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http://www.smartmoney.com/autos/newcars/index.cfm?story=march03
Okay, two last questions and a quick comment.
1. Any Explorer drivers care to comment on Escape vs. Explorer?
2. How's the financing going these days... does it even make sense at all to consider one that's 1-3 years old vs. deals out there on new ones?
I've driven two of these as rentals, and they felt like bigger SUVs than they are. Very smooth on the highway, and still thin enough to park in a small space. I *wish* Ford made a shorter-wheelbase version of this thing... would snap it up in an instant.
To the Jeep Liberty/Ford Escape questioner... have heard the Liberty is respectably truck-like. To me, though, it looks really small and low. Think I'd feel safer in the Escape all things considered. Haven't driven a Liberty though.
Escape+/Explorer -:
Visibility out the window was better in the Escape.
More comfortable drivers seat. (left knee hits the door on the explorer while driving)
Better performance
Better handling with a very nimble feeling. Driving in even the tightest spaces is way easy.
Front wheel drive Escape is better in the snow than the rear wheel drive Explorer. (I'm only interested in 4x2, but I do a little bit of driving in snow).
Better MPG's in the Escape.
Much better price for the Escape.
Easily handles the family of 4 on trips, with only the christmas trip with the extra packages requiring the use of the roof rack.
Explorer +/Escape -:
On rough roads (washed out gravel), the Explorer had a smoother ride.
Explorer has more cargo space, and space under the rear seat that can store stuff.
Financing: Ford is offering 0% and other really low rates for all of its vehicles. As you thought, with prices and this type of financing, new seems to be the way to go.
Wheelbase: I'm not sure you'd want a shorter wheelbase than the Escape. If you want a short wheelbase Explorer, then the Escape is your answer.
In 01 I did compare the Escape to the Explorer. I personally didn't need something that big. I tow a light load (about 2000lbs), do light offroading, along with skiing trips. It all really depends on what you are going to use the vehicle for.
If its going to be a commuter, light towing vehicle.. the Escape is your best bet.
leather, sunroof. Other than a blown rear subwoofer and few minor adjustments it has been
a great vehicle which I intend to maintain and
keep for t least another 4 - 5 years.
I've kept up with regular maintenance, oil changes
done by myself, but some other services done at
dealership. Tires are wearing good and look to have another 10K miles at least. According to
the last conversation with my service writer at
the dealership, he says that they do not get alot
of Escapes come through for major mechanical
eventhough it has happened from time to time.
the larger model Ford SUV's seem to be more
problematic in various areas. These are positive
things I've done which I think will help in
the long-run :
1.) Changed to full-synthetic oil at 20K
2.) Flushed Transmission, Fuel Induction
Service, and Cooolant Flush at 25K miles.
3.) Added X1-R engine Treatment as a friction
eliminator. Recommended by private
mechanic who has local call-in talk show.
He does not recommend products that he
does not test extensively or use. I have
noticed what feels like to be a possible
5 - 10 hp. gain, though hard to gauge just
by seat-of-the-pants, the engine feels
a bit stronger.
4.) Added Ford Escape heavy-duty rubber mats
to the interior. These things
are great and are worth the $65.00 I
paid for them.
Thanks.
Huhwhuh? Anyone care to refute, dispel or - egad - confirm?
Did the body (or the rest) change a whole lot from '01-'03? Thanks.
There are discussions here on edmunds who's subject is to discuss the quality of CR's opinions. Makes for some interesting reading.
Check out the Ford Escape Hybrid discussion too.
Steve, Host
This model has leather and moon roof. Options added were towing package and cargo cover.
Total price before Tax/Lic was $24520 - $1500 rebates = $23020.
This pricing was done through Ford's X-PLAN which I was eligible for through my employer. In the process I discovered I could have gotten a better price than this by playing other dealers off this price, but only would have amounted to $100-200 and my local dealer had the model/color I wanted.
Bottom line with X-Plan is you get a good price with zero haggling. If you want to get aggressive, you can do better, but probably not much. The process was very trouble free and dealer was very helpful and cooperative throughout. (Joe Welty Ford in Wenatchee, WA)
Financing through the internet with PeopleFirst Financing - 4.49%. This is my second vehicle with them, and as before, I couldn't find a better rate than this anywhere. As long as you've got good credit they are very straight-forward and easy to deal with. Application process takes 5 minutes online. Check arrives 4-5 days later. Couldn't be easier.
As for the Escape - It's absolutely wonderful!
Ever used the 'get the check first then find the car' approach with them? Anyone? Thanks.
