Ford Escape

ryster · December 2001

Hi,

Auto stores sell various products, such as Meguiars Gold Class Trim Restore, that can be used to keep the plastic trim looking good. I use it on my '00 Explorer XLS (I have the dark grey plastic trim panels) and it keeps them in good shape. I think it is also called "Back to Black".

scape2 · December 2001

I have now had my Escape for 4,500 trouble free miles. Its gotten me to my fishing places, skiing, towing my jetskis fine also.
The 200HP V6 is top notch. Yesterday a guy in a nicely optioned Xterra pulled up beside me at a stop light. I could tell where this was going to go. He took off like a banshee and had the jump on me. I have been taking it pretty easy on the Escape for break-in reasons. Well, my ego got the best of me and I pushed the accelerator to the floor as hard and fast as I could. I caught the guy and passed him!! at that!. Granted, the Xterra has bragging rights as far as offroad ability, onstreet where over 90 percent of my driving is done.. Escape is top dog....

novicesuver1 · December 2001

I am curious to have a field report on the efficacy of the Escape 4x4 during the record high snow fall in greater Buffalo. Now i don't believe the vehicle is going to be functional through the storm's major height but how was it after the roads had been plowed a day or so? Am i being naiive here? We get our share of the crummy white stuff here in northern Mass. but thankfully nothing like the Buffalo area.......................

chevycam · December 2001

For anyone interested:

New package for the Escape - Midnight package - Comes solid black painted top to bottom, no more grey bottom!! Upgraded black leather seating. Edmunds has the details under 2002 Escape. This package is available starting in January 2002. I was going to buy mine and have the bottom painted, looks like I won't have to now!!

wannascape · December 2001

Has anyone noticed that it's impossible to find a Premium XLT without the MACH stereo or side step bars on the dealer's lots? They seems to be coming from the factory that way.
I've been told be two dealers now that I will have to order to get exactly what I want (4X4 XLT Premium with side air bags).
Seems like they are just trying to get more money, or just making a giant assumption that if you want the premium package, you want everything else.

bess · December 2001

Each dealership orders the configurations they want on the lot.. There are also allotment differences between dealers, but the allotment numbers are based on what and how many the dealer sells..

I also noticed at several dealerships in my area they tend to put the MACH stereo in, which I also wasn't interested in. But I got it anyway..

I'm not really that impressed with the sound. I do really like the 6cd changer.. So, I guess I just overpaid for a 6cd changer.. oh well..

wannascape · December 2001

"Each dealership orders the configurations they want on the lot.."
It seems like every dealer in Southern California orders the same way.
It's really frustrating. Why do they have the 6 disc standard in the Premium and then consistantly upgrade it to the MACH?
The MACH plus the side step bars adds about $800 to the cost. So, it's either that, or wait 7-9 weeks for a car I'll have to order. I guess it's my fault for waiting for so long to decide what I wanted. If I'd ordered 2 months ago, I'd have the car now!
But, it took renting an Escape for a week over Xmas to decide that I wanted 4WD-took it up to the mountains and it did well in snow, ice and rain.

imdecidn2 · December 2001

I, too, have noticed the preponderance of added MACH radios on inventory and it bugs me too especially when a dealer told me that I'd hardly notice the difference.

And now, in one day's time, I've flipped back to wanting the Escape over the Trib..talk about an 11th hour thing...mid-way through 12-31 we noticed all local Ford dealers offering $500 off on ALL cars in inventory...and unlike the disappointing experience with Mazda on Sunday,(I posted this on Mazda board), local Ford dealers are giving this discount on X plan buyers AND on the Escape. A jillion calls found us no 4 x 4 XLT's in our colors...and so we will begin the whole process over again to seek a 4 x 2 because we really don't need a 4 by. Headache city. And side bars are probably a pain in the posterior.

