Need Advice

[Slash]

Hey guys, I'm in the market for a new vehicle. Right now, I have my eye on a 2005 Ford Escape AWD V6. Belonged to an 80 year old woman. Squeeky clean, no rust, 105k miles, new cats, front bearings, shocks, everything seems good to go. Good brakes, no codes on the diagnostic tests etc. They are asking $7,500 and will take $7k. I think its fair, however, do you guys think its a good deal?

 

[hawkeye122]

I've always fond Ford's seats to be a bit uncomfortable after a long drive.

If you like the sort of Not-quite-good-enough-for-offroading SUV, then it sounds like a solid vehicle. Why are you getting an Escape over a car or wagon?

 

[McLaren]

Taking a quick look at the market, that seems to be a pretty generous price for an AWD model with that sort of mileage. Most at the range are asking $7-7,500 for the 2WD. If the car checks out, I'd say go for it.

 

[Slash]

Basically its an emergency vehicle, something last second to get us to work as our '99 Dodge van isabout pooped (won't even run with 184k on it, well kept I might add).

Because my dad is picky (begger can't be choosers I know) he wants a AWD Ford until he decideds to scrap the van, trade in the Escape (estimated worth $5900 in the current condition) to get a 2nd decent truck. Money is tight with my moms illness, and the holidays, so we are squeezing just for this.

Once this is all taken care off in a few years he wants a bigger garage to really build up the truck hes had for years.

We currently have 3 vehicles, 2009 Focus SE, '99 Dodge van and the '85 F250. The 1st has about $7k left on it, the van is paid off but trash, the truck is paid off as well but rots in the driveway from sitting due to bad MPG and wear and tear.

Now that the van is going (mother drives the Focus, he drives the van, truck sits as it was the daily driver), after losing 2 other Dodge vans within the last 10 years as well as a Bronco II, he needs a vehicle and fast, Its also convenient in the fact its for sale about 2 miles from us.

Like I said, he really wants a 2nd truck but can't afford it.

EDIT

Forgot to mention my dad is a rather large muscular man so he needs cab space.

 

[hawkeye122]

Sounds like a good call then.

 

[Cano]

new cats

Go for it!!! Kittens are cute, and they're only 7k (:

 

[Slash]

Go for it!!! Kittens are cute, and they're only 7k (:

Lol

Sounds like a good call then.

Like I said, it sounded like a fair price but I wanted a second opinion. Test driving it tonight or tomorrow, not sure. He wanted AWD for pulling deer out of the woods, bit muddy in the winter. It needs an inspection, but I can do it for him, just gotta grab a sticker and run it through the computer so NY has it on record. I'm pretty positive it will pass.

Now has anyone drove a newer Escape? Anything to keep my eye on or watch out for? I read these are very reliable vehicles but I wouldn't know having never owned one before. I have faith it will be, as we have always had fantastic luck with Ford (thats why I'm a fanboy). The owner has all records/paperwork as well she said overthe phone.

 

[hawkeye122]

I drove one once, it was unremarkable. It wasnt long enough for me to say what to look for in terms of issues though.

I thought it handled a bit better than Ford SUV's of past, but it still isn't a "Drivers car" by any stretch of the imagination. There was also very little delay in the Automatic from the time you nailed it to the floor, and the time the transmission actually decided to shift down.

I would check the brakes. I've found that SUV's tend to go through them slightly more quickly, because of the added weight. But if she was 80, I don't suppose it's been stopped very hard.

Has it been taken in for regular service intervals?

 

[Slash]

Yes service was performed routinely. We had a Bronco II before and was pretty squirrely so we hope this is a lot better.

 

[YSSMAN]

Now has anyone drove a newer Escape? Anything to keep my eye on or watch out for? I read these are very reliable vehicles but I wouldn't know having never owned one before. I have faith it will be, as we have always had fantastic luck with Ford (thats why I'm a fanboy). The owner has all records/paperwork as well she said overthe phone.

They're fairly comfortable to ride around in. A friend of mine has a four-cylinder, front-drive one, and she loves it. Hell, I'd be happy with one.

From what I can gather from Edmunds, the suspension bits weren't too great on the 2005 model, and might need replacing. Apparently the rear shock absorbers will go out, are $110 to replace, and take about an hour of service for each one.

