Ford Escape Or Mazda Tribute?

[BOOKEMDANO]

To those of you who have owned, do own, or indeed, 'know somebody' who owns one of these SUV's I would like to ask your advice on choosing what one to buy. I'm a little torn between which one to go for as they are both mechanically identical to one another

There is always the Honda CRV to go for in the same year - '05 - but this is priced much higher, yet the engine is lacking a V6!

I guess it comes down to the ride and general asthetics of the car but it would be nice to hear some comments from those who have driven one of these and get some first-hand general feedback about them.

I don't see too many on the road but from what i've read they are fairly good motors with lots of space - handy for two large dogs in the back - and, for me, they are priced just within my price range but I am concerned as with any second-hand motor the cost of repairs.

Over to you...

[SoloFlyer]

also looking at these, just starting.

[HDRIDER]

Hi

Dont know the Mazda but my friend have a Escape and its a nice car, he never had a problem for around 3 years now.

[stingray]

Hi

Dont know the Mazda but my friend have a Escape and its a nice car, he never had a problem for around 3 years now.

Tribute and Escape actually the same drivetrain. Escape V6 is made in Phillipinas. Actually not so bad car. But not so many sold in LOS. Therefore problem with used spares. Had one with auto transmission failure (Customer Car). No used tranny available in Thailand. Ford want over 100'k for repair. Headache to remove the tranny, have to take out the whole engine as well. Big story. Got tranny fixed by a local guy in Chonbury for 50'k, as usual guarantee 7 days for parts only (no labour) Don't know how long it's gonna work.

Recommend: Better to buy a CRV or a Everest. CRV arround 600'k for a 03 one, or Everest about 500'k for a 04 one!

[BOOKEMDANO]

Hi

Dont know the Mazda but my friend have a Escape and its a nice car, he never had a problem for around 3 years now.

Tribute and Escape actually the same drivetrain. Escape V6 is made in Phillipinas. Actually not so bad car. But not so many sold in LOS. Therefore problem with used spares. Had one with auto transmission failure (Customer Car). No used tranny available in Thailand. Ford want over 100'k for repair. Headache to remove the tranny, have to take out the whole engine as well. Big story. Got tranny fixed by a local guy in Chonbury for 50'k, as usual guarantee 7 days for parts only (no labour) Don't know how long it's gonna work.

Recommend: Better to buy a CRV or a Everest. CRV arround 600'k for a 03 one, or Everest about 500'k for a 04 one!

dam_n I bet that hurt the wallet. 100k from Ford to replace a transmission box seem's really expensive. I have no idea how much parts are for these SUV's but just out of interest what does a new transmission cost to replace on a CRV?

500k is my limit as i'm already buying a fiesta for the other half. I might drop down then and go for a CRV mk1 on a '02 plate. Parts must be cheaper and lots driven about - good sign - as I dont wanna be hit with 100k repairs when a CRV with the same problem I hope would be a fraction of that price.

My original post now shifts to a Honda CRV on an '02 plate; are these considered a good buy and cheap to maintain?

[HDRIDER]

Hi

New gearbox for BMW 525 E60 auto= 300.000Baht

[BOOKEMDANO]

Hi

New gearbox for BMW 525 E60 auto= 300.000Baht

As nice as they are BMW's would not be on my list for a potential car to buy, as your post nicely sums up why.

However, I might get the other half to ring around a few dealerships and get some quotes on major engine parts and then compare the potential worth of a car this way.

Honda's, I expect, will be the cheapest but it would be great if somebody could provide additional information on the Tribute, Escape, CRV..

[HDRIDER]

Hi

New gearbox for BMW 525 E60 auto= 300.000Baht

Sh_t.

Hi

And they dont repair old ones, use and throw out, thats BMW

[katabeachbum]

Hi

New gearbox for BMW 525 E60 auto= 300.000Baht

Sh_t.

Hi

And they dont repair old ones, use and throw out, thats BMW

thats German ZF autos in LOS. exotic

same thing with VW/Audi and Benz. no spare parts available to repair in LOS, only order new box

[stingray]

Hi

New gearbox for BMW 525 E60 auto= 300.000Baht

Sh_t.

Hi

And they dont repair old ones, use and throw out, thats BMW

thats German ZF autos in LOS. exotic

same thing with VW/Audi and Benz. no spare parts available to repair in LOS, only order new box

It's more with newer cars. Older BMW, VW or Audi, parts aren't expensive. Buy a older Serie 5, year 1995 or so and you will suprised how cheap the parts are in compare with Europe.

[Deeral]

Can anyone tell about the 4WD system on tese - they don't seem to be used very much "off road"?