escape opinions?

[zx2guy]

one very brief question+ story: my teacher is looking as buying a ford escape. <story. q.> what do you think of the vehicle? any problems (ie firbird had a bad habit of its power window motors going out)? any history (since some people know more more about the why in ford)? or just an opinion of if you like the car. options? what did you pay for it? and what kind of payments did you do? < just a round about figure, since some people get wierd when you ask that.

[65comet]

Bought our 02 new after the 03's came out. Brother-in-law works at Ford so I got it on the A plan. Our Windstar had just been totaled and we owed more than what the other guys insurance would pay us for it. So we financed the whole thing.

[mtmaurer8ooo]

I never owned one but my parents had an 01 for about 4 1/2 years. They liked it, but I personally hated driving it. They opted for the bigger wheels which I though made the front end sloppy. The vehicle overall rode like a 2x4 on skateboard wheels - very bumpy and jarring. Now, on the flip side of that coin, my boss owns one and he loves it. I have driven it and though I didn't get into her too much, it seems that they have calmed the torqiness of the front end down a bit since 03-04. Side note: I hate the tiny little steering wheels that ford puts on all of their vehicles. Yes, I am a Chevy guy, but the steering wheels on Fords makes me feel like I'm driving a Power Wheels car or a go-kart. Just FYI. My advice drive as many as you can as many miles as you can before you buy one to be sure you like the way they feel. Hope this helps your pal. M.

[AlohaBra]

When I bought my 01 Mazda Tribute (same as Escape) it was a new type.
That is a FWD,AWD, car based SUV, now called a crossover, with a 200HP V-6.

Now in 06, there is a lot more comptetion at the same price:
Toyota Highlander, Toyota Rav4 with V-6, Honda Element,
Chevy Equinox, Saturn VUE, Honda Pilot, Jeep has one too, plus the Liberty, etc.

However, after all that, I still prefer a "real" 4X4 like the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, or a Nissan XTerra. These are rear wheel drive with a high-low range transfer case.

Oh yeah...I love the new Toyota FJ crusier that just came out (a retro look land cruiser).

[quteasabutton]

my mom bought one as soon as it came out ('01) because she really wanted a front wheel drive SUV. living in WI, it's probably safer that way with all the snow. I'd say it's a pretty nice SUV.

the stock speakers/stereo are alright. in the 5 years we've had it now, there has never been a serious problem yet. the only complaint i have is that the gas pedal over the years has become a little sticky, but it's just a small nuisance.

it has decent acceleration, and as far as i can tell, handles fine in any weather conditions. as far as the 4x4 goes, i was only a specator when my dad turned it on and got us stuck in a 2 1/2 ft. deep snowdrift. so idk really how well it works. overall, i'd say yeah go ahead and get one

[dlevans]

I have a 2004 XLT 4WD. Other than the PA inspections and semi-annual oil & filter changes, mine hasn't been in the shop since I bought it. Only slight concern is MPG. I can't keep my lead foot out of it on the highway and I can't get better than 20 MPG on trips and etc. If I were looking for a new SUV, I'd seriously consider a Hybrid Escape. They are rated at 33 city and 29 highway in 4WD config, 36 highway/31 city in FWD config.