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Can this work with Ranger?
If I understand it correctly, it allows you configure your car online, and then you just refer to a number at your dealer?
But,thats done. All in all I am pretty impressed with the Escape. we had looked for 2 weeks before I bought. we looked at the Rav4,but quickly left when we saw how little space they had in the cargo area. The Escape has just about the same as my neighbors Blazer.
One thing I am concerned about ,is the recalls.
Mine was built in March 2001(according to the door sticker)The sticker on the motor has 03/08/2001.So,I hope most of the bugs are worked out.
Just saw this on the Edmunds site. The JD Powers study puts Hyundai almost at bottom of the list for quality - beating only Kia, Suzuki and Daewoo (and much worse than both Mazda and Ford, I might add). I'm sure this will stir up some discussions with our Sante Fe listeners out there.
http://www.autonews.com/html/main/stories/power15.htm
Has anyone else had these problems?
click on Ford and it takes you right to Escape parts.
Happy hunting.
I've had my Escape XLT 4X4 with ALL the options for a month now. Got it from Steve Johnson @ Bob Beuckman (www.gotobo.com) in St. Louis, MO. Ordered in Mid-Feb for $85 over invoice, got it the end of last month. Last car: a 2000 Mustang with not enough room for the bodies in the trunk (JUST KIDDING!! - But people quit asking why I'd give up a 'stang!).
The good news is that nothing seems to be wrong: no odd fuel smells, no rattles, nothing. It handles like a car, it peppy enough for my lead foot, and I'm the envy of the SUV crowd in my office.
Little nits: The leather interior feels like cheap vinyl (my 95 contour had GREAT seats!) and the 6-CD changer has long pauses when switching out CDs. The Mach-1 sound system doesn't have the punch it needs (the 'stang had less room, and was good but not great). The moonroof cover isn't vented (another niceity in the 95 Contour). And of course there is way too many things sticking out of the steering column.
The biggest nit is the "tilt" steering is adjusted using some bizarre/awkward control on the underside of the column. Missed that on the test drive.
Something that many will find annoying is the "insistant" seat belt reminder. Not a ding, or even a ding-ding, but a ding-ding-ding-ding-ding-ding-ding that repeats for 30 seconds for 5 minutes. I know safety is important; I don't need the reminder.
There seems to be a minor glitch in the remote security/seat belt reminder logic if you turn the car off while in park. Seems to affect the bells and whistles, but not much else.
Overall, I'm pretty happy with it. Got a good deal on loan rates by shopping around and getting ford credit to match my best rate. Saved a 1/2 pt. and got a $400 rebate for getting my MBA.
Look for a 6mo and 12mo review in the future....
Question on financing--are you a recent grad? I have my MBA too and would love to get in on that rebate (but I've been out of school for a few years now). And your finance rate--could you give us more info there? Rates around here at credit unions for a 5-year term are currently running at 8 percent for best rate.
Thanks!!
The vehicle handles great. The engine is quite and responsive and the interior is roomy and comfortable. The only suggestion I would make is to relocate the gear shift to the floor. The shift arm is too long and slightly interfears with the radio controls.
Overall Great vehicle.
To paraphase Ghostbusters, the next time someone asks you if your a Grad, the answer is "YES".
lovethosesuvs>> are you a recent grad?
Yup. Got my MBA Dec/00.
lovethosesuvs>> but I've been out of school for a few years now
Then you are SOL - I think the deadline is mid-'00
lovethosesuvs>> And your finance rate--could you give us more info there?
Ford credit offered 7.9% I locked in at 7.25%. the best rate around hear was 6.9%, but I got the add'l $400 grad credit, making my effective rate a bit better I think.
I got my 4wd/XLT on 4/20 & its a great car/truck.
Good luck in your fight for a new truck!
Dave
Steve
Host
Vans, SUVs and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
Boy, I see this question a lot.
There are a LOT of cars out there. And a small number of them, statisticlly, have problems. And this is the kind of place where you find out about them directly.
The questions to ask yourself are:
Does this car seem BETTER OR WORSE than others?
Are the Dealers FIXING the problems?
Are the problems BIG or little?
If you have a few problems with your new car and they fix them without hassle, then that is just the way it is.
If you have a BIG problem and the dealer make it right, well, that happens. The world ain't perfect.
If you have BIG problems that aren't fixed, aren';t fixed right, or keep having problems, that isn't right. The dealer should make it right.
The Escape is a first year production car and has had some problem due to american production startup, not design. The dealers didn't know how to fix them (ford's bad). But most of them now should be OK. See blueovalnews.com for more info.
Mine has a minor problem with the fuel guage not reading as full as it should. Most people wouldn't notice unless they did the math. But that's it so far at 1040 miles.
I'd rather own a Ford than, say, a Hyundi (although they are getting better I hear) or a Yugo. But my cousin who swears by Honda got a CRX that has had one small problem after another for 2 years. Reason not to by a CRX? No..she was just unlucky. (But she won't buy from the same dealer!)
The overall just of this... The Escape is a good car. Some people will have problems. Hope not to be one of them. If you like it, buy it. And don't lay awke nights thinking what if...
