Escape vs Forester

[H. Whelply]

That's why they make both, I guess- something for everyone. FWIW, the
mechanic at the dealer is about 6'5", and he fit in no problem. He adjusts
the power seat all the way down and back.

I tried that. At least I think I put it all the way down and back as far as
I could. Two different occasions. Steering wheel all the way up, too.

 

[H. Whelply]

Hi,
Also there is bit difference in ground clearance.
Tony

1/2 inch, as I recall. Surprisingly, it's the OBW with that advantage.
Solution: I'll drive my Forester where the rocks and ruts are 1/2 inch
lower.

HW

 

[Alan]

Did I mention the shoehorn and the jaws of life?

(but he really did fit).

 

[Richard Chang]

[...] The downside to the Escape/Tribute is that
they are Fords (questionable reliability).

We used to have 2 Fords after reading that their reliability had
improved. (Ha!)

The 1993 Taurus Station Wagon went after 77k miles with a blown head
gasket. Our mechanic said not to bother paying him to fix it. In any
case, we knew several other people who fixed the head gasket only to
have the whole engine go the next year.

The 1995 Ford Contour didn't last that long. The transmission blew at
43k miles. It got cranky again at 85k. The second time I didn't want to
pay the $3,500 to fix it. Besides, the power door locks weren't working
and I had to jiggle the key from the iginition switch just right to get
it out. The guy at CarMax who test drove the car couldn't get the key
out and left the car in the parking lot unlocked with the keys in the
ignition because he figures no would steal it. (I can't believe he gave
me $1,500 for the heap!)

So, I can't imagine buying another Ford again ever and every time
someone mentions buying one I just cringe. I only have 6k miles on my
2003 Forester X and so far everything is going well, knock wood. But, I
liked my Contour at 6k miles too.

Richard

 

[Tom H]

This has probably been discussed many times, but I'm new to the group
and I'm new to Subaru.

I'd replace my current Accord with another Honda product in a minute,
but they've engineered me out of their market. My 2000 Accord has 115k
miles and all I've done is replace 2 headlights and done standard
maintenance. Even the original tires went 105k miles and probably would
have gone another 10k, but replacements were on sale and I wanted new
tires for the winter. Problem is the newer Accord has inadequate
headroom (downsized a good 1-1/5 inches from a borderline 2000 model),
the Pilot is just too large and the CRV seems too basic. We are looking
for a replacement in 4-6 months.

I've narrowed the list to the Forester vs. Escape/Tribute. All have
ample room and options, although I'd much prefer a power seat in the
Forester since my wife is a good foot shorter than I and we are always
making seat adjustments. The downside to the Escape/Tribute is that
they are Fords (questionable reliability). I've also read a lot of
complaints about brakes going at 25k, excessive road noise and a small
gas tank/limited driving range.

Consumer Reports seems to prefer the Forester, while Consumer Research
(less reliable IMO) seems to prefer the Escape. Off-road usage is not
a factor for us, but interior room, reliability and comfort are highly
desirable.

Any experience to share between the Forester vs. Escape/Tribute? Any
good side-by-side references?

The Ford Escape/Mazda Tribute is NOT a Ford!! The Escape/Tribute
mechanicals were designed by Mazda. The only Ford in the Escape/Tribute
are most likely limited to the instrument cluster, HVAC and Radio (plus the
Ford logos). I don't know if they are built in the US by Mazda and Ford or
built in Japan by Mazda.

HTH,Tom

 

[Tony Hwang]

mj wrote:




The Ford Escape/Mazda Tribute is NOT a Ford!! The Escape/Tribute
mechanicals were designed by Mazda. The only Ford in the Escape/Tribute
are most likely limited to the instrument cluster, HVAC and Radio (plus the
Ford logos). I don't know if they are built in the US by Mazda and Ford or
built in Japan by Mazda.

HTH,Tom

Hi,
V6 vs. Boxer engine. No comparison!
Tony

 

[Losiho]

The Ford Escape/Mazda Tribute is NOT a Ford!! The Escape/Tribute
mechanicals were designed by Mazda.

Sorry, but the V6 in the Escape / Tribute is a Ford Duratech design, just
like the V6 in the Jag S Type and X Type.

I also own a Mazda MX-6, as well as my Outback (both made in Japan), and
thankfully the engine and mechanicals in the MX-6 are all Mazda, before Ford
got their dirty mitts on them.

