I think Ford did an excellent job with the overall look of the Escape. Too bad for the quality and design problems. I also think smaller vehicles will continue to gain market share as energy prices continue to remain or exceed current levels.

What we all want is larger vehicles that get 35 mpg. I think that's a goal that's achievable. We want Explorer size and larger vehicles. They are safer and more useful. Get the mileage doubled.

The Asstech is a stying nightmare.

The new Saturn Vue looks really nice. It will be a true competitor.

Mike


2001 GMC Crew Cab/ SB 4x4 Duramax/Allison

 

Why does it matter ford sucks anyway buy something worth while.

Jimmy

 

 

Let em sell the Escape! It'll keep these people who can't drive out of Explorers and what passes for an F-150 anymore.

 

Ford didn't design the Escape. It's all Mazda's baby. Which explains the very new design. I do agree that it's safer to see some bad drivers from driving bigger REAL trucks and possibly giving us real truck owners a bad name by killing innocent people.

 

My problem with the escape is that its a front wheel drive. When will people start building rear wheel drive cars again?

 

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 10-Jun-01 AT 07:15 PM (EST)[/font][p]>Ford didn't design the Escape.
>It's all Mazda's baby.
>Which explains the very new
>design.

Incorrect. Here's some clips from a Ford article about the design:

"Across the Pacific in Japan, Mazda engineers had reached similar conclusions and were at work on a small SUV of their own. Keith Takasawa, chief program engineer on Escape, along with 30 other
engineers and designers from Dearborn, traveled to Japan to better understand Mazda’s small SUV concept. Shortly after that meeting, the two teams decided to combine the projects."

"Separate Ford and Mazda design teams were established to ensure that each vehicle would be designed to meet market needs and brand identities. A common Ford-Mazda engineering team developed the platform."

"Ford engineers and designers spent two years in Japan working alongside Mazda engineers to ensure Escape would have outstanding
spaciousness in interior and cargo room, yet be an efficient, internationally sized package. Mazda engineers also spent time in Dearborn with Ford team members. This merging of groups helped economize development costs for Ford and Mazda without sacrificing the brand image of either vehicle."

"Design work began in Dearborn, Mich., U.S.A., and then was moved to Hiroshima, Japan, so both teams could work together on the process of bringing the product to fruition and begin pre-production testing. The arrangement was flexible enough to ensure that engineering teams from both companies would have input on all facets of the vehicle’s development, thus ensuring the SUV would meet the needs of customers worldwide."

"It was decided early on that Ford would provide the powertrains for the new SUVs."

In conclusion, saying its all Mazda is great for debate but the reality is quite different. And even if it was all Mazda, Mazda is part of Ford Motor Company.

Ken Payne
Ford Truck Enthusiasts Admin

 

I think the escape is good for what it is, but that dosen't mean I'd buy one. For that money I'd either get a mustang or a loaded ranger..My mom wants one really bad(she wants to keep her taurus too and that would be too much money). But compared with what else is in its class, its pretty good. The reason she wants one by the way is for the 4wd option and the driving position.

 

>My problem with the escape is
>that its a front wheel
>drive. When will people start
>building rear wheel drive cars
>again?

It only gets worse. The next step is front wheel drive gas/electric with total electric as the final goal. I am thankful that pickup trucks remain front wheel drive--hopefully by necessity. Imagine a front wheel drive pickup with a load of topsoil in the back spinning its front wheels! But then, I wouldn't put it past them to put front wheel drive in light duty pickups. After all, (IMHO) the F150 was sacrificed on the alter of popular style in 1997. Thankfully they developed the superduty line with real truck styling. As for me, I'll stick with 1996 and older F150's and a 300 I6 engine.