Our Escape at 100k!

[wander2039]

Just turned over 100k in our 04 Escape 3.0L/auto XLT sport. Had it since 06 at 32k, lease return. No complaints from the wife (weird huh?) or myself. No rattles or squeaks. Interior is the same as we bought it the exterior hasn't been as lucky few scratches here and there. The AC does seem a bit weak but it's good enough for me.

Put a trailer hitch shortly after we bought it and put at least 5k pulling trailers close to the limit. Has a roof rack that we have a good sized cargo carrier that we've had loaded to the gills lots of times. Going through Kansas had to leave it in drive the wind was so bad. Taken our honeymoon and at least 5 vacations in the Escape. Two to Texas and lots of trips to Oklahoma City and Fort Smith Arkansas. Actually most of the miles were to those locations. Might go to Las Vegas in the fall.

For the last 30k has had oil changes every 10k since we switched to Platinum/Ultra. 5k oil changes with MC 5w20/Havoline 5w20 before that. 5k Mercon transmission fluid changes till we switched to Mercon V or M1 now it's 15k. 2 brake flushes and all other filters changed twice. Changed the spark plugs at 95k and has returned to averaging 20mpg. Runs better now than it did at 32k. Still has the same brake pads and rotors when we got it! That's going to change soon though.

Besides normal maintenance has had..
-Replaced Conti tires at 59k still had tread
-Replaced stock battery in 08 still had good charge (better safe than sorry)
-Had to have the AC recharged after we bought it. They recharged it but couldn't find leak.
-Seat belt light came on right after we bought it. It was a recall I think?

It was paid for earlier this year. If it keeps up don't plan on replacing it till 250-300k. Even my wife would agree it's been very reliable and she comes from a Toyota family. Almost had to pull teeth to get her to look at the Escapes back when we got it. I drove one a work and loved it had to have one of my own!

Brand New

Couple years ago still looks the same though

Pulled this trailer 600+ miles to Fort Smith and back

This trailer got pulled to 100 miles to Nevada quite often, pulled very easily

 

[addyguy]

Good to see, Escapes are great vehicles, would get a new one if I could!

 

[Johnny]

I'm just lovin that first trailer. Get a spray can and paint it to match the escape. A little custom work for those slow days in KC.

 

[odie]

nice . Like the yellow FESTIVA in the background . Is that yours ? If so . What year ? How many miles on it ? What's the gas mileage ? A stick ( 4 speed or 5 speed ) or 3 speed auto ? I ask these questions because we had 3 FESTIVAs in the past . The 1.3 Ltr. by MAZDA ( 121 )is a great engine . They can take abuse , seen it for myself . A friend had an '88 and didn't change the factory oil until well over 30 thousand miles . Used it for pizza delivery . That car ran for over 100,000 miles . Wish they'd bring that back .

 

[wander2039]

Originally Posted By: Johnny
I'm just lovin that first trailer. Get a spray can and paint it to match the escape. A little custom work for those slow days in KC.


Was going to paint it someday to match. To many projects though. Both the trailer and shell was free.

 

[wander2039]

Originally Posted By: odie
nice . Like the yellow FESTIVA in the background . Is that yours ? If so . What year ? How many miles on it ? What's the gas mileage ? A stick ( 4 speed or 5 speed ) or 3 speed auto ? I ask these questions because we had 3 FESTIVAs in the past . The 1.3 Ltr. by MAZDA ( 121 )is a great engine . They can take abuse , seen it for myself . A friend had an '88 and didn't change the factory oil until well over 30 thousand miles . Used it for pizza delivery . That car ran for over 100,000 miles . Wish they'd bring that back .


The yellow 91 Festiva is now owned by my dad. Has over 200k on it still the original clutch on the 5spd. That was my third Festiva I currently have a 90 auto. The current one was a abused a bit to much. Smokes on startup leaks a little. None of the others I had any problems. Don't drive it much though since I've got the mountain bike.

 

[Johnny]

Originally Posted By: odie
nice . Like the yellow FESTIVA in the background . Is that yours ? If so . What year ? How many miles on it ? What's the gas mileage ? A stick ( 4 speed or 5 speed ) or 3 speed auto ? I ask these questions because we had 3 FESTIVAs in the past . The 1.3 Ltr. by MAZDA ( 121 )is a great engine . They can take abuse , seen it for myself . A friend had an '88 and didn't change the factory oil until well over 30 thousand miles . Used it for pizza delivery . That car ran for over 100,000 miles . Wish they'd bring that back .