 

[BKS]

Our only complaint with a 2001 Forrester is cheap inside features---small
things like tie downs, etc. keep falling off.

But, the AWD system is downright amazing. If you live in a winter climate,
you won't believe the difference with an AWD system. And if you can swing
it, this thing has the coolest sunroof on the planet.

 

[Richard Chang]

Sorry, but the V6 in the Escape / Tribute is a Ford Duratech design, just
like the V6 in the Jag S Type and X Type.

It's not the Duratech V6 I would worry about. The CD4E transmission is
the flaky one. Check out: <http://www.dustbury.com/626/trans.html> for a
description of problems with Ford transmissions in Mazdas.

-R.

 

[John Opezdol]

Hi,
V6 vs. Boxer engine. No comparison!

You mean V6 wins hands down? No infamous leaks. Higher torque
than on H4s. I think you're right.

 

[Mike]

I had 2 mazdas, a 323 and 626. The transmission in the 626 went then the
diff went. So I agree the Mazda has a weak transmission.

The Tribute would be a great vehicle as is the Forester. I have owned a
Legacy and currently own an Impreza and a Forester.

The tribute may have more power than the forester but the Forester 2.5 has
ample power and probably better economy, being a smaller lighter vehicle.
Give you height go for want fits you better. The forester will have less
rear legroom but you're not going to sit there. I'm 6'2" and the Forester
of great for headroom. Our Forester has an 8 way electric seat. This may be
the clincher given you HAVE TO let your wife drive.

Mike.
Auckland

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[Cory]

I had 2 mazdas, a 323 and 626. The transmission in the 626 went then
the diff went. So I agree the Mazda has a weak transmission.

The Tribute would be a great vehicle as is the Forester. I have owned
a Legacy and currently own an Impreza and a Forester.

The tribute may have more power than the forester but the Forester
2.5 has ample power and probably better economy, being a smaller
lighter vehicle. Give you height go for want fits you better. The
forester will have less rear legroom but you're not going to sit
there. I'm 6'2" and the Forester of great for headroom. Our Forester
has an 8 way electric seat. This may be the clincher given you HAVE
TO let your wife drive.

Mike.
Auckland

A small sidenote about the rear legroom in the Forester: It's true that the
driver spends no time in the back seat, but if it's going to be used by
anyone at all, it may as well be habitable for more than 5 minutes. A big
plus for the rear seat in the Forester is the ample rear foot room under the
front seats. Not only does it add to the comfort of the rear passengers, it
gives the impression of more leg room because your feet can move forward an
extra 6 inches or so and your legs can unfold a little more. Too many
compact cars will barely allow your toes under there.

Cory

 

[H. Whelply]

...Our Forester has an 8 way electric seat. This may be
the clincher given you HAVE TO let your wife drive.

Mike.
Auckland

It's puzzling to me the features NOT available on the Forester here in the
States when obviously at least some are already engineered and available
because it's found in other markets, like the 8-way power seats Mike
mentions. Another one I've seen mentioned is the adjustable rear ride
height, though I don't really need it and those systems can be troublesome.

 

[salligator]

I had 2 mazdas, a 323 and 626. The transmission in the 626 went then the
diff went. So I agree the Mazda has a weak transmission.

The Tribute would be a great vehicle as is the Forester. I have owned a
Legacy and currently own an Impreza and a Forester.

The tribute may have more power than the forester but the Forester 2.5 has
ample power and probably better economy, being a smaller lighter vehicle.
Give you height go for want fits you better. The forester will have less
rear legroom but you're not going to sit there. I'm 6'2" and the Forester
of great for headroom. Our Forester has an 8 way electric seat. This may be
the clincher given you HAVE TO let your wife drive.

Mike.
Auckland

--


-------------------------------------------------------------------------- --
----
Contact Mike & Christine Fitzmaurice at:
email: (e-mail address removed) http://www.fitz.orcon.net.nz/
http://www.geocities.com/mikefitz_ak/
Home phone/fax: 64-9-622 0423
Mike's Mobile 021 139 2093
Christine's Mobile 021 139 2094
Work: www.tower.co.nz, direct: 09-368 4172 fax: 09-306 6801
get

How could you even compare the Tribute/Escape to a Forester. In the US the
Tribute/Escape has had so many recalls, it would take a 4 gigahertz computer
to count them all. The Forester is a Subaru and therefore very reliable.

This will also show up in the resale value, with the Forester being worth
far more after a few years.