help me decide which SUV should i get

[majinbu]

hi guys.. im really having a hard time to decide in which car should i buy.
im 23, male. im currently driving a civic 03 model. pero im planning to sell it na and buy a second car which i prefer to be an SUV. for personal use lang..and i love to drive around..

im looking on
Ford Escape 2004 XLS A/T 4x2,
a Ford Explorer 2001 Sport trac A/T 4x4 and
a Mazda Tribute 2004 A/T.

without looking at gas consumption. kunyare same lang sila lahat ng konsumo sa gas.. for you guys.. anu aadvise niyo sakin na bilin? budget wise kasi same sila lahat ng prices.. kaya lalo ako nahirapan magdecide. please help...

thanks in advance!

[niky]

hi guys.. im really having a hard time to decide in which car should i buy.
im 23, male. im currently driving a civic 03 model. pero im planning to sell it na and buy a second car which i prefer to be an SUV. for personal use lang..and i love to drive around..

im looking on
Ford Escape 2004 XLS A/T 4x2,
a Ford Explorer 2001 Sport trac A/T 4x4 and
a Mazda Tribute 2004 A/T.

without looking at gas consumption. kunyare same lang sila lahat ng konsumo sa gas.. for you guys.. anu aadvise niyo sakin na bilin? budget wise kasi same sila lahat ng prices.. kaya lalo ako nahirapan magdecide. please help...

thanks in advance!

Easier to maintain would be the Escape or Tribute... as long as they have the newer 2.3 liter engine (the 2.0 was a dog. Slow AND thirsty).

The Explorer Sport-Trac is nice, mind you, (better than most local pickups) but aside from the fuel consumption, parts and maintenance will be harder.

Don't limit yourself to just these choices. Shop around. Lots of secondhand CUVs and pickups within your price range.

[majinbu]

thanks niky.. actually my first option was the explorer.. super nagustohan ko yung looks niya and the add ons included was really great.. though yun nga madami nagsasabi maintenance will kill me. then kaya ko napili escape and tribute among all. kasi sila lang yung medyo konte sa kalsada.. not like CRV xtrails rav4.. na parang peoples car na.. sana may makapagshare ng experiance nila on these 3 SUV's.. im really confused on what to get..

[majinbu]

FORD ESCAPE na lang po Sir pero mas better po kung mag brand new na lang po kaya kung konti na lang yung difference.

Stella Natividad
09232430578/09232430578

layo po ng price pag brand new.. 450k lang po budget.. kaya im stock to those 3 options na pumasok sa budget.. hehe

[LucasVN]

Go for the Escape, the explorer is 4x4 and rather too old already and the tribute is already dropped by Mazda, so probably can be a problem on parts, support, but for escape, the looks still not far with the latest and parts and support are there. Good Luck!

[majinbu]

Go for the Escape, the explorer is 4x4 and rather too old already and the tribute is already dropped by Mazda, so probably can be a problem on parts, support, but for escape, the looks still not far with the latest and parts and support are there. Good Luck!

good point there lucasVN.. but isn't it mazda and ford car parts are basically same? since they have the same maker? correct me if im wrong... badtrip kasi i like the sun/moonroof of the tribute.. hehe but reviewing write ups of the escape .. medyo mas maganda feedback sa escape.. aaaahh.. kung may budget lang eh! tucson na.. hahahaha

[jimnyeatworld]

ford sport trac is a pickup. sayang space mo. you will not enjoy the real benefit of a suv.

in my personal opinion, if you'll going to buy a ford or a mazda suv, buy brand new. mahirap na. if you'll buy 2nd hand suv, go for the japanese like the crv or rav4 or x-trail for durability. although mazda is jap, wala eh still it's like its sister.

[niky]

The Tribute and the Escape are the exact same cars. Down to the shape of the inner door handles. The only difference is cosmetics. And they're basically Japanese, since they're built on a Mazda 626 chassis.

Parts are easy to find if you live in the city. Just fill your phonebook with numbers from the auto-suppliers in Banawe. There's an entire block dedicated to Ford/Mazda parts.

The only reason I'd have for NOT buying an Escape/Tribute is that I'm not sure of the long-term durability of the AT. But then, that's a problem with ALL secondhand AT CUVs.

Even the vaunted CR-V and RAV4 have their share of niggles (suspension kalampag on RAV4... and rust under plastic fenders on 1st gen RAV4... the notorious CR-V engine mount issue... as well as the notorious gas-guzzling issue)...

