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However, it's amazingly stable and quiet and powerful at 70mph on the freeway -- and getting up to that speed. I'm curious if this confidence-inspiring composure and stability will still be present at 90mph or 100mph?
gnomic- Escape not as tall as the Explorer? Have you checked your stats? Yes it is indeed taller than the Explorer! And you would "replace your tires before you sell?" I simply do not understand that reasoning.
2001 Escape XLT 4x4 is 67.0 inches tall.
Stats say Explorer is taller regardless of model year.
I understand the reasoning behind changing the Firestones prior to trade-in. Simple matter of perception. A truck with Firestones will be perceived as being less safe than the same truck with non-Firestone tires. As a result, the value of the Firestone truck will seem lower. The $300 cost of changing the tires may result in a resale value much higher than having not discarded the Firestones.
I had the same concerns re: my '00 Explorer and it even came new with Goodyears. I think this whole debacle is going to have a large impact on resale values (regardless of tire brand) but only in an immediate time frame. Long-term, once everything is taken care of and the "heat is off", resale values will begin to stabilize and rebound slightly. It's just a matter of getting the Firestones out of the picture and getting on with business as usual.
Regarding height, the 2001 Ford SUV brochure (the green one with a compass on the cover) lists these statistics:
Exterior height:
Escape 69.1 inches
Explorer 4dr 67.5 inches
Explorer Sport 68.2 inches
Explorer Sport Trac 70.1 inches
Ground clearance:
Escape 7.8 inches
Explorer 6.7 inches (all models)
Head room first row:
Escape 40.4 inches
Explorer 4dr 39.9 inches
Explorer Sport 39.4 inches
Explorer Sport Trac 39.4 inches
Head room second row:
Escape 39.2 inches
Explorer 4dr 39.3 inches
Explorer Sport 39.1 inches
Explorer Sport Trac 38.9 inches
Roof racks and moon roofs will have a slight impact, of course. But as you can see, the Escape is overall *taller* than the Explorer for this model year. Have they completely redesigned the Explorer for 2002? Who cares? That's not a direct comparison anyway -- we might as well compare a 1989 Explorer! Or a 2003 Escape HEV. Or...
I feel about 6 on a scale of 10 about the X-Plan. I think there's a lot that is not very well explained, and I can't say that my X-plan buying experience has been without confusion and hassle.
It seems that all car salesmen, no matter which mfr. you are dealing with, have a circular way of talking, or they explain things too fast, or jump over things that are concerning you.
A friend of mine is married to a new-car dealership manager, and I even talked to him about the X-plan. I can imagine their conversations, because he is nimbly able to communicate in the above-mentioned format.
http://e46fanatics.com/faq/rizzo.html
It's a shrewd business tactic mixed with a lot of common sense discussed many times on the BMW E46 (new 3-series) forum, and works amazingly well if you have some time. You just have to add a bit of upfront research on availability vs. offer-over-invoice for your particular city.
It reminds me of this guy I knew in college who lived like a slob and didn't clean or fix anything in his apartment until he was about to move out. Then, and only then, would he take painstaking measures to polish his hole-in-the-wall until it was virtually "perfect" -- in order to get back his rent deposit, so he claims. Unfortunately, there was always a deduction for carpet cleaning, and the next tenant turns out to be the beneficiary of his cleaning! It's too bad he never enjoyed living in a decent place for more than half a day.
I actually don't mind waiting a little bit. I'm pretty happy with my '99 Escort. The only reason I'm getting an SUV is for hauling stuff like sheets of plywood, etc. And the leather seats will help with the dog hair problem. My dog has long hair, and lots of it, so I'm done cleaning cloth seats.
They are replacing the Firestone tires at no extra cost. I put down a $200 deposit.
If the 17" space can be replaced by a regular tire, How hard would it be to get a regular tire into the spot of the spare. And has anybody tried to do this as of yet???? I will find out when I get my Goodyear's and let you all know.
Odie
...and carrying sheets of plywood in your Escape? IMPOSSIBLE if you're talking about full 4ft x 8ft sheets -- unless you leave the rear door OPEN!
Odie
There is practically no way to eliminate it , except for constant cleaning and keeping a good coat of wax on the wheels {makes it easier to clean] ...or, you can purchase a set of brake dust covers thru www.jcwhitney.com. YThere are two types, vented and non-vented {vented allow more air to keep the brakes cool....{Problem...You really need "four" instead of just two for the front, as when you rotate the tires, the front set is a bitc- to get out, once they are inserted in the inside portion of the wheel...therefore you need four.. approx. $80.00.
Some people do not recommend them.Some people swear by them.I recommend you check with you Ford Service manager for his opinion.Some people have even replaced the Factory brake pads with more expensive top of the line brake pads that are made of a better... less... "wear dust" composition.
Hope this helps...