It is back. Here you go.


http://www.fordvehicles.com/cars/fiesta/

 

[addyguy]

Originally Posted By: Johnny
Originally Posted By: odie
nice . Like the yellow FESTIVA in the background . Is that yours ? If so . What year ? How many miles on it ? What's the gas mileage ? A stick ( 4 speed or 5 speed ) or 3 speed auto ? I ask these questions because we had 3 FESTIVAs in the past . The 1.3 Ltr. by MAZDA ( 121 )is a great engine . They can take abuse , seen it for myself . A friend had an '88 and didn't change the factory oil until well over 30 thousand miles . Used it for pizza delivery . That car ran for over 100,000 miles . Wish they'd bring that back .


It is back. Here you go.


http://www.fordvehicles.com/cars/fiesta/


Johnny, you know that the 'Festiva' and the 'Fiesta' are two totally different vehicles, eh?

The Festiva was a re-badged Mazda 121, while the Fiesta is a European Ford. the Festiva was brought to NA from Germany from 1978 to 1981, and then cancelled b/c the cheaper Escort came out. The latest Fiesta is just the latest version of that car.

The Festiva was nothing more than an ultra-cheap economy car, whereas the Fiesta is a 'upper-level' subcompact that is designed to handle and look good.

Not even two comparable cars......

 

[Jim_Beverlin]

I drive to Chicago monthly on business and have had an 09 and a 2010 Escape for rentals in the last year. Really nice small SUVS. Very comfortable for the 600 mile round trip. 4WD version gave me 25+ MPG. Handles well and Ford's 6 spd automatic works well with the DOHC 3.0L V6 Duratec. The Duratec is not a real smooth motor but Ford has made improvements on the NVH issue. With the 3.0L Duratec now putting out 240 hp the Escape can now really accelerate. I have had RAV 4s and Equinoxs for rentals and I would take the Escape over both of them.

Still, for a small SUV I will stick with our 2007 Jeep Liberty.

 

[daves87rs]

Have me considering one....

 

[ThirdeYe]

And here I always heard that generation of Escape had transmission issues... looks like yours is put to the test, and held up great!

 

[bepperb]

Glad to see you're happy with the car. Should give you another 100,000 with any luck.

How happy are you with the BFG Long Trail Tours at 40,000 miles?

 

[kkreit01]

Great job -- thanks for the update. We had 2 Mariners, and like them. Are you on E-C as well? I'm your close neighbor. I'm surprised your trailers made the trips, but not surprised about the Escape. See -- the CD4E does hold up if you maintain it properly.

 

[odie]

we had a '90 FESTIVA with the 3 speed automatic until a local FORD dealer dropped it off a floor stand when performing a job to fix the passenger side spindle and wheel bearing . When it fell it put a huge dent in the rear quarter panel . When I called to see how it was coming along they said they had bad news and explained what happened . They did'nt have the courtesy to call us . So , we left to get to the dealer and found it outside with inside panels removed . We figure they were trying to fix the dent to hopefuly hide it. So , we said we wanted our keys and said you can't have them until you pay your bill . That was $40 for a dent and not fixing the spindle / wheel bearing . So , we payed it . They also said they couldn't fix under warranty because it was a few miles over the warranty . So , we had them bring the car on a flatbed at no cost to the FORD dealer where we bought it which they covered under warranty . They also had the decency to fix the spindle and wheel bearing under warranty . They then took it to a body shop to get it repaired under dealers' insurance . They got the dent out and repainted it , but we noticed it had fish eyes in the clearcoat . There were many rattles as well . Thus we traded it in for a '92 EAGLE Summit ( MIRAGE ) 4 door sedan . Come to find out that had been in a hail storm and had small dimples all over the roof . We din't notice them until after we got it . Had to look at a certain angle with the right lighting to see them . Called to compalin of it and they brushed us off . End of story .

 

[wallyuwl]

Originally Posted By: Jim_Beverlin
I have had RAV 4s and Equinoxs for rentals and I would take the Escape over both of them.



Have you tried the new Equinox. World of difference over the old model. A new Escape can't touch it in refinement.

15k mile transmission flushes?! Wow. Do you do just a pan drop (or drain plug pull), or a full flush every 15k? That seems awfully conservative.

