AirSpeed VW Community Forums
General Forums => Air Speed Lounge => Topic started by: James Buchan on September 26, 2006, 04:39:34 PM
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Anyone ever owned one? If so what did you think of it.
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It's a Ford. you need to ask?!?!?!?
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My brother had one. His was a 2003 limited model, every option, tow package, 3.0L V6, etc..
The SUV was good on gas, reliable (well he only had it till from new till 26,000 kms), roomy (you could fit 4-5 adults comfortably), the ground clearance isn't too bad combined with a short wheel base it was fun on drit roads and some \"trails\". The SUV pulled our ski boat, however it didn't have quite enough power. My brother now has a ranger, however he needs it to tow the boat and for work.
With all of that being said, it is still a domestic product. Not anywhere near the fit and finish of a import product, however the truck market is still dominated by the americans. The SUV did have some squeaks and rattles, was cheaply put together (buttons and dash were a bit tacky), and lacked class. I am bias to Ford trucks over a GMC or Chevy. Dodge if you want a diesel.
Ford ] GM
Stephan
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My dad's a Ford mechanic at Dams, and I just asked him this same question the other day.
He said they're actually a pretty good vehicle, but if you ever have a tranny problem be aware it's going to be a HUGE job. They're not proned to tranny problems (he's only ever done 1 - the car was beaten to hell) from what he told me. And get the V-6 model! No major problems from what he's seen.
My ex-boss has one coming off of lease right now. He had it for 4 years and loved it.
Hope that helps :mullet:
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James stick with Volkswagen and buy a 4.2 litre, 310 hp, 8-cylinder engine. toureg B)
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:) I am comparing gas milage and such with them and the seem reasonable, I also read only to get the V6 model elsewhere. They are the same as a Mazda Tribute just a tad larger stance. Pricing seems fairly reasonable as well...
Going to test drive one tomorrow near my work and I guess I will see what it's like then. Thanks for the replies!
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Hey James,
The shop foreman who I used to work with(And she was from a ford dealer in Alberta) had one. The transmission started going south with 30k on it. If you want to do an escape I would really suggest getting an Escape Hybrid. Good on gas and such...
-Kirin
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There was a customer of ours that was driving on the freeway and the plastic piece of shi! intake plenum exploded.
If you need a tow vehicle I'd buy a late model M-van like the astro :D
people mover?? You wanna buy my sister n' laws mint 2002 Honda Odyssey for 20 grand? 74,000 clicks
If you need a people mover in a smaller package get a CRV. Rock solid tranny, excellent reliable engine and decent mileage. Any type of SUV have shitty mileage if you really look at the market. The only problem is you'll have alot of money in your wallet because you wont have regular big mechanic bills. :D
Dont get a hybrid. They wont save you a whole lot of money and the intial cost will not make pay for itself in many many years.
escape??? hmmmm statsitically you'll probably be visiting a mechanic often.
I haven't looked at the mazda5 closely but it has a 2.3 L 153HP engine. kinda like a mini mini van.
If you want a 4x4 kinda deal i'd go with honda CRV compared to an escape. Initial cost is obviously more but I'd say a good 50-75% less maintanance/mechanic bills. But what do I know I only run a shop?? ;)
I wanted a car with versatility so I bought a new xrs 180hp toyota matrix. The wife's got the CRV so I'm covered. Also I'm part of the M-van club now too so for towing I'll use my 97 Astro. I'm not impresssed with the Escape and oddly enough my brothers good friend owns Brown Bros ford.
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Ford escape, Drive train by Mazda , Body by ford....
I bet it is better than an Acura eh Matt, Atleast my ford gets you home at night ;)
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Give Jason a call. His mom bought a Mazda Tribute a year or so ago. He may be able to give you a second hand opinion as well.
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One of the VolksRodders is selling his Escape V6 because it doesn't have enough power to pull his car trailer.
(https://airspeedparts.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv611%2Fray-dean%2FTulsa%2F3711re2.jpg&hash=20c06e732df824cbb5bd5d2c5c3c5a43e1d6a44c)
If you plan on trailering your car with it you might have issues.
:rockon:
ThrasheR
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A \"New\" ride will always be decent. Longevity over the years is a whole different story.
my bros $46,000 F150 had to get its fuse box replaced after a few weeks of purchase. The keyless entry is flakey so he has to get that fixed too. Its a FORD. When stuff like that happens just \"suck it up\" did I mention the dash creeks!!!
I shouldn't complalin because it tows my 65 :)
Perhaps I'm being critical but I work on this shit all the time. I guess if it wasn't for \"issues\" I wouldn't have a job if it wasn't for issues commonly found in domestics.
I'd starve if majority of my customers were acura and honda owners. It sucks to just do oil changes and brake checks.
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Manda had an escape 2000 I think, she loved it.. I don't think I would tow with it though... Mind you I do own 3 or so Trucks so no need to tow with it...New cars are not like old ones. However Like Alan said there is warranty, And when that is getting close to being over I flip the cars...
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Blarneyman drives a Hybrid for work... Guess it has no power to get itself out of \"stuck in the mud\" so don't go the green route unless your a pavement only kinda guy.
Get a Honda Element- most VW Bus-like car out there right now! Can you buy an accessory tent for your Escape??? Can your Escape's spare tire cover fold up and become a picnic table??? I'm only asking!
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Like Ryan said. DON'T go green! You won't like it. I've heard good things about the V-6 although I'm not real impressed with the ground clearence. Put on a skid plate at the oil pan if you do get one. The pan is alloy! One big rock in a construction area or off road and you're towing it home. :(
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I think budget will determine what to get. Application for Towing capabilities??? or people mover only ???
You can get a chevrolet Jimmy for dirt cheap. From leaking rear main seals, cracking intake plastic gaskets, leaking pumpdrive seals in the trannies and the list goes on. You get what you pay for. When they are new they are ok. When those crappy engineered vehicles get old be prepared to pull the whole dash out and put it on the seat because the heater cores are in the heater box unit that must be completely removed.
If your intentions are like shane you'll be fine and give back the vehicle after a short time of ownership. That'll leave problems for the next owner.
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It going to be for moving people, we are due in January with our second daughter. Towing will be limited and the trailer is lightweight anyways and my car is less than 1500lbs.
I am thinking along the lines of what Shane said, use it and dump it prior to the warrenty - It comes down to I am tired of having older vehicles; I currently have 5 cars - 2 beetles (one not running) 2 Jetta's and a truck. The truck is getting traded in and I will sell my Turbo Diesel Jetta ( after I do a few repairs that I have been neglecting )
I won't go near a Jimmy/Blazer, I like the Hyundai Santa Fe but the Ford Escape looks better and personally I prefer a Ford product, all the Fords that I have owned thru the years have been good.
Thanks for everyones replies - I didn't think this would get this much response.
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i just bought a ridgeline and have been happy with it.
i have not towed with it yet but the milage apparently is not very good when towing.
but as a people movers it is very comfortble