# Replacement for 2001 Ford Escape **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** escape, ford\ **Created:** [June 13, 2009, 4:13pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replacement-for-2001-ford-escape/31839 "2009-06-13T16:13:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Manastash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@Manastash](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Manastash)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2009, 4:13pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replacement-for-2001-ford-escape/31839/1 "2009-06-13T16:13:23Z")
I am looking for recomendations to replace a 2001 Ford Escape manual transmission, 4 cylinder, 4 wheeldrive and must have a moon/sun roof. The 2009 manual ford escapes the sunroof is not an option. ---
**Author:** ![bscar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bscar/32/34_2.png) [@bscar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bscar)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2009, 10:00pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replacement-for-2001-ford-escape/31839/2 "2009-06-13T22:00:57Z")
it’ll be hard to find a new SUV with manual transmission anywhere. CX-7, Rav4, Escape/Mariner come to mind in replacing with a similarly sized SUV ---
**Author:** ![Manastash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@Manastash](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Manastash)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2009, 10:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replacement-for-2001-ford-escape/31839/3 "2009-06-13T22:08:29Z")
The escape has a manual transmission, but they will only factory install a sunroof on the uper end models that only come with an automatic. I like the feel of a real car using a clutch… ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2009, 10:09pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replacement-for-2001-ford-escape/31839/4 "2009-06-13T22:09:17Z")
The top-rated small SUVs (in terms of driving dynamics as well as reliability) are: RAV-4/Forester–pretty much of a tie CRV After those, everything else is essentially an also-ran. ---
**Author:** ![bscar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bscar/32/34_2.png) [@bscar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bscar)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2009, 10:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replacement-for-2001-ford-escape/31839/5 "2009-06-13T22:21:43Z")
Could you ask the salesman to have a moonroof put on after you buy the vehicle? I had a Toyota salesman offer to have their guys install leather seats in a Rav4 if I didn’t want to spend the extra $6k on getting a Limited version with factory leather. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2009, 10:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replacement-for-2001-ford-escape/31839/6 "2009-06-13T22:29:50Z")
I think that this comes down to personal taste as well as trust. There is no way that I would allow an aftermarket shop to cut into the roof of a brand new vehicle to install a sun/moon roof. And, since improper installation of aftermarket seat covers will interfere with the functioning of the seat-mounted side air bags, there is no way that I would have this done to my car. I guess I am just not that trusting of these aftermarket people and how their workmanship might impact on the car’s various warranties. ---
**Author:** ![mshugna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ce73a5/32.png) [@mshugna](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mshugna)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2009, 11:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replacement-for-2001-ford-escape/31839/7 "2009-06-13T23:19:17Z")
RAV4 stopped producing manual transmissions after 2005. ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2009, 11:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replacement-for-2001-ford-escape/31839/8 "2009-06-13T23:38:09Z")
The 2009 Subaru Outback 2.5XT Limited has what you want: manual 5-speed and a power glass sunroof. It’s the only game in town. Unless you want a sedan. Then the Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT Limited fits the bill, too.