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Comments
Escape then sat in garage for a week! Pneumonia. Me, not the car.
Henry Ford can now stop spinning in his grave saying, "try the roof switch dummy, it probably isn't seated." Sorry, Henry.
Moral: Don't look for cars in freezing weather without a parka and try the switch before you tell the world the moonroof makes noise.
Gawd, I love this Escape. Even more than when I bought it.
Hope you're feeling better. I had pneumonia while traveling in China in the winter. It was horrible!
I read a post on escape-central about insulating the doors. Has anyone done this?
Also there is a lot of air coming through the speakers when moving, can anything be done about that.
Also has anyone taken their door panels off, and if so how hard is it?
I am still very satisfied with my Escape. Already 3000 miles in a months time. Only getting 16/20 mpg, but that is the price you pay for driving an SUV instead of a wussy car.
The salesman told me this today when I called to let him know that I am unable to take delivery of the Escape I ordered. I'm so dissapointed because I really, really want this car. But I guess that some lucky person is going to get my baby. It was to be an XLT 4x4 in the not-officially-available color of Dark Shadow Grey. When I saw this color in person I just had to have it. It is leaps and bounds better than the normal Escape colors. If anyone is interested in it, email me (my address is in the profile) and I'll let you know which dealership it is going to and the options it will have. Oh by the way, I'm in the Chicago suburbs.
Here is the more likely story:
The dealership you spoke to has no allotment left to order Escapes for inventory.. Other dealerships with higher allotment numbers probably do..
Happy Driving
Odie
The accessories to improve mileage and extend engine life
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
I just bought a new Toro snowblower last night. It too is a dream to use--cleans all the way down to the pavement, eats up the nasty stuff at the end of the drive, and has a lot of oomph. (Sorry, I know this is OT!)
These two machines make winter almost a pleasure.
Would love to have the doors better insulated on the Escape, though. I have to run my heater full blast (highest fan, highest heat) for a good 15 minutes before I'm anywhere close to warm; then I can cut it down to highest heat and fan at #2.
Its almost the only reason I can't see myself purchasing an Escape. I'd like to get an XLS w/V6 as an option, but from what I can gather, XLS only comes with folding bench (in Canada, at least). Going to XLT adds upwards of $2500.
The only 4x4 complaint was that the stock tires didn't work very well for climbing. They said new tires would do wonders.
Make sure HVAC controls are set as follows:
1.) Defrost
2.) Air conditioner compressor on (if there is a separate switch)
3.) Use fresh air setting NOT Recirculate
4.) Turn blower on hi.
The air conditioner acts as a dehumidifier. You can still use it even though it is winter, just turn the heat control knob up.
In any case, it still had a better braking distance than any other mini-suv out there..
Escape Tribute
- axle ratio 2.93 3.78
- Ground Clearance 7.8 8.4
Has anyone else noted other differences?
According to the Ford Service manual, the final drive (aka front diff) ratio is 3.92:1
It is my understanding that all of the chassis and driveline components are identical in the Tribute and Escape..
Take them both for a drive, see if you can feel a difference..
The trib's suspension is tuned for better handling at the expense of a firmer ride.
And, the tranny in the Trib is programmed to shift more agressively.
The Tribute and Escape are built in the same plant by the same people:
ref: www.uaw.org
Local 249 represents 5,000 UAW members at Ford Motors’ Kansas City Assembly Plant in Pleasant Valley, Missouri. Members build the Ford F-150 Super Cab, F-150 Super Crew Cab, and F-150 King Crew Cab, as well as the new Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute sport utility vehicles.
It is true that Ford and Mazda are 'targeting' different audiences for the Escape vs. Tribute. The differences are mainly in marketing, sheetmetal, and interior look. The engine, driveline, suspension and chassis components are basically the same..
It has been rumored that the automatic tranny in the Mazda has different shift points. However it should be noted that both have automatic tranny's that adapt to how they are driven..
It has also been rumored here that the Tribute is more geared towards the off-road community.. I think the Tribute is marketed to just the opposite.. see www.autonetwork.com's site..
"Where the Mazda separates itself from the Escape is in the ride and handling. It comes with 16 inch P235/70R16 all season street tires instead of the off road rubber found on the Ford. "
"First exterior styling helps the Tribute stand out from Ford. While the Escape is a very squared or boxy looking arrangement Mazda is more rounded in its front end treatment and even carries that concept over to the roofline and wheel wells. While the Escape stays close to its corporate roots the Tribute is dressed to impress with chrome accents, body cladding and fender flares. Although available with a 4 wheel drive the Mazda tends to look more like a vehicle to keep on the highways than a logging trail. "
Rock crawling?? OK, when is the last time anyone took their SUV's rock crawling? Jeep tries to get you into a state of mind of offroading... Ok, Jeep does have the advantage of offroading.. Now, how much will I offroad? 5 percent of my time? 10 percent tops? How harsh am I going to offroad? Class of trail? In every review so far I have read over and over how the Escape/Trib just can't "offroad". Well, mine has taken me into my fishing spots just fine, skiing, and has even towed my jet skiis. All this offroad talk is just that talk.. Image, of I have a 4x4 that is tough.. but do I really use it as a 4x4? I would place bets on not.. Stats show over and over that more than 90 percent of SUV and 4x4 owners haven't even seen gravel. Ford/Mazda/Toyota/Honda and even Saturn are targeting the masses that want the availability of a 4x4 system, yet have car like manners. Smart in my book.