Frustration? You aren't alone. I've kicked myself many times over for not getting in on 0% financing but am consoled that if I had, we'd be driving one with hard seating. And even now, if we manage to find a 4 x 2, it'll have to be a Job 2 and hopefully w/o that darned radio which would of course negate any 500.00 off. We have until Jan 2nd. Happy New Year.. We too will probably have to order altho we did find a dealer with an unsold 4 x 4 (sans Mach and bars) due in at end of Jan. But I am still puzzled as to why Escapes are selling in this area when the Tribs don't seem to be.

mel02 · January 2002

Have about 31000 miles on our Escape. After it stalling out on me, we had to have it towed to our dealer, and they needed to order a new transmission. Instead of re-building, they did go ahead and ordered a new transmission. Waiting to get the Escape back. I also had the problem of the battery/charger light not going off for the first 3-5 minutes. I took it to the dealer less than 2 weeks ago, and they needed to order a new part,(motor & fan assembly) and replaced it. Anyone else with this many miles on their Escape yet, and any transmission or other problems after putting on all these miles?

scape2 · January 2002

How? Please expand on this when you hear more from the dealer. That is one heck of a lot of miles for a vehicle in one year or less?
I like the plastic body side panels. It has protected and stood up well on my fishing trips into the mountains and on logging roads.
I don't understand all the hoopla and bogus garbage on how incapable the Escape is supposed to be. I too have had mine in the snow, freezing rain, logging roads and mine has done very well. Its felt stable and held traction just fine.
I would like to see an Escape SVT of some sort. Boost the power of the 3.0 to about 250HP add some traction control, nicer tires/wheels, Have the body be all one color type scheme, tinted glass all the way around... dreamin I guess....

chevycam · January 2002

If you like black, you can get the Escape in one color top to bottom. BLACK!... it is called the Midnight package.

emgoodman · January 2002

The Kelly Blue Book site (kbb.com) lists a loyal customer (returning lease or finance) discount of $500. Has anyone ever been offered/used this discount. My last purchased car was a Probe in 1992. I paid of the loan and have since sold the car - I'd love to be able to take off another $500 after negotiating a price on the Escape.

imdecidn2 · January 2002

Found it! First call we made today, it had come in last night. XLT Premium 4x4, still in its plastic, no MACH radio, has side bars but I fully intend to grow longer legs. X Plan AND a dealer incentive (open to anybody) of $500 ending Jan 2nd. All greater Cincinnati dealers were/are giving this incentive and we found ours in Northern Ky. There's more of them on their lot....Delivery tomorrow, let it snow.

wannascape · January 2002

Congrats on the find! I am jealous!Hope you got the color you wanted. I don't think I'll be so lucky here in So Cal as to find a non-Mach car so I will probably have to order. Also, I don't think we had the $500 incentive here, although I've stopped looking at the ads because any good deals always seem to exclude the Escape. I've searched the inventories of all the local dealers and there are very few 4X4s to be had for some reason. Wondering if they don't sell as well here or if they can't keep them on the lot?
I was told by a dealer's internet salesperson that if I wanted them to search for the exact car for me I would have to give them a "good faith" deposit. Is this normal?

imdecidn2 · January 2002

Yes, got the color. If I were you, I wouldn't stop looking at ads. While I was looking at Mazda ads (only), the Ford dealers did this end of year thing and I nearly missed out. Husband just said that you live in a different world than we do, more competitive, and I am pretty sure vehicles cost more out there because of emission standards. But he said "no way" would he give a good faith deposit. Although I have only spoken to a couple Ford dealers, both of them mentioned that they never know what Ford is going to do...makes you retain hope that they'll come up with something to sweeten the pot. I can see how 4 x 4's go fast out there...here they'll sell faster when we get a snowfall. There were 4bys available yesterday but wrong colors and options.
But even here, no mountains, it is harder to find a 4 x 2. You did join EAA, didn't you?

wannascape · January 2002

Yes, I joined EAA just in time (end of Nov.).It's probably the only way I can afford the Escape I want.
About the "good faith" estimate: I thought that was odd, especially coming from probably the largest Ford Dealership in the area if not the state. It seems like the Escapes are so hot that they are really unconcerned about selling them, they sell themselves.
BTW, I really enjoyed driving the rental I had for a week, I'm sure you'll love yours. I saw from your Mazda posts that you had some similar doubts (about the stalling and other issues). How did you reconcile those and decide to buy the car?

