So the wife has narrowed her choices down...

[HarleyEarl]

I hate to say it but the Edge is the better choice. It's a nice compromise between a big suv and a wagon.

Much better looking too....the Vue looks chubby.

[caddycruiser]

Looks wise, I think the Vue is actually more attractive, with very nice proportions and details--especially with the XR wheels. In a very trim package.

The Edge looks a bit like a bland or odd bathtub of some variety, not bad, but nothing fantastic either--I just like the total package, features, etc. more for the price.

[Satty]

In white, the Edge literally looks like a giant egg. The Ford accessory body kit helps a lot, if you want to spend the $1800+ for it. Copper, red, dark blue and black look fine, the lighter, less bold colors dont.

[pow]

Another thing... the VUE is built in Mexico, which kinda defeats the purpose of buying American, IMO. At least the Edge is assembled by the CAW.

[caddycruiser]

In white, the Edge literally looks like a giant egg. The Ford accessory body kit helps a lot, if you want to spend the $1800+ for it. Copper, red, dark blue and black look fine, the lighter, less bold colors dont.

Yeah, it's very dependent on the specific trim, wheels, and colors. Not a universally great design, and really yes a bland egg, but change quite a bit with the proper trim. It sells more on the total package and drive quality it offers, plus the look to some extent.

[frogger]

Another thing... the VUE is built in Mexico, which kinda defeats the purpose of buying American, IMO. At least the Edge is assembled by the CAW.

half a mile from my office

[MyerShift]

Vue. It's tidier in dimensional appearance, German engineered, GM, and ought to drive better.

[z28luvr01]

Have you thought of holding out for the GMC Terrain?

[Dsuupr]

Well for one thing, the Enclave she really wants is priced too far out of our league (CXL = $42k MSRP)... so when you consider that she can get an Edge Limited, which come pretty well loaded, add in the Vista panoramic sunroof, all for right around $32k MSRP, it really makes a world of differance. Trust me, I'd go for the Enclave in heartbeat, but it pushes the financial limits for us. She did drive a base CX FWD with the DVD package ($35k MSRP), but it too was up there in price for us and didn't give her the options she really wants. And personally, while the Limited is very nice, if we go with the Edge I think a middle-of-the-road SEL model is more likely ($28-$29k MSRP) - but you never know when the sales start later in spring. She's not a fan of the Acadia, and as for the OUTLOOK, she'd much rather have the Enclave over it. So, if Lambda was for us, it'd have to be a Buick Enclave. And unless GM stops selling these hot cakes and wants to give them away, we'll be looking elsewhere.

They are doing $1000 rebates on the Outlook. Of the three (soon to be four) it's the best deal out there and ALOT nicer than the Edge or Vue for the same price. There is no reason not to consider the Outlook or Acadia.

[Satty]

The Lambdas are 2ft longer than the Edge, that is unnecessary extra room for most people. The Edge also has more second row legroom than the Outlook, which does have extra shoulder room compared to the Edge. I just wouldn't count on real-world economy being close to epa ratings, the Outlook has a larger engine and weighs 700lbs more than the Edge.

[daves87rs]

The outlook wouldn't be a bad choice...

[GMTruckGuy74]

Have you thought of holding out for the GMC Terrain?

I wish we could... but seeing as how the Terrain won't be out until sometime in CY 2009 as a MY 2010, and our lease ends this August, we don't have the pleasure of time to wait.

As we drove around this weekend, we noticed a lot of VUEs and Edges on the road. She likes both very much, and this is a hard decsion for her (I'm staying out of the final decision, because when it's my turn next November I don't want her telling me what I can and can't get!!!). And since I really like the Envoy and get to drive that more than the AURA (the AURA will be mine solely once she gets her new vehicle), I'm not pushing to make a move any time soon. Plus I figure the Memorial Day Sale will start off the summer sales season, and want to watch as the incentives <hopefully> get better (unfortunately bad sales figures for Detroit makes it a better shopping season for the consumer).

