Quick advice on a car swap

My neighbor has a 2003 Ford Escape with 98k, with a small oil leak that is hard to fix.  $2100.  Do I sell the X5 5MT and buy this?

Build thread from the X5

Also related, anyone want on X5?  It is teenage driver proof.

I'd say it depends on what you want/need out of the vehicle.  If it's just a basic DD and economy of use is a large factor, then yeah - the Escape will almost certainly be less expensive to operate on a $/mile basis than the X5.  But pure $/mile isn't always why we choose a vehicle. 

Also consider it will likely be VERY difficult to find a buyer for a stick shift X5 unless it's priced cheap

In reply to calteg :

What does cheap mean?  Is $1800 too much?

Swapping to the Escape is probably a good idea, maybe I'll ask my boys what they would rather drive.  And of course consult with SWMBO.

I'm semi interested in the x5

In reply to akylekoz :

What issues does it have? And how much? Not for me lol

In reply to yupididit :

X5 issues... Old BMW

More specifically, it has a torn CV boot on the passenger side front, the subframe has been recently removed so it will all come apart easily.  Cruise doesn't work, I'm pretty sure it did before I changed the engine, so probable a bad connection at a wheel speed sensor.  Passenger side rear door needs a new outer handle cable, it only opens from the inside.  Currently shared by my twin 17 year old boys.  Could really use that shifter piece that wears at the coupling to the trans but we drive it just fine the way it is.

Good, Ice cold AC, super hot heat, heated seats work, all windows work, lots of recent parts replaced as part of an engine swap.  Comes with a pile of extra parts, that will fail someday.  Did I mention that it is an X5 2.5 now, very rare I may have the only one.  

$1800 sounds fair to me.

Now before you get all crazy, I need to find out if my boys want to trade it for the Escape in question.

In reply to chandler :

Read on.

I really like driving this thing, my hopes were to keep it for myself and let my boys drive my old Expedition.  They totaled the Expedition, and my new truck it too nice for them to wreck so I have to drive it.

I'll figure out what to do soon here.

On the Escape, investigate rear sub frame and rear shock mount area for debilitating rust.  Might as well look at the front sub also.  

Common problem on these Escape

I should start by saying I like these Escape but if it's a 2.3L it's a bit weazzy yet still gets poor mpg.  If it's a 3.0L it gets worse mpg.  

In reply to John Welsh :

Thanks, I'll put it on the lift for inspection.

I looked into older Escapes a few weeks ago and that subframe issue can be pretty scary. 

akylekoz said:

In reply to John Welsh :

Thanks, I'll put it on the lift for inspection.

https://nhoilundercoating.com/ford-escape-recalled-for-rust-issue/

So the subframes looked good but the front one didn't have any body left to attach to and the rear had been cobbled on both sides.

The next guy to look at it took it.  Sucker, I feel bad for him.

John Welsh said:

On the Escape, investigate rear sub frame and rear shock mount area for debilitating rust.  Might as well look at the front sub also.  

Common problem on these Escape

FRONT subframe rusts out.

The rear shock mounts are fine.  They are the only part of the wheelwell that stays intact.   I have only ever seen this corrosion on models with the rear speaker assembly in the passenger side.

The oil leak sounds like it is a V6 model with a timing cover leak.  Not uncommon, requires removing the valve covers, and thus intake, and I forget if it requires removing the oil pan or if redoing the oil pan is simply a really good idea while the timing cover is off.