from connecticut. i know what you mean. my wife wanted a 'limited' but we had a heck of a time finding one that had heated seats. plenty had leather, maybe all. they have been sitting around the lots for a while. in the mean time, i bought a focus that has a power moon roof and heated seats/mirrors. as you said, much cheaper for the same options. now good to go all four seasons. someone must have screwed up the mix for the escape. either that, or they had lots of leather left over, but not too many seat heaters!
2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
Think lack of Heated Mirrors is bad, consider the 04 Freestar Mini Van...the "S" has power accessories, keyless entry, but no CD player!!!!! just an AM/FM Radio.
No cruis either.
WHAT IS FORD THINKING? NO CD in 2004 in a CAR with a 25k MSRP????????
Can someone please explain the difference between Ford's "Intelligent 4WD", used on the 2005 Escape, and Vehicle Stability Control and Traction Control found on vehicles like the BMW X3 and/or Toyota SUVs?
Intelligent 4WD System (Replaces Control Trac® II) The 2005 Escape uses an all-new Intelligent 4WD System (Replaces Control Trac II). The system always drives the front wheels and monitors vehicle and driving surface conditions, using signals such as individual wheel speeds and throttle position. It then seamlessly sends power to the rear wheels as needed to control wheel slip or to prevent it from occurring in the first place.
Intelligent 4WD uses an electrical control unit (ECU) to continuously monitor wheel speed and throttle position sensors to determine the vehicle's conditions and the driver's intent. The ECU then determines the optimal amount of torque for the given conditions and controls an electromagnetic coupling to send torque to the rear wheels.
The system has only one "Auto" operating mode that is capable of sending the maximum torque transfer to the rear wheels. Because the customer can perceive no difference between this "Auto" mode and a locked coupling, the system requires no driver-operated switch.
Customer Benefits:
Requires no driver input to function
Improved traction by automatically delivering torque to the wheels with the most traction
Improved vehicle stability by reacting quickly to changes in road conditions
Improved fuel economy
Allows for the cost and weight advantage of offering a mini-spare tire by detecting the spare tire and adjusting the torque split between front and rear wheels accordingly
Traction Control does not effect what wheels receive power... Traction Control works in 2 ways. When it detects a drive wheel slipping, it will apply the brake of that wheel to send torque to the wheel that is not spinning. It can only shift torque on the same axle. 2nd, some traction control systems retard engine ignition to basically lower the power being sent to the drive wheels.
Stability control takes traction control one step further by using a YAW sensor to measure the cornering forces of the vehicle and comparing it the driver intent as measured by several sensors, including how far the steering wheel is turned.
When the computer finds that the measured cornering force is less/more than what is expected under the given circumstances, it assumes the vehicle is experiencing understeer/oversteer. The system then applies the brake of the appropriate wheel to bring the vehicle back into control....
Picture going around an icy corner a little 2 fast. The front end slips toward the outside of the corner... in this situation, the yaw sensor measures less cornering force than is expected based on how far the steering wheel is turned.... the stability control system then supplies brakes to the appropriate wheel to regain control.
Intelligent 4wd can only send torque from front to rear on the Escape and it doesn't have stability control.
There are thousands upon thousands of Escapes on the road now. This room has very little action. Is it that Escape owners don't own PC's? or have internet access?? My 01 Escape V6 4WD now has 43,000 trouble free miles on it. Does anyone have any sort of luggage rack or box ontop of their Escapes? Any reccomondations? Looking into Thule or Yakima...
Thanks for the detailed explanation, mschmal. I did look in the "4WD and AWD Systems Explained" thread but didn't see an answer as specific as yours.
While the Escape's new Intelligent 4WD system does sound like an improvement over the previous Control Trac II system, it also sounds like it still isn't as sophisticated as the systems with traction control and stability control. I'm also not crazy about the fact that it defaults to front drive, as I prefer the performance of rear-wheel drive.
