before I purchased my 2002 f150supercab XLT truck my wife drove a 93 bronco (the tow vehicle for camping trailer) and I drove a 94 jetta. Since we bought the 150 ( the new tow vehicle) and sold the bronco I drive the 150 ( to long for the wife) and she the jetta. Jetta has been donated to my favorite charity, my son. My wife now drives his old 90 honda 2 door 171,000 miles which is on it's way out. New car needed soon.
The choices we are down to are Passat or Escape. Can anyone here advise about the Escape. I don't know anything about it, haven't driven it yet but it passed the wife's sit in the driver's seat and say "yeah, I could drive this" test. thanks for listening.
Joseph

 

I would go for the Passat if it were my wife. IMHO Ford seems to pick and choose where to make their quality products. The F-Series trucks both 150's up to the SuperDutys's and the Mustang are their bread and butter and of much higher quality than say...the Escape.

The Escape has been plagued with problems from day one...steering wheel falling off in your hands, rear wheels falling off etc. Im sure those issues have obviously been resolved but dollar for dollar you are going to get a much better deal with the VW. They are great cars with proven reliability...parts can be more expensive but it will work out better in the end.

Good luck.

 

I beg to differ on the VW thing. The Passat maybe the best car out there for all I know but in no terms would I reccommend the new Beetle at least not with the 2.0L n/a eninge. My girlfriends beetle start consuming at least 1 qt of oil every 1000 miles at 15,000 miles at 25,000 miles they have replaced the rings after 8 1000 mile oil consumptions tests. So far so good but it has only been 2-3 weeks since they reringed her car. She is looking to trade for possibly a Mustang. I have taught her well, BUY FORD.

 

My friend bought a escape, and i have rode in it a few times. It seems like a great smaller suv. Not sure on the other, get them both out for a test drive and see what you think.

Stop by www.edmunds.com so you can get all the info for you best price and read some reviews.

 

Me neighbor just bought a new '02 Escape. Seems to be put together really well. Rides smooth, and the V6 engine is quiet and idles VERY smooth. I noticed the fit and finish is better than our trucks also. If you're serious about them, go for a test drive.

 

I guess I am going to disagree with MN4x4 with regards to the Escape quality problems. My wife and I have been looking at the Escape since they came out - and we have been impressed with each and every one we have driven. I do have two complaints, though...the cloth material is tacky and cheap in whatever trim you choose, and no five-speed V6 available. The early models have had numerous recalls, but those problems have been corrected. Heck, last time I checked there were a few recalls on our F150s when they came out.

We still have't purchased our Escape - they are so popular around here that we haven't been able to find the one we want, with the options we want, in the right color combo. Once we do find one that we like, the dealer isn't interested in making the deal.

My wife's girlfriend has a Passat. It is a very nice car, but we decided against one because 1) we found that we can get more toys for the dollar in the Escape and 2) I can't fit comfortably into the VW.

Although you you are comparing apples to oranges, I'd go with the Escape!

 

For the 25gs that you would pay for a new escape I would buy a 99 Navigator on 22s. I dont know but I would rather drive a luxury used SUV then a new compact SUV.

 

escape is also a faily new model, i think every new vehicle like the first year that a new version or new all together new has problems.

 

Crazed: You're right but the Escapes have been out for over a year now.

 

Yep, over a year, a friend of mine bought a used one last summer for his 16 year old daughter. She drives the wheels off the thing, it had 6000 miles on it when she got it. No problems to date. None.

 

Jobewan-Kenobi, I would also stick with Ford. Escape all the way!
Be sure to bling it, chrome 20s on the Escape. Killah!

 

FYI, there is no way to PIMP out an Escape. Its just an SUV with a lot of plastic that makes it look like a GM product.