I recently got an '07 LTZ 2wd for a work vehicle and I must say, this is the best truck Chevy has ever produced. Like most people, I'd like more power.In a few monthsthe lease is up on my 2006 E55 (returning it to stock and goodbye MB!) and the wife and I need more space for us and the baby. I've been considering an Escalade because of 403 HP, but don't like the fact that it's $$$ for what is really a blinged out Tahoe. Now that the '09's" will get the 6.2/6 spd that is nearly identical to the Caddy, I'm thinking that's the truck for us. I've searched the forums, but the jury still seems to be "out" on the lockpick? Some haters, others love it? I see no performance mods for the 6.2? To get the 6.2 4X4 requires the LTZ package with "autoride" suspension. Can that be lifted slightly? I see no mention of it in ads, and the local 4-Wheel Parts said no, no way to lift that (I find that hard to believe).Does anyone have any experience with the "removeable" overhead DVD player? It has a bigger screen than the factory Panasonic "permanent mount" unit that's in my '07 and seems to be a good idea if it works like the hard mounted unit when in the truck. Finally, I could not find the definitive answer on HID conversion in the fogs. No way it melts, or is there another lens/housing that solves this? If not, do the "white" 880/881 bulbs look like HID headlights? TIA.

 

If you get an Escalade, it is not just a blinged out Tahoe. I have the Hoe, my mom has the Escalade. It has heated and cooled seats, power 3rd and 2nd rows, better leather, leather armrests [door panels?], and depending on if you compare it to a stock LTZ, a better engine [just disregarding your option on the 6.2L engine]. Plus the navigation system has a bigger touch screen and the option to hold 6 CD's with the Nav, which the Tahoe cannot. You also get HID headlights if you were wanting those. If it's not much of a jump for you from LTZ to Escalade, go for the Caddy. This is just my opinion, and to answer your question about the fogs, the ones on mine are bright enough! But if you'd like to do the HID conversion I think I read that a low temperature kit will be fine, but just to be safe do some searching for a thicker lenses.

Either way, whatever you choose, enjoy! :]

 

Does the Esky have oil pressure and voltage gauges?

 

You lose those in the Caddy and no low range, no 2wd. I knew about the 6 disc changer, but did not know the nav screen was bigger. My LTZ has heated, but you're right, not cooled seats. I'm not against an aftermarket HID setup, but the Platinum Caddy has the magnetic ride control system like a 'vette and, get this, LED headlights. Wonder how long it'll take before we start seeing aftermarket LED kits? I'm still not sure Isee a $20-30K difference?? That's a big jump for anybody. Other differences?

 

Sorry I guess I wasn't thinking how far the MSRP's were apart! I can see what you mean. The LTZ Tahoe is still a really nice car, have you considered the Denali? It has more HP than the Hoe, not as much as the Escalade though. Not as big as much of a price jump either, in fact my parents' friends got an 09 Denali brand new for a lesser price than my 08 LT3 was worked down to, and theirs has every option! I don't know if only the LTZ's can get the new engine in the 09's, but you can get a LT3 with the same things as the LTZ minus the 1 chrome letter and chrome appearance option, but if you're wanting chrome go for the LTZ. I love the chrome package on those 09's, they have more than the previous ones. Anyways, I heard about those new Platinum ones, they make my mom freak over those new features and she's considering ordering one, if the dealers can right now, or just wait until they arrive at the dealership itself. I can't wait to see what that magnetic ride is like!

Other differences [if you mean between Escalade and LTZ]...That's all I can think of I guess. The LTZ is no doubt a good choice, I was just throwing in my opinion on the Escalade because of things I've learned from my mom owning one. Never thought about the oil level/voltage meter, I probably haven't even noticed it because my mom doesn't let me drive her car very often at all.

 

I think the Denali is butt ugly. I had a Yukon for a work truck before the '07 Hoe because I think they USED to look better than the Sub/Hoe, but not the new ones. The Caddy is a little over the top on chrome and has no low range but the wife and I used to mega-power, so the 403 HP was a big deal until the 6.2/395 HP '09 4X4. By the time the E55 goes away, I hope to find one on a lot to test drive it.