 

[Slash]

They're fairly comfortable to ride around in. A friend of mine has a four-cylinder, front-drive one, and she loves it. Hell, I'd be happy with one.

From what I can gather from Edmunds, the suspension bits weren't too great on the 2005 model, and might need replacing. Apparently the rear shock absorbers will go out, are $110 to replace, and take about an hour of service for each one.

They've already been replaced.

 

[Adamgp]

Lol


Now has anyone drove a newer Escape? Anything to keep my eye on or watch out for? I read these are very reliable vehicles but I wouldn't know having never owned one before. I have faith it will be, as we have always had fantastic luck with Ford (thats why I'm a fanboy). The owner has all records/paperwork as well she said overthe phone.

I have a 2012 Escape. Soon after I bought it I signed up at http://www.escape-city.com/.

Very useful site. Should tell you anything you want to know as far as reliability.

In general these seem to be very reliable cars, and suprisingly capable (light to moderate) off-roaders. Biggest gripe about the early ones seems to be the mpg isn't the greatest with the V6/AWD/4spd Auto combo.

 

[Slash]

We currently get 22mpg with the van, so anything better is a plus. He doesn't really care as long as it meets 20+.

 

[savage388]

Having worked on my fair share of escapes, I would really give it a thorough inspection everywhere because they aren't the most reliable after a certain time and repairs are insane. Replaced a 700 dollar catalytic converter on a v6 once so watch for that. Other than that they are nice cars imo they drive nice for an suv and are comfortable.

 

[Goshin2568]

Just throwing my 2 cents, older fords are notoriously unreliable. Every one I've ever dealt with always has something wrong.

 

[Slash]

Just throwing my 2 cents, older fords are notoriously unreliable. Every one I've ever dealt with always has something wrong.

Funny you should say that, I've got a 1985 F250 that's lastest nearly 30 years and it's still going strong...never had a single issue with it. Only one that was ever a problem was the Bronco II, and that's because it was a run down vehicle with no hope. Every other old Ford has outlived every other car we've owned.

Having worked on my fair share of escapes, I would really give it a thorough inspection everywhere because they aren't the most reliable after a certain time and repairs are insane. Replaced a 700 dollar catalytic converter on a v6 once so watch for that. Other than that they are nice cars imo they drive nice for an suv and are comfortable.

Catalytic converters were already changed

 

[oopssorryy]

Funny you should say that, I've got a 1985 F250 that's lastest nearly 30 years and it's still going strong

Their trucks aren't the issue, it's the cars like the Contour. My buddy had a mid nineties one and it went through three engines, two transmissions, two wiring harnesses, and was a pit of rust.

 

[Slash]

Their trucks aren't the issue, it's the cars like the Contour. My buddy had a mid nineties one and it went through three engines, two transmissions, two wiring harnesses, and was a pit of rust.

I worked on a '99 SE, and yeah that was a pile of TRASH. Early '90s cars weren't too bad though.

 

[Slash]

Well we did purchase this, brought it home tonight. I'll get pictures when it gets light out.

 

[Goshin2568]

My friend currently has a '94 explorer. Its terrible. In about 6 months its developed about 15 problems. Exhaust leaks, timing tensioners broken, timing guide rails chipped, crankcase oil sensor broke, ignition housing broke, alternator broke, etc etc etc. Its ridiculous.

 

[Slash]

My friend currently has a '94 explorer. Its terrible. In about 6 months its developed about 15 problems. Exhaust leaks, timing tensioners broken, timing guide rails chipped, crankcase oil sensor broke, ignition housing broke, alternator broke, etc etc etc. Its ridiculous.

I also know several people that have never had an issue with ones of the same year.



Had it out for a while, clocked about 75 miles on it since purchase. It turns out I was wrong about the mileage, the real milage is midway through 90k.

My first though was wow this has a rough ride, due to the fact the suspension is very hard campared to that old van. The 4WD works fantastically, especially in the mud and snow, which we drive through today. It feels extrememly light on it's feet as compared to the other hog of a vehicle, and the turning radius is excellent. Turns very sharply. Seems to have good power too, I could feel it push me into the seat very lightly under 3/4 throttle and about 3k rpm. Cab is decently roomy (adjusted the seats though). The only complaints is road noise, but that's not even a big deal.