Thinking about buying a used 13' Cadillac

[warndogg]

I'm trying to decide if I want to buy this Escalade ESV Platinum. I am wanting more room for hauling kids, sports, camping ect. It's a pretty clean 127k miles. It also just had new lifters and push rods and an engine mount installed at the dealership so probably won't have to deal with lifter failure for a while? My only issue is they are asking 20k. I've really been looking for a 07-09 6.2 but just can't find any in decent shape. 20k seems like a lot for one this old. What do you all think?

 

[Miami-Dade]

@warndogg Moved you here from 2015+section.

 

[j91z28d1]

From what I'm hearing and seeing from friends in the used car industry. the bottom is about the fall out of used car prices..

I don't know a time frame for shit happening, all I hear is it's currently starting and will get much worse. expecting to see a lot of dodge dealership especially declare bankruptcy.

if it's one you really want and you aren't breaking your budget, then it's your call. but if it's not super rare, you might sit on it a while.

for a reference, Kelly blue book isn't what it used to be, but it will give you a decent reference of what that same dealer would give you (in return kb has all your info to market with, while also charging the dealer $1000s a month for the contact) for trade if the roles were reversed. Just to make sure you're OK with him making that much profit out of your pocket on the sale.

 

[Alessandrolomb]

I'm trying to decide if I want to buy this Escalade ESV Platinum. I am wanting more room for hauling kids, sports, camping ect. It's a pretty clean 127k miles. It also just had new lifters and push rods and an engine mount installed at the dealership so probably won't have to deal with lifter failure for a while? My only issue is they are asking 20k. I've really been looking for a 07-09 6.2 but just can't find any in decent shape. 20k seems like a lot for one this old. What do you all think?

The Escalade has 127K miles on it, which is kind of high, but not too unusual for its age. The important thing is the condition of the car. Since it's said to be 'pretty clean' and big parts like lifters, push rods, and an engine mount were recently replaced at a dealership, that's a good sign—it seems like the car's been well taken care of. These fixes also mean some of the usual wear-and-tear problems have been sorted, which could save you from some repair costs right off the bat.

 

[warndogg]

@warndogg Moved you here from 2015+section.

TY my fault

 

[warndogg]

From what I'm hearing and seeing from friends in the used car industry. the bottom is about the fall out of used car prices..

Yes I have been seeing prices coming down for a few months now.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

If the truck is in good condition as you've been told, you should get well over 250k miles out of it. It is the next to the last year of its generation (NNBS), so all of the bugs have been worked out of it.

A bird in the hand..... If it fits your needs and your budget, then I say go for it.

 

[91RS]

The Escalade has 127K miles on it, which is kind of high, but not too unusual for its age. The important thing is the condition of the car. Since it's said to be 'pretty clean' and big parts like lifters, push rods, and an engine mount were recently replaced at a dealership, that's a good sign—it seems like the car's been well taken care of. These fixes also mean some of the usual wear-and-tear problems have been sorted, which could save you from some repair costs right off the bat.

127k isn’t high for a 13. Mine has 187k.

I do agree though, the condition is what matters the most and if it’s nice, I’d pay for it. You’ll spend more on repairs and more of your time dealing with cleaning or fixing and it isn’t worth saving a little. I should have passed on the 13 I bought because it needed a massive amount of work including $5k at the body shop repainting the hood and roof, blending the fenders, and replacing the front bumper. I bought it because it was a 2WD ESV Platinum but it probably would have cost less to delete the AWD on a truck that was in better shape…

I wouldn’t sit around waiting for the used car market to crash either. It has pretty much returned to how it was pre-pandemic and people are just mad thinking their used cars were going to be worth a fortune forever. The new car market is what might give because of the insane prices combined with high interest rates.

 

[warndogg]

If the truck is in good condition as you've been told, you should get well over 250k miles out of it. It is the next to the last year of its generation (NNBS), so all of the bugs have been worked out of it.

A bird in the hand..... If it fits your needs and your budget, then I say go for it.

Man I would be stoked if I could get 250k out of it! Thanks for the info guys. I'm going to see if the guy will take closer to 18k.

