I may be in the market for a new vehicle for the wife. She currently drives an '03 Suzuki XL-7. I have a done a little research on the '08 & '09 models. I was leaning towards an '09 4 cyl auto. I like the idea of the new 6-speed behind the 4 cyl for better fuel economy.
The biggest complaint I see in the reviews is the brakes. Supposedly, because of the rear drums (why not discs?), these trucks are slow to react to braking and take much longer than average to come to a stop. Can the people here who have models with rear drum brakes comment on how the brakes actually feel? Why didn't Ford stay with the rear disc setup they had on the older models? If you look at their import competition (Honda, Toyota, Nissan, etc) they have rear disc brakes with shorter stopping distances. I don't understand why Ford when backwards with this.
I also noticed from a few posts here that there may be issues with the new 6-speed trans. That is not good news these days for Ford. What's the latest on this problem?
I don't know what to do. I really wanted to buy a new Ford vehicle for a couple of reasons. Trying to help the domestic economy and help Ford with sales. But when you compare these new small utes from Ford to their import competition, I am not sure they stand up to them. I think Ford is on the right path but is still missing the mark. Ford needs to get ahead of the competition if it expects to beat it. According to the Feb 09 issue of Car & Driver, they may have just done that with the new Hybrid Fusion which finished 1st ahead of the Hybrid Carmry!
Do I buy a CRV by Honda? Chime in people. Need some feedback. Thanks!
man you took the words right out of my mouth. i too need to find a good safe reliable car or small suv for my wife now that she is pregnant. little 2 door honda civic isnt going to cut it im a fraid. i looked at the limited escapes last week and stopped over to see the outlander while i was in the area. santa fe also. so many it drives me nuts. those drum brakes are a step backwards on the escape im afaid. i like the fords but also worried about that new 6 speed. i dont need any headaches when buying a new car. not sure if there is a problem with it or not. wendell can answer your question on the mariner. he has a 08 with good rebates. im still looking. good luck.
I have an 02' Tribute and just bought an '09 Escape. As for the brakes, I have had no complaints with either vehicle and I think the brakes in my '09 have excellent pedal feel. BTW - I love the 6-speed tranny and only one poster has reported a problem. I have a V6 4WD but if you are more concerned with fuel economy go with the 4-cyl. It has enough power unless you live in really hilly terrain or tow and I do both. The improvements from my 02 to the 09 are numerous in many small ways, ride, less road noise, quiet interior, electric steering, etc.
It does seem a bit odd that Ford sticks with the drums on the rear. The only advantages to rear drums is less cost to manufacture and they do contribute to fuel economy as there is always a slight "drag" with disc brakes. They are also cheaper to service as only the linings have to be replaced instead of the pads and rotors but its not something that has to be done with any regularity. I think I have changed the rear linings in my 155,000 mile Tribute exactly once, twice at the most. If you look at the reliability of the Escape/Mariner/Tribute triplets in Consumer Reports they have held up well over the past 8 years.
Yea I Do Like The 09's Escapes. Pretty Good Lookin Suvs. Im Sure My Wife Will Love Sitting Higher Then That Honda. Just Hope The New Trans Doesnt Have Any Problems. Ill Be Looking At More On Sunday.
I could be wrong on this.. but as far as disc versus drum.. drum has a higher tolerance to heat aka less brake fade. Semi's don't have disc brakes one example. I know on my old F150 is the only one I've had rear disc and experienced brake fade, could of been other causes. Disc are alot easier to work on. 1 half dozen of the other as they say.
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04 Escape XLT Sport 3.0L
06 Ranger XL 2.3L
The best never rest.. Built Ford Tough
My mother has had an escape for 2 years now, not one single problem or noise, and she loves it. My best friends parents wanted to buy a Ford vehicle and they asked me for some advice and I directed them towards an escape. They got a 09 with the 3.0 and they love it as well. I don't think you'll regret buying one. As for the difference between drum and disc, Im willing to bet you'll never come to stop and turn to your wife and say "Damn I really wish we had rear discs!"
I bought a `08 Escape in late `07 and put 18,000 on it so far with no problems at all.We got a couple off cars at our house but my favorite is the Escape.I got the XLT w/4cyl and dark charcoal interior,the first thing I did was put some black 20`s on to make it look more macho.But I just went to the store and parked next to a new Mercury Mountainer and and liked it better but it probably cost twice as much.