Mazda had quite a bit of input on the Tribute. I feel its just a styling preference.
If anyone else is interested, information on obtaining an x-plan PIN number is on the message boards at http://www.escape-central.com/
Better hurry, only a few more days to fax or send in your application.
Scape2......I couldnt agree with you more. my wife and i own a grand cherokee and love the utility that an suv offers, but have taken it off road 0% of the time. i acutually like that the current trend of suv's are based off of car platforms(only when they look more truck like and less like a jacked up wagon or minivan) i appreciate the fact the trib/escape are esentially front wheel drive and then automatically go to 4wd when needed, unlike my jeep which has to be put in 4wd when needed (rear wheel drive good in dry but sucks in anything else), although i have the capability to leave it in 4wd all the time it does take its toll at the pump if i do. I soon will be making my decision on what vehicle to buy next to replace my jeep and the trib has caught my eye.
Love the car!
Does anyone know how to change this feature? I do not mind them locking, but I think having all 4 doors unlock at once is unsafe.
Can't find anything in the manual about it.
Odie
Your doors lock/unlock via ignition switch????Whaaat???? Mine don't. Same car, remember?
In about 2 weeks, you'll get an email from x-plan/Ford asking neat questions. I told them they need a light at ignition...I'm still taking too long getting the key in. Also told them (because I miss this) they need a light at liftgate. Other than that... ? I'm getting 18.5 mpg city...but only 2 tanksfull so far.
Imdecidn2-
Color: Dark Shadow Gray and it's beautiful! The color blends nicely with the cladding so it doesn't stand out so much. I love this car!
Light at liftgate-Do you mean a light that goes on inside when you open the liftgate? I believe mine has this, but I think you might have to flip the switch to get it to turn on.
H.D. floor mats: Wanted them but didn't buy. Here we have slush and need them; Calif? sand and granola flakes? Anyway, this week Target's ad...great sale on the kind that you can make ice cubes in, fore and aft. Good fit, Car and Driver brand. Am I going to get in trouble for saying a company name? Hope not. Saved lots of $$.
Dark S.G. great color..any options? Happy motoring.
Floor mats-did you get one for the cargo area? And, do they make them so they cover the entire cargo area when the seats are down?
Have you noticed that the 4X4 has nothing on the outside to indicate it has 4WD?
Given the quickness of the Escape, its more likely that folks will see you from that angle anyway..
It handled the snow very well. I just returned from a computer project in Maine. In fact, it was quite fun in the snow. Never questioned it's ability; however, the 4x4 F150 I had the week before was so much better. Gave me the feeling of security to drive in the snow as well as luxury.
On a personnal note, in the past 5 weeks:
I've rented a Mustang, a Contor, a Legacy, the F150, and the Escape.
The Mustang was the worst; however, the girl at Arby's liked my car. Yes, it got stuck in a snow bank left by a snow plow. Yes, it got stuck in a bank parking lot, because it could good up hill. Yes, the traction control light flashed. No help. Yes, I almost hit a pole driving out of the parking lot.
To conclude, buy the Escape if you like. Gas mileage didn't appear too bad. ( I turned in more fuel receipts for the Legacy than any car I've had so far.)
Have fun everyone. I read the 4x4 forums because my wife now drives a Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited.
Myself, my personal car is a Sebring Convertible.
And, you know, when the Hertz agent asks do I want the Windstar or the Escape, my answer is "yes, I'm willing to pay the extra $15 dollars for a 4x4 in Maine."
CU
I suspect that you'd get used to the shifter after a week or so.
Can you try a CR-V next?
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
Point probably never discussed. ???? Highway driving in a 4x4 forum.
Hey, I was working in Augusta, Me. I had tickets for Southwest in Manchester, NH, and had to travel 158 miles.
The Escape can handle 80+ mph for a lengthy period of time w/o a problem ( 2 hrs). We, three consultants, made the earlier flight and were grateful. It was steady, reliable, and felt natural to drive at this speed.
As well, most 2000 4x4 Escapes came with the dreaded Firestone Wilderness HT's. They barely work in some snow conditions. I put on real winter tires on the Escape and it was night and day.