Rob052067

Thumbs up! Very nice to finally see daytime running lights standard!

Thumbs up! Very nice to finally see daytime running lights standard! Thumbs down! But, not happy that the only way to get cooled seats is to get a pkg that includes Navigation and Sunroof!

Yes, Ford does now offer incentive protection for custom orders. The dealer does have to note the current incentives at the time the order is placed and request protection. So, if you were told that your incentives are "locked in" when you placed your order, you will still get those incentives at the time of delivery even if the latest incentives have decreased. And, better yet, if there are better incentives available at the time of delivery, you can get those instead.

I rarely, if ever, agree with anything that Mitt Romney has to say, but he does make a good case for (Chapter 11) bankruptcy - if it is done right. KeyPoint: With federal guarantees, Chapter 11 reorganization could work out well for Detroit in the long run. But, without federal assistance, the likely result would be Chapter 7 liquidation. *********************************************** Beyond the conservative ideology that favors free market forces above all else, regardless of the outcome, it seems to me that the Republicans in Congress are eager to see Detroit fail, if for no other reason than it will put a nail in the coffin of organized labor. Regardless of all past mistakes by the Big 3, I believe the only real reason they are in such dire straights today is directly the result of the financial and credit crises. The auto industry is completely reliant on their customer's ability to access credit in order to sell their products. When customer's can't get loans, the auto companies cannot sell vehicles. It's that simple. Detroit is spending their cash reserves just to keep the lights on, and federal loans would help them stay in operation until the credit market improves and consumer confidence is restored. That would be my preference, but I can see Romney's side too.

I've seen a Flex on Fringe a couple of times. Also saw one last night on Desperate Housewives. Toyota seems to be aggressive with product placement these days, too. But, they have gone a little overboard this season by having the FBI use new Sequoias on Bones and Prison Break. I could be wrong, but I think the federal government only buys domestics.

Looks like FordVehicles.com is about to update the Escape page with 2009 info - could be any day now. The title of the webpage across the top of my browswer says "2009", but the details on the page are still for the '2008' model. I've seen this before in past model year changeovers, and it's not long after the new year starts showing up in the page title, that the page actually gets updated. http://www.fordvehicles.com/suvs/escape/

Ice, are you able to confirm if the Mariner prices have also increased?

You can build and price 2009 Escapes & Mariners on KBB.com. http://www.kbb.com/kbb/NewCars/2009_Ford_Escape_SUV.aspx http://www.kbb.com/kbb/NewCars/2009_Mercury_Mariner_SUV.aspx (Note that KBB doesn't include Holdback in their invoice pricing.)

Thanks Viper! "Earth!" (oh boy!)

Hi Viper. Please post the sticker for 1FTSW20576EC69199. Thanks a bunch! Rob

Looks sharp! So Ford gave you a brand new one without having to go thru lemon law process? I didn't realize that the muting of the stereo volume when reverse sensors beep was a new feature. It's a smart idea. My volume is often pretty high and I wouldn't hear the beeps otherwise. (To clear up any confusion for readers, the volume mutes, but the stereo doesn't actually shut off and you can still hear the music.)

I may be the only one that ordered an '08 with the standard front bench seat. The '09 shows front buckets standard on all models, and no option for a front bench. Bummer.

I got the red, but silver was my 2nd choice. Between black and silver, I'd prefer silver. It doesn't show the dirt as much, and stays cooler in the summer sun.

Tiffany, you scared me with the title of this thread! I thought there was news that Ford was going to discontinue production! :o You should be able to get a great price (ie: a steal!) on an Excursion via an auto auction. The used market for big SUV's right now is practically on life support and prices have plummeted. One good thing about your current lease is no worries about a plunging trade in value. Along those lines, I can't even fathom buying a giant beast like the Excursion with today's $4/gal gas prices. :eek5:

I thought you were going to lemon law that thing, anyway... did you change your mind? If the tires are worn to a point where they are unsafe, you should consider replacing them now. There should still be a warranty on them of some kind after barely more than 18 months and 20,000 miles. That's ridiculous to wear out so fast. If the tires are not unsafe to drive on, I would say not to replace the tires before turning in your vehicle at lease end. If you are within your lease mileage limits, I can't see FMC charging you to replace 2-year old tires. Especially if you are going to be getting that new Navigator you were thinking about. If after you turn in the vehicle, and they come back with a wear charge for the tires, you may try to dispute it with your rotation records. If the tires are at 4/32" of tread or better, I don't think that is considered excess were according to the lease. If they are 3/32" or less, that is what they consider worn.