As you can tell I'm still researching my next vehicle, and of course, nothing looks perfect. On paper, the BMW X3 sounds ideal with its X-drive intelligent AWD that defaults to rear drive, VSC, TC and steptonic transmission. But configured the way I would want, it would cost 10-15k more than a nicely equipped Escape, yet it is reportedly noisy with a harsh ride. I haven't driven one yet to judge for myself, but I'd expect a degree of refinement for that price.
Whatever I choose is sure to be a big change from my 5-speed, 5.0 litre Mustang. Now, there's a car with zero traction on slippery roads, but I know the car so well that I'm instinctively on the clutch at the first sign of wheel slippage. It will surely be strange to move to *any* automatic-transmission-equipped vehicle that corrects itself at all in those conditions.
Carnivore the price point the Escape competes in is probably why they don't put the traction/stability control on it, for now.
Incidently, Ford recently announced (or i just found out) that the rest of Fords SUV's (Escape Expedition Excursion and Mercury/Lincoln equivilants....will offer a new system for 2005 called Roll Over control...
AdvanceTrac® with Roll Stability Control, a segment-first exclusive feature, provides active stability enhancement utilizing sensors to determine roll speed and roll angle. The system is unique because it also monitors wheel lift and reduces the potential for a rollover event. If the system detects that one or more wheels are about to leave the ground and a rollover is imminent, RSC triggers the vehicle's standard electronic stability control system, called AdvanceTrac®, which reduces power and/or brakes the necessary wheels to help settle the vehicle allowing the driver to regain control.
One point if guess i failed to make completely clear is that 4wd systems are completely independant of whether a vehicle has traction/stability control...any vehicle with ABS can have traction/stability control
Incidently, Ford recently announced (or i just found out) that the rest of Fords SUV's (Escape Expedition Excursion and Mercury/Lincoln equivilants....will offer a new system for 2005 called Roll Over control...
Just to alleviate any confusion, I think you meant to include the Explorer instead of the Escape. As we know from reading these posts, the 2005 Escape does not have stability control. However, it does handle better than the larger SUV's and doesn't necessarily need it as much as they do. I agree that it should be an option though.
The Escape/Tribute are entry level SUV's. People that normally shop in this market do not expect options such as stability control or options that you find on vehicles costing 5 - 10 to even 15K more.
baggs: the '05 Escape and Hybrid have what is called a Safety Canopy System, which comes with side curtain airbags and rollover sensors which allow the airbags to stay deployed longer in the event of a rollover
I think you're a little confused. The safety canopy system is completely different from stability control. The former is a group of airbags which will deploy in the event of a rollover or crash while the latter adjusts wheel speed, engine speed, etc. to keep you out of the crash.
Ford also offers the "Personal Safety System", not to be confused with either of the systems above, in most of it's vehicles. This one uses sensors in the driver and passenger seats to determine the force of airbag deployment if any at all. The sensors basically measure things like weight of the passenger, or object, and/or seat position. The '05 Escape does have this one too.
I am actually in the process of trading in our '02 Escape for an '05 Escape Limited which does have the safety canopy system (as well as a host of other cool goodies). I know all about these systems from researching both the Escape and Explorer and there is a big difference in all of them. The Explorer has all three while the Escape does in fact lack the stability control.
Maxx, thanxx for the info on the safety canopy. While it’s not an active system like ABS, traction control, etc, it's a feature that I will look for in my next vehicle. It's nice to know that the Escape's version retains volume longer in event of rollover. I am amazed at the number of cars I see on the lots that have optional side airbags available but the dealers opt to order high end stereos (or options that are even more useless) in lieu of these.
Escape may be an entry-level SUV but for me it is the right size. Now that I'm a home-owner (occasionally needing to haul fertilizer, lawn mowers, etc) I'm looking to trade my Audi A4 (with traction/stability control and side airbags and Quattro all-wheel drive) for something on the order of a Dakota Quad Cad (but the wife would not like that). For me the Escape is a great size, I would never buy one of those monster larger SUVs. But I want all "the goodies" too, the safety and comfort features I've gotten used to. It'll be interesting to see the new Mercury version of the Escape.