What will decide the purchase is what's the best condition vehicle you can buy for your money... be it a RAV4 (I particularly like the older 1.8 MT...), the CR-V, the X-trail, the Escape/Tribute or even a Vitara/Grand Vitara . Kaya nga: look around, don't limit yourself. If it has to be, specifically, an Escape or Tribby, look around, don't rush into the purchase, and wait for a gem to show up before committing to the purchase. Oh... btw... older Escapes had an issue with melting tail-light clusters... not sure if this was the same with the Tribute, but it's best to check, anyway.

[majinbu]

ford sport trac is a pickup. sayang space mo. you will not enjoy the real benefit of a suv.

in my personal opinion, if you'll going to buy a ford or a mazda suv, buy brand new. mahirap na. if you'll buy 2nd hand suv, go for the japanese like the crv or rav4 or x-trail for durability. although mazda is jap, wala eh still it's like its sister.

noted sir.. thanks thanks.. as much as i want to get a brand new car.. hindi talaga pa kaya sa budget.. sayang..

[majinbu]

The Tribute and the Escape are the exact same cars. Down to the shape of the inner door handles. The only difference is cosmetics. And they're basically Japanese, since they're built on a Mazda 626 chassis.

Parts are easy to find if you live in the city. Just fill your phonebook with numbers from the auto-suppliers in Banawe. There's an entire block dedicated to Ford/Mazda parts.

The only reason I'd have for NOT buying an Escape/Tribute is that I'm not sure of the long-term durability of the AT. But then, that's a problem with ALL secondhand AT CUVs.

Even the vaunted CR-V and RAV4 have their share of niggles (suspension kalampag on RAV4... and rust under plastic fenders on 1st gen RAV4... the notorious CR-V engine mount issue... as well as the notorious gas-guzzling issue)...

What will decide the purchase is what's the best condition vehicle you can buy for your money... be it a RAV4 (I particularly like the older 1.8 MT...), the CR-V, the X-trail, the Escape/Tribute or even a Vitara/Grand Vitara . Kaya nga: look around, don't limit yourself. If it has to be, specifically, an Escape or Tribby, look around, don't rush into the purchase, and wait for a gem to show up before committing to the purchase. Oh... btw... older Escapes had an issue with melting tail-light clusters... not sure if this was the same with the Tribute, but it's best to check, anyway.

thank you sir niky.. yeah.. i guess i have to wait till i find the best car for my budget. btw.. is it true that 2004 escape 4x2 XLS have a different HU size? which means i cant fit in there my 2din HU?

[GTi]

The Explorer Sport Trac's engine is rather weak for its displacement at 205hp for 4 liters which means heavy fuel consumption and slow performance. If you want a V6, get the Escape/Tribute 3.0V6 which makes the same amount of power. Melting tail lights? That must be an isolated case since I have a relative who has an '03 XLT who has never changed any exterior parts to date. There really isn't much difference between the Escape and the Tribute, except that the Escape goes the rugged route and the Tribute goes the luxury route. For me, between the choices I'd get a Gen 1.5 (1st gen with clear front headlights) V6 or 2.3NBX Escape (best looking Escape for me), or perhaps a Suzuki Grand Vitara of comparable price since these are among the few CUVs that can actually go off road.

[niky]

Peak horsepower numbers don't tell the whole story. The Explorer has "only" 203 hp, but it has a waffle-load of torque from 3000 rpm and up. Which means, while the Escape V6 is still building up steam, the Explorer is already pushing along hard. The Explorer is faster to 100 km/h than the Escape V6 by a second or two (heck, even the five-door Eddie Bauer has a lot of beans), and it feels more muscular.

We only got the Escape V6 in the punier 200 hp version, and paired with the AWD, it's nice, but nowhere near as quick as the Outlander V6. More fun with the FWD version the Tribute is available in.

Melting tail-lights was a common issue with earlier Escape owners. It's something to look out for on secondhand cars. If the lights look okay, then either the owner replaced them with pieces with better plastic or it's not happening. In either case... good.

thank you sir niky.. yeah.. i guess i have to wait till i find the best car for my budget. btw.. is it true that 2004 escape 4x2 XLS have a different HU size? which means i cant fit in there my 2din HU?

If I remember right, just requires an adapter.

