Your right. I didn't see that before. Its ironic, however that in the picture there is no keypad on the XLT. Has anyone verified the validity of the brochure? The Escapes shown can very easily be 2001s, imo. Who the heck knows. You know the Ford guys lurk in here and just laugh at us!
Well, if they do lurk here, then PLEASE, make the KEY PADS AN OPTION!! NOT STANDARD!! They ruin a perfectly beautiful automobile and really have no use if you have keyless entry! I am still considering the Liberty and the Escape...keeping my fingers crossed about the keypads..
So the local dealer now has a Yellow 4WD v-6 XLT in stock, today.
HOWEVER, even though I've stated all along that we are X-plan customers, they now tell me that they DON'T ACCEPT X-plan for the Escape! They said since it is in such high demand they aren't accepting that plan.
Here's the price they are quoting, please tell me what you think!
4WD, V-6, XLT, cloth interior, side bars, moonroof, tow package, 16" wheels, privacy glass
They say that factory invoice is $23,420 They say MSRP is $25,020 They want to sell it to me for $24,420
Is this a good deal?
I thought Xplan was supposed to be 4% over invoice? Wouldn't that come out to be only about $70 less than their offer? For those of you that bought with an Xplan, I read that you got LESS than invoice? How did that work?
Also, is it true that a V-6 with 4WD gets the same mileage as a 2WD?
kandb, I bought my Escape from the S.F. dealership that shall remain nameless in my posts because I think they are NOT very good. Perhaps there is only one dealership in S.F.
Anyway, according to kelleybluebook's invoice, I paid exactly $573 over invoice for my 4WD V6 XLT, leather, privacy glass. That's a healthy 2.5% profit for them.
It was the best deal I could finalize in three days of shopping. I have no idea how the X-Plan'ers do it for *under* invoice. And S.F. being as pricey as it is, I have no idea how anybody can pay less than what I paid. I used a very shrewd tactic and had to be quite *rude* to get my price, but that is business, nothing personal.
As far as mileage, the messages on the Internet indicate that mileage is roughly 1.5mpg better for the V6 2WD compared to the V6 4WD.
"Invoice" is factory invoice? As in price the dealer pays for the car, right? How could anybody get a deal for LESS than the dealer paid? Would a dealer actually take a loss for the sale?
"Sticker" is the MSRP, right? As in what they want you to pay.
So when everybody says they paid $X over invoice, or under invoice, they are all referring to the factory invoice?
I asked my dealer about the picture when I asked about the Keypad... he said the vehicle IS a 2001 in the picture because they would not have a 2002 yet to photograph.
kandb.The way it was explained to me was that Ford Motor pays for some of the things that are included in the Dealer Invoice. The way I understand it is the Dealer gets reimbursed in some fashion from Ford Motor Company for these things and thus he loses nothing by selling the car using the X-Plan. Don't know if this is the Factual answer, but that is the way it was explained to me from 2 different Ford Dealers in my area.
For what I know, there should be only one figure for "invoice" on any vehicle, whether it's referred to as factory or dealer.
Rest assured that the dealership gets financial rewards in many ways, not just profit over invoice. There's "dealer holdback" for one. See edmunds.com. The X-plan seems to be another. Meeting monthly quotas and paying in advance for vehicles they sell also help dealerships.
As a businessman myself, I wouldn't be surprised to see as much as 10% of the vehicle price go to the dealership, but much of it pays for their overhead expenses, which is not negotiable. It's obviously big business, and they continue to thrive.
Kelleybluebook.com and Edmunds.com are practically required research because many salesmen (and their managers) KNOW buyers have these resources.
Kandb, X-plan is 4% over A-plan price, not 4% over invoice. A plan is more than 4% below invoice and X-plan works out to be about 1.5% under invoice. X-plan participation is voluntary on the dealer's part, so you may be best off approaching them at month's end when they might be willing to take an x-plan deal to reach or exceed a monthly sales quota.