I agree with you hampsterdam; that's why I'll buy the Maxx, the alternative to the SUV. I'm getting the '04 with traction control and head curtain airbags. I thought about waiting for the '05 with side thorax airbags, but in the end, I'd much rather have the head curtain to protect me from all these Escapes on the road (he, he, he)
The Escape/Tribute are entry level SUV's. People that normally shop in this market do not expect options such as stability control or options that you find on vehicles costing 5 - 10 to even 15K more...
Except that traction/stability control can be had on a competing vehicle like the Toyota Rav4, which can sell for 5k LESS depending on the trim level. I'm not saying I'd choose the Rav4 over the Escape based on that one point, but I don't think those features are necessarily all that expensive for the manufacturers to include. Do you think it will be that long before they're as common as ABS on new vehicles?
Just curious as to what people use to clean the plastic body panels. The first time I waxed my Escape some wax got on the panels, looks like white dirt there now. Only think that mades them look good is armorall. But I have heard armorall is not good on plastic.
I use a Maguires plastic cleaner on my plastic body panels, also have used stuff called Black Chrome by Turtle wax.... I have never heard that armourall is not good for plastics. Isn't that what its made for? Plastics and vynl's?
I took my truck in for service at the dealership in January of this year and was told I needed to replace my brakes-so it happened. After a few weeks they started "screaming" - took it in and they adjusted on them - told me that Ford has a new brake that is real soft, yada yada - and it also causes a lot of brake dust on the rims. Well, they were a little better after the adjustment but then they started getting loud again so I called them and they replaced the brakes again. It's been 3 weeks and they are screaming again. I have done a little research and found out from a man that had Just Brakes order his new brakes from the Ford dealership and he said that the problem is that the front brakes are manufactured in Chili and the back brakes in Brazil - they have a lot of aluminum in them and his actually went out after replacement. Has anyone else had this problem? And do you have any advice for me? I am a single senior female and am trying not to get the run-around.
Best advice I can give based on my own experiences, is to find a reputable shop and have them order either Raybestos, Bendix, or premium store brand pads and rotors. Yes, the Ford rotors are effectively disposable at the brake interval change (terrible waste of money, and not very environmentally friendly either). The Ford pads are excessively dusty, but per Ford their Motorcraft brand stops the vehicle better. Maybe, maybe not. I went with ceramic enhanced pads at 51K miles and have had them on for one (1) week, no brake dust !!, unlike the Motorcraft brand, you clean wheels, drive, brake, and dust is back on within 30 minute. If you can help it I wouldn't go back to the dealer for the brake job, it will be expensive. As said before, a reputable shop maybe can do the work just fine at the same or below Ford dealers cost, plus you get the added benefit of specifying aftermarket parts which will probasbly last much longer.
Escapenut - thanks for your response. The deal is that I don't have to pay for them at the dealership - I've paid for them once and I have contacted them more or less demanding that they find a different brake (other than Ford) to replace them. Now, with your advice I at least have some brands to recommend.
I do have a little leverage with the dealership as I am an acquaintance with the salesman that I bought the car from. He has stood behind me in getting them replaced but only with the Ford brake. I talked to the man who has been involved in all my maintenance and the brake debacle and told him that I want something other than the Ford brake put on and he is having to get that approved. I'm gonna call him this morning and ask for the Raybestos or Bendix - do both of these have the ceramic enhanced pads?
I understand your unique situation. Please ask, if you can, for Raybestos QuietStop which is ceramic-based pad. It is of excellent quality too and best of all it is almost brake dust-free. If not Raybestos then ask for the premium store brand ceramic pads, there are several other manufacturers, such as Bendix and ProStop. Ask for a turnable rotor as well. The Ford rotors are made of soft alloy and are not turnable or cannot be reused at all. Ford and other car makers have done this to save money, weight, etc. But in the long-run it's more expensive for the consumer. Hope the approval goes well. Good luck.