 

[j91z28d1]

Yes I have been seeing prices coming down for a few months now.

so I don't mean for this to talk you out of buying it. but just stuff I would have liked to have known before buying mine. well, OK I mostly knew but bought it anyways haha. which you very well might too.


so afm. it's a mechanical failure of the lifters, but there's 3 different reasons they can fail. first lack of oil changes, the wear internally or build up gunk and get stuck. but they can also fail because of a electrical issue with the vlom or a lack of correct oil pressure, either from a bypass going bad, or one of that gaskets under the vlom. the bolts for that cover are commonly found finger tight.

so basically it depends on how they "fixed' the lifter failure. I of times just dropping in new lifters fail again in less than the time the first set failed. the only 2 correct ways is to replace everything involved with the afm, from top to bottom or a complete delete, all hardware and relash the ecm. both of which I have doubts the dealership did or even will do.


the motor mounts being changed is nice, but if they used oem, which they probably did being a dealer. they will rip again in between 40k to 80k as my guess. the real fix is ones from a H3 hummer or aftermarket poly mounts. any other replacement fails again again.


yours 127k is pushing the time is ready for a new torque converter before it releases all its metal and takes a $7k tranny with it. while there, soon the oil starts leaking around this mileage. so factor in oil pan gasket, rear cover and main seal, toss in the pick up o ring while there. but make sure you get the right o ring. the wrong one seems to be used often.


that's just what I've gathered from research. others might come and tell you have a good chance it's solid till 300k. but if I don't tell you and you're posting about 10k in repairs 6 months from now, I'd feel bad reading it.

 

[Geotrash]

I'm trying to decide if I want to buy this Escalade ESV Platinum. I am wanting more room for hauling kids, sports, camping ect. It's a pretty clean 127k miles. It also just had new lifters and push rods and an engine mount installed at the dealership so probably won't have to deal with lifter failure for a while? My only issue is they are asking 20k. I've really been looking for a 07-09 6.2 but just can't find any in decent shape. 20k seems like a lot for one this old. What do you all think?

Where that truck has spent its life is probably the most important factor. If it's a rust belt car you'd do better, for that money, flying to Arizona or someplace else warm/dry and driving one home. That said, they are without a doubt the best family hauler on the market.

Also, I just noticed that @j91z28d1 posted a really good item a few seconds before I posted my reply: if you buy it, get that torque converter changed out before it fails and takes the transmission with it. Take it to a good transmission shop and have them put in a TC with a billet cover and stronger lockup clutch. My local shop put a CVC BU60FHD in my 2012 and it's been great. About $1500 out the door and it's cheap insurance.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

As with any vehicle, parts wear out, even beyond routine maintenance, and you replace them when the time comes. Since purchasing it (new to me) 4+ years ago at 125k miles, I've replaced the entire suspension in my 07 Yukon XL Denali, as well as the front differential and the front drive/CV shafts. I've replaced all of the belts and tensioners, and all of the water/cooling hoses. To me this is just routine replacement maintenance based upon mileage and wear. Sure, some dollars were involved in these repairs, but with no monthly finance payment, I am still WAY ahead on the accumulated cost of ownership for this truck.

 

[j91z28d1]

all that said, and it helps if you can do at least some of the smaller jobs yourself. there's just something about these trucks, they cover miles and make road trips more effortless than most vehicles I've driven.

I don't tow much and only smaller stuff, but the guys seem to have good luck towing big campers too.

 

[petethepug]

Not sure why but almost all the 09 Platinum are in the rough. The thing I’m starting to notice is fewer Platinum and Premium trim for sale.

Does it have dual tip exhaust?

13 & 14 is when GM really started to go head to head with Lexus & Merc. You’re paying for a Dräxlmaier German designed interior with brushed aluminum, walnut burl & olive ash dash finished in tahama leather with French seams everywhere.

The Navi is a HDD unit with active back up grid lines on the camera and the latest version of the 6L80 6 SP trans with hill start assist and hill descent control. It’s just an insane list of features like a/c & heated cup holders & multiple led headlamps and so on, and so on.

Site Maintenance

If it’s clean, grab it. Replacement z95 shocks are $3h ea but now guaranteed for life. Fit & finish on the platinum are unrivalled as well as tough. GM was the only one who set up their highest output 6.2L (de tuned Vette) motor to run on e85 back then. Every 8-9 days we fill that 31 gal Platinum tank for 75-$85 on e85 vs 175-$190 on 91 here in CA.

 

[warndogg]

Not sure why but almost all the 09 Platinum are in the rough. The thing I’m starting to notice is fewer Platinum and Premium trim for sale.

Does it have dual tip exhaust?

13 & 14 is when GM really started to go head to head with Lexus & Merc. You’re paying for a Dräxlmaier German designed interior with brushed aluminum, walnut burl & olive ash dash finished in tahama leather with French seams everywhere.

The Navi is a HDD unit with active back up grid lines on the camera and the latest version of the 6L80 6 SP trans with hill start assist and hill descent control. It’s just an insane list of features like a/c & heated cup holders & multiple led headlamps and so on, and so on.

Site Maintenance

If it’s clean, grab it. Replacement z95 shocks are $3h ea but now guaranteed for life. Fit & finish on the platinum are unrivalled as well as tough. GM was the only one who set up their highest output 6.2L (de tuned Vette) motor to run on e85 back then. Every 8-9 days we fill that 31 gal Platinum tank for 75-$85 on e85 vs 175-$190 on 91 here in CA.

