Exporer-Escape or Focus

[JLDickmon]

To each his own. The wife has a 2002 Focus wagon that has been rock solid. The rear tire problem is due to the factory not setting the alignment properly and the dealer not setting it up before delivery. Our local mechanic did a four wheel alignment, added shims and no more rear tire problem. That was over 50,000 miles ago. Too bad they don't make the Focus wagon any more, it's a great little car.

I offered the wife a chance for a Ford Edge, I had one as a rental for a week when the Beast was in the body shop. She liked it, but the only way you'll get her to give up her Focus key is to pry it from her cold dead hands.

Best of all, it's paid for and ALL HERS!

you're in the minority - you take care of yours.

by and large, these cars are so cheap to buy (especially in the ab-used market), that no one bothers to maintain them properly...

They're like most low-end asian cars... take care of them, they'll run a long time. Neglect them, well, they don't last.

 

[02SilverStroke]

Max, like someone else said, the Fusion would also be a good choice, as well as the Five Hundred (soon to be Taurus again). My son and daughter in law have a Fusion (sorry I mistakenly mentioned earlier that they have a Focus) and really love it. When they got married four years ago, she was driving her second Honda Accord. After the baby was on her way, they traded for an Accord four door. My daughter in law was "hell bent" on Hondas. My son finally convinced her to get a Fusion last year, and she really loves it. My wife and I have a 2005 Five Hundred with 40,000 miles and really love it too. It gets 20-24 mpg in our "regular" driving and up to 30 on interstates. It has a nice ride and also has higher mounted seats than most cars. In addition, it can have "tons" of storage in it because the rear seat back folds into the trunk, then the passenger seat back folds flat so you can put a nine foot ladder in the car. The Five Hundred is basically a Volvo with a Ford name on it. In addition, the Five Hundred's trunk is even bigger than a Crown Victoria's. If you have any questions, you can send a PM. Sometimes the local Ford dealer seems like a "second home" to me. My salesman there is a good friend that I've known for over 20 years. When I need to test drive a car, he hands me the keys and says "I'll see you when you get back.". I know what you mean about choices. Seems as though the more you look, the more confused you get. Good luck.

 

[Maxtor]

Max, like someone else said, the Fusion would also be a good choice, as well as the Five Hundred (soon to be Taurus again). My son and daughter in law have a Fusion (sorry I mistakenly mentioned earlier that they have a Focus) and really love it. When they got married four years ago, she was driving her second Honda Accord. After the baby was on her way, they traded for an Accord four door. My daughter in law was "hell bent" on Hondas. My son finally convinced her to get a Fusion last year, and she really loves it. My wife and I have a 2005 Five Hundred with 40,000 miles and really love it too. It gets 20-24 mpg in our "regular" driving and up to 30 on interstates. It has a nice ride and also has higher mounted seats than most cars. In addition, it can have "tons" of storage in it because the rear seat back folds into the trunk, then the passenger seat back folds flat so you can put a nine foot ladder in the car. The Five Hundred is basically a Volvo with a Ford name on it. In addition, the Five Hundred's trunk is even bigger than a Crown Victoria's. If you have any questions, you can send a PM. Sometimes the local Ford dealer seems like a "second home" to me. My salesman there is a good friend that I've known for over 20 years. When I need to test drive a car, he hands me the keys and says "I'll see you when you get back.". I know what you mean about choices. Seems as though the more you look, the more confused you get. Good luck.

Thanks for the great information Wayne... We are not in a hurry to buy, so we have plenty of time to check them out. The five hundred sounds very interesting.

Thanks again

Maxtor

 

[02SilverStroke]

Max, I think you'll like the Five Hundred. Since the 2007 model year is starting to end, there'll be some great deals on it. Also, as you know, Ford is renaming the Five Hundred and bringing back the Taurus nameplate. The 2008 Taurus will have a larger engine, 3.5 V-6 with 265 hp, versus the Five Hundred's 3.0 V-6 with 205 hp. We have the SEL version, but the Limited has some additional features that are pretty nice. Here's a link to a 2005 Five Hundred that's on the pre-owned lot at the dealer that I have dealt with for many years: Bob Tomes Ford. When you click on the "more photos" you'll need to allow popups. This will give you a good idea of the exterior and interior views of the car. The 2008 Taurus will look the same except for a slightly different grille and taillights.

 

[Scooter]

To heck with her, let her drive the falcon.

Other than that, I have no opinion. Drive the one that has the feel you like, and take care of it, and it will more than likely be a good car.

 

[Maxtor]

Max, I think you'll like the Five Hundred. Since the 2007 model year is starting to end, there'll be some great deals on it. Also, as you know, Ford is renaming the Five Hundred and bringing back the Taurus nameplate. The 2008 Taurus will have a larger engine, 3.5 V-6 with 265 hp, versus the Five Hundred's 3.0 V-6 with 205 hp. We have the SEL version, but the Limited has some additional features that are pretty nice. Here's a link to a 2005 Five Hundred that's on the pre-owned lot at the dealer that I have dealt with for many years: Bob Tomes Ford. When you click on the "more photos" you'll need to allow popups. This will give you a good idea of the exterior and interior views of the car. The 2008 Taurus will look the same except for a slightly different grille and taillights.

Thanks Wayne;
All good information.

 

[Maxtor]

To heck with her, let her drive the falcon.

Other than that, I have no opinion. Drive the one that has the feel you like, and take care of it, and it will more than likely be a good car.

Rules for Husbands....

1. Never,,, Never upset the cook.
2. See rule #1