Used Car Shopping Help

[MichiGator2002]

I'm buying a new care for the first time in about a decade and I'm a bit adrift. Just got a short laundry list of questions for the people --

1. I am a long time Ford Escape owner, and I'm looking at a Ford Edge. Does anybody have any experience with them, generally opinions? I've seen good reviews, but haven't really heard any first hand testimonial from an owner.

2. Is a vehicle having a history as a corporate fleet vehicle (maybe a rental car?) something that should be a concern?

3. I'm also looking at another Escape, but a couple of the options are 4wd, where my old one was a 2wd, front. I was told I should have had the 4wd when I lived up north for snow, but in Florida, how bad is the fuel economy hit since I don't do any significant off-road driving anyway?

I appreciate any help or insight.

[ufrulz2]

Fuel economy hit from 2WD to AWD is 1-2 mpg. Not substantial, but SUVs aren't great on gas to begin with. I've driven in the Edge and like it, but I've never owned one. To me, the Nissan Murano, which is comparably sized and shaped, is a much nicer vehicle. Corporate fleet vehicle (assuming you got that from Carfax) doesn't necessarily mean it's a rental, but it's a good bet it was. And I would never buy a rental!

[MichiGator2002]

Thanks!

Another question, one that I've seen various Yahoo answers debate over -- I live in Florida, Florida is hot. My old Escape was grey with grey interior. Is there a real issue with having a black car and/or interior in Florida when it comes to heat? Both for comfort or for glass/paint? I saw a black escape that I think would be a pretty good deal (I really like the Escape), but that made me pause. Real, or urban myth?

[Jaggator]

2013 Ford Edge

http://media.ed.edmunds-media.com/ford/edge/2013/oem/2013_ford_edge_4dr-suv_limited_fq_oem_1_500.jpg

http://media.ed.edmunds-media.com/ford/edge/2013/oem/2013_ford_edge_4dr-suv_sport_rq_oem_1_500.jpg

http://media.ed.edmunds-media.com/ford/edge/2013/oem/2013_ford_edge_4dr-suv_sport_s_oem_1_500.jpg

http://media.ed.edmunds-media.com/ford/edge/2013/oem/2013_ford_edge_4dr-suv_sport_i_oem_1_500.jpg

http://media.ed.edmunds-media.com/ford/edge/2013/oem/2013_ford_edge_4dr-suv_limited_ri_oem_1_500.jpg

http://media.ed.edmunds-media.com/ford/edge/2013/oem/2013_ford_edge_4dr-suv_sport_d_oem_1_500.jpg

http://media.ed.edmunds-media.com/ford/edge/2013/oem/2013_ford_edge_4dr-suv_limited_cc_oem_1_500.jpg

http://media.ed.edmunds-media.com/ford/edge/2013/oem/2013_ford_edge_4dr-suv_limited_cargo_oem_1_500.jpg

http://media.ed.edmunds-media.com/ford/edge/2013/oem/2013_ford_edge_4dr-suv_limited_cc_oem_2_500.jpg


Pros

comfortable cabin; abundant features; comfortable ride; composed handling; available EcoBoost four-cylinder engine.

Cons

Difficult-to-use MyFord Touch system; transmission can be slow to respond.

The ride is a bit jittery and road noise is pronounced. Powertrain lacks refinement and transmission isn't the smoothest.

[ufrulz2]

Black cars do get hotter, no doubt. My first car when I lived in Florida was a black Camaro, and the seats did get pretty toasty. But ANY car is going to get hot in Florida on a 95-degree, sunny summer day, and I don't believe exterior color is going to have a dramatic impact on the inside temperature.

[MichiGator2002]

Test drove an edge, it is really cool... but not a car I could see myself in it. On the upside, I got in a black escape that had been in the sun all day and wasn't much hotter than I would think. On the downside, the black escape I had a line on sold on me. Back to drawing board, but thanks for help guys.

[gotime51]

i used to have an edge. was great until we had a kid. not enough room in the trunk for a stroller or all the other crap needed. god help you if you had to go to the grocery store with the kid. for an suv, there is no storage space unless they changed it. ours was in 2009. otherwise, great car. no problems. surprisingly roomy inside. drove great on long road trips

[wygator]

It's the interior color you have to worry about, darker is definitely hotter.