[Guest]

Good morning!

I registered with "fordforums" hoping to pick up the latest news, good and bad, regarding the Escape since it is definitely on my short list when I take the plunge and buy another vehicle later this year.

But I'm here all by myself! I certainly know how Crusoe felt!

Are there a few "Fridays" out there willing to participate in this discussion? I'd really like to hear from Escape owners and their experiences with their vehicles.

Until then I guess I'll just have to walk the beach and kick sand. Woe is me!

 

[Marqman]

Sorry, but there are few of you guys on this site to date. The site is new and many do not know of this site jsut yet.

 

[RGONOT]

Long and opinionated

I do not own an Escape but being a car fanatic I have been checking them out. What kind of info are your looking for? My personal opinion of the Escape is, well to be honest the feel cheap. I have climbed in, under and around a couple in showrooms ( salesmen hate that) I like the styling but once you get inside they just seem strange. Except for a few that have a full center console, it seems to fill the void. I have not test drove one but I hear for the size the have good power (no race car here) but get the 3.0 v-6. The only other complaint is no low range 4x4, like you are going to take this thing trail riding.

On the positive side I have seen some of these rigs with a couple of add-ons (brush bar, big tires) that make it look alot better. I have considered getting one for my wife but she says they are ugly and she wants the new RAV4. Oh well...

 

[GT500]

Robinson Crusoe is not alone!!

I just found this forum a few months ago, been reading the full size bronco posts mostly. I recently purchased a four wheel drive escape, I love it!! It rides smooth, is very quiet, gets great mpg(21 so far not even 700 m on motor yet), has better take off and acceleration than my 87 Bronco (302 Auto), handles great. I like it so much I'm selling my Bronco. I know that's like apples to oranges but unless you are going to pull a boat or do serious off roading the Escape is perfect. The V6 has plenty of power, it's really quite impressive and smooth, the automatic shifts so smoothly, I can't praise it enough!! I found myself doing 75 before I knew it and couldn't tell I was going that fast(right at 2000rpm).
I know it's been a while since you wrote this message I just hope you check back and get this. I think you'll like the Escape, it's not cheap feeling at all!! I hope I was of some help... if there are any questions I can help you with let me know and I will try to answer them as quickly as I can.
Good luck,
Jim

 

[RGONOT]

I have been doing more research on this vehicle as well. I prefer the XLT version ( the XLS is missing something) Still havent test drove one but starting to see more and more on the road.

Glad to see someone who owns one reply (GT500). Your input is very helpful. What model did you get and what color/options. I think I have convinced my wife to go this route instead of the RAV4. If I can find a dealership in town that can keep an XLT in stock long enough for me to test drive one...

 

[Guest]

If you're interested in Escape information MrBumble you have to go over to a site that specializes in Escapes like Escape-Central.com, it's at http://www.escape-central.com the whole site is dedicated to Ford Escapes.

This FordForums site has some great chat and forums for most Ford cars, but sadly, the Escape chat is dead.

To: GT500 how many miles do you have on your Escape so far and could you post a link to your Bronco forum? Thanks.

-=Brandon

 

[LunaticSVT]

If you're interested in Escape information MrBumble you have to go over to a site that specializes in Escapes like Escape-Central.com, it's at http://www.escape-central.com the whole site is dedicated to Ford Escapes.

This FordForums site has some great chat and forums for most Ford cars, but sadly, the Escape chat is dead.

To: GT500 how many miles do you have on your Escape so far and could you post a link to your Bronco forum? Thanks.

-=Brandon

Well not to preach here. But this area could be bigger and better for all if the members that use this site would let the others know about this place. I am not saying abondon the places you frequent to just come here. We are here to enhance your travels of owning a Ford be it classic new junker or collectible.

Sorry getting off my soap box

John

 

[GT500]

Dear RGONOT,
Definately go the Escape route, They just receieved a really high safety rating(don't know the exact #of stars off my head but I'm pretty sure it was higher than the RAV4). Our Escape is the Dark Highland Green XLT 4X4 the only options were step bars, and privacy glass, the 4X4's come with the 16 inch tires automatically.
there are only a couple of options left, 6disc in dash changer, and moonroof are about it I believe. could be others but I'm not sure. My wife loves it! We just got back from a weekend trip to the Smokey Mnts, about 700 mi, got 20-22mpg(hwy cruising at 75-80 mph with the AC on all the way), and there was 4 adults and a child in a car seat with 1 small complaint from the back about the car seat being in the way. If my son were old enough for the seat belt only there would have been 0 complaints. We now have around 1400-1500 miles showing with no problems at all, now we wish we had found one with the moonroof would've been a definate plus. I had a hard time finding 1 here the only 1's dealers had were trade ins or just came of the truck, mine came in and was on the lot not even 24hrs, just got lucky. Dealer said they are usually gone in about 2-6hrs. Let me know if I can help further. Jim

