07 gone

[EX-SV]

Traded/sold my 2007 Eddie Bauer V8, it was a good truck at 57K miles.

 

[kam327]

Why did you trade it? Anything major wrong with it?

 

[Explorer_PL]

Did you get the 2012

 

[EX-SV]

Good questions guys. I downsized, I was mainly using Explorer as a weekday commuter, driving the Lexus on the weekends only. The Explorer was running strong, only upcoming expenses were brakes (still original), climate control fix and eventually spark plugs. At or before 52K miles I had radiator, battery, OD switch, rear hatch actuator, visor mirror/lights replaced, otherwise it was reasonably reliable.

No 2012 Explorer, I was looking at the 2013 Escape (being a Z-plan Ford guy). I've seen the build sheet for these in May via my fleet guy, with expected delivery in mid to late May.

What I replaced Explorer with was 2013 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring w/technology package (basically loaded including leather, nav, Bose, sunroof, 19's, etc.)

 

[kam327]

Cool car but why'd you choose the CX-5 over the Excape if you have the Z-plan?

I was driving the Explorer for my commute too but a couple months ago traded in my wife's Taurus for a '12 Focus SEL for me and gave her the Explorer to haul the kids around. Now I went from 17mpg to 32mpg on my commute and she went from around 21 in the Taurus to maybe 16 in the Explorer. Overall though we're doing our part for the envronment!

 

[EX-SV]

Cool car but why'd you choose the CX-5 over the Excape if you have the Z-plan?

I was driving the Explorer for my commute too but a couple months ago traded in my wife's Taurus for a '12 Focus SEL for me and gave her the Explorer to haul the kids around. Now I went from 17mpg to 32mpg on my commute and she went from around 21 in the Taurus to maybe 16 in the Explorer. Overall though we're doing our part for the envronment!

The net price savings for 2013 Escape might be about $3K for loaded versions of each, even with my discounts. Ford's prices are so inflated. Driving wise, I think the 1.6L turbo Escape will compare very nicely with 2.0L Mazda Skytech, both are driver's-oriented SUVs.

Explorer consistently got 15mpg, CX-5 gets 26mpg, both on Chevron regular gas for comparison. Both vehicles have top safety ratings by IIHS, but no doubt the 5000 pound Explorer is safest for those that crash.

 

[kam327]

The net price savings for 2013 Escape might be about $3K for loaded versions of each, even with my discounts. Ford's prices are so inflated. Driving wise, I think the 1.6L turbo Escape will compare very nicely with 2.0L Mazda Skytech, both are driver's-oriented SUVs.

Explorer consistently got 15mpg, CX-5 gets 26mpg, both on Chevron regular gas for comparison. Both vehicles have top safety ratings by IIHS, but no doubt the 5000 pound Explorer is safest for those that crash.

Oh yeah, the CX-5 I'm sure is a great driving CUV. Good choice. Yeah the Focus I bought stickered for $23k - it's a great, solid little car but that's a lot of dough for a compact car. Some folks are buying $28k Titaniums. That's why they've had to have a $2k rebate to move them for the last 3 months. I got almost $5k off sticker on mine. Good luck!

 

[EX-SV]

Oh yeah, the CX-5 I'm sure is a great driving CUV. Good choice. Yeah the Focus I bought stickered for $23k - it's a great, solid little car but that's a lot of dough for a compact car. Some folks are buying $28k Titaniums. That's why they've had to have a $2k rebate to move them for the last 3 months. I got almost $5k off sticker on mine. Good luck!

Thanks.

Yes, you listed some good examples of Ford pricing, it takes huge discounts to move the metal. The MSRPs are so jacked-up. $50K Explorers and $36K Escapes, no way. Not to mention the whole stupid Lincoln product line.

 

[kam327]

Thanks.

Yes, you listed some good examples of Ford pricing, it takes huge discounts to move the metal. The MSRPs are so jacked-up. $50K Explorers and $36K Escapes, no way. Not to mention the whole stupid Lincoln product line.

