laserred38

After my last ticket (which I ended up paying and doing the traffic school, btw), I decided the Mustang was not going to be driven anymore, at least until I'm out of this probation/points on my record period and/or I get a better job. So the past few weeks, the parents and I talked and they offered to help me get a decent used daily driver that gets better mpg than driving my dad's 1998 F150 every day (I commute 30+ mi a day). I had my heart set on a 5-door SVT Focus, but they are so few and far between in good condition. I found one in Auburn, and it looked beautiful: http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...dealer_id=9070 , but unfortunately the free CarFax report showed that it failed a smog test a few months ago, then mysteriously it passed the next day. Without knowing the story behind it, my dad nixed it thinking it could pose problems in the future. I was disappointed, as I've always wanted an SVT Focus and loved the Mk 1 body style (especially with the EAP package - HIDs, heated Recaros, gray ST170 wheels), but agreed to look at other options since they were helping me out. That and I probably didn't need another little pocket rocket, even though it WAS black and more stealth than the car in my avatar...

We searched the net for used Escapes, Mazda 3s, Mazda 6s etc. Found this little guy at a Toyota dealer 65 miles away from home. Took a trip down yesterday and $11k out the door, came home with a new little runabout...without further ado...
































Drives pretty nice for a 6 year old, 3 owner car. It's got a couple small dents on the hood that can be pulled out and a bump on the front bumper, but other than that the exterior is flawless. There are no swirls or scratches in the paint. It already has tint and even has front tint, which I love, but it's kinda dark so I'm afraid of being pulled over for it. Although, a white Escape is pretty invisible to the police.

Likes:
* V6 4WD - can take it camping/to the snow
* Moonroof - always wanted a moonroof/glass roof
* Exterior is in great shape
* Has Audiophile sound system, which I will obviously change, but I can just drop in my own 8" sub and be good to go
* Already has aftermarket HU, can just swap mine in
* Rear hidden cargo area perfect spot for my amp/crossovers/processor
* Not too many rattles considering it's a 6 year old Ford
* Practically invisible to police
* 2005-2007 were my favorite Escape body style
* Really good visibility out, comfortable highway cruiser

Dislikes/Needs:
* Obviously not a Mustang/SVT product
* Obviously owned by a fat **** before - front seat frames have poked completely through the foam - will need to be replaced asap
* Front tires are brand new, rears are barely legal - need to be replaced asap
* Rear shocks look like KYB GR2s, little bouncy out back, fronts are OEM Ford Tokicos - probably original - front wallows a little, probably replace struts to match rear
* Interior has a few scuffs/marks/dirt spots - most can be cleaned
* MPG isn't that much better than my 2000 V6 Mustang, but much better than 4.6 F150

All in all, I think it was a great buy. For other Escapes of that year and mileage, it was priced about $3-4k cheaper. CarFax was pretty clean - seems like it may have been a family hand-me-down since it stayed in the same area all its life and was driven almost exactly 12,500 miles a year since new.

So tell me what you guys think? I'm pretty happy, and hope it gives me a few years of daily driver duty. I am uninsuring the Mustang today and throwing a car cover over it until the garage is cleaned out. I had plans of making it my weekend/show car, but now that I'm pulling the system out and putting it in the Escape, I think I may just turn it in to a track car...

So now our stable consists of dad's 1998 F150 XLT SuperCab - 52k miles, my 2000 V6 Mustang - 114k miles, mom's 2003 Focus ZX5 - 68k miles, my 2005 Escape XLT - 73k miles, dad's 2008 Fusion SE - 20k miles. Yes, we now have 5 cars for 3 people haha ...

laserred38

Planned maintenance/mods:

* Good clay bar/wax/interior bath
* Matching Goodyear rear tires
* New front struts (rear shocks were replaced recently)
* New front seat foam
* 4300k HID low beams/3000k HID fogs
* Full audio system
* Debadge (the "ESCAPE" is a little crooked, plan on removing all rear emblems)
* Edge rear wiper arm (smoother than stock one)
* Shorty antenna

Maybe down the road:
* Painted door handles
* 2009+ painted mirrors
* Small lift/new wheels and tires

stangfoeva

First!

I like it Pat, very clean.

I think you'll enjoy it a lot since you won't have the stress of being targeted by the cops 24-7

laserred38

Haha thanks Jason. I knew you'd comment. Yeah I've driven it around and don't get so much as a second glance. Perfect!

stangfoeva

how are you enjoying the extra room? I bet it's a lot easier to lug the friends around now.

Also, I'd move the painted door handles and mirrors up on the mods list. But that's just a personal thing. I like the painted one so much better. Ironic considering the black plastic all over my stang doesn't really bother me

stangfoeva

Scratch that, I like the handles black. Mirrors painted though.

mustangGT90210

Love those Escapes! You won't dissapointed with it for sure. My mom had 2 from that gen, '03 Tweety bird yellow V6 XLT with all the bells and whistles and an '06 2.3L "stripper" 5 speed. Comfy, nice ride, and good looks to boot! And the 4cyl had plenty of room under the hood, can't imagine the V6 is much more cramped.

2 inch lift and 31x10.50R15s and you are set! I'd post up the pic I had of one like that but I can't find it right now.

codeman94

Loved my 06 Mariner 4WD. enjoy!

laserred38

Thanks guys. I am enjoying it! And hmm just found out KB makes a supercharger kit for it....