 

[GT500]

alert5ver,
The Bronco forum I mentioned is found right here in the Ford Forums, go to the home page, click Bronco's, click Full size 1978-1996 and you're there. There is 1 other that I found it's www.bigbroncos.com It's more of a research page(tech articles and such, great info!!) there is a link to a chat room and a bulletin board, I've never been able to get on the bulletin board it gives me a mesage sayin I don't have permission to talk...bye! Maybe some one out there knows how to get on and can let us both know
Thanks for the Escape site I'm going to try it out later
Jim

 

[RGONOT]

Thanks GT500. Like I said before good to hear from someone that actually owns an Escape. I love the Smoky Mts too, but we still have plenty of mountains here...Happy driving to ya :nuts:

 

[The Stylist]

Dear RGONOT,
Definately go the Escape route, They just receieved a really high safety rating(don't know the exact #of stars off my head but I'm pretty sure it was higher than the RAV4).

Actually from what I heard the Escape got a poor crash test rating.

 

[RGONOT]

We went with the new Jeep Liberty Limited. The body styling is just so much better.
I cant stand all the plastic they put on the new vehicles now. I really want a Sport Trac but I hate the plastic side molding...

 

[GT500]

Escape safety rating

Here is a site to check out the crash test ratings, http://www.ticon.net/~sho/ , or search for government crash test ratings at yahoo and go to the Randy Hansen link.
The escape got 5 stars on 3 out of 4 tests!! The other was a 4 star for frontal passenger test. That was better than the RAV4 with 4 stars for both driver and passenger frontal collision and no test for side collisions. Chevy tracker got 4 star for both front and no test for sides planed (4dr), the 2dr tracker 4 star driver side and 5 passenger side no test planned for frontal test on these. Check out the results for yourself. The Escape is up there with the bigger suv's, Lexus, Infinity, Explorer, Mountaineer, Four Runner, and even got better ratings than the Jeeps. I'm not knocking the other vehichles they just didn't score as high. This was one of our factors in purchasing the Escape and after almost 5000 miles there are no regrets, except that we didn't get the sunroof.
RGONOT I agree I don't care for all that plastic either but it sure is easy to keep clean and there is no paint to scratch from rocks and such, tar and bugs come off easier than on paint and no worries about harming the paint.
Jim
:nuts:

 

[RGONOT]

Good points on the plastic body moulding.

Crash test numbers do come in to consideration if they are to low for me but for the most part I think todays vehicles are safe.

Good to see Ford has recieved such high ratings with the Escape. Enjoy the drive in whatever you drive...

 

[Guest]

Thanks Lunatics (and to everyone else who replied!)

I ((((( FINALLY!!! )))))) will be taking delivery of my brand new 2002 Escape in just a few weeks. The Escape site I mentioned at

http://www.Escape-Central.com

was the most helpful in finding current information about Escapes for anyone else interested in current daily info about Fords newest SUV. This site here is great too, but for other Ford products! Thanks for the link to the big Bronco's site GT500. There seems to be quite a bit of useful info researched over there for Broncos!

Anyone else who wants to check these sites out, they are at:

www.Escape-Central.com
:flame: Hot site For Escapes (GREAT message center, lots of regular members, and good daily advice on PRICING and Escape Discounts!!!) :rocking:

and

www.BigBronco.com
:CraZ: For really detailed Bronco research and information. Thanks once again to this great site here to all those who have helped me here!! Going thru the research process was fun.... but ownership should be even more fun!!!

Thanks!

 

[Guest]

Escape XLT's spotted!

I just took delivery of my latest 2001 Explorer Sport, (I traded in my 2wd 2001 Expy Sport for a 4x4 and took advantage of the financing- this one's cheaper than the other one was... Anyway, I bought it from Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids, MI, and they took delivery of nine new 2002 Escapes today, 2 were sold, seven were XLT's. Not sure where everyone is, but maybe this information would help someone in need find one...