Still ahead of you on the mileage..I'm at 45050. As for the roof top luggage carrier... I got mine at K-mart and have not had any probs with it...just have to watch the weight (100lb max) unless you have the sport rack(the one with the escape gaurd on it) (75lb max). I myself am getting ready to buy a 4 bike hitch mount carrier at Kmart. So far I've found cheaper stuff there that holds up as well if not better than some of the more expensive things.
rhouser, We just bought one a little over a week ago. The reverse sensing system works really well actually. My wife is the primary driver and she loves it because she never pulls into the garage the same way twice and it will let her know if she's too close to the walls when backing out. It forces her to use the side mirrors which is a good thing.
I only wish someone would find a way to make the sensors a little less obvious on the bumper. Kind of ruins the "clean" look.
I was thinking about buying a new hyundai santa fe or a ford escape. However, I recently read some information about ford certified used cars and I am considering buying a used escape. It says they come with a 6 year 75000 mile warranty. Could this be on right? Any ideas or comments as to if we should buy certified used? WIth the warranty and the price it sounds too good not to?
Does anyone else have the problem of the center plastic console where the shifter is rattle when going over bumpy roads??....I can just softly bang on it & the whole thing rattles, not made very well......I'm thinking about wedging something between the seat & the console(that would get rid of it)......Very happy with it otherwise..Any suggestions on removing the rattle would be appreciated....
I got a good question that was asked to me by another Escape owner I work with. Could the front bumper with new round fog lights and new headlight assembly from a 2005 MY be switched out with an older model ('01-'04 MY) so that you can have the newr light on the older model? I told him I would ask around and get back to him. He can apperently get the lighting kit and front bumper off a Totaled (rear end accid.) from a junk yard (cash / carry) for $200.
I think the best approach would be to ask a reputable body shop or the dealer. It may take some time for them to find an answer, but they probably can tell your friend at some point. If the attachment points are the same and wiring configuration, i.e clips, adapters, plugs, etc. are the same, it seems logical that it could be a direct fit replacement. However, there may be several attachment points and or plugs which may not be the same as the '01. I'll ask my mechanic friend the same question and see what he says. I've seen the '05's and thought about the same thing with my '01. It seems that Ford hasn't widened, stretched, or shrunk the overall body, but just changed trim pieces and the new front / rear headlight set-up. Overall a nicer looking package than my '01, but they've had time to hear suggestions about improvements and complaints from not only consumers but from auto writers, etc.
FWIW the '05 headlights are not a direct replacement for the older set. You have to rework some plastic and sheet metal to get the new set into an '01-'04 copy.
Detailed instructions can be found on another forum if you're interested.
Does anyone have any input on the 2005 Escape with a V6 vs. 4 cyl? Is the V6 worth the price or will a 4cyl get me and the kids stuff around town good enough?
If you are in the flat lands, don't tow or drive a lot of highway miles, then the 4cyl will probably be fine for you...the 4 cycl doesn't really have a hudge mpg advantage though so its purely a purchase cost consideration...
Incidently the 4 cyclinder does not have a timeing belt, rather it uses a timeing chain which should last the life of the engine.
Also if you don't live in the true snow belt or plan to go off road, forego the 4wd. The advantage of 4wd over the standard FWD is limited at best, especially if you don't go off road...save the weight of the system and the cost...
Incidently the 4 cyclinder does not have a timeing belt, rather it uses a timeing chain which should last the life of the engine.
As does the V6.
I think the old 2.0L Zetec in past Escapes had a chain as well. I'm 99.9% sure my old ZX2, with the same 2.0L Zetec, had one.
mschmal is right. Test drive both of them with as many passengers and gear as the dealer will allow and on roads typical of those on your daily drive. We ended up with our '02 Escape, and the current '05 Limited we replaced it with, after test driving it and a CR-V through the hills in our area. The extra HP and torque of the V6 really made a difference to us.
We also opted for the Mazda6s (3.0L Duratec V6, 220 HP) over the Mazda6i (2.3L Duratec I4, ~160 HP) after driving them up and down some hills with 3 passengers and the A/C on. Note that the Mazda6i has a slightly more powerful version of the Escape's 2.3L I4 with, and I'm guessing here, less curb weight to pull around. And it was a 5-speed MTX too.
