Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
A reporter would like to speak with you about your experience; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 7/22 for details.
A reporter would like to speak with you about your experience; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 7/22 for details.
Options
Comments
Stalling while coming to a stop can happen even if you were drifting down a hill in neutral without ever having accelerated at all. With the Escape/Tribute, you have to accelerate first.
The problem that hondaman experienced was different in two ways. One, it quit upon a stop. Something was obviously wrong, but I don't believe it was the same based on what I and others have reported. (Don't tell me you CR worshipers aren't going to believe hard data!)Two, it wouldn't restart right away. No one has had a problem restarting after their engine quit.
Enough about that though. This is exactly why it sounds like such a major problem. We all keep discussing it everywhere we go. Out of the five or six people that keep talking about it here, I think I'm the only one who has actually experienced it live and in person.
For those that are tuning it but not posting, TSB 02-11-06 should take car of all your needs. Don't let them tell you that they can't find it or don't know what you are talking about it either. They can find it in like two seconds on the OASIS system. All of this info is posted, in great detail, in the Tribute/Escape problems board here in the Town Hall.
I also disagree that you deny it as being a major problem because I think that any stalling is a problem even Honda has this right now and are fixing it by changing the components. They even acknowledged this in 2000 changing the parts for the 2001 CRV and waited to find out if that resolved the issue leading to the present recall. What is surprising is that this happens many times right out of the box from Ford and should be corrected for the 2003 model cause if this happens in this model year, that could lead to a major drop in sales. Let's hope this problem will not be the next topic of conversation on this board!
Baggs you may be the only one here besides myself, that has experienced this but in the Escape/Tribute problems area, there have been quite a few otheres that don't care to write about which one is better that have! How did you feel when this occured to you? Honda lover or not, if that happens to me now, I would be quite un-happy and rather angry that a problem as such, had not been resolved after the company has know about this for a while. This is an objective question of course.
I am not trying to start a war but some of these issues are HUGE! How can they all be corrected so fast? I am questioning how a company could even produce a vehicle like this and be proud! Comparing apples to apples here, the CRVis in its first year and there are only a fraction of the problems this vehicle has encountered! I agree there are many happy owners but I was not aware there were so many problems!
I just found the importance of the problems mentioned rather grave! I am questioning if all of them have been taken care of!?
varmint is right, CR-V owners tend to post their problems in the "CR-V" board and as far as I can remember, not many problems are discussed in the "Ford Escape" board. You will find some serious problems CR-V board too. Go check out the Accord forums if you want to see some more problems.
For whatever reason, a lot of those "grave" problems that you are referring to are unique to this forum. I read and post at three other Escape/Ford forums and this is the only one that contains some of them. Some of them don't even turn out to be problems at all. For example, I remember someone panicking about a clicking sound coming from somewhere in the front of the vehicle. They thought a wheel was coming off whereas it turned out to be a big rock stuck in the tire tread that made a clicking sound every time it hit the pavement. I really enjoy reading those.
I also wonder how many of those "grave" problems were caused by stupidity. For example, there's a warning on the back of the driver's visor (and in the manual, but who reads that thing anyway) that tells you not to engage the 4X4 on dry pavement or while moving faster than 55 mph. If you were to ignore either of these rules, your engine and/or transmission are not going to have a long happy life. I'll bet service employees can tell us some real doosies!
My point is, you're reading one problem in one forum. That does not mean the vehicle is an unreliable piece of scrap metal.
"I also disagree that you deny it as being a major problem because I think that any stalling is a problem even Honda has this right now and are fixing it by changing the components."
That is because they have determined a part was at fault and that part could fail in every single vehicle. The stalling has only been reported in a low number of vehicles and they may have come to the conclusion that not all of them are affected. I don't really know that, but it sounds good.
"should be corrected for the 2003 model cause if this happens in this model year, that could lead to a major drop in sales."
I doubt that it will lead to any drop at all. We like to think that the Town Hall is some kind of automobile mecca which everyone uses as a guide, but in reality I'd guess that only about one every 50-100 people actually knows about it, and the information contained within. These are the only places you ever hear anything about it.
"How did you feel when this occurred to you?"
To be honest, I didn't think much of it at the time because I've driven some pretty crappy cars in the past that have stalled before (my High School sweetheart's dad owned a body shop), and my wife handled it with relative ease. I was more worried about her reaction than anything else, and like I said, she handled it like a pro. I had read about it before we bought the Escape, so after it happened I immediately began the quest for information. The thing that annoyed me the most about it was the difficulty in finding a dealer that would listen to me.