Well, relatively speaking, the vast improvement in the '12 Focus over the previous generation is worth every addtional penny. It's probably the best handling and quietest non-luxury compact car out there. I expect the Escape will be similar. They're definitely trying to move upmarket.

 

[EX-SV]

Well, relatively speaking, the vast improvement in the '12 Focus over the previous generation is worth every addtional penny. It's probably the best handling and quietest non-luxury compact car out there. I expect the Escape will be similar. They're definitely trying to move upmarket.

Agreed, I think the Escape will be up with the best in class. The Explorer is certainly very much improved and very refined, I've driven the '12.

Quality/reliabiltiy is another issue, and Ford is nowhere near best in class.

But separately I think the Ford MSRP's are so jacked-up that nearly everybody expects and gets huge discounts. It's a business practice that probably won't change soon. Depreciation is still TBD, but you can probably guess...

 

[kam327]

Agreed, I think the Escape will be up with the best in class. The Explorer is certainly very much improved and very refined, I've driven the '12.

Quality/reliabiltiy is another issue, and Ford is nowhere near best in class.

But separately I think the Ford MSRP's are so jacked-up that nearly everybody expects and gets huge discounts. It's a business practice that probably won't change soon. Depreciation is still TBD, but you can probably guess...

Certain models like the Fusion are doing quite well in the Consumer Reports reliability ratings.

I haven't done an apples to apples comparison but I'm not so sure Ford's MSRP's are so inflated over others. The Equinox / Terrain are also very pricey and I'm guessing the CR-V / Rav 4 are as well. I've read Ford won't have to discount so much once the Fusion and Escape are updated this year and buyers walking into the showroom will no longer have such a cheap alternative to the Focus.

 

[EX-SV]

Certain models like the Fusion are doing quite well in the Consumer Reports reliability ratings.

I haven't done an apples to apples comparison but I'm not so sure Ford's MSRP's are so inflated over others. The Equinox / Terrain are also very pricey and I'm guessing the CR-V / Rav 4 are as well. I've read Ford won't have to discount so much once the Fusion and Escape are updated this year and buyers walking into the showroom will no longer have such a cheap alternative to the Focus.

Yes, it's a short list of Fords with above average reliability and the Fusion is certainly excellent. I don't buy into the notion that new product launches have to have below average reliability in the first production year, which unfortunately the 2011 Explorer has gone down that path. Too many other new product launches have gone well because the reliabilty and durability testing was done right.

Pricing-wise I hope Ford can get a grip. But I noticed the new Escape MSRP loaded was about $35K (using Ford's prelim pricing website) which is considerably higher than equivalent CX-5 or CRV (over 10% higher), not a good sign.

 

[kam327]

Yes, it's a short list of Fords with above average reliability and the Fusion is certainly excellent. I don't buy into the notion that new product launches have to have below average reliability in the first production year, which unfortunately the 2011 Explorer has gone down that path. Too many other new product launches have gone well because the reliabilty and durability testing was done right.

Pricing-wise I hope Ford can get a grip. But I noticed the new Escape MSRP loaded was about $35K (using Ford's prelim pricing website) which is considerably higher than equivalent CX-5 or CRV (over 10% higher), not a good sign.

Hmmmm, I don't know about that. Just quickly built a CRV with every conceivable option and it came to $38,521. Also built an Escape with every option box checked and came up to $37,495. AND the Escape includes a panorama roof, self-parking package and the Ecoboost engine. As far as I can tell the CRV includes none of that and has only the measly 185-hp engine. Looks like the Escape is the much better value.

 

[EX-SV]

Hmmmm, I don't know about that. Just quickly built a CRV with every conceivable option and it came to $38,521. Also built an Escape with every option box checked and came up to $37,495. AND the Escape includes a panorama roof, self-parking package and the Ecoboost engine. As far as I can tell the CRV includes none of that and has only the measly 185-hp engine. Looks like the Escape is the much better value.