 

[Johnny]

Originally Posted By: addyguy
Originally Posted By: Johnny
Originally Posted By: odie
nice . Like the yellow FESTIVA in the background . Is that yours ? If so . What year ? How many miles on it ? What's the gas mileage ? A stick ( 4 speed or 5 speed ) or 3 speed auto ? I ask these questions because we had 3 FESTIVAs in the past . The 1.3 Ltr. by MAZDA ( 121 )is a great engine . They can take abuse , seen it for myself . A friend had an '88 and didn't change the factory oil until well over 30 thousand miles . Used it for pizza delivery . That car ran for over 100,000 miles . Wish they'd bring that back .


It is back. Here you go.


http://www.fordvehicles.com/cars/fiesta/


Johnny, you know that the 'Festiva' and the 'Fiesta' are two totally different vehicles, eh?

The Festiva was a re-badged Mazda 121, while the Fiesta is a European Ford. the Festiva was brought to NA from Germany from 1978 to 1981, and then cancelled b/c the cheaper Escort came out. The latest Fiesta is just the latest version of that car.

The Festiva was nothing more than an ultra-cheap economy car, whereas the Fiesta is a 'upper-level' subcompact that is designed to handle and look good.

Not even two comparable cars......


Well, Duh!!! I guess I don't. Oh well, I'm a large car guy and don't pay to much attention to these smaller vehicles. Sorry for the mix up.

 

[CROWNVIC4LIFE]

Your Escape still looks awesome...Smart move getting the 3.0.

 

[wander2039]

Originally Posted By: Jim_Beverlin

Still, for a small SUV I will stick with our 2007 Jeep Liberty.


Good luck with the Liberty. Where I used to work replaced the Escapes with Libertys. Within a couple months all the windows broke and fell down in the open position. I've heard they had other severe issues but they didn't elaborate.. never cared for them myself. Wouldn't mind a TJ though.

Originally Posted By: bepperb

How happy are you with the BFG Long Trail Tours at 40,000 miles?


I'm not.. actually only have 30k on them and about gone. Have to get a new set before winter. Stinks I had great luck with the regular BFG Long Trails. Going to get Dunlops next (maybe).

Originally Posted By: wallyuwl

15k mile transmission flushes?! Wow. Do you do just a pan drop (or drain plug pull), or a full flush every 15k? That seems awfully conservative.


Nope just pull the plug and re-add 4 quarts. Forgot to mention I use Lubeguard Red. Transmission shifts like a dream.

Originally Posted By: kkreit01
I'm surprised your trailers made the trips, but not surprised about the Escape. See -- the CD4E does hold up if you maintain it properly.


Your not the only one on the trailers. I was throughly surprised each trip. The small one needs new tires before it comes home the fender came loose and cut into the tread. I got Allstate Road side for a reason! I'm both forums but don't contribute much.


Originally Posted By: odie
we had a '90 FESTIVA with the 3 speed automatic until a local FORD dealer dropped it off a floor stand when performing a job to fix the passenger side spindle and wheel bearing . When it fell it put a huge dent in the rear quarter panel . When I called to see how it was coming along they said they had bad news and explained what happened . They did'nt have the courtesy to call us . So , we left to get to the dealer and found it outside with inside panels removed . We figure they were trying to fix the dent to hopefuly hide it. So , we said we wanted our keys and said you can't have them until you pay your bill . That was $40 for a dent and not fixing the spindle / wheel bearing . So , we payed it . They also said they couldn't fix under warranty because it was a few miles over the warranty . So , we had them bring the car on a flatbed at no cost to the FORD dealer where we bought it which they covered under warranty . They also had the decency to fix the spindle and wheel bearing under warranty . They then took it to a body shop to get it repaired under dealers' insurance . They got the dent out and repainted it , but we noticed it had fish eyes in the clearcoat . There were many rattles as well . Thus we traded it in for a '92 EAGLE Summit ( MIRAGE ) 4 door sedan . Come to find out that had been in a hail storm and had small dimples all over the roof . We din't notice them until after we got it . Had to look at a certain angle with the right lighting to see them . Called to compalin of it and they brushed us off . End of story .


Sorry to hear. I've had one with alot of rattles rest have been okay. Alot of problems with balancing tires though!

 

[wander2039]

Originally Posted By: CROWNVIC4LIFE
Your Escape still looks awesome...Smart move getting the 3.0.


Sometimes I wish I would of got the 2.3L. Would of been plenty of power probably would of kept me out of trouble a few times. That 3.0 will eat more than few cars for breakfast. Even pulling the trailers it will maintain highway speeds just and on the other side if you lift the pedal it'll almost come to a stop without touching the brakes. I recommend Duratecs to everybody.

 

[odie]

thanks , did have a bad streak of luck back then . They're very good in the snow and ice with four 12" studded snow tires .