Went for a 700 mile roundtrip road trip and my Escape performed flawlessly. I now have almost 46,000 trouble free miles on this vehicle. My 01 Escape XLT V6 4WD achieved 22.8 MPG at an average speed of 70MPH with A/C on. I also have side step bars, a THULE luggage carrier along with a rock guard that doesn't help the wind flow too much. I highly recommend these vehicles to anyone looking for a smaller sport ute. I have tested the new 4cyl in a Mazda and it is quite peppy. However, if you plan on carrying large loads over hilly country a V6 is a must. If you are going to use the Escape/Trib for city driving mostly.. 4cyl is fine..
I am in the market for an Escape. But so far, my findings are disappointing. Despite $1500 rebate on 05 Escapes, my local dealers don't seem to carry FWD XLT, the available ones have so much unnecessary add-ons that increases the price. Used ones seem to have inflated prices. 01s are around $16 - $17K with 40K-50K miles on them.
negotiate. This is just a starting price and of course dealers are going to go for top dollar first. Used Escapes are popular, but there are plenty to go around!
Anyone in here? I am still very surprised. The Escape is the number one seller in this segment, yet noone posts in this room??? Went again and test drove an 05 Escape Limited just for fun. My 01 is paid for in about 4 months. I like my 01 Escape and it has proved to be a reliable and capable vehicle. The 05 is however an improvement. Interior is nicer, vehicle feels more quiet. I like the added safety features of the 05 also. I am going to wait until after the election before I take the dive into an 05 Escape. So far my two color choices would be the silver or the darker silver..
Hi all - I'm still interested in an Escape or CR-V even after I bought the Kia. Has anyone purchased the Ford Quality Care Maintenance Protection Program? I really like the idea of a pre-paid maintenance package - this is for routine maintenance like oil and filter changes, etc. Have you had any problems with Ford dealers doing the work required?
I'm a bit leery of plans where you aren't paying for each and every service, after hearing how Firestone allegedly did not actually perform alignments for people bought, and tried to use, their Lifetime Alignment package. (They took the car in and said they did an alignment without actually doing it, according to consumer accounts.)
We were going to buy that plan on our last Escape but ended up not doing it because it's just easier, and still cheaper, to do the oil changes myself.
IMO the plan is worth the money if you don't like to do your own basic maintenance. Otherwise save your money and spend it on something else.
As for Ford service, I've never had any problems with any dealer's service dept. Well, one refused to do warranty work because we didn't buy there but Ford's help line fixed that problem with great speed. Otherwise they've all been courteous, prompt, and got the job done right. As always, YMMV.
I have bought the Firestone Lifetime alignment plans for the last 5 cars that I have owned since 1996. I still have 4 of the cars. I can state that using the lifetime alignment has saved me many $ and I can testify that Firestone always did the alignment and 99% of the time it was absolutely perfect. The 5 cars have been getting alignments through the following mileages on each car as they were bought new.161k, 130k,55k,12k and 3k. The latest car has not been aligned yet, but I will at the end of a year. Firestone even corrected the alignment to perfect after FE work was done at a dealer and the dealer said they realigned the FE.
As I am considering buying a 2 wheel drive 2002 ford escape in a northern climate, can anyone comment on the vehicle's handling characteristics in the snow?
I can!! I have an 01 Escape 4WD V6 XLT. Owned this since new and it has been wonderful. Use it to tow my two watercraft, find my fishing spots in the Cascade range too! And.. since I live so close to the Cascade range.... MT Hood, Rainer, ST Helens.. visit the skii slopes.. Handles fine, never been stuck. Am however waiting for the Continentals to wear so I can get some nicer tires....
is to get the mileage, options, trim level ect.. punch the numbers for a used Escape into both Edmudns and Kelly blue book. What ever you do don't pay retail. I'm sure this is what the dealership is asking, they always do. Escape is known for its great handling. My V6 averages about 21.7MPG between city and freeway driving. On long trips traveling at speeds of 70-75 I have averaged about 24.. V6 is a kick to drive. Plenty of hauling/towing power along with passing power.. I own an 01 Escape XLT V6 4WD and it has been a great vehicle. I am however very stringent on my vehicle maintenace and preventative maintenance. oil changed every 3k, transmission flushed at 25K, radiator flush every 2 years ect.... Good luck!
