"fhrblig" (fhrblig)
08/11/2013 at 23:41 • Filed to: None | 0 | 14 |
How do they hold up, especially V6-automatic-AWD versions? The parents are looking for a cheap used SUV that can still tow a little bit, and stepdad is a Ford guy.
Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy
> fhrblig
08/11/2013 at 23:51 | 1 |
I know someone who has one since new, and he says it's holding up well. He had a ball-joint issue a few years back, but he's got no complaints about anything now.
If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
> fhrblig
08/11/2013 at 23:52 | 3 |
Transmission whine.
1g CR-Vs are good. We've had one for a few years now and it's practical as fuck.
FieroGT,NBK.
> fhrblig
08/11/2013 at 23:53 | 1 |
I have an '05 with the 3.0 and AWD. It's okay for what it is. It is underpowered, gets some bad gas mileage and has some awful door seals, but I really can't complain. The engine has over 250,000 miles on it and is still going strong.
fhrblig
> FieroGT,NBK.
08/12/2013 at 00:02 | 0 |
Underpowered is ok, they have a 4.0 '97 Explorer and it will never win any drag races. It has almost 300k now. I spotted a 2001 XLS with AWD, V6 and auto with only 78k miles for $5400, seems like it might be a good deal.
fhrblig
> If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
08/12/2013 at 00:03 | 0 |
I know they'd consider a CRV, but I suspect the tow rating on a V6 Escape compared to a 1st-gen CRV would probably make the decision for them.
vdub_nut: scooter snob
> fhrblig
08/12/2013 at 00:14 | 0 |
College friend had one, flogged the piss out of it till he just recently sold it. Nearly 200k, only had one issue. The trans. They're known for having one part fail, forget what, but it goes and takes the trans with it. His treatment of it surely did not help though.
FieroGT,NBK.
> fhrblig
08/12/2013 at 00:18 | 0 |
The 3.0 also has a really goofy lag in the throttle as well. I'm not sure what that is all about, but from hitting the gas to the car actually speeding up takes quite a bit of time.
That isn't too bad of a deal. If it is a northern vehicle, then I would be skeptical as my Escape is already starting to rust out and its 4 years newer.
Bozi Tatarevic
> vdub_nut: scooter snob
08/12/2013 at 00:24 | 1 |
There is a band that fails in the transmission. It can be replaced without removing the trans. Part is about $20. You can do it yourself in a few hours. Otherwise labor is $300-400 at indy or up to $1k at the dealer
fhrblig
> FieroGT,NBK.
08/12/2013 at 00:26 | 0 |
Nah, this is Colorado; the land that rust forgot. Even Alfa Romeos don't rust here.
If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
> fhrblig
08/12/2013 at 00:32 | 0 |
I spent about two miles behind the wheel of one once. My overall impression was that the interior was nasty* and the driving position was kinda uncomfortable. The engine was good though. The one I drove was the V6 AWD.
*everything felt like it was made of that soft, chunky plastic that toddler's toys are made of, and there was just too much grey.
boxrocket
> fhrblig
08/12/2013 at 00:35 | 2 |
They're great little trucks. I worked at a Ford dealership in '05 and a Mercury/Lincoln dealership in '06 (summer jobs while on break from university), so while I don't own one, I have lots of experience with them. Decently made, not too tall or too heavy, good visibility/sightlines all around, relatively safe even today, fair on gas and wear items (tires, brakes, etc.), and good for off-roading and towing light loads. If I were to need an SUV, the Escape (and its corporate kin, the Mazda Tribute and Mercury Mariner, which are the same vehicle underneath, or in the Mariner's case, same everything but the lights and some trim here and there) are on my very short list of acceptable used SUVs to purchase, should I ever encounter the need. My memories of them were that they were confidence-inspiring in ill weather, acceptable for light off-roading, comfortable and a pleasant ingress and egress height, good cargo capacity, and pleasant visibility for maneuvering, especially in a lot filled with brand-new cars parked very tightly together. Also, of note, I was the porter at both places, so I recall them being very easy to clean inside and out, with few places for dirt and junk to hide, and a nice airy-feeling cabin, especially with the optional moonroof.
