[NOS2Go4Me]

meford4u,Sep 27 2006, 12:09 PM Wrote:Have you ever been in one?  Driven one?
Becasue they are relatively comfortable for a cheap econobox entry level SUV.
They get decent gas mileage and are peppy enough (they'll out run an SPI anyday)
They are what they are.  A simple vehicle.  If you want more, pay more.
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I've been in one several times. I actually admire Ford for making the Escape Hybrid. If it was feasible for a North Bay winter, I'd have one already.

As for outrunning the SPI - have fun with that :) I'll get much better gas mileage in the meantime. I have no problem being slow when a tank will last me almost 3 weeks around town, minimum.

The V6 consumes more gas than it is worth (to me) and all the wonderful Zetec design flaws (DPFE, thermostat housing, etc) will come to pass in the base models. Like I said, the Duratec-powered models will likely be the sweet spot for current Escapes.

As for driving one, I did briefly at Stockfish one day... down the highway and back while waiting for an oil change. That's as far as I wanted to go. They could have made that truck so much... more in terms of usability and versatility, but instead we got the stopgap Edge precursor.

Like I said... for what you'll need (Mo), a Subaru Impreza would be a runaway winner.