"I just found the importance of the problems mentioned rather grave! I am questioning if all of them have been taken care of!?"
You would have to directly ask the people who experienced them for that answer. They are the only one's who know about them first hand.
When I said "grave" I probably should of explained. I noticed things like stalling, fuel odour, suspension parts that could fail (recall) etc... and this kind of made me think of my Grand Vitera V6 (1999) I had! What a wreck that was! I am happy you don't have these problems with yours however there were quite a serious number that would seem to have had the stalling issue. I guess I am a little confused as to how a new vehicle could be so problematic in its first year! Maybe you could explain some.
As for the Accord it can be said that selling over 400000 a year could lead to a few complaints here and there but I do think you should NOT really go there with the Accord or Camray reliability issue as they have been on top for many years and there are numerous studies that could easiliy be linked on that BUT this is CRV/Escape and we should leave it there!
Well, I do know that the fuel odor and the wheel hubs (I'm assuming that's what you were referring to by the suspension failing because I've never heard of a suspension failing yet) were fixed in one of the early recalls. You would probably have the problems if a dealer sold it without doing the work first. It happens.
"I guess I am a little confused as to how a new vehicle could be so problematic in its first year! Maybe you could explain some."
Read the article below as I think it puts things into perspective. Someone previously told me that I can't blame all of their problems on one man (Nasser). I truly believe that he was the biggest problem that Ford had because he rushed everything to market. Remember Goldblum's line from Jurassic Park? It went something like this: "They were so concerned about whether or not they could, they forgot to ask themselves if they should." Jacques had too many visions of grandeur. This article only helps strengthen my belief. Of course, I could only be listening to what I want to hear just like Mom always says.
http://www.auto.com/industry/iwirk14_20020814.htm
That's typically the worst year for a vehicle. After introduction or a redesign, it has all new hardware. It takes time to work the bugs out. When it has been on the market for a while, those bugs may be worked out and corrected in the production run.
Baggs - I still don't think we can pin all the blame on Jacques. Nassar was in control for a few years. Ford's quality issues go back decades. I'm certain he had a big part of recent troubles, but his performance isn't the benchmark to beat. Ford needs to overcome that AND whatever else has been keeping their cars in the shop. Ford's relationship with parts suppliers is one. Their relations with the UAW is another. Ford hasn't made many friends with the recent closings of a few plants. Of course, a good deal of this depends on how well they can recover financially by selling off fringe investments like Qwik-Fix.
That said... Ford was really hurt by the Firestone recalls and others. True. But they've also been hurt by lackluster sales in the small car and family sedan markets. The Focus is doing moderately okay, but the Taurus is falling off the radar. That car used to be big business for them. While the F150, and related vehicles, are still going strong, that market is dwindling. Take the Excursion as another example. As stated in the article Baggs posted, Ford is ramping up production on crossovers. The other manufacturers are already established there. In other words, Ford is also struggling in the product wars.
"The quality issues before Jacques weren't nearly as bad."
This is where I see a another problem. Not "nearly as bad" is not a benchmark. Ford may very well dig itself out from under the cloud of dismal quality. But they need to strive for something higher than, "better than before." Otherwise, they'll go from dismal quality to simply not-so-good quality.
"I just found the importance of the problems mentioned rather grave! I am questioning if all of them have been taken care of!"
The type of problems mentioned on the Escape forum are no more or less serious than those found on the CRV forums. So one could equally justify the statement
"I am questioning if all of the Honda problems have been taken care of"
Stalling
Gas smell in the interior
Suspension parts that may rust and break off
Wipers that don't work
I could go on if you would like!? I was only stating what I read. I went through about half of the CRV post and yes there was some stuff I have never heard of before but most of the items were one-offs whereas the Escape it was all recall issues or almost!
I know that you and 2 others disagree with me but it is very ironic that Honda has a better reputation for reliability that every major magazine, reviewer etc... has acknowledged and they have one of the highest resale values in all passenger cars along with a very prestigeous racing heritage and we still hear that they are on the same par as Ford when reliability is the issue! Only baggs has disagreed with you and he owns an Escape but at least he can be realistic enough to admit that Honda still has an upper hand at certain (not all) levels and that is one of them!
Ford cannot be anymore clear right now by admitting that it has problems as they are all over the papers and internet. Every car can have its problems but in general the overall reputation of the CRV has outshined almost evry competitor out there because if that was not true, why is everyone trying to surpass them right now!!?? The Escape was born from the CRV and in some cases has surpassed it except LONG TERM reliability and resale value as of right now! Competition is fierce and that's what makes great reviews here.
