Thinking of buying used hybrid... advice?

[southpaw]

Hopefully I'm not breaking any forum rules when asking for some opinions... I need to pick up a 4x4 or AWD for my wife before the roads get nasty and I'm thinking I should look at an Escape hybrid. She seems to be the kinda driver they built hybrids for. Thought I'd get some ideas on what to look for or stay away from etc. before I got in front of a sales guy. So far I've seen some tranny issues with some model years. Anyhow I've not looked one over yet at all. Our budget is sub $20k so that's looking like '07 or so with 50-60000 miles. Thanks Mike

[Nitramjr]

First of all you don't have to worry at all about the transmission issues you have heard about in some Escapes. The hybrid has a completely different set up than the conventional transmission. The eCVT drivetrain is extremely reliable. In fact, I haven't heard of any failures in the almost five years I have been a hybrid Escape owner. The NY taxis are well over 200-300k miles in theres and are still running strong last I checked.

So, what else to look for? The usual stuff really. Check that the normal maintenance has been performed. Oil changes, air cleaners, fuel filter etc. Also check to make sure the battery air filter (located in the back) has been changed regulary. It takes about three seconds to remove the filter so I'd check it on any vehicle I looked at.

Check to see that the battery wire harness recall has been done and that the PCM has been reflashed.

Other than that, I'd look at the normal stuff you would look at when buying any vehicle. These cars are extremely reliable and fun to drive. Other than the recall mentioned above, an A/C condensor replacement on one and a failed power lock motor on the other, neither of my hybrids have been back to the dealer at all. Probably the most pleased I have ever been with new vehicles. They'd have been gone a long time ago if I wasn't.....

[Nitramjr]

Another thing - someone is bound to tell you how bad the stock tires are. The factory issued Continental EcoPlus tires aren't bad in my opinion. I've run both of mine on the factory tires for four full Boston winters without a problem. And mine are FWD only. If you are looking at cars in the 50k mile range, you should be getting new tires on it anyway but don't let the EcoPlus scare you. They aren't bad. You lose about 1 mpg with non-stock tires as the Eco's are low rolling resistance.

[southpaw]

Thanks for weighing in Ray. For whatever reason I find real world experience more credible than homogenized reports I read.
Mike

[Nitramjr]

Originally Posted by southpaw

Thanks for weighing in Ray. For whatever reason I find real world experience more credible than homogenized reports I read.
Mike

You are welcome.

Real world experience is definitely worth more than any of the reports and reviews out there. I never would have bought my '05 hybrid Escape if it wasn't for what I read on another forum. If I had relied on the "expert" opinions, I would have bought a Honda or a Toyota.

I tell people all the time, there isn't a car on the road right now that I would trade my Escapes for except perhaps a hybrid Fusion.

[kshaw]

I bought my 2006 AWD Hybrid in February with 57K miles for $15.5K. No problems at all. Worked very well in the snow. Just a remarkable vehicle.