It doesn't have dual tip exhaust, but it is a Platinum. e85 is nice but not a lot of gas stations carry that here in Washington.

I'm still waiting to hear back about a test drive with the guy (private seller). So having lots of anxiety in meantime lol

 

[intheburbs]

Is it AWD? Personally, not a fan of that powertrain. Combined with an AFM 6.2, and that's a ticking time bomb, IMHO.

My 2009 AWD Denali became a bit of a money pit after crossing 125k. Front axle halfshafts, front hubs/bearings, control arms, ball joints etc. Then the front diff shit the bed, and the AWD front diff is a special (harder to find and more expensive) compared to the 4wd models

I love the truck, but it's cost me. And then, of course, is body rust. Front bumper and both rear fenders have the cancer.

At least since it has the non-AFM L9H, I don't have to worry too much about the motor.

 

[warndogg]

Is it AWD? Personally, not a fan of that powertrain. Combined with an AFM 6.2, and that's a ticking time bomb, IMHO.

My 2009 AWD Denali became a bit of a money pit after crossing 125k. Front axle halfshafts, front hubs/bearings, control arms, ball joints etc. Then the front diff shit the bed, and the AWD front diff is a special (harder to find and more expensive) compared to the 4wd models

Yes AWD, I know more features = more $$$ repairs. I appreciate these things also I realize nothing is guaranteed. My hope is since the AFM system components were recently replaced I can avoid any problems in the near future. I wish GM would make 'em last like the OBS and NBS stuff. I'm trying to purchase a family cruiser within my budget and I think this is my current best choice.

 

[Doubeleive]

Yes AWD, I know more features = more $$$ repairs. I appreciate these things also I realize nothing is guaranteed. My hope is since the AFM system components were recently replaced I can avoid any problems in the near future. I wish GM would make 'em last like the OBS and NBS stuff. I'm trying to purchase a family cruiser within my budget and I think this is my current best choice.

I was initially under the impression that this was being sold by a dealership, which means you could most likely get a warranty attached in some form.
being private party, meh better try and talk them down. That's a lot of risk
my advice would be if they won't come down to a more reasonable price, then keep looking. extend your search into oregon and so-cal, maybe even texas. for that kind of money you can find something nice and with at least some warranty option. It doesn't cost that much to have it transported or fly and drive it home. Many of us have done this. Especially if what you want cannot be found local.
If you really like it, use diligence and give it a real good look over inside and out and underneath, use a flashlight, test EVERYTHING. anything you find even a tiny leak can be used to talk them down.
there is thread on the forum for what to look for when buying used. I would take the time to peruse the thread.

 

[warndogg]

I was initially under the impression that this was being sold by a dealership, which means you could most likely get a warranty attached in some form.
being private party, meh better try and talk them down. That's a lot of risk
my advice would be if they won't come down to a more reasonable price, then keep looking. extend your search into oregon and so-cal, maybe even texas. for that kind of money you can find something nice and with at least some warranty option. It doesn't cost that much to have it transported or fly and drive it home. Many of us have done this. Especially if what you want cannot be found local.
If you really like it, use diligence and give it a real good look over inside and out and underneath, use a flashlight, test EVERYTHING. anything you find even a tiny leak can be used to talk them down.
there is thread on the forum for what to look for when buying used. I would take the time to peruse the thread.

Well that kinda makes me re-think this lol I appreciate the advice. I guess I was so stuck on the fact the AFM stuff was recently addressed, that I didn't consider some of these points. I may end up moving on anyway as the seller has been slow to respond ( using auto trader website). Kbb puts this value around 16.5 k , but the 20k price is consistent with what I have seen on carfax ect. online. Thanks for the response.

 

[j91z28d1]

just for reference, here's just a 2min fb search for stuff like it down here. I don't pretend to know option details thou.

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little more miles, but you'll have the money to put into repairs. honestly, 120k truck is going to need 80% of the repairs soon that a 170k truck needs. atleast you'd have the budget to get it fixed, and hopefully use the good parts recommended from guys here instead of just hoping it was done right and end up redoing it anyways.. like say they replaced a rear main seal that was leaking, but didn't know about the torque converter needing upgraded, now you gotta do 90% of the labor over again to get to the converter, which it was right there with their hands on it while doing the seal. have the money to proper delete the afm and never worry about it again, vs hoping the new lifters last a while. they were right there with the heads off, a little more to swap in a non afm cam, and turn off afm in the tune, either by the cheap 50$ way, or a nice black bear tune that has other benefits way. in the end, you're ahead of the curve

just a thought.