Yes I like to stir the pot but on issues of reliability and resale value, I will fight to the death!
The Avon Lake plant just stopped producing the Mercury Villager and the Nissan Quest. I'm guessing the conversion is under way.
Kansas City currently produces about 260,000 Escapes and Tributes (combined) per year.
"``Ford expected to build Escape at Avon Lake plant
Deal will cement $140 million investment by auto manufacturer
AVON LAKE -- Ford Motor Co. is expected to announce today [5-1-02] the Ford Escape, a small sport-utility vehicle, will be built at Avon Lake's Ohio Assembly Plant. According to sources close to the agreement, Ford will begin manufacturing the vehicle in approximately June of 2003 and a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) version of the Escape in mid-2004.
The hybrid will mark one of the first of its kind built in the United States. Other hybrid vehicles are currently imported from Europe.
Presently, the Escape is built only in Kansas City, Mo., but the location cannot produce enough of the popular vehicles, spurring Ford's increased production in Avon Lake. The Ohio Assembly Plant is expected to produce 25,000 to 35,000 of the traditional gas-only vehicles in 2003 and up to 50,000 to the hybrid vehicles per year, starting in two years.
"The goal for the next five years is a flexible capacity to build 90,000 units," Avon Lake Mayor Rob Berner said ...
Berner, who was involved with the agreement on a local level, said the move should provide job security for 2,000 Ford employees for the next 20 years. Twelve hundred jobs will be retained and 800 laid off workers will be recalled ... ''
Wasn't the HEV Escape supposed to be in the market this fall? I am glad Ford is making this hybrid vehicle, I am also anticipating a hybrid CRV. With that Escape release date, I wouldn't be suprised if a Hybrid CRV doesn't beat the HEV Escape to the market.
It was originally planned for this fall, but for some reason it was pushed back and I'm really not sure why. Could be that they took too long to find a place to produce it. It looks like KC is already at max capacity.
So far I think it's the only hybrid SUV right now since DC cancelled plans to produce a hybrid Durango (they're now planning on a hybrid pickup as is GM). Ford is supposedly using a Japanese design for the HEV's power train, most likely Honda or Toyota since they already have hybrid's on the market, so I wouldn't be surprised to see hybrid CR-V's and/or RAV4's sometime soon too.
If you believe there are absolutly no problems with the CRV or noone has any complaints.. get on your web browser and type.. Honda CRV problems or HOnda problems or Honda CRV complaints.. you will find web pages dedicated to people complaining about this vehicle. God I love the internet! Honda cannot stop this transfer of information, like it hides its TSBs!!
Soccer started for my kids.. Ran into a guy that has owned an 01 Escape and has almost 25,000 miles with NOT ONE Problem! According to varmit and HOndaman all Escapes/Tribs are supposed to breakdown...
The Escape stops faster, tows more, more max payload, more standard payload, more GVWR, more HP, more torque!
I also called my insurance agent and had him compare an 02 CRV to an 02 Escape and the CRV was over $16 more a month!! to insure!.. I am over 35 with family and home.. no accidents or tickets in over 10 years..
Still has highest resale value so it must be better!
There are also SO MANY (as you say) sites about Ford so don't go there!
I only pay 780$ (can) with 3 years replacement value and that includes taxes. You only called one campany and it was YOURS so who cares! Cause you pay less does not change Honda's reputation. The CRV from 1997-2001 was considered to be one of the top accept that and move on to something new!
Look at Car and Driver they took out the Escape to replace it with the CRV LOL LOL LOL!
Thanks.
Hey scape, "C" for value by Motor Trend. Does that mean it's not worth it? LOL
1)
10850 units
Possible fire hazard due to "O" ring damage cause during "assembly".
2)
1193 units
Speed control cable could cause throttle to lock because of "cracks" or "missing" parts
3)
1393 units
Steering wheel may become loose because of "mis-aligned" or "incorrectly manufactured" nut!
4)
46000 units
Wipers may disengage causing them to fail completely!
5)
1325 units
Some 4x2's may have been manufactured using 4X4 rear hubs increasing risk of crash!
Honda CRV:
1)
6744 units
Seat belts could unlatch in an accident
There you have it! Which one is more reliable in their first year? Those errors may have been corrected (except the stalling issue)but others may crop up. If you check consumer complaints, you will notice many more items listed that have not been recalled compared to the same for Honda.
