Bit the bullet and bought a 2015 Escalade ESV - Now I have a bunch of quesions?

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jeffbco

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And don't let the 7 day period go by...return that car ASAP - tow it back if you have to.
 

CMoore711

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If they are being fair and understanding of their mistake you shouldn’t pay the 7% restocking fee. Make sure you are very clear and firm with them that the only reason you are returning the vehicle is due to their mistake, not yours. If the vehicle was in fact exactly what they sold you then yes, you’d pay the 7%.

But that is not the case. Be sure that they know while you understand there are costs associated with returning a vehicle they will be the costs incurred by the dealership due to their mistake. And that’s what happens in business when people make mistakes, it’s costs those who made the mistake money. That’s how people learn from their mistakes.

As far as price for the replacement; just search on eBay, cars.com, Autotrader etc to see what equivalent models are going for to keep them honest. I have no experience with truecar.com but that may be a good resource?

Lastly, if they have your vehicle now and you’re in a loaner from them. I’d politely inform them you’ll be cruising that loaner until they can find you a replacement that you both agree upon. Because you need wheels can’t go over the 7 day time frame and again it’s their mistake. That should give them some motivation to resolve the issue and make things right sooner than later.

Good luck.
 

Doubeleive

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CarMax or autonation are going to be more realistic for prices, truecar, Cars.com, etc are overpriced that's why they are able to work in a "special referral price" which is total bs
even still CarMax is a little bit overpriced but not much and they will atleast take of basic maintenance when listing there cars, autonation does more and is more realistic in pricing.
 

sickk23

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CarMax or autonation are going to be more realistic for prices, truecar, Cars.com, etc are overpriced that's why they are able to work in a "special referral price" which is total bs
even still CarMax is a little bit overpriced but not much and they will atleast take of basic maintenance when listing there cars, autonation does more and is more realistic in pricing.
cars.com? Don’t think so. Carmax is terribly overpriced 90% of the time.
 

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cars.com? Don’t think so. Carmax is terribly overpriced 90% of the time.
well after I spent literally months shopping around it came down to CarMax or autonation both being pretty reliable with there listings, cars.com and other's had postings that were either very old or incorrect and not specific in search results, when a car has been posted up for a year or more there is a pretty logical reason why, either it has problems or is in bad condition and/or is not as described, I searched pretty much the entire west coast and mid west states, had relatives test drive for me in places that were near them, traveled and test drove made phone calls to get details, emails, you name it, in the end autonation was the best in providing details and pictures and had a price that was in my range from a dealer. they were friendly on the phone answering questions and even picked me up from the airport. CarMax was a little high but not a lot, at least there listings are current and accurate
 

sickk23

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I’m getting this feeling that you don’t understand what cars.com is, though. It’s just a vehicle listing site. Like autotrader. It’s odd that you’re comparing that directly to a car lot’s website (autonation and carmax), in which both post their vehicles on cars.com
 
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Vector

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Guys,

While I certainly am open to any suggestions in an effort to help valuate the difference between the early build 2015 Escalade ESV vs. the mid year change, trying to determine that via the car sites you guys are debating about would be tough to begin with. Some will undoubtedly be listing them interchangeably, and with different conditions, miles, history, it will be hard to compare apples to apples, even if I knew which ones were which.
Hence the reason I was trying to play with KBB to switch the transmissions with everything else being the same. Then seeing if I could add/subtract the extra features between the 2015 vs. I guess what some refer to as the 2015.5
Some of those features like the kick left gate, cellphone charger, 360 camera, hotspot and anything else the 2015.5 has that the other doesn't must have a value.

If this situation cannot be resolved with them finding me another ESV for around the same price without the 7% fee, I need to at least try to get a monetary compensation in a positive way, (not a litigious one if at all possible).
Tomorrow will be the 7th day, and while I brought this to their attention two days ago, I am not sure how long with will take them to find another ESV. I would still consider a Denali XL, but they only have one, and it is rough.

It's not that I would be happy without the 8 speed or the extras we were expecting with the 2015 Escalade model (it does have the IntelliBeam for some reason), but I would feel better if I had a reduction in what I paid for a lesser vehicle at bare minimum. So hopefully they can find a 2015.5 but I'd better be prepared if they cannot.
Thus if I can speak intelligently as to the features I am missing out on having X amount of tangible value, then at least we can have a reasoned negotiation. It needs tires, so that is something they could make a concession on, the extended warranty cost $2,800 (which can be cancelled but then my interest rate goes up a bit, and there is no coverage for all the gizmos).

