My wife is sick of the minis over the past 10 years or so. Kids or no, we're probably going with the Escape. I'm thinking 2wd with good options in the 03/04 range. Lots of them with 75 to 99K miles in great phsical shape for the 8 to 10K$ range. How are you owners doing on miles. Is this your typical 100K+ Ford vehicle? Does this sound typical for price? Please advise.
thanks
Carpy

 

2001 XLT V6 AWD 113,000 miles

 

Just make sure the tranny has been flushed/serviced when you buy one with that many miles.

 

Just got my 2005 XLT v6 4WD with 49,000 miles. Getting ready to flush the trans.

 

139,000 miles on 2002 FWD V6.

 

My wife has 60,000 on her 2005.

 

Just got my 05 xls with 44,000 miles with the 2.3l. alot quicker than I thought a 4-banger would be but it cant hold a candle to my old 5.4l f150. I suppose it makes up for that in gas milage though.

 

2001 Escape XLT AWD 125,000 miles. Still runs strong.

Problems: replaced A/C condenser due to hole from rubbing
blown fuses due to dealer installed security system

The rest is just normal maintenance.

 

140,000 no major issues...

 

2001 XLT 4WD with over 115k miles, Only replaced a couple sensors, plugs and a fuse other than the regular brakes, tires, battery. Stupid coolant light is on, check engine light for a small vaccuum leak (ignore it daily) and the upper cig lighter outlet blows fuses. No rust (surprising for a FORD in NY). Other than that, it starts, runs and drives, and that's all I need til the 09's can be ordered this summer!

 

I've worked on a bunch of these and rarely see any real issues. Mostly I do maintenance work (oil changes, tires, fuel/air filters, transmission flushes, etc). I did an alternator on one once... and I did an oil pan gasket on a brand new one, but that was because it wasn't installed right at the factory. This was a one time occurance.

I have even seen a couple with well over 200,000 on the clock. They seem to last a long time!

The beautiful thing with these, is that even at 90,000 miles they drive just like they did when new! Most cars get "loose"... with clunking noises and just not feeling the same after 40,000-50,000 miles, but I haven't yet seen this happen on these... even ones with tons of miles!

 

79K on my 05 4cyl 5spd. Only issue is the parking brake that I really haven't had time to adjust or figure out. Still on factory brakes and clutch, even with the wife driving it from time to time to work in city traffic.

Honestly, it is one of the best cars I've ever owned. Almost as good as my Jeep was.

 

21,000 miles in one year and no issues at all yet.

 

2001 130,000. I love my escape, its only got a small v6 but its like a rocket on the highway! I would suggest getting four-wheel drive though.

 

Oh yea, I forgot about that e-brake issue, that was shot before I even met her and had to get it fixed by the next inspection to the tune of over $400 for a replacement from handle to wheel cylinders.