These have been documented and sounds pretty serious stuff to me!
p.s. I did not add the number of units for the Tribute as I figured there were enough with only the Escape!
FOCUS FIRES UNDER FIRE
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is intensifying an investigation of the Ford Focus. NHTSA says it’s looking into all of the more than 690,000 Focus compacts sold in the U.S. over the past two years, to find out more about possible engine fires starting near the battery. The Focus has been involved in nine recalls and is being investigated for five other complaints, Reuters reports.
1.
Year: 2001 Make: HONDA Model: CIVIC Recall Date: 10/31/2001
Type of Report: Vehicle
Potential Number of Units Affected: 295
Manufactured: 08/2001 - 10/2001
Defect Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. DURING THE ASSEMBLY PROCESS, THE AIR CLEANER BOX COVER MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED, AND A BROKEN PLASTIC PIECE COULD TRAVEL INTO THE INTAKE CHAMBER.
2.
Year: 2001 Make: HONDA Model: CIVIC Recall Date: 06/11/2001
Type of Report: Vehicle
Potential Number of Units Affected: 56269
Manufactured: 08/2000 - 02/2001
Defect Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SEDANS. A SMALL AMOUNT OF WATER MAY HAVE BEEN LEFT IN THE FUEL PUMP ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR AFTER TESTING. THIS RESIDUAL WATER COULD CAUSE THE FUEL PUMP TO FAIL DUE TO CORROSION.
3.
Year: 2001 Make: HONDA Model: CIVIC Recall Date: 06/11/2001
Type of Report: Vehicle
Potential Number of Units Affected: 120649
Manufactured: 06/2000 - 01/2001
Defect Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SEDANS AND COUPES. THE HOSE CLAMPS ON THE FILLER NECK TUBE HAVE INSUFFICIENT CLAMPING FORCE.
4.
Year: 2001 Make: HONDA Model: CIVIC Recall Date: 01/02/2002
Type of Report: Vehicle
Potential Number of Units Affected: 16459
Manufactured: 09/2000 - 09/2000
Defect Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN SEDANS AND COUPES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." CERTAIN REAR SEAT BELT BUCKLES WERE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED.
I'm not as worried as you apparently should be hondaman. The Escape is not based on the Focus' platform in any way shape or form. The CR-V is a Civic on stilts though.
Touche'!
There is a difference between the Escapes missing parts, craked parts, misalligned parts, UNLATCHING SEAT BELTS and the Civics water in a hose, or a broken piece of plastic in the ventilation! In addition... correct me if I am wrong, but the CRV has different hardware then the Civic. The CRV is based on the Civic platform. They have different seat belts, different seats, etc.....
LOL!
What car is the Escape based on? The Taurus??? So your Escape is a Taurus (or whatever unreliable, high recall Ford car), on stilts!
Double the Touche!
Scape2 - I'm having the same trouble as Suvshopper. Could you please point us toward the post when I wrote anything like what you are claiming...?
... Yeah, that's what I thought. I warned you about putting words in my mouth, so here we go...
I've chatted with CR-V owners who have 212,000 and 230,000+ miles on their CR-Vs. I myself have 64,000 miles on mine without a single problem. The only remarkable part about that is the fact that I have so few miles.
The 25K you're raving about seems like a nice test drive, a drive around the block, or maybe a reasonable break in period. I do 25K in my driveway. The fact that you think 25K is a landmark shows how low your expectations really are. 25K is a joke. I'd be laughing if it weren't so pathetic.
You want to talk about the websites out there complaining about the CR-V? Nah, let's talk about the lawsuits lodged against Ford.
Why don't we also add the fact that parts suppliers rate Honda and Toyota as their better customers, while Ford is at the bottom. Would you like to hear how they complain about Ford's last minute changes to specs and how Ford refuses to accept the costs when Ford screws up the product line?
Let's check the large surveys for information on quality and reliability. Hmmm.... The Escape is rated 40% lower than the industry average. In recent years the CR-V has been the most reliable vehicle in the American market at 80% ABOVE the industry average. The CR-V was ranked #2 for initial quality this year. The Escape does not show on the list. In fact, the Hyundai Santa Fe beat the Escape and Tribute.
You want to talk about GVWR and cargo capacity? The only reason they the Escape's GVWR is so high, is because the vehicle is too darn fat. Ford needs to get that sucker on a diet. How about you provide some numbers to back up that claim, anyway. I've seen you post it 400000 times, but you never give any data. Are you just guessing? Did you look at the Escape and say, "Well, it looks like can carry more." Please tell me you at least have a leg to stand on with this minute difference you feel is so important.
