2001 Ford Escape: The Oppositelock review

"Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy" (zipppyart) 08/28/2014 at 19:45 • Filed to: Reviews, Escape, Ford Escape

3

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Two weeks ago, I bought a Ford Escape off of a family friend for $500, I thought it would be a good first car, I thought wrong, VERY WRONG.

( Full disclaimer : I wanted to own this particular Ford Escape so much, I bought it off of a family friend for $500, a failed safety inspection ended my term with the car full stop.)

For the few days I've been in possession of this small truck, car, or what have you, it was a nice experience, driving around to scrapyards, garages, empty but just resurfaced backroads.. with something that I could call mine. It was amazing.

Exterior: 7/10

The Ford Escape, in its first iteration, looks, feels and drives like a truck, even though it is a sheetmetal, plastic-clad beast with the structural integrity of a unibody framed car. It also has its frame based on the Mazda GF platform. Despite the cancer-inhibited rocker panels and rear fenders, it was a well maintained vehicle. V6 badging lets people know what's packing under the hood.

Being an early model, for a vehicle that was a driving force in the crossover/sport utility game, this vehicle has many truck-like qualities inside and out, and as a result, makes it feel larger than it actually is.

Interior: 8/10

Being a "truck", occupants sit very high off the ground, but comfort isn't lacking either. The cloth interior is very common for an American vehicle of the era, the dashboard is that sort of good ol' rubberized plastic that cars from the mid-90's and early 2000's were known for. There was also the stench of wet dog and fur all over the interior. I have a paraplegic friend that had difficulty climbing inside to the passenger seat, but it has plenty of space for his wheelchair in the back.

That space, BUT ALL THAT SPACE, I could live in the back portion with the seats folded flat, maybe even have room to cook. The bucket seats up front are very comfy, despite being made with a fairly rigid cloth. Visibility below the beltline is next to impossible. Pillars are also small, and that is a refreshing sight, since every other vehicle I've driven suffers from large pillars and limited visibilty.

Audio: 7/10

With the sound system turned off, and a loose exhaust flexpipe, the sound of the three litre Duratec V6 roars to life, and puts out a relatively loud and intimidating tone, (very much like a truck should) especially noticeable on startup. While the gutsy engine puts out 200 hp and 200 ft-lbs from the factory, the roar under full throttle makes it seem like it puts out more, and makes me giggle like a 5 year old.

The other part of the audio comes from the onboard sound system, with it turned on obviously, the subwoofer rattles slightly in its old age, but it also rattles the rest of the truck with it, as noticed with the reflection in the wing mirrors.

Acceleration: 6/10

Acceleration is a modest 10 seconds to 60 MPH in my case, nothing too impressive.

This is not a fast car , erm, truck. Whatever.

Braking: 2/10

There's air in the brake system, the ABS constantly tries to kill me.. ..and that it is why it is parked a good amount of the time. But to be fair, the brakes do work.

Y'all call those little plates "disc brakes"? Paha!

Ride: 5/10

The ride is good, but not the best, but decent. bumps are absorbed, the chunky tires make a loud droning noise, this vehicle is not overly capable off road, despite the lifted design. I will get into details in the next section.

Handling : 5/10

It doesn't corner very well as a car, compared to its platform sharing Japanese sedan siblings. But for an SUV, it's decent.

It doesn't crab around corners with 4x4 on, and despite the 4x4 system, isn't very capable off the asphalt, except for a dirt road with potholes. Despite the fully independent suspension, and truck-like beefyness, the suspension is very car-like, and will not have the articulation and suspension travel to overcome large obstacles.

Toys: 5/10

Due to the vehicle's age, there's a lack of "toys" except for a 6-CD Changer. The 6-CD Changer is good for putting 6 of your favourite CDs to rock to, and for AM and FM radio with Radio Data System (RDS) capability. It allows the radio to display information of the current song, station, and other info.

Transmission: 6/10

The transmission is a 4-speed column shifted automatic. Yes you heard me.

The column shift is a bit wonky at first, it also feels very truck-like, again, even though this is based on a Mazda car platform.

The shifter linkage is on the way out, so often times it makes a big clunk getting out of park, and the shifter is hard to move at certain times, all due to an issue with the linkage, but despite the issues, it works well, and gear changing is not very noticeable.

Value: 8/10

I purchased the vehicle for $500, I was pressured by my always-overbearing mother to buy it. This could either have been the best $500 I've ever spent, or the worst. I'm split.

It gets an 8 for making me grin for the few days of ownership I've had with it. But me and it !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , unfortunately.

