Ford Escape

So this weekend the wife and I made a 400 mile fun run to South Texas in the Miata on Saturday. Then on Sunday we made a 300 mile run to Tyler in the Ranger. Both vehicles have great capabilities but long haul cruising isn't a strong point for either.

We have a kid in College so we aren't interested in getting into payments on a new car. TCB is more than just a funny catch phrase at our house it is a way of life. ;-)

Started thinking about cheap ($7K or less) yet capable vehicles to augment the fleet and the 2007-2012 Ford Escape seems to click many of our TCB buttons.

Anyone have any first hand insight on 'em?? Or have any other TCB approved "cash car" ideals that I may not have yet considered??

TIA

Honda CR-V. There is no finer vehicle in that class.

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Originally Posted by OZMDD

Honda CR-V. There is no finer vehicle in that class.

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I know this is going to mess with the entire time space continuum and stuff - but I am not a Honda fanboy....

My brother returned an Escape he bought new under the lemon law.

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Originally Posted by sammm

My brother returned an Escape he bought new under the lemon law.

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Yikes! You recall what year? I know the current generation Escape has been the recall king for FoMoCo.

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/5410638434.html

Are you a "work on shitty ford engineering all the damn time" fanboy? Ignore the name, go drive one.

The Outback is also a fine machine, but probably need to spend $8-10k to get into the newer generation. Gabby can tell you about the previous gen, which are also quite good, but not my knowledge-base.

Mazda CX-7 too:
https://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/ctd/5419932417.html

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Originally Posted by POS Racing

Yikes! You recall what year? I know the current generation Escape has been the recall king for FoMoCo.

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2013....he had the 1.6 Ecoboost. The 2.0 didn't have near the issues of the 1.6.

He bought a '13 CR-V instead...zero problems according to him.

Few Data Points on the Honda:

1. We looked at the CRV hard in 2009 and leased a RAV4 instead. The Toyota was just better in every way compared to the CRV.
2. My MIL has a CRV and she likes it but I don't it
3. Altiain has Honda
4. JRJ512's daily driver is a Honda.

;)

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Originally Posted by OZMDD

Are you a "work on shitty ford engineering all the damn time" fanboy?

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We my current Daily Driver is a well used 21 year old Ford Ranger that I got 3 years ago for $2,500. So Maybe I am..... ;-)

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Originally Posted by POS Racing

Few Data Points on the Honda:

1. We looked at the CRV hard in 2009 and leased a RAV4 instead. The Toyota was just better in every way compared to the CRV.
2. My MIL has a CRV and she likes it but I don't it
3. Altiain has Honda
4. JRJ512's daily driver is a Honda.

;)

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He's got a point...

2006 Mazda Tribute here (rebadged Escape, better style IMO). Pretty solid vehicle in 3 years of ownership. I prefer a CR-V, but the Forzda is cheaper.

Did you like the Rav4? Buy another.

If its a road trip hauler you want, go full size American SUV. Nothing finer, and $7k buys you a lot of truck. Parts are abundant and cheap, comfort is a given, tons of room in the back for...resting. Gas mileage is a weak point, but who really gives a shit if the trip gas budget is $100 vs $125? And with gas on its way back to $0.39/gallon, you'll be leaving it running all night just for the hell of it anyway!

Suburban, Tahoe, Yukon, Expedition, Excursion, etc...

i'd put my vote in for a 4runner or a sequoia, both amazingly reliable for me. My dad had a 1998 4runner from 110k to 230k and no issue except for a clogged injector. The 2002 sequoia has been flawless so far as well.

We have a 2003 Escape, 3L V6. My wife loves it, I don't. We got it with about 170,000 miles on the odometer. I spent about about $500 on parts fixing it up, front hubs and wheel bearings, front brake discs, one COP, new radio and a few other little things. Mechanically it has been reliable since I got the maintenance caught up. The fuel mileage is worst than our 3.5L Odyssey. And, I don't like the way it rides. But, it is better than riding in the back of a deuce and a half.

Sorry Mick, but I'm going to have to go with the CRV as well... I have a first gen (2001) with over 200k on the clock and it's been great. Plus I still have the s2000, so I guess that makes me a Honda fan boy...

FORD - Fix Or Repair Daily (though Kate's '03 F-150 is damn near bullet proof)

4Runner, they are appliances that you just add gas, change the oil to keep running. One size bigger than the Escape/CRV though.

Problem with the 4Runner is the Orientals will pay top dollar for em so they don't fit in my TCB wheelhouse.

I had a 2006 4Runner that I never should have gotten rid off........

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Originally Posted by POS Racing

Problem with the 4Runner is the Orientals will pay top dollar for em so they don't fit in my TCB wheelhouse.

I had a 2006 4Runner that I never should have gotten rid off........

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Looks like the orientals are smarter than you.

I have a 2003 Tribute (Mazda Escape). Bought it new, never been back to the dealer. Only been in a shop once, to replace alternator. 175,000 miles, rides like a truck, not so great gas mileage (especially when towing the DP Miata) but the 3.0 six is a good little engine IMO.