02 MB where (DVD-based) nav was a ~$2500 option. Those systems seem like a quaint vintage toy now , but they were special then.

This kind of thing might be a vehicle to buy used. I can see the appeal, if I lived in Texas mcmansion sprawl and hauled a boat or a camper or a track car etc. But in the crowded expensive boomburb where I work, it’d be hilarious overkill. The Escalade would be cheap to maintain and good for hauling, but isn’t entirely state of the art. And I suspect many buyers don’t care.

Spanfeller is a twat > fintail 09/13/2019 at 18:48

1

Bigly truck is bigly

Chan - Mid-engine with cabin fever > fintail 09/13/2019 at 18:57

4

When Oppo r ap v ideo?

fintail > Chan - Mid-engine with cabin fever 09/13/2019 at 19:05

0

I’m hoping it doesn’t come to that :)

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > SBA Thanks You For All The Fish 09/14/2019 at 00:54

0

I guess there’s that ...

Chan - Mid-engine with cabin fever > fintail 09/14/2019 at 01:30

1

USUSGTO > fintail 09/14/2019 at 08:15

0

I rented a Suburban for a week. for 5 of us. twin stroller - 3 suitcases.

The fact that we have a Navigator L at home, made us at home for the entire trip. lol

Rate:

Suburban Hertz : $ 250 / for 6 days (final pri ce inclusive of taxes and bullshit airport fees ).

Chevy equinox: $375

GMC Yukon (not XL): $450

needless to say I went for the Sub urban - beca us e fuck mpg.

When I went to the lot to pick it up, there was an entire row of S uburbans - untouched. No wonder, they were so cheap, as no wanted to rent them.

I averaged 22 going travelling 95 miles to destination.

Th en it dropped to 17 something as I let it sit with engine on while I stra pped kids. or made a few stops to pick coffee etc. or like the 15 mins I waited while the wife went into a CVS. What do I do. I needed the AC on all the time and kids comfortable. Also Fuck MPG.

O ur drive back was a li ‘l spir ited and we averaged 18 on the same stre tc h we average 22 before - elevation cha nge .

All in all bett er than our navigator L which delivers constant 14,4 on weekly basis. lol.

fintail > USUSGTO 09/14/2019 at 10:58

1

That’ s kind of how I viewed this - fuc k mpg. It’s a pleasure trip, how much more would this really cost vs the Evoque I was originally assigned (which is tight on luggage space, to be nice), and how much more will I enjoy the comfort and serene ride. Also compared to the Evoque, the tech in the Escalade seems like something from the future. They also had maybe half a dozen Escalades visible in the fleet, probably intimidating for tourists wanting to drive around the Seattle metro traffic zoo. But for a road trip, it might be hard to beat. No regrets. I am leaving in a short time for another 3-4 hours behind the wheel, and I have no doubt I will be comfortable.

USUSGTO > fintail 09/14/2019 at 11:38

1

exactly.

I only drove a total of 400 or so miles in 6 days

120 the first day

120 the l ast day

and another 150-180 spread over the rest of the 4 days.

Let’s say:

E sca lade / suburban

Even if I was to drive 200 miles each day for 6 days - 1200 miles.

Worst MPG - Even though they average 19-22 on fwy, lets say 15 mpg.

Gas cons umed - 1200 miles / 15 mpg = 80 gallons

Worst gas price, even though I see 2.2 - 3.6 : $4

Total cost with the full size luxury SUV = $320

Something fuel efficient:

mpg - let s say 25 mpg . A lthough a SUV loaded with travel luggage and 4 - 5 adults will rarely average 25.

gallons consumed: 1200/25 = 48

Cost = 48 x $4 = 192

and that’s a saving of $20 / day.

Meanwhile,

T ypical reso rt fee - $25/day

Tip on a typical t ypical dinner for 4 in a re staurant - $20

Visiting any theme park - $500/day for 4 adult s

I mean, FUC k MPG.

And in my case Suburban was act ually cheaper to rent by appox. $80 for the trip.

It averaged 19 or so and was only driven 400 miles and filled at $3.5

Infact, if I had the chanc e to rent a gas guzzling G class, I’d gladly do it. 

Snooder87 > fintail 09/14/2019 at 21:22

0

How the heck did you get $ 45 a day on that? You lucky so and so.

fintail > USUSGTO 09/14/2019 at 21:29

1

Exactly, gas is still cheap enough to where these costs are marginal. This is a vacation trip for me, and I am taking my mother, who would never do the journey by driving herself . It’s worth the splurge, life is too short to risk ending up in a Mirage for 1500 miles.

Spent maybe 5 hours in it today, averaged close to 20 mpg I think.  I am finr with that.  Indeed, if they offered a G, I’d fall over myself running to get into it.  The vehicle is part of the experience.

fintail > Snooder87 09/14/2019 at 21:31

0

Prepaid

Booked on the UK site as it includes insurance

Off-airport location to avoid ~$100 in fees

Reserved a middle lux SUV (GLC/X3/XT5 or equivalent). Evoque wasn’t close, so talking my way into driving 10 miles for an exchange was easy.