If you are purchasing an Escape...the X-Plan will get you the vehicle for approx. $200 to $300 under the invoice price...to be exact...104% over the A Plan price which is listed on the lower right hand side of the dealer invoice.No add-on pricing is allowed except for tax,tags and title.NONE!! IF THE DEALER DOES NOT WANT TO HONOR X-pLAN PRICING....THAT IS HIS PEROGATIVE. However, they do receive "extra' monies from Ford for this plan. How much, I do not know. The 2002 escape retooling begins very soon {right after the July 4th week shutdown...I think}...so there should be no problem getting the X-Plan from a Ford dealer on a 2001. Be PATIENT and look around. Sooner or later you will get X-Plan from some dealership.
test drove a 4-cyl escape today. really want a 5-speed. just ok power. anybody with first-hand experience with the smaller engine. worried about reliability & longevity. also stereo sounded kinda tinny. can the door speakers be pulled and aftermarkets installed? thanks for the help & advice!
The keypads are not necessarily a useless item. There are a blessing in the event you ever lock your keys/keyless remote in the car. All you need to do is enter your code and the doors unlock.
Or in the dead of winter if you have to make a 30 second trip to run into the video store to return a movie...leave the truck/heat running, lock the doors, return the movie, come back and enter the code to get back in.
Same with a walk-up ATM...
They have been available on the Explorers and Tauruses for years now. Ford says they continue to offer it because customers demand the system...
We have often wondered why other automakers don't offer similar systems.
If you can, wait. The 2.0 Zetec motor is a car motor. A 2.3 is supposed to become available for the 2002 model Escape. When? I am not exactly sure. The 2.3 is suppose to have about 145HP and more torque yet give you better MPG than the 2.0 Zetec engine. The 2.3 is now available in the Ranger if you want to check the engine out. I have been sitting on the sidelines waiting for the 2.3 to arrive. The 2.3 is a far superior engine to the 2.0 Zetec and is more in line with the other SUVS of this class from other makers. I am however still swaying from the 4cyl to the 6. The price diff is only about 1K..
Just stopped by a Ford dealership in a south Chicago suburb to get a picture of one to show my mom (forgot to bring my brochure!!).
They have at least 4 Escapes on the lot (one green, one yellow, one red, and I think one black). The sales guy there said that they are asking up to $1000 over sticker for these vehicles since the demand is so high!!!! Yes, and notice that they are still sitting on the lot.
Gee, sounds like the kind of stuff I hear they are doing on the Liberty.
They were green with envy when they found out I'd ordered already.
They said they aren't honoring X-plan for Escapes on the lot, just ordered ones. Hmmm, I would think it would be the other way around. If I had vehicles on the lot, I'd want them out, and would charge more to have one ordered.
I live in the same area outside Chicago, did you order your Escape from a south suburb dealer? What did you order - at what price over invoice? What made you select the Escape over the Liberty? if you didn't notice, those are the exact two I'm looking at.
Escape was a winner for me (I went X-plan and ordered from a dealer in Wisconsin, where I live--I was "home" for the weekend) for the following reasons:
1. Ford quality seems better than Jeep's (read the Cherokee boards and they will curl your hair!).
2. The wheel is not on the outside--less chance of being stolen.
3. The ride is smoother.
4. Privacy glass is optional with 2001 models--I don't want privacy glass; the Jeep salesman thought it might be standard.
5. The inside seems bigger.
6. I'm not stuck wondering if I can get certain options or not (like the sunroof on the Liberty).
7. X-plan means I'm probably getting a much better price than I would on the Liberty.
8. There are 2 Ford dealerships in town, so if lack of service becomes an issue, I can switch to the other dealership.
9. My friend's husband manages a sister dealership and could petition on my behalf if I have a thorny issue with the dealership.