What???? Are those serious figures, Igor, or just guesses? I'm all for getting more hp out of a V6 with eb, but I would hope that they engineers would focus more on getting the best mpg rather than pushing the hp envelope.

You asked for the 'sticker' price! MSRP was $32,750. The A/Z plan price was approx $29,500. I leased for 36 months with 10,500 miles/year (I avg about 8,500 mi/yr): - There was $2,000 RCL cash (versus $2,500 purchase rebate). - Plus a $1,000 additional 'conquest' rebate (private offer for GMAC Lessee). - Residual was 49% (1st quarter 2008 - 2WD XLT low-mileage lease) - Lease Rate was 3.00% - Monthly payment is $364 for 3 years. - To keep the payment down, I paid $1,500 out of pocket at delivery, which covered 1st pmt, tags/fees, sales tax (6.75%), and a slight down pmt. Note: At the time I took delivery, there was no extra bonus rebate for A/Z/X plan buyers. However, there have been some bonus rebates added for Plan buyers since 4/1/08 in some regions (as much as $2,500 extra in addition to standard public rebates). Any Plan buyers interested in a new Expy should ask your dealer to check the system to see what extra rebates may be available for you. Not sure if the extra rebates are good on leases. Note: Lease residual percentages normally change (decrease) at the begining of each quarter. Residual percentages vary by model (ie: XLT, EB, Limited, etc.); 2WD or 4WD; and by mileage. Lease rates and residuals are subject to change any time.

The window sticker is found here: http://www.blueovalforums.com/forums/index...showtopic=21267

Order. There wasn't any dealer anywhere with one in-stock with bench seats. The closest I could compare to was an F150, but they are not the same seats.

It's an XLT. Front row bench seats are only available on the XLT. It's a standard length Expy, without the 3rd row seat. So, actually, its a 6 passenger Expy. Note: In place of the 3rd seat, there is a covered storage well in the floor where the seat would go.

Yes, but it pops out into my right knee space, so it's essentially useless to me. (Mentioned that in post #10, above.)

I've been meaning to, but kept forgetting... I'll do it now. Here's a couple pix. There's a cheap $5 organizer/cupholder on the floor that I got from Amazon. It's crap, but it does the job.

I have to say that I am very disappointed with the split bench seats in the 08 Expy. Since there were no such configured vehicles anywhere in Ohio, and no pictures anywhere to be found, I ordered the seats on faith that they would be similar to those found in the F-150. Now, the seats themselves are just fine. They are comfortable and supportive, and the fabric is nice - easier to slide on and off of than most fabrics. The problem is that the bench seat comes with a simple foam center armrest with no storage, and the cupholders are not part of the seats or armrest, but rather pull out of the center stack (dash). The lack of armrest storage in the Expy is very disappointing, and the cupholders are practically useless to me as they pull out right into my knee space. The storage armrest with cupholders found in the F150 is a much better seat design. Almost as good as the similar configuration in the pre-2007 Yukon/Tahoe models. (Don't even get me started on the awful design of the current Yukon/Tahoe seating & center stack.) While disappointed with the lack of storage and useable cupholders, I'm still very pleased with the overall comfort, leg room, and knee room of the bench seats versus the bucket seats with center console.

So far, very smoothly in all gears. Sometimes, there's a little hesitation downshifting if I 'punch it', but nothing unusual. I was pleased with the smoothness of the shifting in and out of overdrive while cruising the hilly highways of KY and IN. With the 4-spd auto on my "04 Yukon, the downshifts out of overdrive when heading up steep inclines on the highway was very dramatic and abrupt. Not so with the Expy's 6-spd.

Yes, it looks the same in my 2008 XLT. Thanks for pointing this out. I'll be sure to keep those windows closed when it's raining.