My Q's
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Elder User
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My Q's
My Girl friend wants one and there was an 01 4x4 with the v6 in it and they were asking 5500 for it.
My questions are
1) what MPG's do you guys see, it says 19, 20sothing but is that really what there getting
2 Are there any years to stay away from that could have alot of problems
3 how does the 2wd com pair to the 4wd in the snow, and how does the 4x4 do
4 I heard that parts and labor is very expensive due to the Front wheel drive set up, is this true?
My questions are
1) what MPG's do you guys see, it says 19, 20sothing but is that really what there getting
2 Are there any years to stay away from that could have alot of problems
3 how does the 2wd com pair to the 4wd in the snow, and how does the 4x4 do
4 I heard that parts and labor is very expensive due to the Front wheel drive set up, is this true?
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18 - 20 is valid, at least on my 01 and 03, but not in the cold, these things do not like winter blend gasoline.
Since 01 was the first year, there will be some issues but most of them are minor.
4 wheel drive, more properly called front with rear assist wheel drive works surprisingly well. Snow won't be an issue. Logging roads, be careful, rocks, forget it, deep mud forget it.
Front wheel drive is pretty much the norm at most garages, so prices aren't that much higher than any other vehicle.
Since 01 was the first year, there will be some issues but most of them are minor.
4 wheel drive, more properly called front with rear assist wheel drive works surprisingly well. Snow won't be an issue. Logging roads, be careful, rocks, forget it, deep mud forget it.
Front wheel drive is pretty much the norm at most garages, so prices aren't that much higher than any other vehicle.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Round Rock, TX
On the 3.0 V6 models yes it does take about 2 hours. You are required to pull the upper intake to reach the rear 3 plugs. It's not hard it's just time consuming.
Fortunately the plugs on these are platinum plugs from the factory and are rated to 100k before service.
There are a few issues effecting most all pre-2005 models which would include:
1. Weak CD4E Transmission (Ensure that you change the fluid with Mercon, and do it often.)
2. An audible pop or clunk when going over bumps. This is fixed by some $25 dollar part IIRC.
3. Soft factory brake rotors.
4. Typical Ford cruise control issues.
Fortunately the plugs on these are platinum plugs from the factory and are rated to 100k before service.
There are a few issues effecting most all pre-2005 models which would include:
1. Weak CD4E Transmission (Ensure that you change the fluid with Mercon, and do it often.)
2. An audible pop or clunk when going over bumps. This is fixed by some $25 dollar part IIRC.
3. Soft factory brake rotors.
4. Typical Ford cruise control issues.
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Elder User
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You mean the one that makes it randomly start on fire?
Also how bad are the trannies in those things? Like dodge ram bad, or 4r100 bad?
Also how bad are the trannies in those things? Like dodge ram bad, or 4r100 bad?
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 365
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From: Round Rock, TX
These transmissions seem to be in a league of their own when it comes to failure. That being said I just bought a 2004 with 96k on the clock, although I knew the history behind the transmission service. I'm hoping to get 50k out of it before the rebuild.
I found this thread on a page dedicated to escape/tributes that you might like to see.
http://www.escape-city.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=259
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Then there is a good chance that were going to buy a Jetta for the same price, unless otherwise convinced not to.
thanks for the help
thanks for the help
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Round Rock, TX
HAH! Funny you mention that. When I was recently looking at cars I had narrowed it down to a Jetta, Escape/Tribute, or a Mustang. I chose the Escape/Tribute as the safest option.
I have read horror storries about Jetta's, that and from what I understand you have to take the front clip off to do just about any work on the motor.
Whatever you decide, good luck!
I have read horror storries about Jetta's, that and from what I understand you have to take the front clip off to do just about any work on the motor.
Whatever you decide, good luck!
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Over 147,000 miles I have had no problems with my cruise control nor with the tranny on my '02 V6, and I tow a fair bit with it. Historically, the Escape has had an average to above average reliability ranking from Consumer Reports. Servicing the transmission with the proper fluid is probably the most important issue when looking at a used model.
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Im starting to rethink the jetta idea, after my friend went to the stealership and had to pay 140 for a spare key and his emote fixed, what a joke. he says he gets around 30MP G's though, that sounds nice.
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If you think Escapes are expensive to have work done to, then you'll go crazy over the Jetta, should you need any repairs.
VW's designs are radically different than just about any other make, and as a result it is next to impossible to find a repair shop willing to do anything other than routine maintenance. Even routine maintenance costs about 150-200% compared to other vehicles.
Simply put, you have to go to VW for just about anything, and that means money (as you've already found out).
Don't get me wrong, Escapes are fine vehicles, but the '01 was the first year and as a result there are quite few quirks to be expected (most of which I would hope have already been fixed being that vehicle is at least 7 years old). Just make sure you have complete service records available... as you should with any used car.
If you want my honest experienced opinion... If you want something cheap, reliable, and economical... you need to look at Corollas or Civics. Both of these are very popular (and as a result, probably the cheapest to have repairs done on), get 30+MPG... and are actually not bad to drive at all!
VW's designs are radically different than just about any other make, and as a result it is next to impossible to find a repair shop willing to do anything other than routine maintenance. Even routine maintenance costs about 150-200% compared to other vehicles.
Simply put, you have to go to VW for just about anything, and that means money (as you've already found out).
Don't get me wrong, Escapes are fine vehicles, but the '01 was the first year and as a result there are quite few quirks to be expected (most of which I would hope have already been fixed being that vehicle is at least 7 years old). Just make sure you have complete service records available... as you should with any used car.
If you want my honest experienced opinion... If you want something cheap, reliable, and economical... you need to look at Corollas or Civics. Both of these are very popular (and as a result, probably the cheapest to have repairs done on), get 30+MPG... and are actually not bad to drive at all!
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 699
Likes: 1
If you think Escapes are expensive to have work done to, then you'll go crazy over the Jetta, should you need any repairs.
VW's designs are radically different than just about any other make, and as a result it is next to impossible to find a repair shop willing to do anything other than routine maintenance. Even routine maintenance costs about 150-200% compared to other vehicles.
Simply put, you have to go to VW for just about anything, and that means money (as you've already found out).
Don't get me wrong, Escapes are fine vehicles, but the '01 was the first year and as a result there are quite few quirks to be expected (most of which I would hope have already been fixed being that vehicle is at least 7 years old). Just make sure you have complete service records available... as you should with any used car.
If you want my honest experienced opinion... If you want something cheap, reliable, and economical... you need to look at Corollas or Civics. Both of these are very popular (and as a result, probably the cheapest to have repairs done on), get 30+MPG... and are actually not bad to drive at all!
VW's designs are radically different than just about any other make, and as a result it is next to impossible to find a repair shop willing to do anything other than routine maintenance. Even routine maintenance costs about 150-200% compared to other vehicles.
Simply put, you have to go to VW for just about anything, and that means money (as you've already found out).
Don't get me wrong, Escapes are fine vehicles, but the '01 was the first year and as a result there are quite few quirks to be expected (most of which I would hope have already been fixed being that vehicle is at least 7 years old). Just make sure you have complete service records available... as you should with any used car.
If you want my honest experienced opinion... If you want something cheap, reliable, and economical... you need to look at Corollas or Civics. Both of these are very popular (and as a result, probably the cheapest to have repairs done on), get 30+MPG... and are actually not bad to drive at all!