10. The seats fold flat without much effort in the Escape.
11. It feels like you are too close to the windshield when you drive the Liberty.
I was really a nerd about the whole thing--I have my criteria outlined on a spreadsheet, with the models under consideration going across in the columns. The criteria are split in 3 sections: must-haves, ones that would be really great to have, and add-ons that I noticed only after test drives. The more black marks against the vehicle, the less chance I had of choosing it. Made the whole decision process logical and easy when you see your own criteria in black and white, and prioritized. Hope that helps.
Does anyone have an idea of what the MSRP on the 2002 XLT will be? I know a loaded (Leather, sunroof, Privacy glass, 6 disc, etc) 2001 Escape tops out right around 26,100. With the new standard features, I assume the sot will go up somewhat, but how much?
has anyone done the research for the new escape vs. the new liberty and the 02 xterra? The liberty is getting most of the news, so it seems to me. there are no incentives on the liberty yet.. is this going to be a long wait or will the incentives going to be more lucrative for the consumer once the market gets flooded by all of the subs that are so close to each other. What do you think is in store for august, September and October??
Just looked at several Jeep Liberty's yesterday. It was Sunday and no sales people to bug you while you are checking out the cars on the lot. I like the looks of the Liberty much better than the Escape. I wish and hope Ford does something with the accent trim on the bottom of the Escapes. With certain color cars it really makes the front end of the car look way too busy. Just a personal opinion on that one. We saw at least 25 Liberty's. Some were the Sport and the others the Special Editon(I think that is what they called it). I didn't see a single one with Leather Interior or a Power Sunroof, which are imperative on the new SUV we choose. I can't even find an option for either over at Edmunds.com or Kelly Bluebook.com. One thing that really turned me away from the Liberty was the fact that if you choose 2WD it comes only in Rear Wheel Drive and in Nebraska that plain just don't cut it in the winter. The Liberty V6 also is rated at much less MPG than the Escape. I built one over at Edmunds and even without the Leather and Sunroof options(which are a must for our new SUV)the price was about the same as the Escape(2001 of course)with these options. We plan on waiting for the prices on the 2002 Escpape Models(which I hear will be out either this week or next)before ordering ours. If the fordfleet.com site is correct it looks like there will be bunch more models of the Escape. I would think you could buy one of these with options included that you want for less than taking say a 2WD XLT and adding a whole bunch of options. Think this would also make it easier for Ford Dealers to sell these if and when the demand ever lowers. Just my observations and opinions on the Liberty and Escape and meant to be nothing more.
I have ordered my 2002 Escape and am still awaiting exact price information but my dealer said to expect the price to go up about $350 or about 1.5%. It will include the 6CD changer and privacy glass as standard in that price increase. Since I was planning on ordering and paying for the privacy glass anyhow, the price I was quoted was only about $150 over a 2001. I am going X-plan so I am not too concerned about the price change, I know I will get the best price that is possible. TRON originally explained the X-plan to me at The Ford Escape Club and how to get it through joining the EAA so I am saving about $1,600 from MSRP....thanks TRON!!!!
ver2us1. Just wondering if you know anything about the Models for 2002. From what I see at Fordfleet.com this is what they listed for the XLT. I am just talking 2WD here.
1)Choice Model
2)Choice Model #1
3)Premium Model
With each in the order I listed them having more standard equipment. The Premium the most the Choice Model the least.
Didn't have any prices but the Premium Model had pretty darn near everything we want except for a few low dollar options. My feeling is that this Premium Model will probably not be much more than the 2001 XLT if I added all the options that come standard on the 2002. I hope I am right. Any info.you have on any of this would be appreciated. I too will order with the X-Plan. Not sure if we are going to Lease or Buy. Since we don't drive too many miles, treat our cars like they are made of gold, and like driving new models I think Leasing looks like the best option to me right now. Anyone that has leased a Ford Product I would appreciate any imput and it would certainly help one who has always bought new cars. Thanks for anyone that can keep me a better informed consumer.