Comments
in the mean time, i bought a focus that has a power moon roof and heated seats/mirrors. as you said, much cheaper for the same options. now good to go all four seasons.
someone must have screwed up the mix for the escape. either that, or they had lots of leather left over, but not too many seat heaters!
No cruis either.
WHAT IS FORD THINKING? NO CD in 2004 in a CAR with a 25k MSRP????????
Carnivore, try the 4WD & AWD systems explained discussion if you haven't found it already.
Steve, Host
The 2005 Escape uses an all-new Intelligent 4WD System (Replaces Control Trac II). The system always drives the front wheels and monitors vehicle and driving surface conditions, using signals such as individual wheel speeds and throttle position. It then seamlessly sends power to the rear wheels as needed to control wheel slip or to prevent it from occurring in the first place.
Intelligent 4WD uses an electrical control unit (ECU) to continuously monitor wheel speed and throttle position sensors to determine the vehicle's conditions and the driver's intent. The ECU then determines the optimal amount of torque for the given conditions and controls an electromagnetic coupling to send torque to the rear wheels.
The system has only one "Auto" operating mode that is capable of sending the maximum torque transfer to the rear wheels. Because the customer can perceive no difference between this "Auto" mode and a locked coupling, the system requires no driver-operated switch.
Customer Benefits:
Requires no driver input to function
Improved traction by automatically delivering torque to the wheels with the most traction
Improved vehicle stability by reacting quickly to changes in road conditions
Improved fuel economy
Allows for the cost and weight advantage of offering a mini-spare tire by detecting the spare tire and adjusting the torque split between front and rear wheels accordingly
Traction Control does not effect what wheels receive power... Traction Control works in 2 ways. When it detects a drive wheel slipping, it will apply the brake of that wheel to send torque to the wheel that is not spinning. It can only shift torque on the same axle. 2nd, some traction control systems retard engine ignition to basically lower the power being sent to the drive wheels.
Stability control takes traction control one step further by using a YAW sensor to measure the cornering forces of the vehicle and comparing it the driver intent as measured by several sensors, including how far the steering wheel is turned.
When the computer finds that the measured cornering force is less/more than what is expected under the given circumstances, it assumes the vehicle is experiencing understeer/oversteer. The system then applies the brake of the appropriate wheel to bring the vehicle back into control....
Picture going around an icy corner a little 2 fast. The front end slips toward the outside of the corner... in this situation, the yaw sensor measures less cornering force than is expected based on how far the steering wheel is turned.... the stability control system then supplies brakes to the appropriate wheel to regain control.
Intelligent 4wd can only send torque from front to rear on the Escape and it doesn't have stability control.
Hope this didn't confuse more
Mark
My 01 Escape V6 4WD now has 43,000 trouble free miles on it. Does anyone have any sort of luggage rack or box ontop of their Escapes? Any reccomondations? Looking into Thule or Yakima...
While the Escape's new Intelligent 4WD system does sound like an improvement over the previous Control Trac II system, it also sounds like it still isn't as sophisticated as the systems with traction control and stability control. I'm also not crazy about the fact that it defaults to front drive, as I prefer the performance of rear-wheel drive.
As you can tell I'm still researching my next vehicle, and of course, nothing looks perfect. On paper, the BMW X3 sounds ideal with its X-drive intelligent AWD that defaults to rear drive, VSC, TC and steptonic transmission. But configured the way I would want, it would cost 10-15k more than a nicely equipped Escape, yet it is reportedly noisy with a harsh ride. I haven't driven one yet to judge for myself, but I'd expect a degree of refinement for that price.
Whatever I choose is sure to be a big change from my 5-speed, 5.0 litre Mustang. Now, there's a car with zero traction on slippery roads, but I know the car so well that I'm instinctively on the clutch at the first sign of wheel slippage. It will surely be strange to move to *any* automatic-transmission-equipped vehicle that corrects itself at all in those conditions.