BrakeDust NORT
Odie
The roof rack cross bars are installed by the dealer. Often they are installed backwards and if they are you will get lots of howling. Make sure the gradual slope is forward and the steep slope is rearward.
David
My question is though, does anyone know when the 2002 models will be coming out? Also, any word on any changes they may be making to the 2001 model?
Thanks
The side bars aren't much of a problem, but they do make great door gaurds. People tend to dent thier doors and not hit my sheetmetal. Too bad for them
As for the problems with 2001, they were mostly related to production startup problems, not serious design issues. I think the 2001 is a safe bet now. I just found my first nit: a read door handle isn't set right in the door and pops out when pulled. Minor nit will fix on the 90 day follow up. The 2002 has a few feature changes and different colors, but is basically the same design.
Question: Does this brake dust affect the performance of the brakes? I.e., when you see the brake dust does it mean that something needs to be fixed? Just making sure; seems it's a side effect of the way the brakes are constructed?
Odie
If its too much I'll order a 2001 while I still can...
Does anyone out there have an XL Sport??
I haven't seen any in MD...
Even if it is not a full size regular tire, but is close, I'd imagine it is STILL better than the temporary spare they give you. OF COURSE you still want to match it up with the proper replacement as soon as possible.
When I got 185/60R14 for my Civic, I kept the old 175/70R13 as a spare and put the donut in the attic.
Please read my post #670.
As to a regular size spare in the area of the "little spare"...I have been told that it will not fit due to the fact it would be "higher" than the floor mat area and make it look "bumpy".
If you have any doubts about this...I suggest you go to any tire shop or junkyard and just ask to "borrow' a 16" 0r 15" {whatever size you have on your Escape...take out the original spare and test the "borrowed one.
Some of the people in the Ford Escape Yahoo Club
go driving on certain beach areas where a "regular size spare" is mandatory and this same question was asked there with the same above answer.
Hope this helps.
BrakeDust and SpareTire NORT {TRON}
Yellow 4X2 with EVERY OPTION...
I hope Chrysler will extend my lease on my Jeep... or maybe I should buy a Liberty instead, I wonder if I can get my deposit back?
MPG:
I average 24.6 mpg highway and 20.5 mpg city. I have made two trips to NJ from Florida and back and keep accurate mpg records.
WIND NOISE
It is possible the roof rack will cause wind noise if not installed with the "slanted" portion faceing the front of the vehicle.Some of the "wind noise' supposedly comes from the sideview mirrors, which is common on a lot of vehicles and also "tire noise".Some people have changed their Firestones for Michelin or whatever "better" type tire. Some dealers will even relace the factory Firestones for you at no charge. I have the 16"Wilderness HT's {no recall on them} and they are fine.I believe the 15" wheels come with General or Goodyear or whatever.
My road/wind noise is no different than my previous Honda Accord.
5-20 OIL
Ford has specified the 5-20 oil for the Escape, Honda has specified 5-20 for some of their new models. Supposedly, it makes for slightly better gas mileage. The 5-20 oil now available even at JiffyLubes...... Motorcraft, Exxon, and some other major suppliers... {I forget the brands}.... now make same and supply same to autoparts stores, etc. Walmart even carries it.
You will not be disappointed when your new Escape arrives.Enjoy it and stop worrying, as the so called "bugs" are now history.
It is a lot of vehicle for the low price. You made a wise choice and will have many safe and enjoyable miles.
FORD ESCAPE TRON
Any info. would be appreciated as we were told June 1 was the cutoff date for ordering the 2001 and they also were out of the Moon roofs which is a must for us.
Thanks for any and all information.
hckynut
Thanks,
Jimmy
1. QS now mkes an appropriate 5W-20 oil, but to meet manufacturer specifications they are using a synthetic blend. This also complies with the new SL standard that replaces the SJ oil standard.
2. The same engines a few years ago had 10W-30 recommended. There is definitely a gas mileage issue with Ford that may come at the cost of engine wear. But the 5W-30, and 10W30, will not meet this newer specification until July.
3. Personal opinion, with these engines I would use Synthetic. It holds the seal better anyway, and is more durable.
Thanks for your help,
Jimmy
Drew
Host
Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
Thanks a bunch,
Jimmy
The 4cyl, of course, has less power but better mileage -- and the characteristics described in recent messages. It's also the only engine that's offered with the manual tranny, which I would have loved to get with my 6cyl.
The 6cyl4x2 is the one with better than 18/24 mileage (I wonder why they didn't post different numbers for it) -- most likely due to its lack of transfer case and extra weight and friction. I believe this is the one that people are getting over 20mpg on average and over 25 long distance?
All in all, I still love my 6cyl4x4 because it really grips the loose slippery stuff even before switching to "always on 4x4." And it still rockets off a green ahead of most others with four adults in it. Too bad the gas tank is not bigger. I'm filling up way too often.