How about those Escapes and Tributes?

[BlkRauderMatt]

My girlfriend is trying to buy a "new" vehicle to replace her POS Cavalier. We've looked at a few Mazda Tributes and Ford Escapes and we both really like the vehicle.

What is everyone's opinion on these two cars? Good? Bad?
Are there any common problems that go with em? I know every car has it's quirks...

Guess I'll have to look into finding a "Ford Escape Forum" like this one huh?

(And no this is most definitely not replacing the Marauder...) :P

[Breadfan]

You may find some info here, I was looking at them for someone a few weeks back, and asked a few questions about them:

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=41570

[2003 MIB]

I have a 2006 with 30K on it. Nothing ever needed-oil changes is it. I recently passed it on to the 17yo daughter who loves it. No issues- ever. 2.3 with auto. 25mpg on the highway.

Wife had 03 V6 Tribby when I met her. I recall some tire noise on secondary roads...No issues her either.

[BAD MERC]

They're both decent intermediate SUV's based on the Taurus platform. Buy anything but a planet-destroying hybrid.:flamer:

[Windsor58]

Blueovalnews.com has good forums:
http://www.blueovalforums.com/forums/index.php?showforum=73

[Raudermaster]

Yea, me and my g/f test drove Escape's for her, loved them but just didn't find "the" one for her. We settled on a Kia Sorento.

[ChiTownMaraud3r]

Kia Raudermaster? :banned:

[SC Cheesehead]

They're both decent intermediate SUV's based on the Taurus platform. Buy anything but a planet-destroying hybrid.:flamer:

Actually, the Escape Hybrids are pretty decent vehicles. Ms. CH has an '06 that consistently averages 32-34 mpg, She's just turned over 40K on the clock, and the vehicle has given us absolutely no trouble to date.

SCCH

[HwyCruiser]

My wife likes her '01 Escape for the AWD in the winter, but the A/C sucks even after being fixed twice under warranty. It's also been through a master cylinder, brake booster, moon roof switch (x2), the entire moon roof assembly, two batteries and several front sway bar end links. Not one of the more reliable vehicles I've ever owned. Too bad too, it only has 55k on it and is still in pretty good shape. Now that the extended warranty has run out its days are numbered.

[RoyLPita]

Feel free to PM those that might interest you.

[offroadkarter]

Kia Raudermaster? :banned:


No, Kiamaster! :D

[ckadiddle]

Twyla had an 01 escape with V6 and auto trans. Downside is compared to a Marauder, it rode like a truck, but a nice truck. Nice and peppy, I think it was front wheel drive. Another downside was cloth trim panels on doors peel off after foam behind them rots. Expensive to have it fixed properly at an auto upholstery shop. Upside was with seats folded down, good cargo storage. Had about 82000 miles on it when we sold it to Carmax. Engine and trans still felt good. IIRC 01 was the first year for Escape, so I would get a slightly later model year if a choice was available.

[1of327]

My wife loves her 05 Escape...her's is the Front wheel drive, and she has yet to get stuck. Good little truck for her to haul the two kids around in. Great gas mileage, and needs very little maintenance.

[Raudermaster]

That's fine, you guys can make fun of it all you want, but I like it. I thought the same to myself, Kia would be the last make I would look at, but it has good fuel economy, decent power for a 3.5l, very comfy inside, safety, and all the bells and whistles you would need.

[BlkRauderMatt]

Thanks for all the help guys... We're looking at an 03 right now that has 83k on the clock. The dealer wants $9950 for it, but I think I can talk him down a little. Hopefully it will work out for her!

Thanks again!

[QWK SVT]

I recently purchased on '01 V6 4x4 XLT for the wife. 55,000km on the clock, for $10K. Not a bad deal, considering the extended 3rd party warranty for another 1.5 years. Our only grip is the bad mileage, in the winter - about 16mpg, in mostly city driving...

[shodude]

They're both decent intermediate SUV's based on the Taurus platform. Buy anything but a planet-destroying hybrid.:flamer:
not the taurus platform its unique. its the CD2, formed jointly between ford and mazda. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_CD2_platform

escapes are one of the shining jems of ford. great, great vehicles! :beer:

[Motorhead350]

Actually, the Escape Hybrids are pretty decent vehicles. Ms. CH has an '06 that consistently averages 32-34 mpg, She's just turned over 40K on the clock, and the vehicle has given us absolutely no trouble to date.

SCCH

This is what he means...

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=36195&highlight=Toyota+prius