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2008 Ford Escape

150 messages,  Last post on Oct 08, 2009 at 7:37 AM

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#4 of 150 Re: 2008 Escape Features by drdan3 Feb 09, 2007 (11:28 am)
Replying to: mschmal (Jan 31, 2007 5:05 am) A few points about other weird decisions made by Ford regarding the 2008 Escape which I drove today. 1. All grabbars have been removed, seems odd given that they have made the vehicle look more like a truck than ever 2. The radio/climate control system is a mixed bag. It includes a "recirculation" button for the first time (how long did that take!) but depending on the setting (even without defrost) it will resort to outside air. The non-nav radio uses a led display panel above the air outlets and thus creates a completely "nonstandard" radio arrangement. I suppose this would not be so bad, but it really sucks if you want to use aftermarket parts (nav kit, bluetooth). Bluetooth is not available directly from the factory (what century is Ford living in?). The nav kit is $2700 and does nothing more than the nav function. There are no slots for SD memory cards so that it might be possible to control MP3s using the touchscreen. There is an auxillary input, so at least that's something. 3. The brakes seemed mushy... On the other hand, the ride was generally pleasant and the handling seemed good. But then again, that's true for the competition like Rav4 and CRV, both of which get better gas mileage in non-hybrid form. I was set to buy the vehicle, but given the issues raised above...I will have to look at the competition more carefully.
#5 of 150 Re: 2008 Ford Escape [steve_] by quattrog Feb 21, 2007 (1:24 pm)
Replying to: steve_ (Jan 31, 2007 8:24 am) Boy, has Ford dropped the ball on the new Escape. I've liked the look of the Escape for some time, But, it's getting old. And the fuel economy has not been all the great. I've been holding off hoping that the 2008 Escape would be worth the wait. But sadly, it's not. In the looks department, it's taken a big step backwards. How can a company come out with the Edge, and then this version of the Escape? Wouldn't you think that the Escape would follow in it's big brothers footsteps as far as styling goes? But the bigger dissapointent is the power and drive train. I can't believe Ford didn't address this with new engines and transmissions. If I want a small SUV, I'm left no choice but to look to the Rav4 or even now the New Mitsubishi Outlander. Both heads and shoulders above the Escape, and for less. Sorry Ford, I really wanted to purchase American. But you've given me no choice.   Glenn Strouse Replies to this message: fast_eddie (Aug 31, 2007 6:53 pm)
#6 of 150 What about the CX-7? by mschmal Feb 22, 2007 (3:10 pm)
I would definitely consider the Mazda CX-7 before the Mitsu. ICK.   As for the Escape, at least its short comings will only be with us for about 2 model years.   The 6 speed tranny is definately coming in a couple of years and I hope the 3.5L is as well.   As for the blue tooth, if you can wait a few months, Ford will www.syncmyride.com   Mark Replies to this message: 02whttrib (Feb 22, 2007 6:09 pm) bzribee (Jul 15, 2007 1:46 am)
#7 of 150 Re: What about the CX-7? [mschmal] by 02whttrib Feb 22, 2007 (6:09 pm)
Replying to: mschmal (Feb 22, 2007 3:10 pm) I'd not recommend anything by Mazda. Their warranty follow-up is the worst in my experience. I've purchased 15 new cars over the last 20 years and Mazda is the hands down winner of the worst manufacturer experience.   I've purchased a Miata and a Tribute. I still own the Miata.   Compare the Outlander against the Escape and you'll think the Escape is 20 years behind. I have no affiliation with Mitsu and do not own one.   Ray
#8 of 150 08 Escape @ Chicago Auto Show by fjb37 Feb 24, 2007 (12:34 pm)
Went to the Chicago Auto Show to look at the 08 Escape(we have a 05 Limited). Very disapointed at the display or rather the lack of one.   Ford had two on display. One Hybird on an elevated platform with the doors opened and a Limited on the floor locked up tight. The Hybird had rear disk brakes and the Limited had rear drum brakes.   One improvement I noticed was no more right hand stalk on the steering column for the wipers. It was impossible to tell if the tilt range of the column was improved or not as you could not get in to try it. The tilt range on our 05 is useless. The interior looked better but is still made of hard/cheap plastic but it did look as if the elbow rest in the door panel had a soft insert. That would be an improvement.   Nothing there to make the wife and me race to our Ford dealer to trade the 05 for an 08.   Ford was more interested in promoting the 08 Taurus (AKA Five Hundred). Just my $0.02.   FredB
#9 of 150 08 Tilt wheel by mschmal Feb 26, 2007 (8:34 pm)
Seems the same to me as previous generation...IE does not move enough.   Mark.
#10 of 150 Saw first one today!! by scape2 Mar 01, 2007 (8:22 pm)
The pictures on the internet don't do this vehicle justice. I saw a red limited 08 Escape today and it looked very nice. A definite improvement in my opinion..
#11 of 150 Initial Impressions by antoninb Mar 16, 2007 (9:55 pm)
My wife and I had just finished test driving a new Santa Fe GLS (Canada version) and decided to drive down the road to look at a new Escape. We'd also taken a new Edge out a few weeks prior.   We didn't get a chance to drive a new Escape, but spent some time checking out interior features, leg room, etc. Our first impression was that compared to the Santa Fe, the interior of the Escape looks very cheap and dull. Having said that, in Canada, it comes with features that the Santa Fe doesn't have, such as in-dash CD-changer and aux input for MP3 player. I'll post again once we've had a chance to drive a new Escape.
#12 of 150 What did you like better about the Hyundai? by mschmal Mar 17, 2007 (9:59 am)
2007 Santa FE     2008 Ford Escape.   I'm not a fan of fake wood. Also, I like the top of dash display and the blue lighting. Lots of hard plastic though. I like that the controls on the Hyundai are mounted higher up by moving the vents to the sides.   Mark Replies to this message: antoninb (Mar 19, 2007 3:14 pm)
#13 of 150 Re: What did you like better about the Hyundai? [mschmal] by antoninb Mar 19, 2007 (3:14 pm)
Replying to: mschmal (Mar 17, 2007 9:59 am) So, now that we've thoroughly test driven an Escape Limited, I will happily withdraw my previous criticisms about the interior. We drove a black / black Limited, and came away very impressed. This vehicle is now on our very short list, and maybe even ahead of the Santa Fe. We have yet to experience a new Mitsubishi Outlander though.   I have a few questions though for anyone willing to respond...   - Why rear drum brakes? Obviously they're cheaper to maintain, but most vehicles in this class have disc all round.   - How effective is the AWD? Is it activated electronically? Is it a good system? I do like that the Santa Fe and Outlander can lock in the AWD at low speed. I don't believe the Escape has this feature.   - Does the "shuffle" feature work just for the CD being played, or across all CD's in the 6 CD magazine?   Thanks!

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