Final score: 59/100

Purchase Price: $500
Approximate Mileage: 116,000 mi (185,500 km)
Power/Torque: 200hp @ 5900 RPM/200 lb-ft 4400 RPM
Transmission: 4-Speed Auto
Curb Weight: 3,457 lb (1,568 kg)
Drivetrain: FWD/4WD
Seating: 5 People
Gas mileage: 16 MPG city/22 Highway
0-60 MPH: 10 sec
Top Speed (Estimated): 125 MPH/200 KM/H

T5Killer > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy 08/28/2014 at 19:51

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That is a pretty damn good $500 car. My 96 Legacy $600 and it looks like a golf ball with hail damage and 300k+ miles.

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy 08/28/2014 at 19:52

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Why did you sell it again?

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic 08/28/2014 at 19:59

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repairs were too expensive. I had to put in about $3000 into it for it to be good again.

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy 08/28/2014 at 20:00

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That sucks. But you could have had a Lemons car.

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic 08/28/2014 at 20:05

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it was all in the name of safety too, the right side tie rod had quite a bit of play.

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy 08/28/2014 at 20:06

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I guess get whatever car you want now and if your Mom says no say you thought the last one was a good idea and it sucked.

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic 08/28/2014 at 20:12

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It's hard to explain to her actually. she doesn't like discussions. My father often chimes in about safety features because he lost his brother in an accident with a car with no airbags. He wants me to get a Yaris for "practicality" reasons, and my mom wants me to get a Smart ForTwo, because it's "safe", and slow. I always wanted an old Mazda 626 or a MX-6. There is one not far from me, but of course, overbearing parents don't want me to enjoy myself.

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy 08/28/2014 at 20:36

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Well fuck the smart. How about a Fiat for a compromise?

ShelbyRacer78-Fusion Modifier > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy 08/28/2014 at 20:49

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Sound like this?

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > ShelbyRacer78-Fusion Modifier 08/28/2014 at 20:58

1

Yup.

Vicente Esteve > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy 08/28/2014 at 20:59

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Dat badge though

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy 08/28/2014 at 21:03

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What did you get for it?

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic 08/28/2014 at 21:53

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Mom says its too fast, dad says too unreliable. not sure if they're with the times.

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy 08/28/2014 at 22:10

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Fiat 500....FAST?!?!?!!?!??! Compared to what a bicycle? Let me guess they drive shopping carts? How about a 240DL?

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s 08/28/2014 at 23:21

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$400. that was with winter tires on. The guy who bought it is a mechanic and was looking for a winter beater. He would patch it up and use it.

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic 08/28/2014 at 23:22

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a 240DL is too old according to my parents. I want one though. Cheap and durable as a brick.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy 08/28/2014 at 23:24

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Not bad, you got most of your money back

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy 08/28/2014 at 23:25

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Sonic, Dart, Fiesta?

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic 08/28/2014 at 23:28

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All options I want to consider. But they don't want me to get any of those. I obviously can't afford one myself, and according to them, a car that is in their insurance plan is "theirs". My insurance is too high at the moment, because I don't have the full license just yet.

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s 08/28/2014 at 23:31

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some guy told me to put the alloys aside, and hasn't gotten back to me. so I'll list them for $500.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy 08/28/2014 at 23:34

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So Profit. Cant say you could have expected that with this rust bucket

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy 08/28/2014 at 23:36

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It sounds like we are in the same boat except if I can afford it I can have it. What about a beetle or a cooper?

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s 08/29/2014 at 00:01

1

I was prepared for it, my mechanic's opinion was the trigger.

Jordaneer, The Mountaineer Man > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy 09/02/2014 at 22:53

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a smart fortwo? safe? hahahahaha. there are no crumple zones in that tiny thing at all, plus you need a bit of power, not something that takes 30 sec to 60mph

Jordaneer, The Mountaineer Man > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic 09/02/2014 at 22:55

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I was lucky, the only stipulation my mom had in a car was that it must be an auto.

Jordaneer, The Mountaineer Man > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy 09/02/2014 at 22:57

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and I thought my mother was being overbearing when she said I had to have an auto.

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > Jordaneer, The Mountaineer Man 09/02/2014 at 23:04

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To be honest, I feel automatic cars tend to breed ignorance.

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > Jordaneer, The Mountaineer Man 09/02/2014 at 23:21

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Haha I can get anything as long as it is NA and isn't a V8.

Jordaneer, The Mountaineer Man > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy 09/03/2014 at 12:14

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I wanted a stick, but she wouldn't let me.

Jordaneer, The Mountaineer Man > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic 09/03/2014 at 12:17

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they won't even let you have like a ford focus st, impreza or another turbo'd hatchback or something?

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > Jordaneer, The Mountaineer Man 09/03/2014 at 12:25

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Well, that's stupid. My brother's best friend's mother though.. She's a mother of 3, and she wants her children to drive stick first, two of them already drive.

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > Jordaneer, The Mountaineer Man 09/03/2014 at 16:58

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Well I also have to be able to afford it.