I got an offer from a local dealer for a 2001 Escape XLT V4 4WD. Almost fully loaded except CD/cassette instead of 6CD changer. $600 below invoice price which is $23,465. Is that a good deal?
first of all, go to www.jeepunpaved.com if you want to find out all about the liberty.
the top model is the limited and with the "g" package, it comes with leather. moonroof is a $700 option. as far as the 4wd system, in the limited, you get selec-trac which can be configured any number of ways. this is from the jeep website describing it:
Full-time; two-speed with shift-on-the-fly; includes low-range (2.72:1); allows for two- or four-wheel-drive mode, full- or part-time 4WD; single-lever transfer case mode operation
I have a liberty on order which is scheduled to be delivered in mid-july. I have test driven both escape & liberty. escape has the edge in power & handling, but the liberty is more solid. I felt much safer in it. the interior appointments are superior as well.
You are welcome. glad to hear you got X-Plan price. To poster Sunshine77...if it is that much under dealer invoice...that is a great price....go to the Edmunds pricing site, price out exactly what is on the Escape in question, and compare it to what you are offered.
After being completely frustrated by a dealership that waited until they had the car on the lot to tell me that they wouldn't honor the X-plan that I had told them all along was a driving force in my decision to buy the Escape, I started to look around at different dealerships. I found one that was very willing to accept the X-plan. (And much more upfront) They explained how it works (you guys were right, A-plan + 4%, which ends up to be about 1% less than invoice) and I think that I am going to buy my Escape today.
However, the one they have available does not include two options that I really wanted, power moonroof and privacy glass. At this point I am just going to have them installed after market. What do you think?
I got this offer without the X-plan which means I can get another $400 less with the graduate program. It is an XLT V6 4WD, parchment gold, with following options: MACH Dual Media Audio System w/CD and Cassette Player Leather Comfort Group Power Glass Moonroof with Shade Privacy Glass Side Step Bars Trailer Towing Class II
The invoice price came out from Edmunds is 24,395 and it was 24,065 from the dealer and they ask 23,465 for it.
Second of all what I said was "I didn't see a single one with Leather Interior or a Power Sunroof, which are imperative on the new SUV we choose. I can't even find an option for either over at Edmunds.com or Kelly Bluebook.com" If you notice I did not say they were not available I said I did not find them.
As far as you going into the way the 4WD functions that is great if that is what you want. I said that the Liberty did not offer 2WD other than in a Rear Wheel Drive version and that version is not suited to winter driving here in Nebraska.
I'm happy if you're happy with the Liberty but I personnaly don't see paying several thousand dollars more for an SUV that has way to many negatives for my needs.
The comparison was not to start a "I like Liberty, I like Escape" debate or confrontation. I was merely pointing out some of the things that I found that were important to me in an SUV and 2 Wheel Front Wheel Drive was one of them. Just thought this information would be helpful to those that want only 2WD but want that drive in the Front and not the Back Wheels.
I guess feeling safe is subjective to you but it is not to me. I will go by the proven methods which are generally considered to be "crash tests". Unless I am not reading the reports correctly the Escape came out very well on all of these tests.
"It's a great day for hockey" the Late Bob Johnson
Just have the one dealer swap/trade with the other to get the one that you originally ordered. That way you will be happy, the dealer your buying at will be happy, and the one that screwd you will be screwd. Happy shopping.
I doubt that you will be able to get the college graduate allowance, or any other allowance if you went X-plan. My dealer says that with X-plan, the price is the price, and they can't accept any other allowances or deal the price down any more. I received a $200 coupon in the mail from this dealership, and he would not take it. My understanding is that the X-plan is strictly controlled by accountants and such and no deviations from the "4% over A-plan" are tolerated.
The 3 2002 XLT 4x2 trims are: Choice - Choice 2 - Premium. The Choice is strictly standard equipment which includes all the 2001 XLT standards plus the new 2002 standards of privacy glass, 6 CD changer, and power driver seat. The Choice 2 is exactly the same but adds the 16" alloy wheels with wheel lip moldings. The Premium adds leather and the power moonroof to the package. I have ordered a Choice 2 and added the leather as I don't want a moonroof. Hope this info helps!