imdecidn2 · January 2002

We've got to stop meeting like this.:) Hubby just said "I didn't know females got so excited over automobiles". How did I reconcile? Well, I am a gambler at heart and decided to put my money on the bigger company...one has to believe that Ford doesn't want any more bad press and I do believe that someone out there is going to figure out what has made some of these vehicles do you-know-what. There's jillions of unaffected cars out there and I've read every post I could. But I'll be honest, I am going to be thinking of stalling while I am driving. I might even practice (somewhere safe) just what it feels like to maintain control with lost power. I half remember having a car that did that a few times in my ancient past. Thats when cars were tanks. And maybe I feel lucky. All I know that I was driving hims nuts when we we'd be out on the hwy and I'd keep saying "there's one"...It HAD to end.
And I'd be thinking suppose they raise the price? I knew no other vehicle filled my eye and I felt the positives outweighed the negatives. And there's nothing like an incentive to give you the push to commit. Keep the faith. That P T whatchamacallit was in demand too and that demand sure seems to have tanked. Keep checking Ford web site or maybe even Ford Direct (watch for incentive)...the last time I linked they sent me an email which made no sense but hinted at incentives. I see where they're working on a hybrid (ed?) for next year. Need rest.

wannascape · January 2002

I think I'm like you on this. I want to believe that it's not that bad. We've had a '94 T bird and a '94 Ranger since we bought them new with relatively few problems. I love my car now, but I'm ready for a change.
Yes, women do get excited over cars! I'm the same way, I've been pointing them out for months and getting as much info as I can. By the time I went to the dealer to look at the car, I knew more about it than the salesman did (and at more than one dealer!).
I just wish I could fnd an incentive like you did. The decision to get a 4X4 has pushed the price up and if I just buy off the lot all the extras they put on are going to drive it out of my price range. Not to mention the extended warranty...did you get one? I think I will need it since I put about 17000 miles a year on my car now.
Also, when I had the rental, I too thought about the stalling and what I would do if it happened. I was glad that I was at least informed about it.
Let us know how it goes when you pick it up!

chevycam · January 2002

Don't get one from ford, go to Warranty Gold.com. They offer a bumper to bumper no deductible warranty that is better than Ford's. You can buy the warranty anytime during the first 3yrs 36k miles. When your vehicle is serviced, they pay right then, you don't pay and then bill them.

wannascape · January 2002

I wish I could go to an online warranty broker. Unfortunately, it seems that none of them sell to CA residents. There's some law against it...

scape2 · January 2002

bought either the additional front bumper protector or the rear air wing?

imdecidn2 · January 2002

Yep, you're my lost little sister. Ditto on informing salesmen on some things..with thanks to the gurus on these boards. Today, when getting my keys, outside, freezing cold, I learned finer points of things..such as: The direction of the air bags is controlled by location of impact...also some kinda scale sensor thing that reads weight of driver and determines the amount of bag impact against that driver. Drove 40 mi home, was GREAT, moonroof noise kicked in at 50mph (as expected), am sure it'll become 'white noise'...Heater, (when on high) could handle a 5 rm home, a GOOD thing.

Have to check out manual and also the interactive CD Rom in the Estee Lauder-like owner's case. Hubby really likes car, says hubcaps, on-the-move, are eyecatching.
Ext.Warranty: Ignored it yesterday, said I'd think about it, glad to see Chevycam post.
Have you tried putting distant, but drivable, zip codes into Ford site to locate a vehicle?

scname · January 2002

Forget the after market ones. They won't be around in couple years when the car's out of factory warranty and claims started coming in.

Most aftermarket warreanty co are frauds. They collect the premium, pay themselves big salery and bonus and file chapter 11 when claims come in.

eric102 · January 2002

Had an aftermarket extended warranty on my F250, they went out of business about 4 years later, about the same time the truck started falling apart. Stick with Ford's warranty (you will need it), they should be around for a few more years.

Eric

eric102 · January 2002

You can negotiate the price of the warranty, there is usually a 40-50 percent mark up, a big money maker for the dealer if you pay their asking price.

