Looking for a used Escape

jdecker88 · #1 (**permalink**) 05-03-2008, 01:32 PM

Hello all,

My wife has been wanting an Escape forever and a day, but I know nothing about them. What are there quirks and common things to fail, how many miles is to many miles, and what is the years we need to avoid? Also what are the types of trim levels avalible compared to the XL, XLT, and Lariat trims of a truck.

Thanks in advance guys.

Stumpalump · #2 (**permalink**) 05-03-2008, 06:20 PM

My 2005 was an XLT and it had everthing I'd ever want. It was a company car with 90K when I turned it in last month but they offered it to me flat out for 8200. I ran mine as hard as any comercial type vehicle would be run and I'd sell it to my mom afterwords if she wanted it. Mainly because it was so good. They are comming off 80k mile or 3 year leases right now so if you find one, don't pay over 9K for a clean one. An 06 with 80K pluss will book higher... maybe 10K? Good luck in your search.

jdecker88 · #3 (**permalink**) 05-03-2008, 06:28 PM

I have seen several for 03s for 10K or so. Should I be worried about program vehicles do to being commercial vehicles? I am sure they were very well maintained because they were commercial.

sfcwoodret · #4 (**permalink**) 05-03-2008, 09:36 PM

You can buy a decent one from a prior lease/rental. 05's or newer.

jdecker88 · #5 (**permalink**) 05-03-2008, 09:59 PM

Well we was looking in the 10K price range

Jonas1022 · #6 (**permalink**) 05-04-2008, 08:40 AM

The Escapes before 05 I think were noisey, and didn't have as nicely appointed interior. Your looking at 15 mpg V-6 up to about 28 mpg with the Hybrid. Of course as always, that depends on the type of driving done and the condition of the vehicle...blah, blah, blah...

jdecker88 · #7 (**permalink**) 05-04-2008, 08:54 AM

15MPG my 93 Ranger Extened cab with a 4.0 gets 20.

Pejeeper · #8 (**permalink**) 05-04-2008, 09:59 AM

our 01 3.0 ranged 16-18 straight city, avg 18-19 combined city/hwy and up to 24 straight hwy driving

that's with 120k miles on it

interior noise is an issue, older escapes get rattles and clicking from interior body panels and dashboard items that can't be found/fixed

transmissions can crap out, ours started going at about 80k miles and was horribly bad by 120k miles (slipping between 3rd, 4th and OD)

BUT...never left us stranded, comfy, virtually no repair bills...it saw a mechanic 2x's in 120k miles, once for brake lights being stuck on and for trans issue, a DPFE sensor went and the low coolant sensor was shot.