Dsuupr, I'd love for my wife to be able to get the Buick Enclave over the VUE or Edge, but the way she wants her vehicle optioned/equipped, puts the Enclave way out of price for us (notice that I bolded Enclave; she doesn't want the Acadia or OUTLOOK, she wants the Enclave). I get your point though and agree 100% with your logic, but you're trying to fit a square peg into a round hole! Maybe if the summer sales incentives make the OUTLOOK (equipped how she'd want it) a steal over the Edge, then she'd consider it. But I can hear her voice right now - "If I'm spending that kind of money on an OUTLOOK, I'd rather get the Enclave".

[Drew Dowdell]

I still think she needs to get over her CPOaphobia. If you are trying to cut out the fat financially, buying new does not make sense.

and please... trying to impress people in a Princeton office? Not going to do that with anything inside of all three of our price ranges combined.

Buy a CPO with very low miles then brag about how savy you are in getting a great deal on a car.

[enzl]

I still think she needs to get over her CPOaphobia. If you are trying to cut out the fat financially, buying new does not make sense.

and please... trying to impress people in a Princeton office? Not going to do that with anything inside of all three of our price ranges combined.

Buy a CPO with very low miles then brag about how savy you are in getting a great deal on a car.

100% correct.

If money is an issue, a new vehicle purchase means you've thrown away 20% of purchase price when that vehicle is registered as yours. With the CPO warranties and APR specials, you're sure to save $5k minimum at the pricepoints you're talking about.. Just my .02.

[Dsuupr]

GMCTruckGuy74 - My wife does the same thing to me. I would almost kill a person for her to get rid of that ugly gas hog of hers. I've recommended and offered MUCH nicer newer or new cars and she just doesn't want to give up Roach III.

For those out there that want to argue cost of ownership of a new car vs an old gas hog, let me give you the break down.

2000 miles per month (gas alone)

Roach III = $467

2008 Malibu = $233

NEW Malibu gas savings = $233 per month

Add the constant repairs / maintenance that an old well used car needs (averages $1500 a year) and well . . .

I give credit to GM for building a car that is so durable, but it's time these old cars are put out to pasture. They eat at the earth and people's pocket books for no reason.

Sorry to those that are in love with these cars. I'm just getting tired of pouring money into a car that only she is willing to ride in. My kids hate it and I get tired of it eating my money.

As of late she keeps using and abusing my car because I keep complaining about the amount of gas it costs to run the Roach.

[PONTIAC06]

I voted Vue...I think it's more attractive, and it is a GM, but two of my friends have Edges, and they are really nice vehicles too. I'd say get whichever is the better deal and will make her happy...she is the one that will drive it every day.

[Drew Dowdell]

I give credit to GM for building a car that is so durable, but it's time these old cars are put out to pasture. They eat at the earth and people's pocket books for no reason.

Sorry to those that are in love with these cars.

Well, I disagree about putting old cars out to pasture. In my case, I'm using the Roadmaster Estate in place of a full size truck in order to run my apartment rental business. In that regard, the Roadmaster gets much better highway and somewhat better city fuel economy than a Silverado would.

Plus, it's much more comfortable than a Silvi when not being used as a work vehicle. I can also do most repairs myself.

[Sixty8panther]

Voted VUE.

I think the Edge is less ugly but it IS after all a four letter word beginning with F.

FWD Fords always SUCK in terms of quality & reliability. ALWAYS.

[Drew Dowdell]

Voted VUE.

I think the Edge is less ugly but it IS after all a four letter word beginning with F.

FWD Fords always SUCK in terms of quality & reliability. ALWAYS.

Isn't the FWD unit in the Edge a GM designed 6-speed?

[regfootball]

Voted VUE.

I think the Edge is less ugly but it IS after all a four letter word beginning with F.

FWD Fords always SUCK in terms of quality & reliability. ALWAYS.

mine havent

[regfootball]

I still think she needs to get over her CPOaphobia. If you are trying to cut out the fat financially, buying new does not make sense.

and please... trying to impress people in a Princeton office? Not going to do that with anything inside of all three of our price ranges combined.

Buy a CPO with very low miles then brag about how savy you are in getting a great deal on a car.

conversely, if you plan on keeping the vehicle a long time, those first 10-20-30k miles on the new car vs. the used can be the cheapest miles you will put on your vehicle. they are all pretty much maintenance and trouble free. CPO cars sell for higher prices than non CPO cars, often far too much. why pay 23k for a used volvo from a volvo dealer i can get from an exec lease return specialist for 18? check the finance options, do the math, and sometimes you can justify the new purchase more easily, if discounts and rebates are involved when you compare the cost of those 'first miles' vs. the ones in year 5,6,7, when youa re replacing &#036;h&#33; constantly.

some cars need tires at 40k, and for some cars that amounts to 1000 bucks. buy a used car and put 1000 into it right away? Not always the way to go.