I have no idea when the next auction is, but hopefully it will be this weekend and they wil find a 2015.5 ESV.


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Doubeleive

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I’m getting this feeling that you don’t understand what cars.com is, though. It’s just a vehicle listing site. Like autotrader. It’s odd that you’re comparing that directly to a car lot’s website (autonation and carmax), in which both post their vehicles on cars.com
yes I know what it is, and there listings are often not accurate and are old or outdated, I was looking for a very specific vehicle and there listings are inaccurate from the selling dealer posting it in wrong, they sell it and never take it down, or they put it on there because nobody with half a brain will buy it locally
 

StephenW

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When I went through this i mentioned that if I went to trade it in my value would be lower since it wasn’t an 8 speed - was told it really doesn’t make much difference.

While those features have “value” I don’t think you are gonna find them on a price sheet - it’s built into the base price. And I don’t think there was a markup from 2015 to 2015.5.


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CMoore711

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When I went through this i mentioned that if I went to trade it in my value would be lower since it wasn’t an 8 speed - was told it really doesn’t make much difference.

While those features have “value” I don’t think you are gonna find them on a price sheet - it’s built into the base price. And I don’t think there was a markup from 2015 to 2015.5.


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I would say this is probabaly accurate, most if not all of your online vehicle pricing tools aren’t going to be able to tell a difference between 2015 and 2015.5’s even based on features and just using market averages.

Good thing about this is that at minimum this should support the fact that this dealership should not be trying to upcharge you for a comparable vehicle just because “oh well this one has the 8 speed so that’s an upgrade...”.

Again, don’t let them twist the situation as to that being the reason your returning the vehicle. It’s because the vehicle isn’t what they informed you that you were in fact purchasing. Be clear and stand firm on that, polite and professional but firm and clear.
 
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Vector

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Well guys it is not looking good.

The sales manager said he cannot find anything at the auction even close to the same price point. He said prices went up because so many dealerships are snatching up any and all vehicles, thus raising the prices. He also said something about tax season causing current prices to have jumped from when they bought the one I am in. I have no clue if any of that is accurate, but he makes it sound like everything available is $5k higher than what I paid for mine.
He also reiterated how they are not responsible for incorrect advertising, so I can see the direction this is headed in.
He is extending the 7 day period in the hopes of finding something in the next few days, but surmises he is not going to be able to find another 2015 ESV close to the same price.
 

Doubeleive

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Well guys it is not looking good.

The sales manager said he cannot find anything at the auction even close to the same price point. He said prices went up because so many dealerships are snatching up any and all vehicles, thus raising the prices. He also said something about tax season causing current prices to have jumped from when they bought the one I am in. I have no clue if any of that is accurate, but he makes it sound like everything available is $5k higher than what I paid for mine.
He also reiterated how they are not responsible for incorrect advertising, so I can see the direction this is headed in.
He is extending the 7 day period in the hopes of finding something in the next few days, but surmises he is not going to be able to find another 2015 ESV close to the same price.
around here when you get shafted by a company the local TV station has a program that you can report it to and if they feel it is newsworthy they will contact said company and go to bat for you making sure the company is well aware that they are from the local TV station....this usually ends well, most business don't really care for "bad press" that tends to hit them directly in the pocket.
 

Tahoe14

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That sucks. I know how much you were looking forward to driving the 8 speed plus the other options. Sounds like they are trying to cover the 7% re-stocking fee one way or another. You may want to check Cars.com and Autotrader.com in your area to see if prices have actually increased compared to what you paid on a similar vehicle.
 
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Vector

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around here when you get shafted by a company the local TV station has a program that you can report it to and if they feel it is newsworthy they will contact said company and go to bat for you making sure the company is well aware that they are from the local TV station....this usually ends well, most business don't really care for "bad press" that tends to hit them directly in the pocket.

In all honesty I can see where it was just as much my fault for not knowing more than I did when I went looking. I originally found them via Car Guru, and though it is a 3rd party site, it naturally said 8 speed for the tranny. However at that point I was convinced all 2015 Denali's and Escalade's had the big three I was looking for(6.2, 8 speed, mag suspension). So when I mentioned to the salesman I really hadn't planned on spending more money than what the Sub's typically go for, I had changed my mind because of those important features.
Had this guy known, he might have told me, but on a multi-manufacture lot, I doubt he knows most of the cars very well. So what might have saved me with him didn't, and my own ignorance on the 15 vs. 15.5 got me into this situation.