Eric

wannascape · January 2002

"moonroof noise kicked in at 50mph (as expected)"
Ick. I didn't think about that. Is that with the moonroof open or closed? I did discover what they mean by "road noise"when I rented the car. It is loud! BTW, what color did you get?
Things I will miss that I have on my 7 year old car...it's the little things that I would expect this new car should have but does not..
1.a trip meter-how could they not have put one in?
2.digital outside/inside temp gauge
3.Lighted visor mirrors
Little things I do like...
1. Great cup holders.
2. Left foot rest
3. Sitting up high
4. Cargo room with folding seats!
BTW, I had a dash light go on as soon as I drove off the rental lot. It looked like the battery, but was the coolant light. Learned from looking at the boards that this is a common faulty sensor.

"Have you tried putting distant, but drivable, zip codes into Ford site to locate a vehicle?"
Yes, and I will keep looking until I can wait no longer.

Warranties: after reading the above posts, not sure what to do. I think there are a couple reputable ones out there, but as of now I can't really buy one anyway. I'd like to get a 5yr/100000 mile one, but I'd like to know a good price first to try to bargain to at the dealer.

bess · January 2002

There is a trip meter in the escape.. See the little black button near the odometer..

techy1 · January 2002

Not even to the first oil change, there I was meandering up I-495 in the Washington D.C. area on a quiet holiday morning... cruise control set at about 60 MPH. After crossing the American Legion bridge, the Escape started making strange engine noises which initially sounded like electrical noise from the stereo but after turning the stereo off, the noises got progressively worse and were obviously coming from the engine compartment. No sooner do I recognize that -- the check engine light comes on. As I IMMEDIATELY pull to the shoulder, the Escape dies and loses all power (steering, brakes, etc -- electrical still seemed good.)

It would not crank over at all but seemed to try to engage the starter. The battery "indicator" is green and all seems well electrically. There's oil in the engine. But this does NOT look good. I think the engine may be toast.

2,950 miles and this kind of problem is WHOLLY unacceptable for ANY car. I paid almost $25k for this SUV and I am absolutely apalled that this could happen. It's really too bad because up until this point I have absolutely LOVED this Escape.

2002 Escape XLT 4X4, V6, Auto.

I sense a major engineering flaw here from my experience and that of many others... especially post 1121 from wpooh in the Mazda Tribute/Ford Escape thread. The similarities are amazing although I don't remember seeing any smoke. The tranny HAD kicked down to go up the hill from the bridge but the hill wasn't so big that it would require excessive power from the engine.

Conclusion: seized engine.

Ford has been very helpful and cooperative and the lemon law attorney's office that I'm dealing with has been helpful too. One of the things I've asked for as a result of this repair (most likely an engine replacement) is a free extended warranty (FORD) and they've agreed to a 5/75 warranty although I'm pushing for a 6/100 warranty. No sooner do you start taking stuff apart... then it starts to break again... not prepared to pay for "incidental" problems related to this repair.

So for those of you on the fence about an extended warranty... you probably will never see the vehicle last long enough to use it!!!

wannascape · January 2002

Is that a 2002 change? The rental I had was a 2001 and I'm positive I didn't see a black button. There was only one place for a digital odometer-no space for tripmeter. Did I miss something?

bess · January 2002

I have a 2001 XLT 4x2. The odometer is digital. When you push the button, it switches the odometer into 'trip' mode.. If you push and hold the black button for several seconds, it resets the trip meter to 0.

audia8q · January 2002

I agree with you...after 20 years in the car biz I have seen more warranty companies go out of business than dot.com companies...hahaha
Hardly a day goes by and some customer shows up with some aftermarket warranty that never seems to cover anything and they have a poor payment history. We have a list of over 20 warranty companies that we will not do business with at any price!
if you insist on purchasing an extended service plan ONLY buy the manufacturers.

bess · January 2002

So sorry to hear about your problem.. I think your going down the right path. I'm sure Ford will grant your request to extend the warranty..

Give them an honest chance to earn your confidence back and they just might come through for you..

Given the thousands and thousands of Escapes on the road, I don't think the problem you experienced is a common one..

wannascape · January 2002

Thanks. I must have just completely missed the button. Glad to know it's there.

bess · January 2002

I don't think there is much value in extended warranties today.. I sortof classify vehicle defects into 2 categories. Those defects that are a result of manufacturing mistake, and those that are engineering mistakes..
Manufacturing mistakes are parts that aren't put together properly, or out of tolerance prior to installation, or broken upon installation..