You need to understand the motivation for car salesmen wanting to push the used.....higher profits, harder to sell. they don't want the used car in inventory very long. they are spoiled by high markups on used cars typically and even more ludicrous margins on CPO cars.

sometimes you find exactly what you want used with CPO with maybe 10k on it and in that case it's definitely something to consider. But a 1-2 year old CPO car even though it may be 20% cheaper, keep in mind its even worth less as well because the moment you drive that off the lot too now its only worth auction value, which may be 20% less then the car that was just driven off the lot new.

Edited April 14, 2008 by regfootball

[Sixty8panther]

Give it time REG.

The transmission is not the ONLY weak/poorly laid out/designed part of a transverse mounted motor.

From the original Escort, to the Taurus, Tempo/Topaz, Contour/Mystake, FWD Continental sedans,

Focus, Wind/Freestar minivans... should I keep going?

[Drew Dowdell]

conversely, if you plan on keeping the vehicle a long time, those first 10-20-30k miles on the new car vs. the used can be the cheapest miles you will put on your vehicle. they are all pretty much maintenance and trouble free. CPO cars sell for higher prices than non CPO cars, often far too much. why pay 23k for a used volvo from a volvo dealer i can get from an exec lease return specialist for 18? check the finance options, do the math, and sometimes you can justify the new purchase more easily, if discounts and rebates are involved when you compare the cost of those 'first miles' vs. the ones in year 5,6,7, when youa re replacing &#036;h&#33; constantly.

some cars need tires at 40k, and for some cars that amounts to 1000 bucks. buy a used car and put 1000 into it right away? Not always the way to go.

You need to understand the motivation for car salesmen wanting to push the used.....higher profits, harder to sell. they don't want the used car in inventory very long. they are spoiled by high markups on used cars typically and even more ludicrous margins on CPO cars.

sometimes you find exactly what you want used with CPO with maybe 10k on it and in that case it's definitely something to consider. But a 1-2 year old CPO car even though it may be 20% cheaper, keep in mind its even worth less as well because the moment you drive that off the lot too now its only worth auction value, which may be 20% less then the car that was just driven off the lot new.

If you've been following, his wife doesn't want to keep anything till year 5,6, or 7.

Unless 0% financing is in play, financing will be cheaper total payments on a CPO than on a new car.

[Drew Dowdell]

Give it time REG.

The transmission is not the ONLY weak/poorly laid out/designed part of a transverse mounted motor.

From the original Escort, to the Taurus, Tempo/Topaz, Contour/Mystake, FWD Continental sedans,

Focus, Wind/Freestar minivans... should I keep going?

No... you should stop... because Ford did. They wised up and stopped trying to do a FWD unit and instead farmed the work out to the people who know FWD automatics better than anyone.... General Motors.

[GMTruckGuy74]

If you've been following, his wife doesn't want to keep anything till year 5,6, or 7.

Actually, with the amount of miles she'll be putting on the vehicle, and likely 60 month financing (unless 0% is extended to 72 months later this spring/summer), we're planning for this to be at least a 6 year committment for her. I'm the one who has been the motivator behind leasing - she really liked her 2000 Grand Prix GT sedan and the follow-up vehicle, her 2003 Buick Rendezvous CX FWD, and hated giving them back at lease-end. If I didn't push leasing back then, she'd probably have owned the GP for 6 or 7 years. She's definitely buying this round, I on the otherhand may or may not continue leasing next round (November, 2009).