[GTi]

Ah yes, the torque, I'd forgotten to figure that in since we were talking gas vehicles. But then again, isn't the Explorer a lot of heavier than the Escape V6, making it harder for the engine? Besides, another reason why I didn't like the Explorer was that I'd always though pickups were impractical, especially here in Metro Manila where it is simply a lifestyle vehicle. Its as long and almost as heavy as an SUV but can only seat 5, and you'd have to spend more money to buy accessories needed to do simple stuff like cover your stuff in the bed and still, you can't reach them when you're in the car. As for the Escape and Tribute... IMHO I still find the Escape to look better than the Tribute (gen 1 facelifted version), and that its looks serve its purpose more as a rugged SUV, unlike the city slicker look of the Tribute. I'd welcome AWD in any kind of SUV as well, even if it will cause some degree of performance loss, its still what makes an SUV well...an SUV.

[niky]

Ah yes, the torque, I'd forgotten to figure that in since we were talking gas vehicles. But then again, isn't the Explorer a lot of heavier than the Escape V6, making it harder for the engine? Besides, another reason why I didn't like the Explorer was that I'd always though pickups were impractical, especially here in Metro Manila where it is simply a lifestyle vehicle. Its as long and almost as heavy as an SUV but can only seat 5, and you'd have to spend more money to buy accessories needed to do simple stuff like cover your stuff in the bed and still, you can't reach them when you're in the car. As for the Escape and Tribute... IMHO I still find the Escape to look better than the Tribute (gen 1 facelifted version), and that its looks serve its purpose more as a rugged SUV, unlike the city slicker look of the Tribute. I'd welcome AWD in any kind of SUV as well, even if it will cause some degree of performance loss, its still what makes an SUV well...an SUV.

Heavier, yes, but more torque... much more torque. Which gives you pleasing waftability.

Yes, the four door pickup version is paradoxical. But it gives you better rear seat space than most local pickups (well... the new Navara and Strada are exceptions). Still... I'd prefer a newer five-door... that is, I would if I could put up with the economy and wait for parts.

Whatever Ford decides to call it, an Escape is a crossover, not an SUV. It's built on a car platform... the 626. And with that, comes a car engine layout... with the attendant low engine and filter placement. With the stupidly low placement of the air-intake, the Escape-Tribute twins aren't very good at fording deep floods, and their off-road abilities are modest. Not that our CR-V is any better (Civic-based... even the 2010 has a low intake!) And the CR-V doesn't ride as nicely as the Escape, either and probably doesn't have a tenth of the axle articulation.

I don't mind FWD in a crossover. FWD is more than enough for what a typical crossover driver might encounter on their daily commute... steep, slick parking ramps (done that), 3 inches of water (done that) or 6 inches of mud (done that... in a 626... you just gotta know how to dig... dig? ... "digging out" is easier in FWD than RWD, since you can wiggle your front wheels and create traction for yourself) and typical potholes and roads.

Best local version of the Escape/Tribute twins would be the 2WD 2.3 liter. Most fun is the 2WD V6 Tribute (the wheelspin!). Most loaded, though, is the AWD 2.3 XLT Escape, which is kind of nice.

[voltscastillo]

if it were me, i'd probably go for the old crv, escape, then explorer... in that order.

the old rav4 is a bit cramped inside for my taste.

explorer and expedition if fuel economy won't be an issue and if you'll use it only for the weekend long drive or cruising for chicks on boni high street (oops, sorry ka na lang if you're married...). you can get 1st generation expys for a song now... like, 380-450. big, brutal machines, those bad boys...

[GTi]

Heavier, yes, but more torque... much more torque. Which gives you pleasing waftability.

Yes, the four door pickup version is paradoxical. But it gives you better rear seat space than most local pickups (well... the new Navara and Strada are exceptions). Still... I'd prefer a newer five-door... that is, I would if I could put up with the economy and wait for parts.

Whatever Ford decides to call it, an Escape is a crossover, not an SUV. It's built on a car platform... the 626. And with that, comes a car engine layout... with the attendant low engine and filter placement. With the stupidly low placement of the air-intake, the Escape-Tribute twins aren't very good at fording deep floods, and their off-road abilities are modest. Not that our CR-V is any better (Civic-based... even the 2010 has a low intake!) And the CR-V doesn't ride as nicely as the Escape, either and probably doesn't have a tenth of the axle articulation.

I don't mind FWD in a crossover. FWD is more than enough for what a typical crossover driver might encounter on their daily commute... steep, slick parking ramps (done that), 3 inches of water (done that) or 6 inches of mud (done that... in a 626... you just gotta know how to dig... dig? ... "digging out" is easier in FWD than RWD, since you can wiggle your front wheels and create traction for yourself) and typical potholes and roads.

