Hello Mate,
Nice price you paid and for what you have a real bargain.
Mine is the same model but on 02 plate, I've owned it for about 3 years now.
They produce 196BHP and 195 lbs of torque in standard form. So they have performance on and off road.
They are predominantly front wheel drive,with the rear coming in automaticlly if slip is felt, or you can lock into 4x4 by electronic switch on dash. Drive is split 60/40, and the differance is remarkable. You will very rarley need it though. I run 80% road tyre 20% off road tyres on mine Cooper discovery sports. They are same size as Land rover tyres and wheels so no shortage there.
In this country they were a limited production run and not popular because of the column change and long reach needed for the handbrake.
The rest of the world call them the Ford Escape, and its the most popular small SUV in the USA.
http://www.fordvehicles.com/suvs/escape/?bannerid=361247
If you look in the gallery there are pictures of mine, both on and off road.
I have side steps and a bull bar fitted to mine, its the only one I've ever seen moded at all.
I can go on all night about whats really good about them, but I'm sure you'll find that out yourself.
The bad bits:
They drink petrol, dosn't matter how you drive 17mpg around town is about average. On a run, even towing I can get 20mpg
ish
For off road use you will find a little limited as the ground clearance is only 7 - 8" at the lowest point. (although over 12" at the highest)
Parts are a preminum as most Ford dealers don't know what they are, and few have seen them!! The last part I needed came from the USA via Germany.