I tell you, I think VUEs and Edges are following me everywhere! If I'm behind a VUE in traffic, an Edge will come by shortly after. If I park near an Edge, when I come back out a VUE is not far away. I know this is what happens when you're interested in a new vehicle (you "suddenly" start seeing them everywhere), but it's unreal. Today I noticed the VUE is really narrow, more like a comfortable 4-seater rather than a true 5-seater. I told the wife that with a child seat installed in the VUE, it will be difficult to get my older stepson and one of his friends side by side in the back seat witht he child car seat. Styling is subjective, because we like both designs even though they have some flaws (like the VUE looks a little Kia/Hyundai-ish, and the Edge is a squarish bubble). I do like the fact that the Edge uses the GM/Ford 6-speed auto, which comes in the VUE XR too. My neighbors have two 2005 Fords - one is a 500 Limited and the other is a Freestyle Limited. They put a TON of miles on them and other than regular maintenance and wear-and-tear items, they've been reliable vehicles (and we've been in the Freestyle for a 2-hour drive to Hershey, PA and it was a comfortable experience). The wife likes the more compact size of teh VUE packaging and thinks it will be ideal for her; the Edge is larger and she knows that it will make for a better long-haul vehicle (we plan to travel more with the kids for vacations in the future, like to Williamsburg, VA next summer).

At this point, I'm not ready to move to the next step (pricing & financing options), as I'm not ready to part with the Envoy yet (have until August 17) and I want to see if the deals/incentives get better around & after Memorial Day. But please, keep the comments and dicsussions going - I like all of the opinions, views, and information I've been receiving.

[turbo200]

I picked Edge, but I would say they are both great, and very close in many regards. Ultimately for me, it's an issue of looks, that's what trumps most other cards for me, since you have to be seen in this car, so you want something that looks right around you. The Edge is just way more successful in coming up with a more conventional but also more provacative exterior shape and detailing.

the interior of the vue is fantastic. on the cargo end, they both seem shallow. on the performance end, the vue seems like it would be a better and more fun day to day driver, but the edge also seems high up in that regard, at least from reviews on both models.

pricing they are the same, engine performance they seem the same, though the GM unit is lauded in this regard.

I would have to say one most practical arguments the differences are negligable, so it becomes a style choice, and there is a clear winner there.

[turbo200]

not to make this more complex, but I would say a hybrid Escape and gently used RX400h or Highlander would be two great choices as well. Especially with the RXh you get all the conveniences you're looking for along with some significant level of luxuries. though I don't know how close you could get it realistically to $30k, used, and that's already far above what you're looking at in the others.

[Blake Noble]

I tell you, I think VUEs and Edges are following me everywhere! If I'm behind a VUE in traffic, an Edge will come by shortly after. If I park near an Edge, when I come back out a VUE is not far away. I know this is what happens when you're interested in a new vehicle (you "suddenly" start seeing them everywhere), but it's unreal.

Haha, I usually do not notice this sort of thing until after myself or anyone else in the family gets a new car or gets rid of one. One example would be after I started driving my Sonoma; I started seeing stepside GM compact trucks in herds! Until the screen in my old Motorola Razr went out, I actually had a photo of my truck behind the "inverse" (black paint) of itself in a Wal-Mart parking lot.

Then, after I totaled my S-10, I began to randomly see the exact same truck with the exact same wheels and tires and once I even seen one with the chrome grille mod my truck had! Two of the S-10s I had seen are from here in town, being driven daily, and I have to admit, seeing them really makes me sad.

[regfootball]

Give it time REG.

The transmission is not the ONLY weak/poorly laid out/designed part of a transverse mounted motor.

From the original Escort, to the Taurus, Tempo/Topaz, Contour/Mystake, FWD Continental sedans,

Focus, Wind/Freestar minivans... should I keep going?

sorry panther. i've logged close to 200k miles on my last 3 ford without any mechanical repairs. my brother in law had over 140k on his taurus with nothing to fix.

your generalization of ford products is not valid anymore. check scores on the fusion, focus and 500 and such and they are as high up as anything.

the engines in particular, i have maybe added a total of six quarts of oil or less in those 200k.

get with the times

Edited April 15, 2008 by regfootball

[regfootball]

If you've been following, his wife doesn't want to keep anything till year 5,6, or 7.