The fact is, I pretty much ignore most of your uninformed, repetitive, and inflammatory remarks, but today I'm feeling frisky. You like the web so much. I can rain down negative reviews, news, links, and test results in quantities that would send animals looking for an ark.
Do not try to put words in my mouth again.
Sorry baggs, but you know in general I usually agree with you but the differences in the problems such as manufacturing parts that don't fit or are of crappy quality is a little like when you used the word "wimpy" NOT VALID! TOUCHÉ3
tidester
Host
SUVs; Aftermarket & Accessories
Any guesses on which one?
It's based on the Mazda 626 platform - and I don't think the 626 had as many recalls as the SUV twins do. But using your argument that since the CR-V is based on the recall-stricken Civic, it must not be reliable, so therefore...wait, the 626 is reliable. I think we have specious reasoning going on.
I wouldn't even THINK of venturing a guess! :-)
tidester
Host
SUVs; Aftermarket & Accessories
I agree that I also usually don't waste time listening to scapes discussions but I do like some that are relevant (and not)to me and my vehicle and would like to comment when I feel the need arises. This is for fun most of the time and yes I do cause my fair share of shaking the pot but I would imagine that 90% of the people here have learned by now that I mean no harm. If you read carefully, I am always the one to defend the reliability issue and I will try to never say that mine is better than yours unless I have something to at least back up my point. Even then, I have NEVER said that the Escape was crap. I have recently said that I base my arguments on personal experience only and sometimes a few links. I have friends that own Tributes and Escapes and they like them and they are still my friends. Yes they have a few more issues than I do but they still like their vehicle anyways.
Do Not Tell Me What I should Write Or Not Please and Thank You!
Apparently no one told you that it is a rite of passage to read ALL the preceding posts before proffering your opinions here! ;-)
tidester
Host
SUVs; Aftermarket & Accessories
auto 8.9 to 9.0
5 speed 8.1 to something I don't remember LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL
4 against a BIG 6 oooooooooohhhhhh!
I'll try this again.
davegh and now hondaman,
That little piece of plastic in the Civic's intake was just as likely to cause an accident as any part falling off of any vehicle (by the way, no parts fell off of any Escapes as they were supposed to be repaired before being sold). Go read the full text of those recalls and remember that they are safety recalls not cosmetic recalls.
I only posted the Civic recalls because all of a sudden we were judging the Escape's quality/reliability by the Focus'. Well the Escape is not related to either the Focus or the Taurus. It is actually built upon it's own new platform that was derived from the Mazda 626's.
"The CRV is based on the Civic platform. They have different seat belts, different seats, etc....."
Yes. Again, I was just going with the flow. I wouldn't say the seat belts are all that different though. Both were recalled for failing to do their job.
"I only put the Focus in there because I was generalizing the company (Ford). "
As you can see, Honda's have many recalls too.
This one's just for hondaman.
"Baggs the Civic has been considered one of the highest consumer rated cars in the worls for about 7 years now so please don't go there."
I'll go there anytime I want because I own one and it ain't all that great.
How can you say that it is this great car when it had four recalls in its first year and yet tell us that the Escape is this terrible piece of junk because it had five?
muckyduck my man! Glad your back, I think. How's the heat down there. It's pretty darn tootin' hot up here. I saw your little rant about your new baby's problems on the CR-V board. How did that go again? Something like "I didn't expect this from a Honda."
Funny how we read, and often times believe, all these articles that tell us how one thing is better than another, so we then go out and get it based on our new beliefs. Then something goes wrong and we can't believe it. It wasn't supposed to do that we say. Then reality sets in and the check book comes out.
Don't worry muckyduck. It happens to all of us at some point.
(I've never done that - okay, okay, maybe once or thousand).
Granted, I did not expect ANY problems with my new cr-v. None have been serious enough to warrant a recall, unlike another make/model. The bottom line - I would never buy a Ford - my parents and myself have had too many problems.
Found out - strikethrough
What I really wanted was this
You forgot to add the word "yet" after "recall". There seems to be a whole lot of clicking, clunking, and popping going on over there. Not that that really means anything.
"Big 6"? .6 liters bigger.. Do you know how much bigger .6 liters is?