I only have my own experience with them to go with, which has been completely gimmick free and straight-forward. If anything, I would say they are considerably easier to use than either a bank or dealer financing. I financed our previous new vehicle using them 4 years ago and the whole process was squeaky clean and above board. If you browse Edmunds, Cars.com, Carpoint etc, you will see that they are pretty well known.
Everything you need to know is very simply explained on their website www.peoplefirst.com. The application process takes maybe 5 minutes. With both of my cars I had the loan approval the next day, and a check 3 days later. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO HAVE A VEHICLE ALREADY CHOSEN - but you do have to tell them a maximum amount you want to finance. They send you a blank check that has a limit of that maximum and you fill it out with the dealer name and actual amount you end up financing. The check is good for 45 days and if the deal falls through or you change your mind, just let the check expire and you're done. Hope that helps.
Thanks very much
Congrats on the Escape!! I've rented these before, and really, really didn't want to turn them in at the end...
I may buy a used one in a few more years. (At moment, am stuck on getting an older Land Rover Discovery.)
Thanks. I got the Oxford White with medium Dark Flint leather interior.
I compared 3 vehicles - The Rav4, CRV and Hyundai Santa Fe. I rejected the Rav4 early on mostly because it is smaller than the others. My family is the type that likes to take along the kitchen sink when we travel and size was a primary consideration for me.
Until I test drove it, I actually favored the CRV over the Escape. It has slightly more cargo space, plus I have a very good opinion of Hondas having owned several. They are very reliable, intelligently engineered and I appreciate their simple way of managing options by including most of what you'd want into a just 2 models, the lower priced LX or the more "luxurious" EX as opposed to having a million different option packages the US auto makers favor. Unfortuantely, when I test drove the CRV, I was very disappointed with the very spartan appearance of the interior. There just aren't enough creature comforts built into it to justify the kind of $ they ask for it. Also, the 4 cylinder engine seemed weak to me. All in all I was very dissappointed and surpirsed as I am very happy with my '99 Odyssey on both those counts.
Stangely, when I test drove the Hyundai, I found myself looking for reasons to reject it, and finally had to admit to myself that I just don't like the way it looks. I just can't love those bulbous front fendors. In every other way it seems to be a marvelous value. It also looks a little more like a station wagon and less SUV-ish, which I didn't like. Both the Escape and CRV have the more truckish SUV look that I like.
and the 4 cylinder engine. I never test drove it
The Escape really doesn't seem nearly as small as the other SUVs in its category. I thought one was very smooth on a road trip, and had just the right amount of space. They're also a joy to park... thin enough to get into those increasingly small parking spaces, also I had no trouble backing it up and maneuvering out of a parking garage.
They have a really nice look... one that I could see not getting very tired of within a short period. Not so the other vehicles in its class.
I also test drove an 01 CRV and in no-way did it compare to the Escape in any way shape or form. the 02 is an improvement no doubt.
I own a 2001 XLT V6 4wd black Escape. I use it to tow my two watercraft, have bike racks ontop and a slip in bike carrier. I use it to reach the mountains also. This has been a wonderful vehicle. I'm sure you'll enjoy yours too!!.. Ford and Mazda did a good job here....
Hey, I got the brand new 2004 Escape info if anyone wants to see the new brochure with a list of all the changes. Its a good detailed booklet, so if you want it I can email it to you. Email me at escape2003kcguy@yahoo.com for a copy of the new 2004 New Escape book.
- New tires
- 12,000 extended warranty
- 5-day/500 mile moneyback/replacement guarantee
- Sale price just $16,595
- Saved approx. $7,500 vs. new
I bought 1-year used to avoid 1/3 depreciation of buying new when there isn't much different between '02 used and '03 new.
My Credit Union financed the complete deal at 3.95% including taxes, title and plates with $0 out-of-pocket from me.
Plus, this was such a good deal that CarMax offered me $18,000 to buy it the same day!
So where can you get this great deal?
It's available at www.hertzcarsales.com
I don't work for Hertz and I never thought I would buy a used rental car. But when I took the used Escape for a test drive and immediately test drove a new '03 Escape to compare the two, I saw no difference in ride-n-handling, rattles, etc... Then consider the extended warranty and peace-of-mind guarantee and price and I was sold!
So before you buy new and loose 1/3 the value in immediate depreciation, consier a good used Escape at your local Hertz car sales and check-out the availability online at hertzcarsales.com
Also, if you don't need 4WD have you thought of a FWD V6 Escape? These get better MPG and are one heck of a kick to drive!
Good luck..
here's a link
http://www.ford-trucks.com/news/2003/news2003-3.html
If you ask me, It kinda looks like a modified Escape. But it looks really cool with the automatic opening back. Glad they are going o start building these in 2004-2005.
