Anybody have a Ford Escape or Chevy Cruze? Do you like it?....

[traces7]

Been looking for a car for our 17 yr old DD all summer. She's leaning toward a Ford Escape. It would be a 2008-2010 Ford Escape (that's what's in our price range). She also likes the Chevy Cruze, probably 2011 Chevy Cruze.
Anybody have anything good or bad about either of them? Thanks so much!

 

[tvguy]

We have 9 escapes in our fleet. Only 2 are 2013 or newer, the rest are 2012 or older, the old square body style. We switched from Explorers which were bullet proof for 200,000+ miles.

The big difference we have found with reliability is on which engine you get. We had had issues with the 4 cylinder failing right around 125,000 miles in the gas and hybrid versions. The 3.0 liter V-6 appears to be much more reliable. The newer models have the 2.0 liter turbo, and BOY are they peppy, but too soon to tell about reliability.

 

[barkley]

Been looking for a car for our 17 yr old DD all summer. She's leaning toward a Ford Escape. It would be a 2008-2010 Ford Escape (that's what's in our price range). She also likes the Chevy Cruze, probably 2011 Chevy Cruze.
Anybody have anything good or bad about either of them? Thanks so much!

we have 2 escapes-2006 and 2014. we've had good luck with them, both are 4 wheel drive which makes us feel better about dd driving the older one in snow and ice. we bought the newer one so she could have the older one-as a new driver (when she got it 4 years ago) we wanted her in something safe and reliable, and when we looked around at used car options we realized it was our best option.

with the older one (knock on wood) we've never had to do any major repairs, and the routine maintenance (including new tires and brakes) have been very reasonable.

 

[skysmom99]

I had a 2002 Escape that I loved. I had more problems with rust than with anything else but I drove it thru 12 Michigan winters. I now have a 2016 that I hope I'll love as much.

 

[Shmily1]

I have a 2012 Cruze. DD25 bought it but when she was having baby number 3, her DH bought her an SUV so I took over the Cruze. I love it! It has a lot of extras that my Sebring Convertible doesn't have like the phone through the radio, Sirius, auto crank, etc. It is a comfortable car, even for someone like me with back issues. It is a 4 cylinder Turbo so I get amazing gas mileage at 44 mpg average but it has enough get up and go that I can pass a car quickly and safely. I also read the safety reviews on them before DD bought this one and they seemed to get good reviews there too.

 

[momplus3]

We have a 2004 Escape. It is DS17's car! Love it!

 

[travelbug]

I have a 2010 Escape with a V-6 engine. Absolutely love it! It's been a great car so far.

 

[lustergirl]

I had a 2013 Ford Escape which I traded in on a new Explorer, wanted the bigger size. Never had a issue with the Escape. Really good during our bad Buffalo winters.

 

[yankebabie]

nothing but problems with our 2010. FORD=Fix Or Repair Daily

 

[JenzyHP]

I had no problems with my 2010 ford escape. Just switched it recently for a larger minivan.

 

[traces7]

Thanks everyone for all the replies! DD really likes the Escape, but it might be a bit out of our price range. We'll see though. Any more opinions on the Cruze? That's probably more in our price range.

I had a 2002 Escape that I loved. I had more problems with rust than with anything else but I drove it thru 12 Michigan winters. I now have a 2016 that I hope I'll love as much.

We did notice that mostly all the Escapes we looked at had rust above the rear tires on at least one side. I'm sure it's from the snowy winters! We live in Wisconsin.

 

[monorailmom]

We bought a 2015 Chevy Cruze last year when I had picked up my daughter on the side of the highway in an old Taurus for. the. last. time.

She was a nursing student at at the time, and needed a car to go from college to her nursing clinical, etc. The college was almost an hour from home, so driving was really an issue.

We love it!!! It's a perfect size, good on gas, easy to park, and has loads of trunk space.

Now that daughter has graduated and will buy her own car. The Cruze will just get passed down to our other daughter. Completely worthwhile purchase!

 

[tvguy]

Thanks everyone for all the replies! DD really likes the Escape, but it might be a bit out of our price range. We'll see though. Any more opinions on the Cruze? That's probably more in our price range.

We did notice that mostly all the Escapes we looked at had rust above the rear tires on at least one side. I'm sure it's from the snowy winters! We live in Wisconsin.

Do you have your cars Ziebarted? Cars don't rust here in California, and I really didn't think rust was a big issue these days with the factory rust proofing and Ziebart type treatments. My FIL always had his cars Ziebarted, and they guaranteed it wouldn't rust, or they would fix it for free.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

We bought our son a 2011 Cruise.

He loves it and when i drive it, I do too

 

[traces7]

Thanks for all the opinions, seems like I could only find bad reviews for both of these cars. But I guess every car has good reviews and bad reviews!

 

[BridgeBuilder]

My mother drives a 2003 Escape with the V6. 230,000 miles and no major issues.

My girlfriend bought a 2014 Cruze last year and loves it. The A/C went out last month but it was covered under her extended warranty ($1400 repair otherwise!). Other than that she hasn't had any issues.

 

[MillauFr]

I looked at both of these cars but decided to buy a Subaru Forester instead. I have been very happy with it and would buy another one again.

 

[traces7]

Do you have your cars Ziebarted? Cars don't rust here in California, and I really didn't think rust was a big issue these days with the factory rust proofing and Ziebart type treatments. My FIL always had his cars Ziebarted, and they guaranteed it wouldn't rust, or they would fix it for free.

That is something we should probably consider. How much does this cost? Most of the Escapes we looked at already have a little rust on them. But it does sound like a good idea, especially for Wisconsin!

I looked at both of these cars but decided to buy a Subaru Forester instead. I have been very happy with it and would buy another one again.

I would love to have a Subaru Forester! Maybe someday! It's just a little bit out of our range right now!

 

[tvguy]

I looked at both of these cars but decided to buy a Subaru Forester instead. I have been very happy with it and would buy another one again.

Subaru's are funny cars. The people that own them LOVE them.......until the head gaskets blow.

 

[MillauFr]

Subaru's are funny cars. The people that own them LOVE them.......until the head gaskets blow.

The reason I bought the Subaru over the Chevy or Ford was because of greater reliability. The Forester's reliability ratings were much better.