Incidently, Ford recently announced (or i just found out) that the rest of Fords SUV's (Escape Expedition Excursion and Mercury/Lincoln equivilants....will offer a new system for 2005 called Roll Over control...
AdvanceTrac® with Roll Stability Control, a segment-first exclusive feature, provides
active stability enhancement utilizing sensors to determine roll speed and roll angle. The system is
unique because it also monitors wheel lift and reduces the potential for a rollover event. If the system
detects that one or more wheels are about to leave the ground and a rollover is imminent, RSC triggers
the vehicle's standard electronic stability control system, called AdvanceTrac®, which reduces power
and/or brakes the necessary wheels to help settle the vehicle allowing the driver to regain control.
One point if guess i failed to make completely clear is that 4wd systems are completely independant of whether a vehicle has traction/stability control...any vehicle with ABS can have traction/stability control
Mark
Just to alleviate any confusion, I think you meant to include the Explorer instead of the Escape. As we know from reading these posts, the 2005 Escape does not have stability control. However, it does handle better than the larger SUV's and doesn't necessarily need it as much as they do. I agree that it should be an option though.
Ford also offers the "Personal Safety System", not to be confused with either of the systems above, in most of it's vehicles. This one uses sensors in the driver and passenger seats to determine the force of airbag deployment if any at all. The sensors basically measure things like weight of the passenger, or object, and/or seat position. The '05 Escape does have this one too.
I am actually in the process of trading in our '02 Escape for an '05 Escape Limited which does have the safety canopy system (as well as a host of other cool goodies). I know all about these systems from researching both the Escape and Explorer and there is a big difference in all of them. The Explorer has all three while the Escape does in fact lack the stability control.
Hope that made things a little clearer.
Escape may be an entry-level SUV but for me it is the right size. Now that I'm a home-owner (occasionally needing to haul fertilizer, lawn mowers, etc) I'm looking to trade my Audi A4 (with traction/stability control and side airbags and Quattro all-wheel drive) for something on the order of a Dakota Quad Cad (but the wife would not like that). For me the Escape is a great size, I would never buy one of those monster larger SUVs. But I want all "the goodies" too, the safety and comfort features I've gotten used to. It'll be interesting to see the new Mercury version of the Escape.
Except that traction/stability control can be had on a competing vehicle like the Toyota Rav4, which can sell for 5k LESS depending on the trim level. I'm not saying I'd choose the Rav4 over the Escape based on that one point, but I don't think those features are necessarily all that expensive for the manufacturers to include. Do you think it will be that long before they're as common as ABS on new vehicles?
Any ideas?
Ford Escape gets 2nd-best safety rating (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
Steve, Host
tidester, host
pads are excessively dusty, but per Ford their Motorcraft brand stops the vehicle better. Maybe, maybe not. I went with ceramic enhanced pads at 51K miles and have had them on for one (1) week, no brake dust !!, unlike the Motorcraft brand, you clean wheels, drive, brake, and dust is back on within 30 minute. If you can help it I wouldn't go back to the dealer for the brake job, it will be expensive. As said before, a reputable shop maybe can do the work just fine at
the same or below Ford dealers cost, plus you get the added benefit of specifying aftermarket parts which will probasbly last much longer.
I do have a little leverage with the dealership as I am an acquaintance with the salesman that I bought the car from. He has stood behind me in getting them replaced but only with the Ford brake. I talked to the man who has been involved in all my maintenance and the brake debacle and told him that I want something other than the Ford brake put on and he is having to get that approved. I'm gonna call him this morning and ask for the Raybestos or Bendix - do both of these have the ceramic enhanced pads?
if you can, for Raybestos QuietStop which is ceramic-based pad. It is of excellent quality too
and best of all it is almost brake dust-free.
If not Raybestos then ask for the premium store brand ceramic pads, there are several other manufacturers, such as Bendix and ProStop. Ask
for a turnable rotor as well. The Ford rotors are made of soft alloy and are not turnable or cannot be reused at all. Ford and other car makers have done this to save money, weight, etc.
But in the long-run it's more expensive for the consumer. Hope the approval goes well. Good luck.