Great idea! One I had thought of as well. But the dealership that screwed us, was more than happy to screw the other dealership by DENYING their request to trade the cars!!! Can you believe it?! Not because they had somebody to buy it, but probably because they knew that we went elsewhere and that that was the only one around with the options.
Oh well, what goes around comes around. Apparently they are having a hard time selling the yellow ones so it will probably sit around their lot forever.
We bought the unloaded one from the cool dealership and will have our options put in later. We are still very happy with our $2,000 savings.
Can someone explain the X-Plan and What you need to do to purchase a Ford Escape under this plan? Do you need to join or sign up anywhere? Thanks for the help.
I'm just about to go and order a 2002 XLT. The package has a sunroof built in. I'd like to know from current owners about any added noise from it. Has anybody test driven both the sunroof and hard top and noticed a difference?
toodamnhip. I have driven the Escape with and without the sunroof. Both were driven at speeds max around here which is 60mph. Did not notice any difference if wind noise. Every car we have owned since 1985 has had a sunroof of some kind. My 1985 Olds Calais has the manual popup/removable type. Our other car is a 1995 Pontiac Gran Prix with the factory installed Power Sunroof. Neither has given us reason to believe that either car has more road noise because of having a sunroof.
If you do decide on the Escape I would strongly suggest making sure that the Dealer Installed Luggage Racks on the top are put on correctly. Last week we were looking at the Jeep Liberty and the Escapes as one Dealer close to my home sells both. They had 3 Escapes sitting on the lot and 1 of them had the Luggage Rack on backwards. The 3rd one they must have just gotten as it wasn't installed yet. The side that is angled(about 45 degrees)should be the one that faces the front of the SUV.
We are waiting for the prices to come out on the 2002 and also to see if you can get the XLT without all of that plastic side/front/rear trim. I read at Fordfleet.com that Solid Paint will be an option. I prefer not having the "off-road look" of the gray/graphite or whatever color that trim happes to be. The Liberty Special Edition has the solid paint and the Sport has that plastic trim. I really liked the looks of the Special Edition much better and am hoping that this is indeed an option on the 2002 Escape.
gr8_esc. Everything I wanted to know about the 2002. Now when the prices come out we'll be set to do some ordering. Thanks for providing this information to me.
We got our new Escape in February. We immediately noticed a very loud creaking noise coming from the hatchback door area. We immediately took it back to the dealership and were told it was probably the license plate. It was not. Then we were told to put some silicon on the rubber seal that surrounds the hatch. That didn't do it either. Has anyone else had similar problems. We love the car, but the noise is driving us crazy!
Marilyns- YES!! I have the same creaking!! It is about to drive me crazy... It started about a month ago - I bought my Escape a couple of months ago - At first I thought it was the back seat, so I road in the back while my husband drove and it is definately the hatchdoor. I need to bring it in to the dealership (just haven't had the time). Has anyone else out there had the same problem?? Sounds like the car is falling apart! Also - anyone had a problem with the smell of gas when starting up the car?
I too had the loud noise in the hatchback area. I took it in the first time and they said the rear window latch needed to be lubed. Needless to say that wasn't the problem. A few days later it was back in the shop so the fuel sending unit could be replaced, I told them as long as it was there to look at the latch again because the noise was still there. Went to pick it up and they said that they had to adjust something in one of the latches (either the rear door or window). Whatever they adjusted it fixed that god awful noise. Plus my fuel gauge level now matches the amount of gas in my tank. There is hope for all those out there with the same defects.
Comments
How is the road noise? very quiet
Have you taken it on highway driving yet? Yes up to about 65 mph -- Very smooth ride
Any stalling problems? no
What city are you in? Charlotte NC
What color is your new Escape? Gold
I'll keep everyone posted but so far so good -- I love it!!!