Bought a '07 XLS for the wife, and she LOVES it.. She "sits up" in traffic, and raves about the space.. We have the 4-banger, FWD, but its got plenty of power to get on an expressway, and to pass if needed-I know, as she puts it through it paces when we travel..Has the 4-speed auto trans, and its just dandy-no problems to speak of at 40,000 on the clock....
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'99 Ranger XLT Sport (LB) Amazon Green
2.5L, M5OD, 3.73, 130,125
'07 Escape XLS 2.3L (FWD) Auto. 47,000 (Wifes)
I have an 08 escape and had an 04 and lliked them both. The 08 is twice the vehicle the 04 was. Rides nicer, quieter, overall just a better vehicle. As for the brakes I have had no issues at all.
I bought an 08 Escape yesterday. The first thing I noticed on the test drive was that it didn't seem to stop as well as other new cars we have tested and I attribute this to the weight of the vehicle with all the added options this little truck has. It's not so bad as to be unsafe, we'll just need to drive accordingly. My F100 has drums all around and while it may not stop as well as an 09 F150 the truck has never ran into anything or anyone. I got on a rough back road and got it up to 70 and did a brake check with my wife and the sales girl. Freaked em out pretty good, it stopped completely straight and in a reasonable distance for a small truck. It was enough to satisfy my concerns. Test drive one and see what you think.
Daughter has a 2001 xlt awd 130000 miles 18 mpg brakes are great. She loves it great in winter sits high very little issues would recommend highly.My mom has a 2005 xlt 70000 miles.On freeway gets 26 mpg. Both are V6.
Mt wife has an 04 Limited V6 FWD and she love's it. She has put a little over 70,000 on the clock and we just put a new set of tires on it. I have put 2 sets of front pads and one set of rotors on it and sway bar end links I cannot complain at all. Last time I checked she was getting around 22 mpg city
regard
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Jim England
Do you have Gas?
Propane Execeptional Energy
we bought an 08 escape 2.3 4 cylinder new last year in April. it was my wifes first brand new vehicle. we like it alot. she loves her new truck. i would buy it agian if i had to. as far as the braking on it, i see no problems.it stops fast,stops straight. we have the 4 speed auto. i have heard there are some people that are having issues with the 09 6 speed auto. you could do a search to look into these issues in depth. as i say it is a great little truck, very safe, good on fuel for an SUV. lots of room, you sit higher than the cars so you can see better. my wife is now a proud "gearhead" she loves her truck.
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74 f350 4x4 dually 428scj,-HOOF BEATS ARE LOUDER THAN HEARTBEATS!
True, but the reason is, amongst other things, parts. You can get the drum brake parts everywhere, discs not so easy, so said a long hauler in the family a couple years ago. Discs are showing up in heavier trucks, but no trucker is going to saddle him/her self with something that can't be easily serviced--that's my guess for now.
I know on my old F150 is the only one I've had rear disc and experienced brake fade, could of been other causes.
It is possible to fade disc brakes. F150s with 4 wheel discs usually had enough brake, especially compared to earlier models or my '85 E150. If you faded the disc brakes, you'd be in real trouble with drums.
Disc are alot easier to work on.
Only if you don't have to take the calipers apart, which you usually don't.
1 half dozen of the other as they say.[/quote]
With inflation, it is now "36 of one, 3 dozen of the other".
Not trying to bust your chops over this whole thing, but my guess is you have driven mostly disc or disc/drum vehicles, and drums were the exception in your experience, vs. having started drum only and been intro'd to discs later. (???)
FWIW in this application, the Escape, rear drums are no deal killer imo. The fronts do most of the work, and the ABS does the rest when things go to pot.
I thinking of a used '05 myself. Family deal, inside job, price might be right.
I had an 01 escape and now the 08 mariner and I never had a problem with the brakes, they stop just fine. I also have had 7 rangers with rear drums and no complaints. I did have a fusion and a mustang gt with rear disc and they stopped no better than the mariner. I wouldn't know the difference by just driving them if I didn't know. I wouldn't hesitate for a minute to buy or recomend the escape/mariner. The duratec 4 cylinder is an awesome motor, I've owned a couple. The 09 has been upgraded to a 2.5 170 hp in the escape/mariner, thats plenty of juice in a little suv. I wouldn't worry about the 6 speed, they do have a warrenty. There's only been one complaint and there's been thousands sold, if not a million in different vehicles. By all means, suport our companies and buy american. You won't be sorry, as the escape/mariner is the best suv's we've ever owned and we've had a lot over the years.
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2009 FORD RANGER fx4 off/road, 5-speed manual, torson diff and rancho's!
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