Just wondering what everyone thinks of the new Ford Es(x)cape or the twin Mazda Tribute. My own thoughts are of just another little station wagon on large wheels. Can't see much use for this type of vehicle at all. 4 wheel drive isn't even standard!
Any thoughts on these "trucks"??

 

They are not a truck. However based on reviews so far the vehicle is well received. In fact it out powers everything in it's class. It is not an Aztec.

98 F250LD 4X4

 

I don't care much for the escape myself, but I think it's a good little vehichle to compete with all the other tiny suv's out there. From the magazine reviews I've read, it sounds like their pretty stout for their size. I think I'll keep my truck thou.

 

The Escape probably is a nice vehicle, but I bet it has a space-saver spare tire. Any vehicle that has to have a space-saver spare tire is just too small (IMHO).

 

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 01-Mar-01 AT 05:20 PM (EST)[/font][p]I have looked into the Escape to replace my wifes S10 Blazer. It is fairly stout. At first my wife wanted a Trakker, but the tow capacity is only 1000lb, not enough to pull our small camper. I checked on the Escape, 3500lb towing capacity, I was very impressed. But, due to an impending enlargement of our family (adopting 3 kids) I need something with a little more seating capacity. Can you say Excursion.

PS. If I remember right, the Escape does have a full size spare.

Roger Lane
Test Analyst
Sr. Automated Test Engineer
IBP, Inc.

 

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 11-Mar-01 AT 02:23 PM (EST)[/font][p]the escape like many other compact suvs is on a front wheel drive format, when not in 4wd, expect those front wheels to smoke when trying to peel out.
my opinion the escape sux. give me an excursion diesel!!!


John Floyd
South Mills,NC
'86 F150 2wd 300 6
Crane Cam 260/272
stock manifolds, w/ staight pipe

 

POS! Just another wanna be four wheeler for the "I don't want to get my nails dirty" crowd. I really think it's sad that Ford would make such a wussy little toy. I would expect this out of Chevy but common Ford get your act together. IFS and especially IRS belong on Jap toys not real American 4x4's

 

Hey, it is better than a mini spare- Next year they will offer a Escape that fits in the spare tire well of the Excursion and Super Duty, so if you get stuck or break down (fat chance!) you can just lower the escape and drive away!

 

Great Idea! Maybe RVers could hang one on the back of their motorhomes instead of having to tow an extra vehicle.

 

>POS! Just another wanna be four
>wheeler for the "I don't
>want to get my nails
>dirty" crowd. I really think
>it's sad that Ford would
>make such a wussy little
>toy. I would expect this
>out of Chevy but common
>Ford get your act together.
>IFS and especially IRS belong
>on Jap toys not real
>American 4x4's

I have to say every vehicle has a purpose. Ford started selling this toy SUV for a reason. And if Ford starts making even more money because of this, great! They can use some of this new found revenue to R&D other vehicles or offer new rebates.

But I do think this toy is a pitiful excuse for a SUV and doesn't deserve the Ford Name!

Matt
1974 F-250 4x4 Highboy

 

Good Point. Ford makes the Escape because there is a market for this vehicle. Just like the late 90s F150 has a strong market. While the late 90s F150 is a fine vehicle and I'd take it over a Ch**y, I just wish they had given it a different name ("Sport Truck," or whatever) and reserved the F150 name for a lighter weight version of the SuperDuty with its truck looks and Twin I-Beams. Why, then they even could have kept the good old 300 I6!

 

I understand their is a niche for this vehicle but I'd rather Ford stuck to the serious stuff. Just my 2 cents.

The only good chevy is a dead chevy

 

sorry, it's just not right. It's one of those compact SUV things that people keep calling trucks.

But thankfully it's NOT the Aztec (or asstech). Which is worse cuz it's based on a minivan chasis! Ford has done some silly things lately, but NOTHING like that thing.

 

In Oct. my wife bought an Escape. Although it is a V6 it does get-up-and-go. I can't imagine that it could tow very much, even if it is rated at 3,500 pounds. When my wife told me she wanted an SUV I told her to buy anything she wanted but it had to be big enough that I could use it for Truck stuff, or something small enough not to be tempted. She did well. I think that the Escape is for the (wives). Sorry ladies that was sexist, but women are buying more trucks. And I don't think that MOST women are actually going to use a truck like a truck. The Escape is a very good tall car, it handles very well and accellerates quick for a v6. And it gives the those people who don't want a real truck an image of a truck, with better gas mileage and more maneuverability.

Let them have it. If Ford is making smaller weaker CARS for the population who only want to drive a (in their minds) truck and not use the truck for what a truck is for. Then Ford can start to think more about our needs in the REAL, bigger trucks for us. This diversity in car/truck design will come aroud to benifit us in the end. Like I said it is a good car for the wives.

With that said, I must say I agree that the car is too small, with inadequate seating, and as far as design, PLEASE. I wish it were BIGGER, STRONGER, LONGER, and what the hell happned to chrome. When I buy MY REAL truck, it is going to be a 1960's - 1970's monsterous chrome clad beast of a F-350, that chews up these mock SUVs and spits out their fake 4wd. Older is better!!


BIGGER STRONGER LONGER

 

I would expect such a pitiful vehicle from those japanese car makers (Nissan , Kia, Isuzu, Mistubishi, Honda, Suzuki, etc), but I thought that Ford would have more taste than that. While c###y was producing those junky little trackers, ford was smart enough not to get involved in that market. What were they thinking when they introduced that thing? They could have at least made it rear wheel drive with opional 4 wheel drive. They look like oversized Barbie Doll toys.