HOWEVER, even though I've stated all along that we are X-plan customers, they now tell me that they DON'T ACCEPT X-plan for the Escape! They said since it is in such high demand they aren't accepting that plan.
Here's the price they are quoting, please tell me what you think!
4WD, V-6, XLT, cloth interior, side bars, moonroof, tow package, 16" wheels, privacy glass
They say that factory invoice is $23,420
They say MSRP is $25,020
They want to sell it to me for $24,420
Is this a good deal?
I thought Xplan was supposed to be 4% over invoice? Wouldn't that come out to be only about $70 less than their offer? For those of you that bought with an Xplan, I read that you got LESS than invoice? How did that work?
Also, is it true that a V-6 with 4WD gets the same mileage as a 2WD?
Anyway, according to kelleybluebook's invoice, I paid exactly $573 over invoice for my
4WD V6 XLT, leather, privacy glass. That's a healthy 2.5% profit for them.
It was the best deal I could finalize in three days of shopping. I have no idea how the X-Plan'ers do it for *under* invoice. And S.F. being as pricey as it is, I have no idea how anybody can pay less than what I paid. I used a very shrewd tactic and had to be quite *rude* to get my price, but that is business, nothing personal.
As far as mileage, the messages on the Internet indicate that mileage is roughly 1.5mpg better for the V6 2WD compared to the V6 4WD.
According to kelleybluebook, the trim level that you mention,
4WD V6 XLT, side bars, moonroof, privacy glass should be =
$22,887
which includes destination charge of $540 and documentation charge of $45.
Everything else, including tow package, 16" wheels and dealer prep should be included FREE OF CHARGE.
"Sticker" is the MSRP, right? As in what they want you to pay.
So when everybody says they paid $X over invoice, or under invoice, they are all referring to the factory invoice?
Odie
Don't know if this is the Factual answer, but that is the way it was explained to me from 2 different Ford Dealers in my area.
hckynut
Rest assured that the dealership gets financial rewards in many ways, not just profit over invoice. There's "dealer holdback" for one. See edmunds.com. The X-plan seems to be another. Meeting monthly quotas and paying in advance for vehicles they sell also help dealerships.
As a businessman myself, I wouldn't be surprised to see as much as 10% of the vehicle price go to the dealership, but much of it pays for their overhead expenses, which is not negotiable. It's obviously big business, and they continue to thrive.
Kelleybluebook.com and Edmunds.com are practically required research because many salesmen (and their managers) KNOW buyers have these resources.
-EC
IF THE DEALER DOES NOT WANT TO HONOR X-pLAN PRICING....THAT IS HIS PEROGATIVE.
However, they do receive "extra' monies from Ford for this plan. How much, I do not know.
The 2002 escape retooling begins very soon {right after the July 4th week shutdown...I think}...so there should be no problem getting the X-Plan from a Ford dealer on a 2001. Be PATIENT and look around. Sooner or later you will get X-Plan from some dealership.
Or in the dead of winter if you have to make a 30 second trip to run into the video store to return a movie...leave the truck/heat running, lock the doors, return the movie, come back and enter the code to get back in.
Same with a walk-up ATM...
They have been available on the Explorers and Tauruses for years now. Ford says they continue to offer it because customers demand the system...
We have often wondered why other automakers don't offer similar systems.
I am however still swaying from the 4cyl to the 6. The price diff is only about 1K..
thanks
tom
They have at least 4 Escapes on the lot (one green, one yellow, one red, and I think one black). The sales guy there said that they are asking up to $1000 over sticker for these vehicles since the demand is so high!!!! Yes, and notice that they are still sitting on the lot.
Gee, sounds like the kind of stuff I hear they are doing on the Liberty.
They were green with envy when they found out I'd ordered already.
