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Does the government really waste our tax dollars on Escalades? I can't imagine why they'd need such a behemoth, but even if they do, why not settle for a Chevy

Does the government really waste our tax dollars on Escalades? I can't imagine why they'd need such a behemoth, but even if they do, why not settle for a Chevy Tahoe instead? Functionally the same car, $25K cheaper.

deleted 11y ago
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amptorn 11y ago
Intimidation?
- progressive_dad 11y ago
  That's why police drive them in Chicago...
  - monksy 11y ago
    Theres a mix of police vehicles in Chicago. They may have a few older Tahoes.. but most of the newest police vehicles are Ford Explorers. They have to have SUVs due to winter. Most of the standard sedans won't do so well in deep snow.
hyperbovine 11y ago
Rest assured, the gov is not paying anywhere near MSRP for its fleet vehicles.
- lawnchair_larry 11y ago
  Even getting them at "cost" is roughly just as wasteful.
  - tertius 11y ago
    They're good tools. I'm okay with that.
    - CWuestefeld 11y ago
      Are they better tools than are Chevy Tahoes?
  - joering2 11y ago
    There is no such a thing as "money waste" when it comes to governmental contracts that go into private hands via bribes kickbacks and staged pre-set bids. If anything those involved would love to find ways how to spend even more!
HillRat 11y ago
Escalades aren't (I believe) on the current GSA VAL, but Cadillac is a recipient of "non-standard vehicle" contracts, such as for the Presidential limo. Tahoes are pretty much the default SUV, even for non-standard tactical vehicles (such as motorcade protection), so I would expect an Escalade to indicate the presence of a seventh-floor official who rates something other than government standard.
poof131 11y ago
If the cars are armored, the difference between Tahoe and Escalade is probably minimal compared to the overall cost I'd imagine, but still would be a nice gesture to not bling out when working for the government no matter who you are. Remember watching the news awhile back and seeing various directors leave the white house. Most in big, black luxury vehicles, except the CIA director who got into what seemed a very normal looking, grey, mid-sized SUV, Toyota maybe. Really shows who wants to be seen and who really cares about not being a target.
phragg 11y ago
I imagine when we bailed out GM the gov got a bunch of escalades as a result

deleted 11y ago

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amptorn 11y ago

Intimidation?

progressive_dad 11y ago
That's why police drive them in Chicago...
- monksy 11y ago
  Theres a mix of police vehicles in Chicago. They may have a few older Tahoes.. but most of the newest police vehicles are Ford Explorers. They have to have SUVs due to winter. Most of the standard sedans won't do so well in deep snow.

hyperbovine 11y ago

Rest assured, the gov is not paying anywhere near MSRP for its fleet vehicles.

lawnchair_larry 11y ago
Even getting them at "cost" is roughly just as wasteful.
- tertius 11y ago
  They're good tools. I'm okay with that.
  - CWuestefeld 11y ago
    Are they better tools than are Chevy Tahoes?
- joering2 11y ago
  There is no such a thing as "money waste" when it comes to governmental contracts that go into private hands via bribes kickbacks and staged pre-set bids. If anything those involved would love to find ways how to spend even more!

HillRat 11y ago

Escalades aren't (I believe) on the current GSA VAL, but Cadillac is a recipient of "non-standard vehicle" contracts, such as for the Presidential limo. Tahoes are pretty much the default SUV, even for non-standard tactical vehicles (such as motorcade protection), so I would expect an Escalade to indicate the presence of a seventh-floor official who rates something other than government standard.

poof131 11y ago

If the cars are armored, the difference between Tahoe and Escalade is probably minimal compared to the overall cost I'd imagine, but still would be a nice gesture to not bling out when working for the government no matter who you are. Remember watching the news awhile back and seeing various directors leave the white house. Most in big, black luxury vehicles, except the CIA director who got into what seemed a very normal looking, grey, mid-sized SUV, Toyota maybe. Really shows who wants to be seen and who really cares about not being a target.

phragg 11y ago

I imagine when we bailed out GM the gov got a bunch of escalades as a result