Ford/Mazda hit a home run putting a V6 in this size of vehicle. This is one major reason Motor Trend picked the Escape over the CRV. The Escape is not perfect, it just does EVERYTHING well. HOnda fans keep bringing up 0-60 times, not me! You keep forgetting, I have linked sites showing quicker 0-60 times, yet Honda fans just toss them aside. You need to load the CRV down with gear and 4 full size adults then tell me how well it does. The Escape will handle the load much better than the CRV. Honda fans want so badly to toss aside the extra 40HP and 40ft/lbs of torque.. not going to happen.. Americans want power, the power to haul, tow, pass and merge confidently. The Escape will do this better than the CRV.
I have found 6 people so far, 4 own Escapes, 2 own Tributes and all have said thier vehicles have been just fine.. As much as hondaman and varmit want to pound it into peoples heads that the Escape/Tribute are unreliable.. they are NOT.
Mine has been plenty reliable and I would be willing to be my Escape has been under harsher conditions than any of your CRV's.. hands down..
You are tossing aside the 40hp/tourque difference as well because it still won in Motor Trend and if your logic you keep telling us about is right....it should not have!
6 people! I am not even going to attempt to tell you how many people I know that own CRV's, Accords, Civics and 1 Pilot!
Baggs, you talk of the Civic being unreliable! I think you just don't like it that's all. Go drive a Focus and get back to me! UUGGGGGGHHHHHH!
Scape you always say me and Varmint!!! I don't always agree with him especially after what he said!!!!!
You are always trying to tell us that Honda is not that reliable blah blah!!!!! I don't get that after all these long-term tests and reviews etc.. that they are all wrong!!!! Tell me how everyone is wrong but you about that and I will drop the subject. Prove to me Hondas are not as reliable as everyone says they are. Show that the resale value of these and Acuras are not real!! Proof speaks louder than words. I would admit it if Ford was in this position why can't you?
YES YES YES YES YOUR ESCAPE HAULS AND TOWS MORE......WE KNOW THAT AND ALSO BELIEVE IT SO PLEASE FIND SOMETHING ELSE TO SAY!!!! ( I am not yelling just making sure I got my point across)
Hondaman- you said,
"You are tossing aside the 40hp/tourque difference as well because it still won in Motor Trend and if your logic you keep telling us about is right....it should not have!"
Actually, I don't see where his logic leads to the conclusion that the escape should have won. He states that if both vehicles were loaded down the escape should win... this does not mean the article must be wrong. If you raced a v-8 chevy silverado w/ a v-6 porsche from 0-60, the porsche would win. But stick an 8000 lb trailer to each one and race them again. The truck would win b/c extra displacement = extra torque, thus better for moving large loads. The heavy load makes other differences (initial vehicle weight, transmission, tires, aerodynamics, etc.) negligible. I believe that is what scape2 was saying in post #1694, although obviously not to that extreme degree.
As far as the times being accurate, I question that too. Every article I've read has the escape (v-6) 0-60 time around 8.1 - 8.3 seconds. And that's probably from 4 or 5 different magazines I'v seen times posted in.
tidester
Host
SUVs; Aftermarket & Accessories
I can say when we bought the Impala, these were two of the vehicles we considered... I test drove both a CRV (automatic) and a Tribute (automatic- thus the v-6). I did not test them head to head, but am hard pressed to believe the CRV was faster than the tribute.
I've also driven my father-in-laws escape (5M, 4-cyl) and it felt faster than the CRV as well. Admittedly, the CRV was not stick. But I had to throw that in there b/c I see so many people dogging the 4-cyl escape/tribute as weak (when it appears they never even drove one). It is not a weak death trap. It is fine for merging onto highways, I was never almost killed. It's performance (as well as the CRV's) was relatively equal to most 4-cyl cars I've driven (camry, cavalier, focus, civic, etc.)
That being said, we chose Impala for power, plenty of room and great gas mileage.
I doubt any form of escape or CRV would really romp the other badly anyway in a stoplight race. But if I had to pick, I'd choose the escape. Why? One reason. Engine noise. CRV was worst I've ever heard outside of a diesel (on a brand new car at least). Other than that, I liked them both. CRV impressed me with amount of room it had vs. what it looked like it was going to have. In fact, if they insulated the firewall better, I would probably like the CRV better than the escape. I did love the cupholder placement on the escape w/ the stick though, perfect placement (for me, at least).
I'm also following the GM engine knock dicussions w/ great interest right now. The Impala was for my wife, but I love it too. For me though, I am seriously considering a full size truck. I like them all, but my favs are the Silverado and the Tundra. I just wish the Toy's back seat was bigger. I also was considering these mini-utes as well (only need enough power to tow a small boat). Until honda gives a v-6, that probably (unfortunately) leaves CRV out of the question.