Enginnering mistakes would be designs that cause parts to wear prematurly, or fail because it is simply the wrong part for the job.

I assert that the manufacturing mistakes would likely be seen fairly early in a vehicles life, (say 3year/36 months), whereas engineering type mistakes may expose themselves at any time..

I'm very confident in the engineering process that all of the major manufactures use today.. So the standard warranty is just fine for most folks.

chevycam · January 2002

Not all aftermarket warranties are bad. Warranty Gold has been in business for years and has protected there customers. If they go out of business there is a fund that takes over for the remaining customers. I don't remember what it is called. I have had one on my 97 Dodge Ram since 1999. They came highly recommended. I checked them out throughly. There is even info. in Town Hall. I don't remember the particulars. I do know this, the factory extended warranty available for my Dodge was full of so much small print (loop holes) that they could get out of covering just about any major repair. The warranty gold people have been great to deal with. Don't knock them until you investigate the company. FYI - stay away from warranty direct. They have had several complaints. Don't buy any factory extended warranties until you read the fine print. Really, read the fine print!! For instance - in the Dodge factory extended warranty there was some small print that said they would not cover any damage due to over heating. What a crock! Warranty Gold has no problem with paying for overheating as long as you don't keep driving it. I would say, wait on buying an extended warranty until a few thousand miles or months before the factory warranty runs out. This will give you a chance to see if you have a problem vehicle or not. Also, look at TSBs and recalls. For instance, if you see there is a problem with the transmission on the model you have, a $1000 extended warranty is cheaper than a $3000 transmission.

imdecidn2 · January 2002

Checked out moonroof today, used the STEP bar to see the thing topside, it was closed...and no, I didn't even try it yesterday...that'd be akin to me telling you to check out your heater (in that new Escape out there that's got your name on it) on a 89 degree day. Good news, bad news...CD Rom is super for an XLS Sport...I didn't see any moonroof instructions nor trip odometer...I'm wondering if I got the wrong cd? Remember the post about carrying a screwdriver with you? Eeeek. Those instructions are in the CD. Skimmed over that part, ala Scarlett O'Hara, will tell you more next time I look at it. Salesman called today to see how I liked...I asked what's next for Ford, deal-wise...he can't answer fersure but indicated something might come along on the 14th. Ext'd Warranty. Think I'll try'n negotiate on price...bet extended has a deductible..Dodge now does...but my old Dodge van, still here, was the BEST vehicle I've ever owned, so trouble free people do not believe it, even a battery that worked for 8 years (looked that up cause I'd first typed 7), also at 8 years Dodge repainted top N/C because it was getting some flaked spots. Did you EVER hear of such guarantees...my warranty had long run out. But it seems I remember "Extended Warranty $600" and talking them down to $300. Escape: Satin silver. And I am not worried about anything and maybe that's because I live near the class action king and he's known to always be trolling. I agree with Bess...odds of defects show up early....Bet consumer reports next car issue might not be so kind to our Escapes as they were last year, talking about the issue where they compared mini suvs. Snow on the way.

wannascape · January 2002

"...I asked what's next for Ford, deal-wise...he can't answer fersure but indicated something might come along on the 14th. "
Maybe it will be a rebate instead of 0% financing. I heard something on the radio yesterday about how GM will be offering rebates because they are losing too much $$ on the low financing. Hope Ford follows suit and includes the Escape this time!
Don't remember the post about the screwdriver...

imdecidn2 · January 2002

Screwdrivers. Mazda post #944....if my Escape ever freezes up like Tribulation's, I will do what I do when my van does that...I just turn the wheel a bit and all is ok. But far be it for me to assume that will work. In my experience, it would happen when I left car in park with wheels turned.