I'll have to believe you on those CRV prices, wow. When I used Edmunds new car pricing for the CRV I could only get it up to low $30's. $38K is a lot of coin for that class of car (not that most are sold this loaded), but CRV reliability and resale value is best in class easily.

But for people that prefer drivers cars the Escape and CX-5 are superior to CRV on this growing segment of small SUVs.

 

[Explorer_PL]

Ford quality improved a lot lately. But I still swore not to buy another Ford after doing my sparkplugs on my 06 v8. An I know that" if you do it right, and use Leslie, you'll be fine". Give me a break. If I need special tools to change sparkplugs, and some people had to pull engines, and in the best case take the heads off and pay few 1,000's for that job - that's OK ? Ford says do not change them before 100K miles but after 36K it's your problem. And they did not have that issue when they say " we put this new Explorer thru few million testing miles" and you did not have that issue ? Someone is selling a BS here big time. In the past few years I had Tahoe, Sequoia, Ram Megacab, and Tribeca.Ford has one of the best ideas when it comes to features and friendly, practical interior, but quality still comes short.
PS: In 90's I had a Thunderbird SC for those old enough who remember that car. Great concept, I loved that car, but it would blow the head gaskets after few hard runs, like Ford did not know that putting supercharger with 12 psi boost would produce higher stress on those heads.

 

[EX-SV]

Agreed, ford quality needs to improve. I experienced mediocre/average with my 07. And the first year launches (06 and 11) are below average.

 

[kam327]

I bought my March '05 built '06 V8 in '09 with 21,000 miles and have put 33,000 miles on it since. It's been absolutely problem free for me so far (not even any interior rattles or electrical gremlins to speak of) until just recently. Noticed a very small amount of coolant seeping out of the head gasket. Managed to get it fixed under extended warranty, at the same time paying $700 out of pocket to get the other head gasket done and spark plugs replaced as a preventative measure. Hopefully it's problem free again for another 30,000 to 40,000 miles at which point I expect to start having to deal with wheel bearings and possibly the radiator. But by the time it'll be 10 years old.....

Recently traded in an '08 Taurus (former Five Hundred) at 40,000 miles and had pretty much 0 trouble with that too. Now I have a '12 Focus and we'll see. The trouble with the car is Ford's new dual clutch automated manual which has had lots of problems for lots of folks - my problem has only been a relatively minor launch shudder. But Ford appears to be working hard to improve it with rolling software updates and the like.

Overall I'm happy with Ford quality.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Wow- that 2013 Escape is NOT cheap!

Our loaded 2012 Escape sold for $29k and I think the only options we didn't get are the V6, and the navigation. I'd never pay $37k+ for an Escape. No way. No freakin' way. I was not happy about paying $29k for ours. (I am Z-plan)

 

[kam327]

Wow- that 2013 Escape is NOT cheap!

Our loaded 2012 Escape sold for $29k and I think the only options we didn't get are the V6, and the navigation. I'd never pay $37k+ for an Escape. No way. No freakin' way. I was not happy about paying $29k for ours. (I am Z-plan)

It is high but remember what you're getting - a turbo four that should get at least 32 highway, panoramic roof, my ford touch with nav (some love it some hate it), and based on my experience with my Focus SEL a bunch of other neat bells + whistles you never knew you wanted. And if the Focus is any indication (which it should be) it'll handle pretty dare near to a BMW X3.

You get what you pay for.

 

[Joe Dirt]

In a sense- it's also small for what it is for that $$ though. We don't have a turbo four, but I'm getting 30 highway, about 23 overall with the Escape I4 AWD, so that's not bad compared to the turbo four. I have a moonroof, wouldn't even own MFT right now, (the Ford nav was an additional $2k on the 2012) and ours is a Limited, so it's optioned out. I really don't see how I need to spend almost $10k more to get the new Escape vs. the 2012. Just my personal preference. For almost 40k, it has to be a larger cuv/suv than that. Plus, I just don't like how the 2013 looks. I like the old "truck" style, not the "every cuv looks the same" of the new style. Same reason I like the look of the current Honda Pilot I think.