The only way to eco-mod an Escape w/V6 is to get rid of it

[niky]

The Escape isn't too bad as far as crossovers go... but that ancient V6 in it is. The old 3 liter mill had the thirst of a 4 liter six and the power of a 2.5 liter four. Always felt it was better mated to the FWD-only system, but it's a truly uninspired engine.

[Joenavy85]

Originally Posted by orange4boy

People think they are getting a lot or cargo space in an SUV but they ain't. Not compared to a van.

Fair enough with that. I obviously I didn't buy mine for cargo space, as there are plenty of SUV's that are larger than my Liberty. I like it's capabilities in the snow, never had problems at all, it's towing capacity(5000 lbs.) is great since I transfer every 3 years (new duty station in the Navy), it gets decent mileage (23-25 Hwy), and has enough room for road trips with friends (even better once I build the hitch mounted cargo box for it.

[Christ]

Fortunately, each of those "not so often" scenarios could be covered by renting a vehicle once in awhile. The rental cost would be covered by fuel/insurance savings from driving an econorocket the rest of the year.

I mean, you move every 3 years... $100 rental fees plus mileage/fuel.
Road trip!... $60/day or $130 3 day weekend plus insurance, mileage, fuel.
Blizzard!!1!... Ok, can't really plan for this one, I suppose... but thousands of other people are capable with their econorocketmobiles, and if its bad enough that you can't just leave earlier to be on time, might be time to take personal holiday, eh?

I agree that for what it is, 23hwy isn't so bad, though. Its not so good, either.

[Joenavy85]

Originally Posted by Christ

I mean, you move every 3 years... $100 rental fees plus mileage/fuel.

Virginia to Illinois cost about $100 for the rental trailer, renting a truck with a trailer to put my car on would have cost around $400 PLUS mileage (about 900 miles)

Road trip!... $60/day or $130 3 day weekend plus insurance, mileage, fuel.

Fair enough, though if there are more than 2 people going on the trip there is only a minimal amount of room for stuff in my girlfriends car (the Focus), but ultimately if i could choose any vehicle for an extended (cross country) road trip i would choose a Minivan with seats that fold into the floor

Blizzard!!!... Ok, can't really plan for this one, I suppose... but thousands of other people are capable with their econorocketmobiles.

but most of them are not around here, and with these drivers, I'm better off with a vehicle that can get itself out of a snow drift, I've watched cars lose control on a clear road and bounce off small SUV's then knock other small cars into a snow drift that's along the side of the road, I don't know how, but it happened.

and if its bad enough that you can't just leave earlier to be on time, might be time to take personal holiday, eh?

I wish it was that easy, being in the military I don't get to make that call.

I agree that for what it is, 23hwy isn't so bad, though. Its not so good, either.

True, but all in all, it suits my all around needs better than a small car would. My girlfriend and I use her car when we can, but sometimes I don't really have a choice (driving to work, since she doesn't have base stickers; picking up my parents from the airport with their stuff for 2 weeks in Illinois, including a trip to Indianapolis for the Indy 500 (we're taking the focus for that, since it's just 1 night we'll be down there))


Fact of the matter is, you are correct, too many people buy big SUV's thinking they're getting big cargo capacity when they would be better off with a Minivan (as far as cubic foot capacity). Some people actually think when they buy a vehicle and consider what they'll use it for (honestly I didn't get into hypermiling/ecomodding until after I bought my Jeep), in hindsight I likely would have gotten something different, or at least a Liberty with a Manual transmission.