bleacherbum153

And, I was wrong. Car arrived at dealer this afternoon. Photo to follow upon delivery. Thanks again!

Bump for update, please? 1FMCU9EG0BKB28625 Guessing maybe it's doing purgatory in a Chicago intermodal hub somewhere... Also, what do the numbers mean? Is that a railcar number or something else?

Exciting! Thanks.

Bump. 1FMCU9EG0BKB28625 Thanks again!

Thank you again very much, and you have a great holiday and vacation too!

Cyberdman, I'm hoping that, before you head on vacation, you might have a chance to check on this for me. According to the dealer, the VIN is 1FMCU9EG0BKB28625. I have no other information since receiving that number. In case that vin has a typo, it's dealer F4107, Order 1138, Order date 11/24, for an '11 Escape, V6, 4WD. Thank you in advance, and if you are too tied up while trying to get away, I would completely understand.

The swing-out rear door was, for us, a real deal-breaker. Tough to tailgate in a tight parking lot with that. So we bought an Escape!

I'm also a foreign car owner; but in fairness, I bought my Civic in 1990 and haven't seen a need to buy another one (only has 65k miles). But I've driven enough fords from rental companies that I'd certainly give them a shot when it's time... in another 10 years or so I suspect I'll be in for a sore surprise when that day comes. I'm driving a car with as much manual as possible (steering, brakes, windows, locks). I figure that the more that operates mechanically, the easier/cheaper the repairs will be (and the lesser the inconvenience since they won't malfunction as often). I suspect that this will be hard to replicate now or in the future, so I'll just hang on to what I have as long as it remains reliable.

Most likely, it'll be rescinded by legislation this month or by executive order shortly thereafter. If it comes down to judicial action, it'll take quite awhile and the outcome is by no means certain.

Appreciate all the feedback, guys. Will work on this over the weekend and let you know what I find.

Just curious (now that we've committed to buying one), are you having the slipping problem on a fwd or 4wd version?

Just as those on the Left found unwarranted joy in the decisions by one or two random judges who made similar findings about don't ask don't tell, the excitement over this single ruling is unwarranted. All it means is that the plaintiffs in that particular individual lawsuit will benefit (does anyone benefit?) from the findings. There are other, more numerous, judges at the same level who have also found the law constitutional. None of those rulings will have any precedential value unless appealed and affirmed. Even then, there is the possibility that multiple appellate courts could disagree, setting up a case for the Supremes- the ultimate manner in which to gain a ruling of value.

Thanks, guys for the subsequent replies. I hadn't seen them when I typed my first answer. Removing the steering wheel myself to measure it may be out of my league, but I think it bears doing some research as to whether I can simply donate a rudderless car.

Thanks, Nick. First, though, I think I'll stick around for awhile in hopes of finding a suggestion that can be carried out on the 'net (as opposed to the old fashioned way with yellow pages, phone calls).

So we've gone and ordered a new Escape for my wife. Heaven knows when it will arrive. But in the meantime, there's this puzzle. She is very attached to her old car, a '90 Probe SE, that she bought when she was fresh out of college. Even though the car is no longer reliable and really needs to be replaced, she's become very emotionally attached to it. She has been wondering out loud what she can keep from her car before we donate it once the new one arrives. Tops on her list is the steering wheel. Since it will need a wheel in order to be donated, that means that a different one would have to be installed. Anyone know if this is possible? Our normal mechanic said that he wouldn't be able to get one to install as a replacement, but I'm skeptical. The obvious answer would be to simply not try to do it. But I'm trying to be a good husband and see what can be accomplished. Gear shift handle also was mentioned, but I am pretty sure she'd love to have the steering wheel. Any suggestions on where/how to come up with one? How interchangeable are pre-airbag steering wheels anyway?

Funny. My wife has a 21-year-old Ford (Probe) and I have a 20-year-old Civic. Guess that's not really the loyalty they're referring to Still, we'd both make the same purchase again. In fact, we just ordered a new Escape for her. The Probe is dying, hope we see the new car before the spring...