They're durable and reliable if they're treated right (or even when they're abused, in some cases), with a similar toughness and resolute nature to Rangers and F-150s. Look for transmission service history, regular oil changes, and scheduled maintenance - especially the AWD diffs, if equipped - by a decent place (which most folks look for anyway, of course). The engines are darn near bulletproof, being essentially Mazda units, although the Zetec 2.0L I4 from the first gen can feel a bit wheezy and overtaxed on larger hills. It's a toss-up based on your needs for the 2.3 I4 or the 3.0 V6 for the second-gen (or first-and-a-half, that is, anything 2005-2008). They offer similar fuel consumption (the I4 of course coming out ahead), but while the 2.3L gives up about 50 hp, it has a slightly better track record, and it's mostly the same unit used in the Ford Ranger/Mazda B-series trucks, as well as a few other FoMoCo vehicles, so very durable and proven. That said, I'd probably go for the V6 if they're going to do any towing, and if they're used to the relatively-anemic 4.0L V6, they might appreciate what a zinger the 3.0L can be; I recall it having plenty of oomph in lower gears, and only needing a few seconds on the highway to get into the powerband.
If you go for the 2001-2004 I would recommend sourcing a pair of headlamps and related wiring from a 2005-2008 model, as they have better throw, don't cloud up, and, IMHO, look better, and - extra bonus - they take a few years off the first-gen body by being the newer units. Or, just get a 2005-2008 model instead, if you can.
Trim level doesn't matter too much, as it gets you a few extra goodies here and there, like 6-in-dash CD instead of single, different upholstery, and drivetrain. My personal preference is for the Limited, or at least the XLT, as the years I prefer come with painted bumpers rather than the dark gray ones that by now have mostly faded to a lighter gray. The unpainted ones are good if the vehicle will go through brush or unfriendly parking lots, but it's a used car, so getting a car with 100% paint is unlikely.
As for alternatives, I already mentioned the Mariner and Tribute. You may also want to look at the Hyundais and Kias of the same class and vintage, and perhaps the Suzuki Vitara and Grand Vitara (not the XL-7, which is Explorer-sized). The Koreans will probably have a cheaper-feeling and more-worn interior for the mid-2000 vintage examples, but will hold up to abuse almost as well. The Suzukis can be hit-or-miss, but will likely have a lower purchase price than the Ford/Mercury/Mazda trio, so you can stash the extra cash for anything that comes up, and benefits from more powerful engine choices for 2005-up models, as well as being more rugged and off-road friendly.
TL;DR: Escapes and their kin are a good choice, and as long as they're checked out by a good mechanic beforehand, they likely can't go wrong.
fhrblig
> If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
08/12/2013 at 00:38 | 0 |
Ah, that plastic is what my Ranger is made of. I don't mind it. And since their '97 Explorer has the exact same dash (no joke, my '09 Ranger has a dash designed 13 years before it was built), I think they'd be ok with it too.
fhrblig
> boxrocket
08/12/2013 at 00:40 | 0 |
Thanks for the info! I mentioned the Tribute and the Mariner to them. They are open to Hyundai SUVs, as they are on their 2nd Accent and they like Hyundai.
Quantum-of-Malice
> fhrblig
08/12/2013 at 01:02 | 0 |
I had a 2002 V6. The 4wd on 2001-2004 models is god-awful, and downright dangerous. Alternator didn't give enough juice to keep the OEM battery charged. Shape seems susceptible to getting rocks in the windshield (low nose, vertical glass). It was rusting under the plastic body panels, oh, and the vacuum booster would freeze below -5C (23F) rendering it unstoppable until the engine warmed it enough.