Hello. In an Edmund's customer review, someone mentioned they got a "Ford X Plan," described as Dealer Invoice minus 1%. How does one qualify for this? I've also heard of a "Fleet Incentive," which I seem to recall involves joining some organization that Ford is affiliated with, which qualifies you for, I believe, invoice price. (Is this the same thing as the "X Plan"?) Can someone advise?
Aside from this one guy who claimed last week to have 2003 brochures to send out, has anyone else heard much about the 2003's or even when they are due out?
With all due respect to the folks at San Antonio Review, that wasn't much of a review at all. As a matter of fact I don't even think they drove the car. It sounded more like one of those marketting-type reviews. The only negative thing they had to say was it has no low range for off road.
Let's be honest here. It's an attractive design, it handles nicely (although the Japanese handle better), it's roomy and peppy. But the interior materials are Kia Sportage-level, the engine, road and wind noise are obtrusive (reflecting an utter indifference to customer comfort over profit), the reliability record has been very spotty.
There are many other reviews just like this around the net that also have these claims. Interior quality is no worse than a CRV or VUE, In my feeling the Liberty has the best interior in this class. The road noise is also mid range when comparing other like vehicles in this class. Ford/Mazda have hit a home run in this segment. Another tip for cleaning your Escapes. I own a Black XLT and as we all know black is a terrible color to keep clean. About 2 months a go I did the 3 step Maguires waxing job. It made the black paint on my Escape look like glass. no swirl marks, many of the small scratches were gone. A friend introduced me to a product Maguires makes called touch up/detailer. Its a product you use in between waxing. This product is excellent if anyone wants to try it.. You just spray a fine mist onto your paint and wipe it off with a terry cloth or waxing rag..
Some Ford TSB's are very general and apply to all vehicles/years. For example, Oil pump priming procedures and heater core replacement tips get flagged under all vehicles regardless of frequency of failure or concerns. Thus there are always many TSB's listed in this site. Ford's just trying to get the imfo out they so techs can fix problems.
I think they said some time around December 2002 for the hybrid. The biggest problem will be the approx $3000 extra charge for the dual power supplies. That pretty much negates any possible fuel savings.
Anyone who requested the 2003 Escape info, I'll be sending it out today. I got a little bogged down with work. Anyone else who wants all the details about the 03 escape's changes please email me, I'll send it right out. (If you already emailed me, you don't have to send another email.)
Hello everyone, this is my first time posting on this topic. Anyway I think I read somewhere that the hybrid Escape may be delayed with all the financial problems Ford is experiencing. I hope I am wrong, but I am not 100% sure.
I have a 2001 XLT Escape V6 fully loaded . I checked the mileage on an 800 mile trip from mid NJ to Buffalo-Utica- NJ, 95% Highway Mileage averaged 20.9 MPG at mostly 70 mph.Drove faily conservatively. Escape has 19,700 miles on the odometer Battery light also stays on a few minutes after starting in the morning . Its been doing this about 4 months now. I would guess its the battery. Its at the dealer for a checkup now
CARCAMPING for two adults can be easy, comfortable, and very economical inside your stock Escape or Tribute. This makes one of the best weekend vacations ever so look into it at www.droidlogic.com/jim/escape.html for details and photos
Finally, something we can agree on -- Maguires is the Motts! It's great. I've used it for years. All three steps. There's a magical moment when you start buffing out the last step -- the wax -- and the paint just GLOWS.
I used to use one of the Maguires products called "Final Inspection" I'm wondering if the touch up/detailer you mention is the same thing. It's been a while since I bought it. It's a pinkish color and it smells good too. Is this what the touch-up is like? If so, then it is a great product!
It's been a long time since I've used it, but I used it all the time in between washes when I owned a black 1996 vette and a black 1992 Jeep Wrangler. It works on everything including glass and it keeps your car silky smooth to the touch. Plus it helps keep the bugs in the summer from sticking to the car. I was a fanatic with keeping my car looking nice, and I'm a female. I don't think there are too many females who would dust off their car before leaving the house.
If the touch-up is the same as the older product of "Final Inspection", then I highly recommend it for in between washes to keep your car looking new and you'll have to wax less often too.
My friend has a 2002 Escape and the front rims on both tires get extremely dirty. The back tires are fine. Is this due to brake dust? Is this an issue with all of the 2002 Escapes? What can be done to fix this problem? Thanks for any help!
Raybestos pads are the answer to the break dust issue on Escapes. But.. this will affect the Escapes/Tributes class leading braking distance. I just keep a rag around and wipe my wheels about every 2 or 3 days.. When these pads are worn I will replace them with the Raybestos pads. What also helps some is an aluminum wheel polish. It helps deflect/repel some of the break dust.
