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Comments
I drive the XLT with the V6. The engine is quick and the mpg is getting better (I have tried to slow down a bit), I average 20-22 mpg. It is not the 24 mpg on the sticker but I live in the East and the gas is treated in the winter.
Happy Motoring!
Grow up.
As far as the Escape and Tribute, I haven't driven them yet. Yes the recalls bother me, however I know people who have them and are happy. Getting good service from the dealer makes a huge difference. Hopefully this is the end of the recalls, and the 2002s will be better. - J.
Also, since both the above mentioned small SUV's are lower to the ground than our Jeep Cherokee,I was wondering if getting toddlers in and out could be a problem. Any comments would be helpful
There is an accumulation of 'nits' that have collected in the months that folks have been able to experience these vehicles .. for example:
column-mounted (versus floor) shifter
small door handles
cabin noise level
cladding finish
cladding durability
rear door closing hard
placement of 4WD Lock switch (Tribute)
ignition switch location/light (difficult to find)
lack of remote fuel door release
lack of overhead compass/temp display
Sure would be nice to know if any of these will be addressed. Any ideas what Ford/Mazda plans are, for the above and otherwise, for 2002?
Hope this helps whomever asked....
I live in the NW region and am just now starting to see more of the Escape/Tributes pop up..
So far, that's it. No complaints. I have a Parchment Gold, XLT, V/6 auto., 16" wheel pack, privacy glass,leather package and added a wood trim dash kit, bug delector, mud flaps, and window vent visors.
Previously, I had a RAV 4X4. It was a sound vehicle, but way too small interior with no leg room.I had it for three years and got a very good resale price. The Escape has it beat all the way around as far as I am concerned. {so far}.That's it for now.
Happy NORT
I've had some of the same 'little irritants'; wiper lever and ignition placement, turn signal length, etc. The first thing I said when I saw the 'car' [sorry that's what it is for me] was
"There's no lock or lever for the gas tank?" "They don't do that any more." he said. Say-la-v. [so I'm not French]
rpms. At 46 it is at 1.5 rpms. When the rpms are up is it guzzling and when down getting
20+ mpg? Or is it only there to keep me from tromping the gas so hard I blow up the
engine?
A number of posts have been removed for not complying with the Terms of Use agreement to which you are all bound. A few other posts were removed because they referred to the deleted posts and were off-topic.
Please keep in mind that you have all agreed "to disagree in a civil manner should (you) take issue with the statements of another Town Hall participant" and that you "will not harass, threaten, or impersonate any Town Hall participants". Violations of these terms are grounds for termination of accounts.
Now, please, let's just continue to discuss issues with these vehicles without all the arguing and responses to the arguing. Thanks for your understanding.
Pat
SUV Message Board Host
The automatic transmission is designed to shift into gears depending on how hard you're pushing the engine. If you had a manual transmission, you would rely A LOT on the RPM gauge to tell you when you should shift up or down.
I would be glad that the car has an RPM gauge on it as some cars don't (i.e. the echo...), of course for a car as expensive as the Trib, it should be standard. For automatics, the gauge doesn't really somein handy, but it lets you know how hard the engine is working so you can adjust your driving habits...
Lastly, I just want to thank Pat (the host) for deleting the posts that infested the forum. Hopefully, future posts will only be constructive!!!
Gas Mileage: It started out bad, but has improved over the last couple trips. Around 20 MPG average between hwy/city. A note: the ODO reads low. I used mile markers from the highway and determined after 12 miles I lost 3 tenths of a mile. Either the state is wrong or the ODO is.
4X4 as 4X2: Dec. was a bad month for Michigan weather. 50+ inches of snow for the month. And I had fun! I switched to 4X4 once, just to see what happens, otherwise, I have left it in Auto and I can barely tell when the 4X4 kicks in. And the snow has been bad enough where it has to kick in. My sister-in-law had her drive way plowed to narrow for her Olds 98, so I used the Escape to knock down the sides (playing) so the snow could be shoveled away. No problems.
After market Accessories: If anyone has leads, I would appreciate it. All I found was Yakima makes a system that can attach to almost any roof system. I was looking for a low-profile ski enclosure, that was what I found (Yakima is a bit price though). Haven't really looked for anything else.
Seat belt clicking: There was an annoying clicking from the driver side seat belt. I took it into the dealer and they replaced the seat belt unit (?) but the clicking has re appeared. I was mistaken in my original diagnosis: the velocity lock for the pensioner. It seems to be coming from the swivel loop the seat belt travels through at the shoulder. My guess is that there is a washer that is not tight (so the mount can swivel). It has been too cold for me to check into it further, so I have been living with the click.
Comparisons: When we started looking into the mini-SUV market we test drove Kia and Honda as well. My take: Kia doesn't hit the pocket book as hard, but has less power, smaller, and has poor stability, while the CR was bigger (not as big as the Escape), better power (not like my V6) and looked better, but the $18k for a '97 with decent miles just didn't seem to be a bargain. The 20 minute drive we took in the Escape sold me, even after I saw all of the complaints here at the Town Hall.
To anyone still on the fence: if you have tried it but are concerned about recalls, etc., get one anyway if you have patience. I have found Ford to be prompt (I received a recall notice already, and it has been dealt with) with dealing with the problems with this new vehicle.
I would have to agree with a lot of #510. Ignition location, shift location, fuel door lock (lack), are just some of the things I am getting used to.
Cheers.
This is the third 4x4 car/wagon like vehicle I've had. Each time we wear them out. The transfer case went on the Subaru in 4 years and the Honda lasted 12 years with a neglecful child using it for 3 of those. I might still have it if she had taken care of it. Engine went. She didn't keep it oiled and watered. But then it was standard and I was ready for AUTOMATIC.
I tried rally hard to find a Honda, but they just don't make one right now that talked to me. The PT talked until I saw the crash test plus no 4x4. Ford has a good crash test on the other SUVs so hoping for the same or better on the Escape. I'm trying to ignore the gas usage until later because of all the comments here about it getting better after a time. I could have gotten the 4, but gas milage isn't as improtant to me as the power to pass guickly.
Anyway, I bought the vehicle for my daughter, who turns 17 next month, but after driving it myself, I think she'll have to find another car! It is tight, has great pick-up, corners like a champ, and stops on a dime. If this is the way this vehicle performs now, I can't wait to see what its like after its broken in.
To those who are still on the fence about buying an Escape, keep track of the messages on this board. I learned alot from lurking here, and knew what to look for when test driving other SUVs (RAV 4, CRV, Grand Vitera (sp?), Monterro, Santa Fe) as well as when talking to the dealers. Good information here, even if you don't buy an Escape.
Anyway, I'll report back on my experiences as I put milage on the vehicle, just in case anyone is interested.
I live in Jacksonville, FL and visited a dealer yesterday with a fleet of approx. 13 tributes, Models DX,LS & ES. I'm in the market as well. One dissapointment, none with moon or sun roof.
If you like to travel 225 miles north (from Vero Beach) you may not have to wait 3 months. But, let me get mine first.
Jim
Joymar, the 2.3 is going to have 140HP and 150ft/lbs of torque. The MPG is supposed to be better than the present 2.0. 4cyl engines always do better coupled to a 5spd transmission. If you plan on making this a touring vehicle with adult sized passengers, go the V6....
Has anyone else heard this?
I have a Dokota as well so I like Chrysler fine. "I" just didn't want another van. Gave my last to the Kids who have 5 kids of their own. [This way I don't have to keep talking my way out of taking 5 kids at once.]
"
I live in Buffalo, NY. We get a lot of snow. And there are a lot of Chrysler Co. minivans about. They do just fine.