Escape Vs. Explorer

[2fastforU92]

In the next 6-12 months I'm looking to get another vehicle to have as either a spare or the new Daily driver/baby hauler/travel vehicle. I do a lot of driving. I drive from Rochester Hills to Southfield for work and plus i like to take random trips on the weekend. I want to pick up a small SUV that has more room than the Volvo but still gets MPG's. I'm not looking at new at all or even slightly used. I'm looking at 2nd and 3rd gen Explores and 1st gen Escapes. Just wondering if anyone on here has and good or bad experiences with these vehicles. The Volvo has lots of miles, i trust it and all but want to have a spare vehicle in case and want a 4x4 or FWD SUV as the spare. Thanks every one and happy monday!!

 

[soap]

My wife and I both have 2010 Escapes (V6 FWD) and love them. They are the best overall vehicle I have ever owned. I can seat 4 people plus pets in the back, tow/haul a trailer, drive in any weather, get great MPG and the V6 is not a slug.

I average 30 MPG combined in the summer and 26 MPG in the winter.

--Joe

 

[93 saturn sl2]

Im happy with my 99 Explorer. The 5.0 Explorer's are pretty bullet proof. MPG's are around 16-18 on the highway. Not sure what the 4.0s get in terms of MPG or reliability, but I know they can have problems with the timing chains on higher mileage vehicles.

 

[DeFormula]

Im happy with my 99 Explorer. The 5.0 Explorer's are pretty bullet proof. MPG's are around 16-18 on the highway. Not sure what the 4.0s get in terms of MPG or reliability, but I know they can have problems with the timing chains on higher mileage vehicles.

I had an '02 Explorer and it was a POS. Probably the worst vehicle I have owned in many respects. 2008 Escape Limited 4WD is great, no real issues at 115k miles.

 

[BigWheelinBubba]

The old Escapes are junk. The cat converters plug up causing havoc on the engines. If I were you, I'd look at other options. Not that either choices are terrible, there's just better ones out there IMO.

 

[2fastforU92]

My wife and I both have 2010 Escapes (V6 FWD) and love them. They are the best overall vehicle I have ever owned. I can seat 4 people plus pets in the back, tow/haul a trailer, drive in any weather, get great MPG and the V6 is not a slug.

I average 30 MPG combined in the summer and 26 MPG in the winter.

--Joe

And that's what I want, good-great MPG's. My wife has a 11 focus with the 2.0 Duratec and she love it. I just want something with a little more room for traveling up north to go fishing.

 

[Beigg]

Why not a CR-V or RAV4?

 

[hangemhigh]

Escape.....The new ones are phenomenal.....as far the older one's, I'd go with 2008 and up.

 

[Det_Riot]

Escapes 05-06 or 07 have terrible terrible rot issues where the rear shock mounts. Literally just vanishes. And the leather inserts in the doors constantly fall off. If you're going to get an escape get a newer gen. I think they start in 07? I rocked an 04 explorer 2wd with the 4.6 and the gas mileage was abismal. The best I ever averaged was 17.5 on the Fwy rolling at 70-75 down to st Louis. Never got better than that. So fwiw, my vote goes to awd escsoe

 

[2fastforU92]

Why not a CR-V or RAV4?

I would if i could find one that dosent have over 200K.

 

[2fastforU92]

The old Escapes are junk. The cat converters plug up causing havoc on the engines. If I were you, I'd look at other options. Not that either choices are terrible, there's just better ones out there IMO.

Yea, the only reason I was looking at the fords is because that's the family's choice but I'm also looking at Jeep Cherokees, Toyota Rav-4, Honda CR-V, Chevy Tracker and Blazer. The plan is to only spend 2500-3500. Trying not to get a loan.

 

[MarkVIII93]

Escapes are nice unless you need more room. The u502 explorers are the bees knees as far as SUVs go imo.


Sent from my Focus

 

[2fastforU92]

I mean im only having my first kid right now. Its more that I want and all year round vehicle. If i could Id love to get my hands on a Subaru Wagon but for my price range they still have 200k.

 

[mustangjoe87]

I just sold a 09 escape with the v6, it was a really nice riding vehicle and I would defiantly recommend. If I didn't need a truck so bad I would have kept it for a long time.

 

[mustangmike6996]

I like the older escapes but you need to watch out for the cats bombing the engine, seen it a few times. Some have trans issues as well.

 

[2fastforU92]

Yea, after reading everything here i think i will stay away from both. Leaning towards a Jeep Cherokee or a Toyota something (4-runner or Rav- 4).

 

[CruisnCobra]

My wife had a 2008 Mercury Mariner AWD with the V6. First off, the thing couldn't get out of its own way. I believe though that 09+ got like a 40 hp bump and a 6 speed, but all of those will be out the price range you mentioned. Second, ours was a giant POS. Wheel bearings are junk on pretty much all of them from what I've read. I replaced both outer tie rods, both ball joints, wheel bearings, CVJs for torn boots, shocks and struts all before 85,000 miles. I believe the 1st and 2nd gens had the same chassis.

I've read the 3rd gen Explorers have a lot of issues, but don't have first hand experience. The 2nd gen Explorers are pretty good vehicles. I had a 1996 Ranger which is the same platform and I beat the crap out of it and it kept taking it.

 

[BigWheelinBubba]

I would if i could find one that dosent have over 200K.

They all have over 200 for a reason And they'll keep going until the bodies rust off of them. That's why...

Buy a CVPI or something similar if you're tight on $. They're cheap and plentiful and reliable.

 

[mustangmike6996]

What about looking for a used Police Tahoe (or even an Expedition) with 4x4? That is almost the best of both worlds. A bit more $$ but a bigger vehicle and they are pretty nice.

 

[2fastforU92]

What about looking for a used Police Tahoe (or even an Expedition) with 4x4? That is almost the best of both worlds. A bit more $$ but a bigger vehicle and they are pretty nice.

I wouldn't mind a Tahoe i love the way they look. The wife and I where talking and im Split between three vehicles. Subaru Outback, Toyota 4-Runner, Jeep Cherokee. A Tahoe would be nice if I ever have to haul a trailer.