Tribute vs. Escape

.....

Neither of them is a rear wheel drive open top sports car?

Part time (moon roof & 4WD) - Actually, I could not find another ng to post the questions and thought someone here might have some experience than this line.

Yes. The drivers spend a lot of time moaning about how they should have bought a Miata.

I'd get a Miata.

;)

I'd buy one in a minute, if I could drive it with the top in place. (Very inadequate headroom - thus the interest in the Tribute)

That's a tough one. If you really do want a Miata, there are ways to lower the seat by 2-3 inches by modifying the padding/springs and by removing the fore/aft adjustment mechanism. OTOH, what do you really need all those vertibrae for?

How tall are you? I'm over six feet tall and my Miata fits me like a glove. An awful lot of people assume they won't be able to fit in a Miata before trying one on for size.

Part of the fit depends on the weight also, as well as the height ... My Hubby is 6'2" and can sit in the passenger seat, but no way he can drive. He weighs 300 lbs and just plain won't fit under the steering wheel.

If your problem with the Miata is headroom, there are far more similar cars without that problem than the Tribute...

Popliteal height is what matters. Your height from bum sat on a hard surface to the top of your head. For example, although I'm only about

5'8", I have very short legs, and I am within perhaps 2" of being too tall for a Miata. I drive with the seat 2 notches forward of the rearmost position, but the sunvisors are quite unusable.

Alright, since you asked...

Why are you even considering either one? If you're happy with the Accord, get another one.

I don't know about options, but as far as the basics go, engine, chassis, etc., there's virtually no difference between them. I've driven Escapes and was thoroughly underwhelmed. Do you need an SUV? If not, get another Accord, or an Altima, or a Mazda 6. All of them are infinitely better driving experiences than the Escape/Tribute, or any other SUV for that matter.

If you must have an SUV, look at the Nissan Murano. If it's too big or too expensive, look at the Honda CRV, Toyota RAV4, Honda Element (Ughhh), Suburu Forester...

You answered your own question about AWD; you don't need it. And you don't need the extra cost, extra weight, extra tire wear, decreased gas mileage, and, diminished handling performance (this is not a high-performance AWD system ala Infiniti FX45)

I say, if you don't need an SUV and you can't get a sports car, get a sedan or stationwagon.

Entirely just my opinion.

John McClary

jsgmcclary at cox dot net

The RX-8 is fun to drive -- and it seemed to have more headroom than an MX-5.

Though I don't like the styling. The exterior is much to "busy" with too many scoops and slots and lines and whatnot. I hated the digital speedo, and they've adopted the evil ways of Ford with a radio that's not DIN form-factor: it's layed out in sort of a oval art-deco style. I think it's rather an ugly car both inside and out. :(

Since no one in the group seems to want to address your question, I will. Drive both the Tribute and the Escape and buy the one that you enjoy driving the most. The Tribute handles like a sporty car ( no not like a Miata, but really quite good). The Escape is a softer ride and I found the driver's seat very uncomfortable. I'm 5'9" and about 180#. My wife has a RAV-4 and it is much more comfortable to drive than the Escape, but it sure doesn't handle or go like the Tribute!

"Drive them both and buy the one you like" doesn't really answer most of his questions either does it? :)

One thing I would add is to seriously consider the dealer experience. Which service department are you going to want to deal with on a long term basis? It goes beyond just which brand has the best reputation for good dealers. If you're in a small town, you may be stuck with one local dealer for that brand and they may not ba a place you want to take your business. For example, my sister owns a Ford in Colorado Springs where, she tells me, all the Ford dealers are owned by the same outfit. After hearing her horror stories about the Ford dealer service departments in Co Springs, I would advise anyone living there to avoid Fords (at least those under warranty so you have to deal with the dealer) (of course I generally advise people to avoid Fords anyway, but that's another story).

John ('94 Miata)