2012 Ford Escape? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Nate · #1 12-06-2012, 02:53 PM

Going to Milwalkee this weekend to look at a 2012 escape. I think it's a winner, it has exactly what I want, for a decent price.

From an apparently reputable (honda) dealership, with 15000 left on the warranty. 25k miles, 5 speed manual, cruise control, 4 cyl (2.5ltr that's been around forever), and it's silver.

They're asking $14800, kbb is $16500, but they've had the car for almost 4 months now at the same price. I'm thinking $14k, financed through them, may be attractive. Is 5% off a decent place to start haggeling? My bank is offering 2.5% financing. right now, so I'll see what they have to offer for their rates.

I've got a '98 neon to trade, if they'll do more then $2k on it (asking $2500 local).

Love everything about the truck, i've test driven them before, and it will do everything I want it to do. I plan on keeping it forever, and this is as close to new as I can get (new is 8k more)

I can afford it, no problems on insurance being affordable either. And it's what I want.

What are your opinions? What's the best way to haggel with a dealership thats 300 miles away (going to see friends in the area anyways), who's had a car for 4 months?
Is $14k realistic?
Should i use my bank to finance it?

Thanks for your opinions everyone!
~Nate

spdrun · #2 12-06-2012, 03:06 PM

*yawn* Another cutie-utie pseudo-trucklet for those without enough testicular fortitude to drive an "80s wagon". OTOH, a real 3-pedal transmission is a redeeming feature in this country of autotragics.

Jetta Wagon or the last of the Scoobie Legacy wagons for me please, thanks.

Mike Murrell · #3 12-06-2012, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spdrun

without enough testicular fortitude to drive an "80s wagon".

Some people might not be up for the challenges of owning/maintaining a 30 somethin yr. old vehicle - especially if it was to be used often.

Many of us have "old" cars, but most have something young enough to be reliable enough for daily use.

spdrun · #4 12-06-2012, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Murrell

Some people might not be up for the challenges of owning/maintaining a 30 somethin yr. old vehicle - especially if it was to be used often.

Many of us have "old" cars, but most have something young enough to be reliable enough for daily use.

I meant something else. Americans are loath to buy new wagons, because they don't want to be caught dead driving what their mommies drove in the 70s and 80s.

daw_two · #5 12-06-2012, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Murrell

Many of us have "old" cars, but most have something young enough to be reliable enough for daily use.

Some of us have multiple old cars.....Whenever you drive an old Mercedes diesel, it's always good to have a backup plan.

Oh, Nate. I would think your bank financing is going to be the way to go, but if they offer you better financing, but they won't do the price you want, you have to calculate and see if the difference in financing makes up for the higher price. So, bottom line is, you'd like to only have to finance $12K at 2.5%, correct? So, would $13,500 at 1.5% be a better deal????

You would probably be better off selling your car outright. Clean it up really good before you drive it up there if you want to trade it in. If they don't give you what you want for the car, you could always have a friend drive it down on their next trip to see you.

Nate · #6 12-06-2012, 11:23 PM

Wasn't quite expecting this thread to turn so quickly, but all is well in the world of the forums. That's part of why I love this place, I truly do.

Reasons I'm not getting a wagon. They cost too much, they're nearly 25k for one a year old one. Also, I cant do engine work on them as easily, I refuse to do a timing belt on a subie 2.5, just not going to happen. Other repairs can be complex as well. They dont get any better mpg then a small SUV, some are worse. Towing is below my minimum, and drivers visibility is lower in a wagon as well.

Spoke with the dealership today, they're stuck on the price over the phone, they apparently just lowered it 1k last week (I know that's an old trick), but there's room for discussion on accessories such as a hitch, cargo liner, and doormats.

They offered 1.99% APR throughout the term of the loan, with zero early payoff penalty. Much better then my bank.

~Nate

Nate · #7 12-06-2012, 11:28 PM

And the salesman said that he wouldn't be able to offer me my asking price on a trade in, but that was expected.

I'll be renting a car from enterprise for $40, and if I dont buy the car, I still have a ride home. If I do buy the car, it's 4 blocks from the nearest enterprise, and enterprise charges a $150 one way fee. I think that's reasonable, for the amount of hassling it would take to take one car down, and leave it there, then pick it up at another time. The dealership is around 4 hours away, but I'll be visiting friends in the area anyways this weekend, should it go to pot.

Any other comments, positive or negative, are always welcome.

~Nate

MBeige · #8 12-06-2012, 11:45 PM

I don't know if the 2012 is affected, but there is an open recall on the current line up of Ford Escapes

Recall a big blow to Escape, Fusion

iwrock · #9 12-07-2012, 12:03 AM

My $.02, work the deal you want before you even start out on your journey to that dealer.

loepke72 · #10 12-07-2012, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MBeige

I don't know if the 2012 is affected, but there is an open recall on the current line up of Ford Escapes

Recall a big blow to Escape, Fusion

Does not affect the 2012 models. The recall is for vehicles with the 1.6L EcoBoost engine which wasn't used in 2012. We still have no fix for the 2013s, they're piling up in the back parking lot and customers are getting rental cars paid for by Ford.

Nate · #11 12-09-2012, 11:51 AM

18 hours, 680 miles, and one new car for me. Went well at the dealership, got a good price, and a great APR. Didnt budge on any accessories, stating "they just had someone looking at it today" but that felt a bit gamed to me. Either way, still way below KBB for a 12 escape with 26k miles on it.

We have named my 2012 Escape "Hunter" Love the truck already! Great road feel, enough power, comfy, roomy, great driving position, good lighting, and a great stereo. No more constant maintenance!!! This will free up so much of my time.

~Nate

LandYaghtLover · #12 12-09-2012, 12:11 PM

18 hours? You walk to Milwaukee?

That thing might come in handy today. Expecting 4 inches here, not sure about EC.

TylerH860 · #13 12-09-2012, 12:34 PM

I always tell people you will know what bottom dollar is when you tell them you are ready to buy today but walk out the door because it doesn't seem like a good enough deal. When they let you walk out you know they're giving you everything they can.

joegolden · #14 12-09-2012, 12:46 PM

Man I hope you got em down on price a ill more

a 5spd 4 cyl escape sounds like a tough of a sale for a dealer.....everyone wants an automatic. But since you plan on keeping it forever then you won't have to worry about resale.. I personally prefer a manual tranny as well...I don't care if it's a Lincoln town car...I wanna shift gears...

that is a rare find you have. Enjoy...

Oh does the 2.5 have. Timing belt?

Nate · #15 12-09-2012, 05:47 PM

I left with what I thought was a good price, and I feel very comfortable with the payments and contracted rates and such. I Wanted it, they knew it, we postured and positioned accordingly, but I left with it at the "internet price" which was our starting point, and 5k less then the sticker they had in the window. It was thousands less then any other escape with what I wanted, and less then 1000k miles.

It's a timing chain with a track record of not being an issue, but should be replaced around 150k along with the timing chain tensioners.

For a FWD platform, its been doing GREAT with the 11" of snow we've gotten so far today. The stability control is a bit of a babysitter, but it "does" keep the truck pointed in the safest direction, even if that's not what I'm asking it to do.

Only thing that I dont like is the seats. You look at them crosswise and they have a stain. Scotchgaurd is drying as we speak!

Also picked up a trailer hitch and wiring harness for $200, I'll put that on next weekend.

Hope to keep it forever. We'll see how it goes!
~Nate