(Links broken up with spaces due to Edmunds' limitations"
http://www.bradr.com/fordescape/ pics/2002_escape_1.jpg
http://www.bradr.com/fordescape/ pics/2002_escape_2.jpg
Shows color changes, and changes to standard equipment. I like the fact the the XLT will get a power drivers seat standard.
Brochure page 1
Brochure page 2
Ford is also running an ad on the Ford Escape new car info page at Edmunds if you want to order a print brochure or look at different colors on the rig. Look for the "Special Info From Ford" link once you pick the model version you are interested in.
Steve
Host
Vans, SUVs and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
Has anyone else been losing any windshield washer fluid?
Anyways, anyone know if Ford will have the front bumper of the car painted to match the rest of the car in the near future? I t would look a lot better than the ugly gray in fornt in my opinion.
Has anybody tried this in a V6 Escape? Mine is still in its "break-in" stage, so I won't be pushing it for a while.
Question is, am I OK getting an Escape now, in the 2001 model year, given all the recalls in its first year? Or will mechanicals be that much better in 2002? I really DO NOT want that privacy glass. But I do want a mechanically sound vehicle.
firstname - First of all I agree with tincup that the X5 would most likely have the best steering, however, I also feel you must remember SUVs are not sports cars, they are not meant for high speed driving. Second of all, I believe that both the Escape and the Tribute are electronically governed (computer chip) to top out at 107mph.
RECALLS - were not all these done prior to November. Since that time has any new production Escape/Tribute been effected by them?
We thank you for your interest in Ford's tire replacement program for
Firestone Wilderness AT tires. We hope that the following information
will assist you in understanding the situation and in addressing your
questions regarding the safety of your vehicle.
Ford will replace Firestone Wilderness AT tires on Ford Explorers,
Expeditions, F-Series and Ranger and Mercury Mountaineers at no expense
to our customers. This is a voluntary precautionary measure. Ford made
the decision to take this action after extensive examination of real
world data as well as laboratory and track testing in close
collaboration with NHTSA. The real world data, in conjunction with our
testing and statistical projections, shows these tires will probably
have elevated failure rates at some time in the future. Ford does not
have sufficient confidence in the future performance of these tires, so
we're acting in the interest of our customers' safety and to ensure
their continued trust and confidence.
If you have Firestone Wilderness AT tires on your Ford or Mercury
vehicle, a communication will be mailed to you to have your tires
replaced at no charge.
Ford Motor Company's first concern is for the safety of our customers.
The large number of vehicles involved will almost immediately exhaust
manufacturer inventories before they are able to increase production
volumes. We are halting production at some of our assembly plants to
divert tire volume toward this program.
If your tires are older than three years, or have more than 30,000 miles
on them, please contact an authorized Ford or Lincoln Mercury Certified
Tire dealer to arrange to have your tires replaced. Because tire
supplies are limited, we are asking customers with newer tires to
schedule an appointment after they receive the notification letter from
Ford.
For all tires, it is important to maintain proper inflation pressure
(for proper tire pressure check the label on the driver side door jam),
not to overload your vehicle, and inspect tires periodically for any
damage.
If you paid to replace your Firestone Wilderness AT tires from August 1,
2000 through May 22, 2001 and you have your original receipt, Ford Motor
Company will reimburse you. If you still have your old tires you should
return them to your Ford or Lincoln Mercury Certified Tire Dealer for
free tire disposal and refund processing. You can receive a refund by
attaching your original receipt (no copies) to a completed refund form.
The refund form is available on the Internet at www.ford.com.
If you have further specific questions, please email us at
tires@customersupportctr.com or call us at 1-866-300-1226 and we will be
happy to address your inquires. Also, the latest updates to the program
are available at www.ford.com.
Thank you again for contacting Ford Motor Company there are two things
that we never take lightly: Your safety and your trust.
Sincerely,
Ford Motor Company
Customer Relationship Center
I drove past the local ford dealer on the way home. All the Escapes had Firestone HTs, not the recalled ATs.
So we take a hit in the pocketbook on resale if we unload it with the 'stones. Frankly, I'll probably replace the tires before I sell, so I'm not that worried. Given a chioce between 'stones and goodyear, I'll take the 'stones.
I don't know what I'll replace these with, but if Perrelli has a tire that fits... Best Tires I ever owned. Could take my Accord around a cloverleaf curve doing 70 with narry a skid. My wife had the exact same car with cheaper tires and I couldn't do the same thing at 50.
For those of you worried at this tire recall, relax. the Escape is much lighter than the explorer and not so tall, so the stresses that may cause failure are much less. Chances are some idiot will hit you before your tires blow up.
Just a matter of perspective!
Also, they are charging holdback for both the vehicle and its options...why, if I have to order out for this vehicle?
Other than that, the price is about 0.7% over invoice (about $2,100 less than MSRP). They say the price they are quoting me is an estimate and the final price will come when the vehicle comes. Yet they want me to sign a purchase contract. Should I?
I ran out of time yesterday, as I had an appointment, so didn't finish the financial paperwork.
Please help!