Odie
I am doing research on the 2003 Escape.
Can present owners tell me if all the problems in the previous modle years have been fixed (brakes/engine noise/Transmission etc.)
I am not sure if I should wait for the 2004 model or just buy the 2003 model. Thanks!
Thanks.
This is my first message to Town Hall. I like the openness of this message board format; seems very informative.
Today my wife and I compared the Vue to the Escape; both with 4 cyl. & 5 speed trans. The Vue is a fine vehicle but the Escape feels like it's more nimble and a little quicker (more fun to drive)!
Does anyone out there have this engine / trans. combination? If so then what's your opinion? Any problems. What kind of gas mileage are you getting?
Thanks for any observations,
Dave
He's had no problems and is averaging around 25 or 26mpgs.
He did mention that when loaded down for family trips, it is a challenge to maintain 70mph on the larger hills of West Virginia. Next time he thinks he might opt for the V6 because of all the long steep hills.
The VUE is a larger SUV compared to the Escape, so it is reasonable that even with the 4cyl the Escape would be quicker and more nimble.
If you really like that 'fun to drive' feeling, try the Escape with the v6 auto. I'm not usually a big fan of automatic transmissions, as I feel like with a manual tranny I have better control, efficiency, and acceleration. However, the V6 Escape still has a huge fun factor when driving it, even with the automatic.
Please visit the "Mazda Tribute/ Ford Escape problems" section. I dont want to repeat what has already been posted there.
Happy reading!
The v6 is well worth the extra $$.. too! Blast to drive!
However, in 2003, I dont think Ford offers the 4cyl 5sp with 4wd, (only 2wd).
In 2004, Edmunds still states the Escape with the 2.0L 4cylinder engine.
So there's no point in waiting if its the 4cylinder you want..
Check out this site...there's a link to the 2004 specs if anyone is curious:
http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=- 120443
with one (1) complete front brake job ($450),
ouch !!!, one blown subwoofer (replaced under warranty) and one or two other warranty issues that are too small to remember or mention. This has been one great vehicle to date. It has never left me stranded or stuck in the almost two (2)
years of ownership. I'm currently logging about
17.5K miles per year in predominantly urban
commute with a riral shakedown about once per
month if I can get out.
I just added the K&N drop-in air filter for the
Escape ($49.99) at PepBoys. I believe that this
has upped my overall HP by at least 5-10 ponies.
It feels more responsive under throttle and
feels stronger overall. This is a cheap(er)
upgrade which will not void the warranty and
is trustworthy. To top it off, I don't have to
replace air filters every 15K miles,a s I've been
doing. I just clean the filter every 30-50K miles.
I'm not brave enough to try upgraded computer chips yet, but I think my next add-on will be
a free(er)-flowing exhaust system, probably next
year when I get this baby paid-off. My
daughter is trying to figure a way to 'inherit'
it in a couple of years. I've told her 'fat-chance', buy your own. By then though the new
Escapes should be ready to come, so I may breakdown and sell it to her.
I'm curious because of a recent debate in one of the Isuzu discussions. Thanks for more details.
Steve, Host
suvshopp.. don't know what the book says.. I'll have to look. I figure preventative maintenance is insurance against future possible failure. I have spoke to transmission repair folks in the past. The transmission sometimes works just as hard as your engine. I have yet to run into any repair person who does not recommend a transmission fluid flush/change.
Thanks!!
I will NEVER buy another Ford.
My advice to anyone who is thinking about buying an Escape is DON'T. My next car will be a Hyundai or something that has a decent warranty.
I've worked out a great price on a new 2003 Escape XLT base, and I'll going into the dealership on Friday to sign the papers. Using the 'net (especially edmunds.com, ford.ca and carcostcanada.com (since we can't get Canadian invoice pricing on edmunds)), I've managed to put together all the numbers I need to know that I got a great deal (better than X-Plan).
The last number I need to know to finalize my deal and make it through this entire purchase on the winning end is extended warranty pricing. I'd be looking for a deal that would extend the bumper-to-bumper warranty to 5yrs/110000km. Does anyone know where I can find these prices before I step into the dealer's financing department?
Cheers,
Paul
Another reminder to Escape owners.. get your transmission flushed at about 30,000 its worth the preventative maintenance.
Another thing.. With those of us that have plastic bumpers. These need to be kept cleaned and conditioned with plastic cleaners/conditioners. Otherwise it will deteriorate and look terrible. I have been doing mine since day one and it looks like brand new!..
Can anyone who has bought a new Esacpe recently confirm that this change was made?
Odie