Best local version of the Escape/Tribute twins would be the 2WD 2.3 liter. Most fun is the 2WD V6 Tribute (the wheelspin!). Most loaded, though, is the AWD 2.3 XLT Escape, which is kind of nice.

Yes, I have noticed that the Escape's water fording capability isn't good. My relative's '03 Escape has more than once stalled in Dapitan due to flood, because she, yes she, was driving faster than normal flood fording speed in a hurry to get home in the middle of a storm. But I have also found out that its suspension is very sturdy, worthy of off road abuse, once I was in that car when we hit a very wide and deep pothole which my relative failed to notice in normal driving speed. Nothing happened after that, it filtered the huge hole like it was just a minor road imperfection, no need for alignment, no nothing, just kept on going. She regularly goes to Antipolo as well, and uptil now the car has shown no signs of abuse, the ride is as comfy as before, and the suspension has never before produced squeaks of any sort. Its quite spacious inside, IMO more so than the CRV, and the aircon is very cool. But then the 2.0 is friggin' slow, and made even slower by the A/T and drag from the AWD system. In order to drive in her normal cruising speed (medyo kaskasera kasi yan, runs in the family ) she'd push the engine to 5000rpm to gain good acceleration.

[niky]

Yes, I have noticed that the Escape's water fording capability isn't good. My relative's '03 Escape has more than once stalled in Dapitan due to flood, because she, yes she, was driving faster than normal flood fording speed in a hurry to get home in the middle of a storm. But I have also found out that its suspension is very sturdy, worthy of off road abuse, once I was in that car when we hit a very wide and deep pothole which my relative failed to notice in normal driving speed. Nothing happened after that, it filtered the huge hole like it was just a minor road imperfection, no need for alignment, no nothing, just kept on going. She regularly goes to Antipolo as well, and uptil now the car has shown no signs of abuse, the ride is as comfy as before, and the suspension has never before produced squeaks of any sort. Its quite spacious inside, IMO more so than the CRV, and the aircon is very cool. But then the 2.0 is friggin' slow, and made even slower by the A/T and drag from the AWD system. In order to drive in her normal cruising speed (medyo kaskasera kasi yan, runs in the family ) she'd push the engine to 5000rpm to gain good acceleration.

Yeah... the 2.0 was really poorly matched to the AT and AWD. The 2.3 is much better in this regard... though I wish Ford would give us the 2.5 and 5AT or 6AT they use in the US!

[GTi]

Is the 2.5 engine you are mentioning the one used in the Mazda 6 and CX-7? The Escape sold here, though quite good in its own right, is not able to battle it out with the competition anymore. If they're stuck with an older model, they could have given it more toys. Take Ford Taiwan, for example, they have the same Escape as ours, but they included cruise control, steering wheel mounted controls, power moonroof and backup sensors, and all that for less than the local Escape's price! Oh and BTW, what new vehicles will Ford be releasing the next generation in this upcoming PIMS? Hopefully after the local release of the Fiesta, they will think of releasing the USDM Escape and the Mondeo.

[projector]

gas guzzler lahat ng pinagpipilian,

mahal pa spare parts ng ford

[niky]

Is the 2.5 engine you are mentioning the one used in the Mazda 6 and CX-7? The Escape sold here, though quite good in its own right, is not able to battle it out with the competition anymore. If they're stuck with an older model, they could have given it more toys. Take Ford Taiwan, for example, they have the same Escape as ours, but they included cruise control, steering wheel mounted controls, power moonroof and backup sensors, and all that for less than the local Escape's price! Oh and BTW, what new vehicles will Ford be releasing the next generation in this upcoming PIMS? Hopefully after the local release of the Fiesta, they will think of releasing the USDM Escape and the Mondeo.

Not sure. The Fiesta, for sure. Hopefully the Mondeo, but an updated Escape (because the new Kuga would cost waaaay too much) would be nice.

gas guzzler lahat ng pinagpipilian,

mahal pa spare parts ng ford

Depends on the model. Sensors for the big American engines cost the same as for their Japanese counterparts. Parts for my Lynx 2.0 cost less than for many Japanese 2.0s. (and the suspension parts cost the same as Japanese compacts). The Focus has expensive parts, but then, so do the new Civic and the new Lancer.