I heard the GM news...2002 rebate. Can't imagine how that'll work with Escape.

scape2 · January 2002

Escape when they were offering incentives for 01 and 02 models. Ford did this for only about a month or so. The Escapes/Tribs are selling withouth incentives or rebates.

redbaretta · January 2002

Has anyone seen (or already owns) this model. I read about it in Edmunds and found a pic here:

http://auto.consumerguide.com/images/autoreview/lrg/01114121990002LRG.jpg

I can't find it at any dealers yet. Any info would be appreciated.

sndvis · January 2002

According to Blue Oval News they started manufacturing in November. According to Ford they are shipping now. But that's probably not true...I had one on order for two months and finally gave up. I believe only difference is roof rack & different style alloy's. What's the hold up there Mr. Ford? BTW this pic is a "concept car" I believe. The XLT Sport in the Escape brochure doesn't look quite a slick as this one. Happy Hunting!

scottf2 · January 2002

I got a great deal on my 2002 Escape with the X-Plan and the low Interest that was locked in last October. (Actually they are giving me a monetary rebate as opposed to the low interest.)
What my question is......is any one waiting or had to wait 3 months for their Escape? We ordered it on October 17th and the sales person said that it WOULD be in by Christmas. Well we're in January now and they still haven't started on building it yet. The dealership is telling me how far behind Ford is because Escapes are so hot and because of the low interest back in October.

tiredofmanual · January 2002

I just checked my order and my salesman told me that he still doesn't have a build date for mine. I placed my order in early December. I'm thinking that if I can't even get a build date in the next week or two that I'm going to just cancel the order. This waiting thing sucks.

bess · January 2002

Check other dealers in your area. It sounds like that the dealer you working with may have poor allotment numbers for Escapes, otherwise he would be able to get one.. They'll make it sound like it's a problem with Ford Motor Company delivery, but it really isn't. Every dealership has different allotments.

scape2 · January 2002

the CRV claim that Edmunds has about it besting the Escape V6 from 0-60. I have a friend who works at a Honda dealer. We took both out side by side and did our own 0-60 test. The Escape won everytime!!??? Edmunds doesn't make sense. The V6 has 200HP and 200ft/lbs of torque vs a 160HP and 160ft/lb of torque vehicle... Edmunds??

suvshopper4 · January 2002

If you ran your already broken-in Escape versus a 'green' CR-V (new from the dealer's lot), you might not have gotten a fair comparison / result.

bess · January 2002

Edmunds was comparing the Honda with the 5sp manual to the Escape V6 which is only available with the automatic..

Quote from Edmunds:
"The five-speed manual transmission in our test vehicle was a fitting complement to the terrific new engine under the hood"

The inefficienties of any automatic tranny would probably make up for the difference in power..
If Ford chose to compete on these grounds, then they could simply put a manual tranny in it's V6 and it would be top's again.. But would Ford sell x many more vehicles to justify the production costs of offering a different tranny/engine combo? It's hard to believe that Ford could sell even more Escapes than it currently is..

This might be a good selling point for the Honda.. There are some folks out there that prefer manual trannies. And given that you can get the Honda with a larger engine than the Escape with a manual tranny, it might be an option that sways a few folks..

So, Honda can claim the quickest mini-suv, and Ford could claim to have the quickest mini-suv when equiped with automatic tranny.

scape2 · January 2002

about the 2002 CRV not really being broken in. The Escape had 4K miles the CRV had only about 500 miles. The CRV was a dealer vehicle. The V6 on the Escape has its strenghts and weaknesses no doubt. I guess I just question how a vheicle that has a 140 lb weight advantage, that has 160HP/ and 162ft/lbs of torque can beat a vehicle that has 200HP and 200ft/lbs of torque?? Does the 140lbs really make that huge of a difference?
0-60 doesn't make a vehicle. I needed a V6 for towing my water craft and being able to haul gear and up to 4 adults. The CRV doesn't meet that critera..

bess · January 2002

The exact same vehicle with a manual tranny will always outperform the same vehicle with an automatic tranny. That is the biggest difference.

Gear ratio selection (which is not an option for Escape/CRV buyers), tire size, weight, and break-in time are other factors..

For example, there a 1.4" differnce in the tire height between the 225/70 r15 and 235/70r16 tires which are both available on the Escape..
The smaller tire actually enables better acceleration (if the diff gear ratio is the same).

scape2 · January 2002

another great point!! Tire size didn't even occur to me! Why doesn't Edmunds mention these details when comparing?? Time for another shootout in the mini-SUV arena!

Ford Escape

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