I’ve been looking into several mini SUVs and essentially narrowed it down to Escape/Tribute by now. Rented Escape for a couple of days just to get the feeling and liked it. The only minor thing that keeps bugging me is the “integrated” headrest (or whatever you call that thing when they are part of the front seat and can’t be adjusted). Then I noticed that there are some Escapes and Tributes with separate headrests. Does anyone know if those are the latest and I will get one with the separate headrests later this year (when I finally got enough bucks for down-payment ). Or is it the other way around and they are now making all Escapes with the integrated ones? Thanks!
Did anyone ever have some experience with placing a factory order for Escape with any US dealer? None of the five dealerships within 50 miles radius from me has a combination of exterior/interior/trim, and since I’m not a hurry I decided to place an order. One dealer simply ignored me and tried to switch the topic each time I started talking about ordering. Another one told me that I can place an order but will have to pay cash only (no financing from them that is). Something simply doesn’t seem right. Any suggestions? Thanks a lot!
Retail lot Salesmen often try to rope you in with slanted information because they want to push an immediate sale of what they have on the lot. Make the effort to Know what YOU want so you won't be compromised. I ordered from the factory and got exactly what I wanted and none of what I didn't want. That pleasure was worth the wait. My salesman was the "Fleet Manager" at the dealer because I ordered through Ford's X-Plan. AAA also has a plan with dealers and so do many credit unions. Ask around. Even ask some fleet managers because they will know what you want and they want the order.
Go to another dealer.. Ford financing is available regardless of whether the truck is ordered or purchased off the lot..
What your likely running into is the particular dealerships you visited did not have good 'allotments' for Escapes, and they've sold all that they were alloted. This subject can also affect how long it takes for an ordered vehicle to arrive, because dealers who are within their allotment numbers get priority..
Although dealerships will deny it, the fact is all dealerships are different, and get different allotment numbers, and those number vary throughout the year.
Also, there is no rule saying that a dealer must get a deposit to place an order..
For example, when I ordered my SuperDuty, we agreed on the price I'd pay, and shook hands. Nothing signed, no money transfered. Several weeks later when the truck arrived, the price was actually less than we agreed (ended up paying less than factory invoice because of a regional $500 rebate that took affect) and no problems.
For every bad dealership out there, there are several good ones.. Do business with those..
Has anyone had problems with the transmission on their Escape? I took my 2002 (w/4600 miles) into the Ford dealership yesterday for what appeared to be a subtle, low humming noise that began at 40MPH. I was shocked when I was notified later that day that the transmission needed to be replaced.
I just picked up my 2002 Midnight XLT with the Mach MP3. I'm an older guy and I won't ever use the MP3 functionality, but I do need to have a cassette player for audiobooks. I would like to swap out the MP3 stereo for a dual mode unit. To maintain the look of the dash, I'd like to stick with a Ford OEM unit and as best as I can tell, the MP3 head unit has the exact same dimensions as the dual mode unit that is in the Escape XLS (as well as the units that I've seen in other Ford Trucks, like the Explorer).
My question: Does anyone know if there will be a problem taking a dual mode unit from an XLS and swapping it for the MP3 unit? (When I picked up my car I asked the dealer if he though there would be any XLS buyers who might want to take my MP3 in trade, and he said that the two units weren't compatible - but I'm pretty sure he didn't have any idea what he talking about).
How about swapping it for a dual mode from another Ford Truck? They look exactly the same as the unit in the XLS. I see a bunch of Ford dual mode stereos for sale on Ebay and could pick one up pretty easy.
Just got a Midnight as well. Unless you just want nothing to do with the MP3 player, you might want to reconsider. I listen to audio books as well, but in the MP3 format. Audible.com lets you download 2 a month for $15. They have a built in function with their software and you can make CDs out of the files you download, but I convert them to MP3 and then listen to them in the car. Only downside is the player in the car starts off at the last track you were on rather than the exact spot, so I divide the book into 5 minute segments. Either way, you are talking about 10 hours of music/book on one CD. Not too bad.
This is my first posting in this forum, but I've been reading in here for a little while. I am trying to help my fiancee purchase an Escape XLT 4x2 Choice 2 and I'm trying to determine what a good price in So Cal is. The best price I've found for one with a sticker of $22945 is $20526 after rebate plus TTL. Is this a good price ?
Also, she's coming off an existing Ford lease and she received a postcard in the mail offering $1000 for returning lease customers towards a new car (I'm assuming on top of the Factory cash back). Is this special deal available if we finance ourselves and not through Ford Credit ? It doesn't say on the postcard.
I think the salesperson was trying to tell the consumer that the special finance rate is not locked in....meaning that if the consumer factory orders the vehicle the incentive, if any, when the vehicle is deliverd is applicable. Not the incentive when ordering the vehicle.
