denlem

I have the new car itch again, not to mention I just put front brakes in my '05 Trailblazer and the speedometer just started going wacky, which I hear is a common problem. It got me thinking what more will start going bad. It has 62K miles on it. It's not a lot to some, but it's typically time to trade for me.

I'm considering getting into an '09 Escape. A bit smaller than the Trailblazer, a little better gas mileage, and no out of pocket repairs for a while.

I was wondering if anyone has an '08 or '09 (the current refresh) and how they like it.

Any comments about it, good or bad would be appreciated. I'm upside down on the Trailblazer, so I want to be happy if I splurge and take the loss!

codeman94

I had a 2006 Mariner...Loved it. Got rid of it becuase we downsized a bit. But I dislike the 08-09s interior on bothe the mariner and escape. Looks pretty neat on the outside, on the escape too...I would not get one personally, but thats just becuase the interior is a deal breaker for me....its where I spend most of my time as the driver, and I need to like it. Best of luck. Great little suvs!

05fordgt

Hey Dennis, I may be bias, as I sell Fords, but before I got a 2008 Fusion as my demo car, I had Escapes from 2005 to 2008 as my demo and loved them. Very handy vehicles. I always got one with a trailer hitch on the back, for my bike rack. They rode real nice, got decent mileage, and had plenty of pickup. The 2009s are much improved. You get the 2.5L 4-cylinder, with 171 hp & 171 tq, while the V6 gets 240 hp and both have 6-speed transmissions. The gas mileage on the new 2009 models is improved greatly. I know I was averaging around 18 mpg around town and 23 mpg on the highway with my 2008, and I was a bit heavy-footed (wonder why ), so a 2009 will be better. Plus, SYNC is not an option on the Escapes, and this makes it even better. You won't go wrong with them. And right now, you have employee pricing with the Escapes. If you can PM me your ZIP, I can tell you what the factory incentives are in your region. Let me know.

denlem

Interior is a big deal for me too, but I really didn't think the Escape was too bad. I'm iffy on the instrument cluster and not crazy about the little overhang above it, but I can deal with it.

As long as it's comfortable and I don't feel like i'm sitting in one of the cheap import SUV's i'll be good. Gotta be good in the snow too.

Optioning it is a bit weird too. You can get a moon and tune package, or you can get a nav, but you can't get both. WTF??

codeman94

it was the guage cluster for me...it was too bizzare with the font all wierd...

instigator311

Mother has a 2008 Escape, she absolutely loves it, you can't go wrong with them in my opinion.

denlem

Now that i'm looking, I seem to see more of them on the road. I'm with Cody on the instrument cluster, but that is a minor issue. The few people i've talked to seem to love them, so I guess it won't be a bad choice.

Once Jeff gets back to me with some numbers, i'll have to head out to the dealer and try one out and see what it's like to actually drive one.

Meanwhile, it's off to the casino! Hopefully i'll come home with a down payment!

05fordgt

Hey bud, I'll have some numbers to give you an idea on Monday. I did think of something, as leasing is TOTALLY different state to state, so the numbers I work up won't be for your state. For instance, in Pennsylvania, the sales tax for a finance or cash deal (purchase) is 6%, though a lease is 9% tax, as in PA, we have 3% rental fee added into every lease from the state. I'll use my tax figures but your ZIP for numbers, and it will give you a general (and I mean general) idea on payment. I tell ya though, I just did a lease for a Fusion and Ford put all the rebates on purchases and totally dropped all incentives (other than the employee pricing) from leasing. At least they did this in my region. I'll let you know Monday night.

denlem

Here we have a sales tax and excise tax. Back in January you gave me the lease numbers for me GT/CS which was 4.75% on the finance part of it, with a 72% residual for 10.5K miles. That worked out to a $277 lease payment before taxes on a $34K car. NICE! I remember you were shocked to see such a high residual.

Anyway, even if you can't work out the payment, the critical numbers should be all that is needed. Plenty of online lease calculators to feed the info into to help firgure the actuak payment under different configurations.

97svtgoin05gt

I'm not sure whats up with the interior comments. I had an '01 for years and moved up to the '08. I think the interior and overall interior are MUCH better than the original version. I love it inside and out. You can't go wrong. I only wish I'd have waited till '09 with the improved powertrain.

zzcoop

Have they improved the arm rests on the door panels since the first iteration? That's really the only complaint I've ever had about the Escape. The rock-hard tackle box plastic in my '02 just kills my left elbow on long drives.

MARZ

The new Escapes are awesome. My girlfriend's folks have a brand-new one, and I love it!

MARZ

While I'm not really familiar with the first-generation Escape's interior, I just checked out the 2009, and it has hard plastic on the doors, too.

watchdevil

I used to have a 2003 Escape and I loved it! The new ones are more refined. I recommend it!

denlem

Improvments are definately better, but if I remember correctly, there is hard plastic in the doors like the Mustang. A friend at work has an '04 with 100K miles on it. She's had her share of problems, but overall she likes it.

denlem

< wonders to self which monday he meant... >

05fordgt

I was wondering that myself. Things happen at work and I get tied up, yadda yadda yadda, lol.

Anyhow, I did a lease on a 2009 XLT V6 Escape, at 12,000 miles per year. MSRP of $27,160, and an Employee price of $24,558.59. Rate factor is 2.75% and the residual is 47% (which goes to 49% for a 12,000 mile lease). Payment, including tax in my state, would be $374 a month. The only problem with leasing right now, is there are no rebates on the vehicles. The rebates are only for purchases. Ford is really scaling back their leasing. While they are offering it, they won't use the rebates that are on a finance purchase to help lower payments. Again, this is a lease in Pennsylvania. Every state is different in regards to leases. Hope this helps bud.

denlem

That sounds a bit better than what I was expecting.

You left out how many months that was for, and you have 47% at 12,000 and 49% at 12,000 miles again.

05fordgt

Sorry bud. I've had a BAD stress-headache all day!! The term was 39 months. And the residual is 47% for 15K per year and 49% for 12K per year. Again, taxes and such are different everywhere, but our leases are higher as sales tax is on 9% (6% sales, 3% rental)

denlem

Numbers look good and taxes are probably a bit higher here with a 5% sales tax and an excise tax that equals out to $25 per $1,000 value of the vehicle.

XLT with Sun and Sync is in my price range, but I really want a Limited with Moon and Tune and Luxury upgrade. Decisions, decisions.

Trade in will be the killer since I could be $2,000 upside down.

So, now to decide... do I keep what I have and have it paid off in 2 years and be free of one payment? By then the Mustang lease will be up and that needs to be bought or get a 2011. With only one payment, more stang can be afforded.

or...

I could take the hit on the trade in, have a new 09 Escape, still have the 08 Mustang, but won't be payment free any time soon due to the Stang renewal/replacement. Added benefits would be payment would maybe be $20 less than current, a few MPG's better, low mileage and won't climb as fast with winter/summer vehicles. New warranty so extra costs other than normal wear and tear.

****, I think too much!