Buying a 2008 Escape

[twincam1450]

My wife and I have an 02 Escape with 109K on it which we are about to trade for a new one.

In the last 8 month we've put in a new alternator, transmission, motor mount, lower control arms and sway bar end links. Now we're wondering what's next. We've put over $6,000 in repairs in the last 8 months. It's time to stop the bleeding.

We test drove a new one and liked it. The negotiations with a salesman have begun but we haven't struck a deal yet. Looking on Edmunds shows that there isn't that much difference from MSRP vs. the Invoice price. But I know there are hold-backs, the salesman admitted that.

I was wondering of there are any Ford suppliers or employees willing to offer a certificate or supplier certificate # that we can use for a discount?

I normally wouldn't ask but my daughter is in the middle of a divorce and we have had to help her and our grandchildren out with heating oil, groceries, clothes and such and at this point in time a smaller payment would be very helpful.

[jeansescape]

We traded an '03 XL with 125K actual miles (replacement engine with 115K miles due to flood) when we got our '08. We'd just spent $1400 on the rack and pinion, so I was doing what you're trying to do... get out while I could get a bit of something for it.

Curious as to what they're saying about your trade value on the '02... it sounds like you've already put more in it than it's worth.

[twincam1450]

They are offering $6K for it which is right in line with what Edmonds.com lists for a trade-in. We're bickering about $1000 right now. If they come down by that much then the deal is done, if not then we keep our 02' or try somewhere else or maybe a different brand of SUV.

Edmonds also says that the Escape would be their last choice and that there are other small SUV's out there that are better but we've looked at the Japanese alternatives and really weren't impressed. We like the size, feel and features of the Escape. Our second choice would be maybe the Nissan Xterra. We haven't looked at the Jeep's, not much interest there but maybe we should.

What happened to your rack & pinion? And it's an 08', why should you have to pay anything? What about the 3yr/36,000 mi warranty?

[brockmd]

X-plan and invoice is not much difference. In fact you pay taxes with the X-plan.
Work on getting the invoice. If you don't see much difference, how about a used 08?

[twincam1450]

Well, we got it. We finally struck a deal and took delivery of it last Friday. My wife loves it, she is very happy and that's all that matters.

Hopefully this one will be problem free, unlike our last one. The salesman really believed it was a late 2001 because it had the AWD/4WD switch on the dash. He said that was the only year it was selectable. He also claimed that it was the 2001's that were having the most transmission problems.

We like the rugged looks of the exterior and all the bells and whistles on the interior.

[duncster999]

Just bought a 2008 last week..Got $550 off list from dealer plus $2,000.00 rebate..maybe now's the time to buy?