That isn't what the dealer told the person in the previous post.. "Another one (dealer) told me that I can place an order but will have to pay cash only (no financing from them that is). "
We have noticed a rear rattle in the backdoor area lately if we do not close the glass portion of the door with a bit of force. Has anyone experienced this on a 2002 Escape? Do you think the glass needs an adjustment?
I just bought a used 2001 Escape. I was surprised that a tank of gas only gets me about 240 miles. Thats from the time I completely fill up until the low fuel indicator comes on (3 gallons left). And I'm getting about 17 miles to the gallon which also seems low. Can you guys me an idea of what you are getting?
Also, regarding the two previous posts about the low fuel indicator not coming on and the glass rattle....my indicator light most definitely comes on....i have also noticed the rattling issue with the glass....
I am thinking of purchasing an Escape, but I am wondering if I should wait for the 2003 model. I assume that a newer model will have problems fixed that have appeared in earlier models. Any opinions? What would you guys do? Also, does anyone by any chance know when the 2003 Escape's will be available in the showrooms? Thanks.
needs adjusting.. along with the tailgate.. I had this done a while back.. I am starting to see more Escapes with the different roof rack.. I own a late 2001 with the older rack.. The newer ones look great with the tubuler rack on them! I average about 21MPG in both city/Hwy driving.. Remember if you have stepbars, roof racks, bumper accessories, wind deflectors, rock guards ect.. this will affect your mileage.. Along with using a different weight oil. I use 10W-30 vs the 5W-20 recommended by Ford. The 5W-20 is a gas saving oil.. I am taking a trip this weekend to Southern Oregon I will keep track of my mileage and let everyone know what I get!..
During our trip of over 700 miles my Escape averaged almost 25MPG! I averaged 70MPH had 4bikes and 4 people and gear onboard. I could not beleive this myself.. I was hoping to get at least 23. Vehicle performed with no problems. Temp of 90+, A/C full on. I now have almost 12K on my Escape with not one problem.. Cheers...
>>I took my 2002 (w/4600 miles) >>into the Ford dealership yesterday for what >>appeared to be a subtle, low humming >>noise...I was shocked when I was >>notified later that day that the >>transmission needed to be replaced.
D**N!! I just had something very similar (2002 XLT/8000miles) for the last few days. Looks like I'm ditiching work and heading to the dealership tomorrow.
What kind of improvements are being made to interior?
Is a compass available?
I noticed that one of the features of Escape is auto delay off headlamps. Does that mean they only shut off automatically rather than also turn on automatically?
Any help would be greatly appreciated. It seems like price of 2003 is not much more than 2002. I assume I am further ahead to order a 2003.
Comments
In an Edmund's customer review, someone mentioned they got a "Ford X Plan," described as Dealer Invoice minus 1%. How does one qualify for this?
I've also heard of a "Fleet Incentive," which I seem to recall involves joining some organization that Ford is affiliated with, which qualifies you for, I believe, invoice price. (Is this the same thing as the "X Plan"?)
Can someone advise?
I was thinking he'd send it PDF format or something... why would he spring for mailing costs?
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Let's be honest here. It's an attractive design, it handles nicely (although the Japanese handle better), it's roomy and peppy. But the interior materials are Kia Sportage-level, the engine, road and wind noise are obtrusive (reflecting an utter indifference to customer comfort over profit), the reliability record has been very spotty.
Another tip for cleaning your Escapes.
I own a Black XLT and as we all know black is a terrible color to keep clean. About 2 months a go I did the 3 step Maguires waxing job. It made the black paint on my Escape look like glass. no swirl marks, many of the small scratches were gone. A friend introduced me to a product Maguires makes called touch up/detailer. Its a product you use in between waxing. This product is excellent if anyone wants to try it.. You just spray a fine mist onto your paint and wipe it off with a terry cloth or waxing rag..
Enjoy.
Models
XLS FWD - 5spd manual, Zetec engine
XLS FWD Sport - 5spd manual, Zetec engine
XLS FWD - 3L V6 Duratec, Automatic
XLS FWD Sport - 3L V6 Duratec, Automatic
XLS 4X4 - 3L V6 Duratec, Automatic
XLS 4X4 Sport - 3L V6 Duratec, Automatic
XLT 4X4 - 3L V6 Duratec, Automatic
XLT 4X4 Sport - 3L V6 Duratec, Automatic
Limited 4X4 - 3L Duratec, Automatic
Colours
Added: Red Fire Pearl
Aspen Green Clearcoat Metallic
Gold Ash
Deleted: Bright Red,
Dark Highland Green
Interior
New, improved fabrics and materials
New appearance centre finish panel
New interior colours
New two-tone interior colour scheme
They are going to start production the end of July 2002.
Once again sorry for the delay.
By the way has there been any mumblings about adding sound insulation to make the car quieter w.r.t. wind, road and engine noise?
