Need new vehicle suggestions

[shadescape]

Originally Posted by Kevin108

The trailer has no brakes.

We've looked at the 2012 Escape previously and really liked it. The 2013 with the 1.6L sounds like exactly what we need!

I've got 2 Escapes- 08 & 09- 4WD V6's- I have a DrawTight hitch on the 08- I sometimes need to hook up to my 12' enclosed trailer- gas mileage suffers alot then- but it pulls the trailer really nice- I'm getting better than the EPA estimates on both

btw- the 2012 Escape really is almost identical to my 09-

think you could get a really good buy on a 2012 new
think you'd like the 2012-

you should test drive the 2013 in the trim you want also

[chilimac02]

That escape would also leave you room for 2 carseats if needed...

I really like the Escape idea, it just wasn't large enough for my family.

[Kevin108]

We ended up buying substantially sooner than I thought we would! Just for fun, I haggled on a 2012 Escape Monday night. Of course, we left without it.

Tuesday they got in a 2013, so we went to check it out. Everything is redesigned and the Escape went from being a comfortable compact SUV to a little plastic coffin. The center console is connected to the dash, costing you lots of knee room. The fabric is some weird eco stuff that feels awful. The seats were hard and quite uncomfortable. The whole vehicle sits lower and we intend to take ours on the beach from time to time.

So we went back to the 2012. We bought the one I haggled on Monday night at an even better price. It's an XLT with the 2.5L I4, 4WD, sun roof, etc. I got it for about $3,500 under MSRP. Running around town today, I averaged 21.2 MPG with it. We'll see how my girl does with it tomorrow.

[Kevin108]

22.2 mpg and 26.5 mpg daily averages so far. Going to work the 2nd day, she got 28 but that afternoon all our running around was in town.

[FSUspectra]

Excellent, and congrats! Should be a fine vehicle for what you need it for!

[Blackbelt]

Congrats and it sounds like a good choice for your needs. I have been reading the magazine reviews on the 2013 Escape, and although it sounds like a decent vehicle, the price is YIKES!!!!!

[shadescape]

good for you- that 2013 sure is different

I believe that 2012 has the bar graph in the info center- last bar would mean ideal cruise-
curious- you going to put a scan gauge on it

[Kevin108]

Thanks guys. No plans for a Scan Gauge at this time. She doesn't drive conservatively in the least so the mileage numbers are what the vehicle gets despite her 5,000 rpm revs from stop lights and up interstate on-ramps. I'll probably take it over in 6 years after it's paid off and she's ready for something new again. At that point, assuming it's still in good shape, it'll get a Scan Gauge, a leveling kit and maybe some other goodies.

[shadescape]

curious-
leveling kit- what does that entail- and why
would seem any modifications would play havic with the traction/stability control system

[Kevin108]

It's a spacer that stacks on top of the front coil spring. For me, it's just an aesthetic thing but as long as the tire sizes are symmetrical front to rear, the TCS shouldn't mind.