Re: Thinking about a Ford Escape / Mazda / Kia Sorento
CFB Please change your avatar
(or send me her phone number) as it puts me off writing anything sensible while it is in my field of vision. Thankfully I cannot see it while writing this reply.
OK Back to the cars.
I test drove many light SUVs yesterday. I am sorry to say The Escape just did not cut it. It is noisy in all forms, sluggish IMHO both the 2.3 and the V6. And it seems to me unless you get the limited Edition, cheaply made.
I also looked at the Nissan Xterra, Masda Tribute (Same as Escape) Kia Sportage, Toyota 4 Runner & Rav 4, Honda CRV, Honda Element (Look Like a Postal Truck!!), and one other I forgot already, and all did not really turn my crank, anything like CFB's Avatar.
HOWEVER, While at KIA I did stumbled on a little GEM called the Sorento. A Mid Size SUV with Lots of power both in the Manual and the TIPTRONIC Auto. Yes it has a paddle style shifter gearstick if you want to use it. It comes in an LX and EX version, 3.5L V6 DOHC Manual or Auto, 4x2 or 4X4 with ABS and a few other comfort toys. The EX comes with silly plastic body mouldings but hey....
I must say it is 10 times the car the Excape is or can ever espire to be. Now this surprises me no end, as I would never think I would even consider giving a Korean or Chinese car manufacturer my busines. But, I was wrong! It is a very well built car, goes like hell, is quiet and fun to drive. Oh did I mention a 10 Year 100k warranty? In fact I just read this morning that the chassis of the Sorneto is the same Lexus uses for their SUV, they do put a different drive train in it. So now it is only down to China I will boycot from a car perspective. And seeing as I kept my last SUV 18 years, my mind could be swayed by the year 2022.
So I think the decision is made. I need to decide what options, LX vs EX, Manual vs Auto, 4x2 with ABS vs 4X4, etc. I also need to run the numbers and try to get a deal locally where I do not have to interface with a salesperson. I will mull the numbers from KBB, Edmunds, MSRP vs Invoice vs rebates versus financing vs all the other dealer shafting charges they try to convince you to pay and see if I can get a good deal.
Thanks for all your Escape comments.
SWR