Unless 0% financing is in play, financing will be cheaper total payments on a CPO than on a new car.

sure, but then his car is worth less than the new one after 5 years and he may have put more money into it because its already been ridden hard and put away wet by who knows who.

having an incrementally larger payment now or adding a few months on to the loan for a new one may avoid taking a larger hit or earlier repairs and maintenance at trade in time.

if he goes new, he knows who has had the car already, no one.

if she is comfortable with new, she should go new. why give excess profit to the dealer on a used one and drive it off the lot and have auction value be 60% of what you paid for it? now you have a used car you cannot trade without taking a bath anytime soon if you get stuck.

its a FRICKING SIN to buy a used car and donate major profits to the dealer and his henchman, because he stole that car on trade, sold it for a tish less than what you deal for new if you simply negotiate, and is laughing the moment you get the keys. sure, its less than new, but you've also financed YOUR money to buy HIS PROFIT....buy new and he still rips you off for profit, but make a good deal on the new one and at least your money is going into the car, not the profit. New cars sell for a lot less profit than used, except hot models with big msrp's.

at least at off lease used places who buy their cars on the open market, they can priced them much less than the dealer CPO's and don't have as much dealer overhead from the megachains. if you can find something 1 year old or less with 10,000 miles and under for a big price difference than new, then its worth it. In my experience most CPO cars are overpriced compared to the ones you can buy at the nice professional executive lease return type of places, and its usually a big difference.

Edited April 15, 2008 by regfootball

[regfootball]

No... you should stop... because Ford did. They wised up and stopped trying to do a FWD unit and instead farmed the work out to the people who know FWD automatics better than anyone.... General Motors.

give it up already. that was a joint venture.

[pow]

give it up already. that was a joint venture.

And FWIW, the Edge seems to do better in reliability surveys than the VUE. TrueDelta has the VUE as "much worse than average" and owners cite camshaft position sensor problems, wonky cruise control, battery undercharging recall, and quality control issues. Edge reliability is considered "above average".

[pow]

If you're considering the VUE... how does getting more than double the city fuel economy sound (16 MPG vs. 34 MPG)?

And since it's a hybrid, resale value is very strong, too...

Edited April 15, 2008 by empowah

[GMTruckGuy74]

If you're considering the VUE... how does getting more than double the city fuel economy sound (16 MPG vs. 34 MPG)?

And since it's a hybrid, resale value is very strong, too...

My neighbor has a 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid that he doesn't think is worth it. He is like me, drives less than 10 miles to work, so he says he is not reaping in the benefits of a hybrid vehicle. Now how is the Mariner Hybrid withmostly highway driving? I am to believe that hybrids are best in city driving (stop and go), and since 90% of my wife's commute is on open highway, would the MPG be good? Please provide any additional info on this vehicle; I'll run it by her if just to see her reaction. I do like the Mariner over the Escape though (styling-wise).

[Satty]

Escape Hybrid is rated 34/30, the Vue Green Line is rated 25/32 for comparison. The Escape/Mariner hybrid will get better highway mileage than the Edge or non-Green Line Vue, but its peak efficiency will be in the city, like almost every other hybrid. The Escape has a little more headroom and legroom than the Vue, but shoulder room is about the same, the Edge blows them all away in shoulder room, so if 3-wide in the back seat is going to happen often, the Edge makes the most sense. The Escape Hybrid also has less cargo space than the Vue, a difficult accomplishment, to say the least.

[scharmer05]

I just don't like the Vue at at all. The back end it funky. The Edge on the other hand is the only Ford I'd drive besides a Mustang GT.

[ltdaniels]

i hope you haven't ruled out the journey.. it recently got a five-star crash rating from edmunds (which could be big with the missus), and you can get an extra row of seats for the kids.

[Sixty8panther]

Maybe I'm wrong... (swear to god I HOPE I AM) but my theory

is that in 6, 8, 10 years we'll be talking about how Ford never

changes as the aging T500urus & Sab-montego-re, McZephyr,

Edge, Milan, Focus etc. are blowing head gaskets, interiors are

falling apart, ignitions/wiring harnesses are catching on fire,

computers are failing & NVH is way more than it needs to be

on even cars wit low miles.

I hope you guys are right & Ford DOES, for once in its 100+

year history, make quality Job No.1 instead of just a joke of

a marketing campaign.

Yes, I HAVE driven a Ford lately and they still seem lacking to

me. Ford what its worth the Lincoln Town Car is helping me to

consider a modern car again. Its a fantastic car for the $ an

average one goes for used, even though I still hate those

damn mod-4.6s. Also my experiences with the 2005-up F150

have convinced me Ford is trying to build a good truck again.