Battery light also stays on a few minutes after starting in the morning . Its been doing this about 4 months now. I would guess its the battery. Its at the dealer for a checkup now
it
It's been a long time since I've used it, but I used it all the time in between washes when I owned a black 1996 vette and a black 1992 Jeep Wrangler. It works on everything including glass and it keeps your car silky smooth to the touch. Plus it helps keep the bugs in the summer from sticking to the car. I was a fanatic with keeping my car looking nice, and I'm a female. I don't think there are too many females who would dust off their car before leaving the house.
If the touch-up is the same as the older product of "Final Inspection", then I highly recommend it for in between washes to keep your car looking new and you'll have to wax less often too.
Michael
Michael
I’ve been looking into several mini SUVs and essentially narrowed it down to Escape/Tribute by now. Rented Escape for a couple of days just to get the feeling and liked it. The only minor thing that keeps bugging me is the “integrated” headrest (or whatever you call that thing when they are part of the front seat and can’t be adjusted). Then I noticed that there are some Escapes and Tributes with separate headrests. Does anyone know if those are the latest and I will get one with the separate headrests later this year (when I finally got enough bucks for down-payment ). Or is it the other way around and they are now making all Escapes with the integrated ones?
Thanks!
Did anyone ever have some experience with placing a factory order for Escape with any US dealer? None of the five dealerships within 50 miles radius from me has a combination of exterior/interior/trim, and since I’m not a hurry I decided to place an order. One dealer simply ignored me and tried to switch the topic each time I started talking about ordering. Another one told me that I can place an order but will have to pay cash only (no financing from them that is). Something simply doesn’t seem right. Any suggestions?
Thanks a lot!
What your likely running into is the particular dealerships you visited did not have good 'allotments' for Escapes, and they've sold all that they were alloted. This subject can also affect how long it takes for an ordered vehicle to arrive, because dealers who are within their allotment numbers get priority..
Although dealerships will deny it, the fact is all dealerships are different, and get different allotment numbers, and those number vary throughout the year.
Also, there is no rule saying that a dealer must get a deposit to place an order..
For example, when I ordered my SuperDuty, we agreed on the price I'd pay, and shook hands. Nothing signed, no money transfered.
Several weeks later when the truck arrived, the price was actually less than we agreed (ended up paying less than factory invoice because of a regional $500 rebate that took affect) and no problems.
For every bad dealership out there, there are several good ones.. Do business with those..
Talk to you later!
My question:
Does anyone know if there will be a problem taking a dual mode unit from an XLS and swapping it for the MP3 unit? (When I picked up my car I asked the dealer if he though there would be any XLS buyers who might want to take my MP3 in trade, and he said that the two units weren't compatible - but I'm pretty sure he didn't have any idea what he talking about).
How about swapping it for a dual mode from another Ford Truck? They look exactly the same as the unit in the XLS. I see a bunch of Ford dual mode stereos for sale on Ebay and could pick one up pretty easy.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
Also, she's coming off an existing Ford lease and she received a postcard in the mail offering $1000 for returning lease customers towards a new car (I'm assuming on top of the Factory cash back). Is this special deal available if we finance ourselves and not through Ford Credit ? It doesn't say on the postcard.
Thanks for any help.
"Another one (dealer) told me that I can place an order but will have to pay cash only (no financing from them that is). "
Thanks
Also, regarding the two previous posts about the low fuel indicator not coming on and the glass rattle....my indicator light most definitely comes on....i have also noticed the rattling issue with the glass....
I am thinking of purchasing an Escape, but I am wondering if I should wait for the 2003 model. I assume that a newer model will have problems fixed that have appeared in earlier models. Any opinions? What would you guys do? Also, does anyone by any chance know when the 2003 Escape's will be available in the showrooms?
Thanks.
I am starting to see more Escapes with the different roof rack.. I own a late 2001 with the older rack.. The newer ones look great with the tubuler rack on them!
I average about 21MPG in both city/Hwy driving.. Remember if you have stepbars, roof racks, bumper accessories, wind deflectors, rock guards ect.. this will affect your mileage.. Along with using a different weight oil. I use 10W-30 vs the 5W-20 recommended by Ford. The 5W-20 is a gas saving oil.. I am taking a trip this weekend to Southern Oregon I will keep track of my mileage and let everyone know what I get!..
Cheers...
>>into the Ford dealership yesterday for what
>>appeared to be a subtle, low humming
>>noise...I was shocked when I was
>>notified later that day that the
>>transmission needed to be replaced.
D**N!! I just had something very similar (2002 XLT/8000miles) for the last few days. Looks like I'm ditiching work and heading to the dealership tomorrow.
Is a compass available?
I noticed that one of the features of Escape is auto delay off headlamps. Does that mean they only shut off automatically rather than also turn on automatically?
Any help would be greatly appreciated. It seems like price of 2003 is not much more than 2002. I assume I am further ahead to order a 2003.