Escape reliability?

[ksaldibar]

I will be in the market for a new vehicle soon. After having a 4x4 suv, i cant go back to a car. I am currently looking at the Escape because of the Ford reputation, the V6, and the miliage 18/24. I was wondering how it performs in the snow, because that why i want another 4x4. Also, any other comments will be appreciated. Thanks for any help.

-ken

 

[Tim K]

Find a copy of the March Motor Trend....maybe april or february though....they compared all the Mini-suv's....the Honda CRV, Toyota Rav4, Jeep Cherokee, Nissan Xterra...etc....they ranked the Escape as the best. They actually took it up in the mountains to test it in snow. They felt it was a better vehicle than all the rest....BUT they said the Firestone Wilderness HT tires were awful in the snow.....but who would want Firestone's anymore anyway?

Well, see if you can track down the article...I don't know for sure b/c I just read it while I was waiting in 7/11 one day.

 

[Exploder99]

Im a valet so i pretty much get to try it all. =)

while driving the Escape i found the interior to be very roomy and in general i thought the car drove quite well. the 6cyl is a must and has plenty of power in until redline. handling is very car-like. its stable in turns and solid in bumps. in general, its a great little car and i feel that it represents value but lacks in styling. oh yeah, the column shift has got to go!

BTW: i have many friends and family in/from staten island. my Godmother lives on Patterson ave.

 

[Stephen]

Thats how I felt about it too, good overall vehicle but just plain ugly. Well, I guess ugly is a little strong lets say plain.

I also agree with James that console shifters are best, I dont know why Ford seems to prefer them on the column. I get used to driving the Lexus and when I drive the Explorer, I miss having the shifter down there to rest my arm on, plus it seems a lot more accurate.

 

[ksaldibar]

thanks for the info guys. where i live we rarely get over a foot, so i doubt i would have trouble with the tires in the snow. the most we ever got was 3 feet, but nothing made its way through that.
hey exploder99, u ever been up here?

 

[Tim K]

actually, Motor Trend mentioned the "appearance" of the Escape and said that they much preferred the exterior of the Mazda version....the Tribute. I'd have to agree that the Mazda clone is more stylish...

 

['96explorereddiebauer]

I really like the Mazda Tribute more than the Escape. They're both the same thing but I'd prefer the Mazda more than the Ford.

 

[Exploder99]

Originally posted by ksaldibar
hey exploder99, u ever been up here?

been there? sheesh, i grew up in Cedarhusrt on the other side of JFK. my parents recently sold the house there but i will be renting a place for the summer with my brother in Lawrence and my sister moved from Ozone Park to Brooklyn. i still have a lot of family and a ton of friends there. i plan im comming back up late June after summer classes end and while i am there i plan on participating in the L.I explorer club which is supposedly now being established. you should too!

let me know if you need any more "opinions" on cars. like i said, i drove it all.

JF

 

[espnfreak]

that escape is UGLY. it comes with a 2.0 liter engine? thats underpowered, and its not even built on a truck frame. stick your money in the explorer/expedition/f-series/excursion line

 

[ACBlessing]

I think the Escape/Tribute is actually pretty nice looking...provided you get the upscale one with V6 and trim package which includes fog lights, running boards, wind deflector and sits taller than it's siblings.

I know the aftermarket will catch up with goodies and we can consider it the Explorer's little brother. I don't mind seeing a Ford-badged small SUV in the lineup as long as we still have Xs to choose from.

By the way...see this month's Truckin Magazine for a writeup (with photos) of a supercharged Escape.

-AC

 

[Stephen]

I think the Tribute is much better looking. As for the Escape, I wouldnt drive one, but I wouldnt drive a Rav4, CRV, Forrester or Grand Vitara either. I think that Ford is right on target with these cute utes.

 

[Alfredo/Expl.XLS1999]

Hello! What I really dont like about the Escape is front wheel traction ( even my mom do not like it). In other way I like best the 201 hp but I never see it in action.

-ken [/B][/QUOTE]:frustrate :frustrate