New Member New Ford 2008 2wd Escape - California
#21
Re: New Member New Ford 2008 2wd Escape - California
I compared the two as well. To me, it wasn't worth the $2000+ difference. I don't drive on any roads that are that terrible. I figured I'll just get snow tires if I need to. I made it around (barely sometimes) with a FWD car with bald all-season tires this winter (didn't want to get new tires since I was getting an '08 MMH as soon as they came out), so I figured I didn't need the AWD.
Its nice to have for controllability on ice. I actually have the 4WD Escape (the drive system is the same... they just call it 4WD on the Escape and AWD on the Mariner for marketing reasons) and I'll admit I've never needed it.
Last edited by TeeSter; 04-27-2007 at 11:52 AM.
#22
Re: New Member New Ford 2008 2wd Escape - California
This is SO true. Canadians don't buy AWD vehicles like Americans do. What does THAT say about real vs. perceived need? I like AWD, but I only really "need" it here in Denver a few times per year. As long as I don't venture too far.
Also, some markets just don't support 2WD SUVs. Buying 2WD here is unwise unless you plan to drive the wheels off it. Most people won't buy them, and dealers either won't take 2WD trades at any price or will offer about half the real value. They sometimes stock few 2WD Escapes, stripper models as price leaders, but there's almost no such thing as a 2WD Explorer, Expedition, 4Runner, etc around here.
Also, some markets just don't support 2WD SUVs. Buying 2WD here is unwise unless you plan to drive the wheels off it. Most people won't buy them, and dealers either won't take 2WD trades at any price or will offer about half the real value. They sometimes stock few 2WD Escapes, stripper models as price leaders, but there's almost no such thing as a 2WD Explorer, Expedition, 4Runner, etc around here.
#23
Re: New Member New Ford 2008 2wd Escape - California
I have a FWD 2005 FEH and it did great in the Denver winter to remember of '06-'07. I've even been off road on Jeep trails with mud and slush and it did fine. The scariest part for me was the different feel of going downhill on steep wet / snowy / muddy trails, since the car always tries to use regenerative brakes first. I felt a little out of control going downhill ( at 20 MPH ) but it was great going up.
Only one time have I used tire chains up front, and that was in a Wyoming ice storm that was blowing cars off the road sideways! But that was like an ice skating rink that day, and the road did close about 1 hour after I got onto it!
-John
Only one time have I used tire chains up front, and that was in a Wyoming ice storm that was blowing cars off the road sideways! But that was like an ice skating rink that day, and the road did close about 1 hour after I got onto it!
-John
#24
Re: New Member New Ford 2008 2wd Escape - California
I have a FWD 2005 FEH and it did great in the Denver winter to remember of '06-'07. I've even been off road on Jeep trails with mud and slush and it did fine. The scariest part for me was the different feel of going downhill on steep wet / snowy / muddy trails, since the car always tries to use regenerative brakes first. I felt a little out of control going downhill ( at 20 MPH ) but it was great going up.
-John
-John
#25
Re: New Member New Ford 2008 2wd Escape - California
I drive an AWD and I love it. I drove a FWD as a tester and it understeered bad. The AWD corners like it's on rails. I hate FWD, never owned one, never will. There is a reason all the best cars ever developed have RWD or AWD, it simply works better.
#26
Re: New Member New Ford 2008 2wd Escape - California
Yeah.... #1 It's cheaper. #2, it's easier.
Teester, yes. And no. L gear helps with slowing, but still is regen first, brake pads second.
Teester, yes. And no. L gear helps with slowing, but still is regen first, brake pads second.
#27
Re: New Member New Ford 2008 2wd Escape - California
The only issue with FWD would be the CV joints in my opinion.
#28
Re: New Member New Ford 2008 2wd Escape - California
That is a really big "if" around here.
My work is off of a 4 lane highway. It usually takes them 2 days to get around to plowing 2 of the 4 lanes, and about 10 days to get around to plowing the remaining 2 lanes.
At home, it takes them about 10 hours after it stops, to plow my street.
My work is off of a 4 lane highway. It usually takes them 2 days to get around to plowing 2 of the 4 lanes, and about 10 days to get around to plowing the remaining 2 lanes.
At home, it takes them about 10 hours after it stops, to plow my street.
#29
Re: New Member New Ford 2008 2wd Escape - California
That is a really big "if" around here.
My work is off of a 4 lane highway. It usually takes them 2 days to get around to plowing 2 of the 4 lanes, and about 10 days to get around to plowing the remaining 2 lanes.
At home, it takes them about 10 hours after it stops, to plow my street.
My work is off of a 4 lane highway. It usually takes them 2 days to get around to plowing 2 of the 4 lanes, and about 10 days to get around to plowing the remaining 2 lanes.
At home, it takes them about 10 hours after it stops, to plow my street.
In Ann Arbor MI, Burlington VT, and Houghton MI, I've never had a problem except during the blizzards we've had in those times. Those, admittedly are smaller cities with less streets to plow.
#30
Re: New Member New Ford 2008 2wd Escape - California
Also, some markets just don't support 2WD SUVs. Buying 2WD here is unwise unless you plan to drive the wheels off it. Most people won't buy them, and dealers either won't take 2WD trades at any price or will offer about half the real value. They sometimes stock few 2WD Escapes, stripper models as price leaders, but there's almost no such thing as a 2WD Explorer, Expedition, 4Runner, etc around here.
That is a really big "if" around here.
My work is off of a 4 lane highway. It usually takes them 2 days to get around to plowing 2 of the 4 lanes, and about 10 days to get around to plowing the remaining 2 lanes.
At home, it takes them about 10 hours after it stops, to plow my street.
My work is off of a 4 lane highway. It usually takes them 2 days to get around to plowing 2 of the 4 lanes, and about 10 days to get around to plowing the remaining 2 lanes.
At home, it takes them about 10 hours after it stops, to plow my street.