They said they aren't honoring X-plan for Escapes on the lot, just ordered ones. Hmmm, I would think it would be the other way around. If I had vehicles on the lot, I'd want them out, and would charge more to have one ordered.
I'll never figure this process out!
I live in the same area outside Chicago, did you order your Escape from a south suburb dealer? What did you order - at what price over invoice? What made you select the Escape over the Liberty? if you didn't notice, those are the exact two I'm looking at.
1. Ford quality seems better than Jeep's (read the Cherokee boards and they will curl your hair!).
2. The wheel is not on the outside--less chance of being stolen.
3. The ride is smoother.
4. Privacy glass is optional with 2001 models--I don't want privacy glass; the Jeep salesman thought it might be standard.
5. The inside seems bigger.
6. I'm not stuck wondering if I can get certain options or not (like the sunroof on the Liberty).
7. X-plan means I'm probably getting a much better price than I would on the Liberty.
8. There are 2 Ford dealerships in town, so if lack of service becomes an issue, I can switch to the other dealership.
9. My friend's husband manages a sister dealership and could petition on my behalf if I have a thorny issue with the dealership.
10. The seats fold flat without much effort in the Escape.
11. It feels like you are too close to the windshield when you drive the Liberty.
I was really a nerd about the whole thing--I have my criteria outlined on a spreadsheet, with the models under consideration going across in the columns. The criteria are split in 3 sections: must-haves, ones that would be really great to have, and add-ons that I noticed only after test drives. The more black marks against the vehicle, the less chance I had of choosing it. Made the whole decision process logical and easy when you see your own criteria in black and white, and prioritized. Hope that helps.
I like the looks of the Liberty much better than the Escape. I wish and hope Ford does something with the accent trim on the bottom of the Escapes. With certain color cars it really makes the front end of the car look way too busy. Just a personal opinion on that one.
We saw at least 25 Liberty's. Some were the Sport and the others the Special Editon(I think that is what they called it). I didn't see a single one with Leather Interior or a Power Sunroof, which are imperative on the new SUV we choose.
I can't even find an option for either over at Edmunds.com or Kelly Bluebook.com.
One thing that really turned me away from the Liberty was the fact that if you choose 2WD it comes only in Rear Wheel Drive and in Nebraska that plain just don't cut it in the winter.
The Liberty V6 also is rated at much less MPG than the Escape.
I built one over at Edmunds and even without the Leather and Sunroof options(which are a must for our new SUV)the price was about the same as the Escape(2001 of course)with these options.
We plan on waiting for the prices on the 2002 Escpape Models(which I hear will be out either this week or next)before ordering ours.
If the fordfleet.com site is correct it looks like there will be bunch more models of the Escape. I would think you could buy one of these with options included that you want for less than taking say a 2WD XLT and adding a whole bunch of options. Think this would also make it easier for Ford Dealers to sell these if and when the demand ever lowers.
Just my observations and opinions on the Liberty and Escape and meant to be nothing more.
hckynut
1)Choice Model
2)Choice Model #1
3)Premium Model
With each in the order I listed them having more standard equipment. The Premium the most the Choice Model the least.
Didn't have any prices but the Premium Model had pretty darn near everything we want except for a few low dollar options. My feeling is that this Premium Model will probably not be much more than the 2001 XLT if I added all the options that come standard on the 2002. I hope I am right. Any info.you have on any of this would be appreciated.
I too will order with the X-Plan. Not sure if we are going to Lease or Buy. Since we don't drive too many miles, treat our cars like they are made of gold, and like driving new models I think Leasing looks like the best option to me right now.
Anyone that has leased a Ford Product I would appreciate any imput and it would certainly help one who has always bought new cars.
Thanks for anyone that can keep me a better informed consumer.
the top model is the limited and with the "g" package, it comes with leather. moonroof is a $700 option. as far as the 4wd system, in the limited, you get selec-trac which can be configured any number of ways. this is from the jeep website describing it:
Full-time; two-speed with shift-on-the-fly; includes low-range (2.72:1); allows for two- or four-wheel-drive mode, full- or part-time 4WD; single-lever transfer case mode operation
I have a liberty on order which is scheduled to be delivered in mid-july. I have test driven both escape & liberty. escape has the edge in power & handling, but the liberty is more solid. I felt much safer in it. the interior appointments are superior as well.
