Ford escape experience

[Texas Horn fan]

So I have an opportunity to acquire a 03 Ford Escape in good condition for a pretty cheap price. I can essentially sell my truck and use that money to pay for the escape and in the process trade from 01 to 03 and from 89000 miles to 60000 miles, upgrade to leather seats and still not owe anything. Seems like a no brainer. But I am moving from Nissan to Ford, and I have always been wary of ford and chevy. My S10 in college ran like a champ to 200000 miles and was still going when I sold it, but other domestic experiences have not been so rosy.

Long story short, does anyone have any real experiences with Ford Escapes? More specifically XLT 03 ford escapes? Did you like it, have bad mechanical problems, positives, negatives, etc.

I appreciate any advice you guys have.

 

[bevo barry]

No experience with that specific year/model, but after owing two Ford vehicles, I'd now rather smash my testicles with a sledgehammer than buy another one. Don't do it, man...anything but a Ford.

 

[CottonEyedHorn]

Good vehicle, co-developed w. Mazda using a Mazda platform. I'd go for it.

 

[BigWill]

I have owned two Rangers and one Bronco, and all three have been excellent vehicles.

Reliable, inexpensive to maintain, etc.

 

[Longhorn_in_LA]

Actually, my fiancee has an '03 Escape XL (I think it's an XL...it's not the leather seat nice package version). She has about 55k miles, and it runs well. She hasn't had any kind of mechanical problems with it. Just routine maintenance (new tires, brake pads, oil change, etc.) My vote is that you go for it.

 

[Nonbryan]

My old work car was an Escape. Got it new and drove it til 65K. Honestly, I wasn't expecting much but I turned out to be pleasantly surprised. It was a good car.

 

[brntorng]

The Escapes have gotten pretty good reviews over the years. I drove one when I was helping my daughter pick a car and the only thing I didn't like in the one we drove was the road noise was pretty loud, but that may have been the tires and/or road.

 

[Ignatius]

My first-ever new vehicle was a '98 Expedition, which now has 130K miles on it...I have maintained this better than my own life, and never had any problems at all outside of regular wear/tear...I will drive this ***** until 200K and not look back...

 

[Schlieffen Plan]

I have an 03 XLT escape with 106,000 miles on it. It's a decent little vehicle, I will probably keep it till it dies.

 

[Jeffrey]

I have an '01 Escape XLT. I got it as a teenager and it survived some pretty horrible driving. Has about 75k on it. It isn't the most refined vehicle, and some of the interior is starting to wear out, but it has been a great car mechanically. Road noise can be bothersome though.

I plan on driving it until it dies.

 

[Texas Horn fan]

Great, thanks for the info everyone. It sounds like this was well taken care of, and normally I would be afraid to buy from a family friend, but everyone is saying this guy is rediculous about how he maintains his vehicles. I think I'm gonna do it, hope it works out.

On a side note I just want to say as of this coming monday assuming our house closes as expected we will be 100% debt free. No car payments, no more mortgage (gonna rent for a while since we are not staying in St. Louis long term), school loans are paid, never had credit card debt, etc. Sorry, just wanted to brag for a minute.

 

[NEWDOC2002]

Are you doing the Dave Ramsey "I'm debt free!!!!". Good for you.

We had an 01 Escape that my MIL now drives and at 130+ thousand miles it has been a really sound car. Except for a usual problems, intake sensor, washer fluid level indicator and brake dust. Small enough to get around in traffic as well.

 

[Texas Horn fan]

No, just actively working to pay down all debt. I hate having any debt, even a home mortgage, just didn't have much choice. When we are ready to buy again in 4-5 years I want to be able to pay cash, I may not based on interest rates and market return, but I want to be in a position that I could if need be.