johnnymack

Yeah that's the hybrid for that price. However, I don't know if that already includes the customer cash offers or not. I'm going on a 3-week trip in about a month though so really I think it'd be stupid to buy a car now, but I want one! haha.

Is there any way to tell what kind of financing specials they may run on the Escapes this summer? I don't know much about the car buying market and what times of year the best specials are run. Right now my local dealers are offering 3.9%/36 mo 4.9/48 and 5.9/60 financing specials. I'd love to see a 0% financing offer and I'd likely jump all over that. There's not many Escapes on the local lots but one dealer has a fully loaded Black Pearl Slate FWD model (Nav, Prem, Chrome, Moon&Tune) that they will sell me for $28,750, which looks to be just slightly higher than the xplan price. I don't want to wait 2 months and then have to special order, but I'll do it if I think the financing will get better!!

Thanks for the thoughts. I am the type that over analyzes these types of decisions! Haha. It makes me feel good about having all the information but it also means I'm never 100% happy. I like the power of the Highlander, but the price and fuel economy of the Escape. I'd like a NAV system I can hack and play video on, and I can only find info to do that on Toyotas. The AWD on the Ford/Mariner is better than the Toyota, but the Toyota has a better interior. I just can't figure out what's most important! Isn't that always the case?? The step down from the Expedition is big, for sure. My gf has an '04 CR-V though so I have ridden/driven that a lot. I think that's a pretty comparable size to these cars and I don't mind the size. Speaking of, I might go drive one of those as well. I don't really like the new style all that much, it looks pretty girly, but the price savings would all but eliminate the gas savings of a hybrid over the first few years. It's a great day to go out and test drive an Escape since I've never been in one...but I just HATE going to the dealership. Oh well I guess I'm gonna have to get over that someday!

I am going to be getting rid of my '98 Expedition soon. With 105k miles, a few thousand in repairs over the last 2 years, and 13mpg, I just can't handle it anymore. I'd like to stick with an SUV, and I want hybrid-type mileage. My search initially took me to the Highlander, but the price is pretty high for what I want (pretty fully loaded). I KNOW the Highlander and Escape are technically in different classes...but if you're looking for a Hybrid SUV, this is the decision you come to. I have been seriously looking at the Escape and Mariner models, but haven't been able to get out to have a test drive yet. I have read just about everything I can find, and just found this forum today. There seem to be many things that the Ford fans here really really dislike about the car. So my question - are the things discussed here more of gripes, or would you guys consider them dealbreakers? My top areas of concern are: Overall power of engine 4-speed transmission, especially when it comes to hill climbing Age of transmission/engine pair Reliability Navigation system - how bad is it? I haven't read anything good except that it's better than it used to be. No Electric A/C - it seems this can really heat you up at stop signs...how big a problem/issue is it? I have read that they are coming out with the "better" engine in the 09 model...but I really don't think I can wait that long. For someone who really isn't as well versed on Ford technology, how major of an upgrade is that? The Highlander is a good 30-40% more expensive than the Escape, so I'd LOVE to give myself the reasons I need to stick with a Ford. It would be my first NEW car purchase (last 2 were used Expedition and Explorer) so I know that many of my reliability issues should be solved by being the only owner and keeping good care of it. Thanks in advance.