However, the one they have available does not include two options that I really wanted, power moonroof and privacy glass. At this point I am just going to have them installed after market. What do you think?
MACH Dual Media Audio System w/CD and Cassette Player
Leather Comfort Group
Power Glass Moonroof with Shade
Privacy Glass
Side Step Bars
Trailer Towing Class II
The invoice price came out from Edmunds is 24,395 and it was 24,065 from the dealer and they ask 23,465 for it.
Second of all what I said was "I didn't see a single one with Leather Interior or a Power Sunroof, which are imperative on the new SUV we choose.
I can't even find an option for either over at Edmunds.com or Kelly Bluebook.com"
If you notice I did not say they were not available I said I did not find them.
As far as you going into the way the 4WD functions that is great if that is what you want. I said that the Liberty did not offer 2WD other than in a Rear Wheel Drive version and that version is not suited to winter driving here in Nebraska.
I'm happy if you're happy with the Liberty but I personnaly don't see paying several thousand dollars more for an SUV that has way to many negatives for my needs.
The comparison was not to start a "I like Liberty, I like Escape" debate or confrontation.
I was merely pointing out some of the things that I found that were important to me in an SUV and 2 Wheel Front Wheel Drive was one of them. Just thought this information would be helpful to those that want only 2WD but want that drive in the Front and not the Back Wheels.
I guess feeling safe is subjective to you but it is not to me. I will go by the proven methods which are generally considered to be "crash tests". Unless I am not reading the reports correctly the Escape came out very well on all of these tests.
"It's a great day for hockey" the Late Bob Johnson
Odie
The Choice is strictly standard equipment which includes all the 2001 XLT standards plus the new 2002 standards of privacy glass, 6 CD changer, and power driver seat.
The Choice 2 is exactly the same but adds the 16" alloy wheels with wheel lip moldings.
The Premium adds leather and the power moonroof to the package. I have ordered a Choice 2 and added the leather as I don't want a moonroof. Hope this info helps!
Oh well, what goes around comes around. Apparently they are having a hard time selling the yellow ones so it will probably sit around their lot forever.
We bought the unloaded one from the cool dealership and will have our options put in later. We are still very happy with our $2,000 savings.
Thanks for the help.
Steve
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If you do decide on the Escape I would strongly suggest making sure that the Dealer Installed Luggage Racks on the top are put on correctly.
Last week we were looking at the Jeep Liberty and the Escapes as one Dealer close to my home sells both. They had 3 Escapes sitting on the lot and 1 of them had the Luggage Rack on backwards. The 3rd one they must have just gotten as it wasn't installed yet. The side that is angled(about 45 degrees)should be the one that faces the front of the SUV.
We are waiting for the prices to come out on the 2002 and also to see if you can get the XLT without all of that plastic side/front/rear trim.
I read at Fordfleet.com that Solid Paint will be an option. I prefer not having the "off-road look" of the gray/graphite or whatever color that trim happes to be. The Liberty Special Edition has the solid paint and the Sport has that plastic trim. I really liked the looks of the Special Edition much better and am hoping that this is indeed an option on the 2002 Escape.
Odie
http://www.downsford.com/order_guides/2002escape.pdf
YES!! I have the same creaking!! It is about to drive me crazy... It started about a month ago - I bought my Escape a couple of months ago - At first I thought it was the back seat, so I road in the back while my husband drove and it is definately the hatchdoor. I need to bring it in to the dealership (just haven't had the time). Has anyone else out there had the same problem?? Sounds like the car is falling apart! Also - anyone had a problem with the smell of gas when starting up the car?
Thanks
Tom