I would have liked the sunroof.
But i declined because of pricing.
Fully accessorised my car was $35,000.
Original price was $29,990.
The sunroof ,would have put it over $35,000.
My accessorising is: Heavy duty nudge bar. Pair of 100 watt spotlights.
Embroidered floor mats for front and rear.
Towbar package.
Under body rust proof treatment.
Scotch guard sealant for the duco.
Stainless steel door scuff plates, on all four door jambs.
Driver, plus passenger and rear window tinting.
Wind deflectors for four windows.
Roof rack. Rear cargo bay package.
So it all easily increases the price.
I wanted that " sunroof " to be my final touch.
For me it was not really a necessity. More like a luxury.
My cargo package is functional.
I do not regard it as useless.
My escape seemed reasonably capable for offroad use.
Safe enough on gravel roads.
Have experimented on mud tracks.
But there is a limit in offroading.
My gearbox stressed out. The auto trans oil was cooked.
The mechanic advised me i was very fortunate.
I could have been subjected to, very expensive transaxle and gearbox repairs.
To summarise i feel the escape, is not really a full on offroad vehicle.
For example my mud hooning, resulted in a cooked auto trans.
Because of this have given up ,playing in mud back roads.
I need the car for my job. Work duties have main priority.
For normal sealed tar roads cruising, the escape is a very capable car.
On beach sand dunes it would be safe.
As regards mud tracks i found out there is a limit.
My service tech indicated, that some escape owners of earlier models, were up for transaxle and gearbox repairs.
As it was my escape computer, went into an emergency go home limp mode.
This means the whole car shakes, at anything over 80 kms per hour.
So i drove home at 80kms per hour, to keep car body steady.
The engine warning light stayed on. Also the 4x4 light flashed, indicating there is a very serious problem.
My gearbox oil was cooked. The service tech flushed the gearbox.
He checked for metal shavings, plus for anything unusual.
Then fresh brand new oil was pumped in.
He strongly advised, against future offroading in mud.
The service tech also was surprised, i had no gearbox and transaxle damage.
I am very fortunate, to not have induced repairs.
Sorry if this sounds like a party pooper, but i do not see the escape as a capable offroader.
If anyone wants to go mudding, well then that is your business.
But my opinion is that the escape is restricted.
Be wary that your trans axle and gearbox do not stress out.