As to calling the local news station (which does have an investigative show), I doubt they would be interested. If I felt ripped off by this company, I'd be very inclined to pursue such a recommendation or even trash them on site like this. But I consider myself a fair minded person who looks at intent vs. a mistake.
In this instance, it is likely not intentional deception, rather a lack of accurate descriptions of the various vehicles they sell.


That sucks. I know how much you were looking forward to driving the 8 speed plus the other options. Sounds like they are trying to cover the 7% re-stocking fee one way or another. You may want to check Cars.com and Autotrader.com in your area to see if prices have actually increased compared to what you paid on a similar vehicle.

This particular one was the best of the two others I looked at on there lot, and the price was about $5k less than anything I had seen in the local market. A cynic might assume it is because they priced an early model lower, but I do not believe that is the case. They seemed as surprised as I was about the 15 vs. 15.5 transmission wise.
Now that I know what to look for to distinguish them, it seems as if they are priced just as high as the 15.5's and prices are higher than what I paid, even with private sales.

I am not sure what prices are like elsewhere, but mine has 64k on the clock, is a one owner without an accident, has a moonroof, 4X4, and duel screen entertainment. It cost me $42k
The only one I've seen even close in price was the other ESV on their lot for $40k, but it was rough with an accident and many things wrong with it.
The 2015 Denali was $41k, but did not have any of the things I mentioned on mine.

So for those of you who are in the know price wise, have you recently seen anything in the $42k range for the features/condition/miles ?


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Vector

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4g lite is the wi-fi hotspot in your vehicle offered through on-star. According to my Google search the 15.5 offered 8-speed, wi-fi, phone charging pad, kick open tail gate and 360 view camera. You lost out on a lot and I would be talking to the GM at the Dealer you purchased the Escalade from.

If I cannot work something out, how difficult and expensive would it be to add those items you listed (except of course the 8 speed transmission)?
I am especially curious about the center console charging pad, as mine has the surrounding leather all wrinkled like extra skin on a dog. I would think just the lid could be replaced, and assume there is someplace to plug in the connected tray?
Also the kick tailgate open feature I am assuming is just a sensor of some sort, so is that something that can be added without too much cost/hassle?

TIA
 

Tahoe14

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Contact GTPprix who has a thread near the top in the audio and electronics section titled "Where to get the HMI Unlock/Video in Motion Now". I believe there would be some reprogramming involved for some of those features. Do a Google search for the charging pad as this has been done with a new console lid which I read about on one of the forums but can't remember which one. Good luck.
 
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Vector

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Last night I came up to the ESV and did the kick for the heck of it. To my surprise it worked and opened the hatch. Needless to say it was a pleasant surprise. However no matter how many times I tried to kick it closed, it was a no go. So the feature is on this early model to some degree, maybe I just need to figure out if there is a programming feature that needs to be activated to get it to close with the kick feature.
 

CMoore711

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From your recent posts, if you feel the situation is just as much as your own fault for not being aware of your purchase as the dealer is for their lack of advertising or inaccuracies. If you really want a vehicle with those features and 8-Speed just do your best to negotiate down the 7% see if they’ll come down to 3.5%-5% pay the fee and walk away to find the car you want.

I own my daily drivers for 10 years/200K + miles for me that’s what I’d do. But may not be a big deal if you’re an owner who trades in every 3-4 years for a new rig.
 

TooMuchTxn

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Last night I came up to the ESV and did the kick for the heck of it. To my surprise it worked and opened the hatch. Needless to say it was a pleasant surprise. However no matter how many times I tried to kick it closed, it was a no go. So the feature is on this early model to some degree, maybe I just need to figure out if there is a programming feature that needs to be activated to get it to close with the kick feature.

I dont think they close. My LTZ doesn't close. You kick open while your hands are full and then push the button to close. That is how the Chevrolet Dealer demo'd it also.

Its also SUUUPER finnicky and took me months of trying to find the exact sweet spot for it to even work KNOWING i had it.

Heres more http://sandyblogs.com/techlink/?p=5281
 

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