Odie
We just bought one a little over a week ago. The reverse sensing system works really well actually. My wife is the primary driver and she loves it because she never pulls into the garage the same way twice and it will let her know if she's too close to the walls when backing out. It forces her to use the side mirrors which is a good thing.
I only wish someone would find a way to make the sensors a little less obvious on the bumper. Kind of ruins the "clean" look.
I got a good question that was asked to me by another Escape owner I work with. Could the front bumper with new round fog lights and new headlight assembly from a 2005 MY be switched out with an older model ('01-'04 MY) so that you can have the newr light on the older model? I told him I would ask around and get back to him. He can apperently get the lighting kit and front bumper off a Totaled (rear end accid.) from a junk yard (cash / carry) for $200.
any responses would help so I can let him know.
Odie
suggestions about improvements and complaints from not only consumers but from auto writers, etc.
Detailed instructions can be found on another forum if you're interested.
Thanks!
Incidently the 4 cyclinder does not have a timeing belt, rather it uses a timeing chain which should last the life of the engine.
Also if you don't live in the true snow belt or plan to go off road, forego the 4wd. The advantage of 4wd over the standard FWD is limited at best, especially if you don't go off road...save the weight of the system and the cost...
Mark
As does the V6.
I think the old 2.0L Zetec in past Escapes had a chain as well. I'm 99.9% sure my old ZX2, with the same 2.0L Zetec, had one.
mschmal is right. Test drive both of them with as many passengers and gear as the dealer will allow and on roads typical of those on your daily drive. We ended up with our '02 Escape, and the current '05 Limited we replaced it with, after test driving it and a CR-V through the hills in our area. The extra HP and torque of the V6 really made a difference to us.
We also opted for the Mazda6s (3.0L Duratec V6, 220 HP) over the Mazda6i (2.3L Duratec I4, ~160 HP) after driving them up and down some hills with 3 passengers and the A/C on. Note that the Mazda6i has a slightly more powerful version of the Escape's 2.3L I4 with, and I'm guessing here, less curb weight to pull around. And it was a 5-speed MTX too.
Good luck, and have fun!
Used ones seem to have inflated prices. 01s are around $16 - $17K with 40K-50K miles on them.
Went again and test drove an 05 Escape Limited just for fun. My 01 is paid for in about 4 months. I like my 01 Escape and it has proved to be a reliable and capable vehicle. The 05 is however an improvement. Interior is nicer, vehicle feels more quiet. I like the added safety features of the 05 also. I am going to wait until after the election before I take the dive into an 05 Escape. So far my two color choices would be the silver or the darker silver..
I'm a bit leery of plans where you aren't paying for each and every service, after hearing how Firestone allegedly did not actually perform alignments for people bought, and tried to use, their Lifetime Alignment package. (They took the car in and said they did an alignment without actually doing it, according to consumer accounts.)
IMO the plan is worth the money if you don't like to do your own basic maintenance. Otherwise save your money and spend it on something else.
As for Ford service, I've never had any problems with any dealer's service dept. Well, one refused to do warranty work because we didn't buy there but Ford's help line fixed that problem with great speed. Otherwise they've all been courteous, prompt, and got the job done right. As always, YMMV.
Prepaid Maintenance Plans
Steve, Host
I have an 01 Escape 4WD V6 XLT. Owned this since new and it has been wonderful. Use it to tow my two watercraft, find my fishing spots in the Cascade range too! And.. since I live so close to the Cascade range.... MT Hood, Rainer, ST Helens.. visit the skii slopes..
Handles fine, never been stuck. Am however waiting for the Continentals to wear so I can get some nicer tires....
Escape is known for its great handling. My V6 averages about 21.7MPG between city and freeway driving. On long trips traveling at speeds of 70-75 I have averaged about 24.. V6 is a kick to drive. Plenty of hauling/towing power along with passing power..
I own an 01 Escape XLT V6 4WD and it has been a great vehicle. I am however very stringent on my vehicle maintenace and preventative maintenance. oil changed every 3k, transmission flushed at 25K, radiator flush every 2 years ect....
Good luck!