This is a bit trickier than removing some stereo systems as the unit was designed specifically to fit in the centre-stack of the car, rather than the more conventional double or single-DIN units that are a bit more universal. Assuming you want to replace the standard Ford stereo with an aftermarket unit, you’ll need to purchase a double-DIN fascia panel that replaces the stock unit and allows for mounting the aftermarket head unit. It’s also extremely unlikely that you’ll be able to separate the CD player from the rest of the stereo, so replacing the whole assembly will be your best option.

To remove the standard stereo, you have to disassemble a fair bit of the interior in terms of the plastic trims. This requires some specialised trim-clip removal tools and you need to be careful as these plastic trim pieces are easily damaged or broken.

Be aware, too, that in some versions of the Escape, the wiring for the passenger’s air-bag runs behind the stereo panel, so unless you know exactly what you’re doing, this is a job best left to the experts. It also goes without saying that you should disconnect the car’s battery before attempting any of this. If you’re still keen, a workshop manual for your specific car will be able to walk you through the process in detail.

This is a bit of a perennial question when it comes to older second-hand cars that suddenly need expensive repairs. On current values, your Escape is probably worth almost exactly the same as the new transmission will cost you. The problem is that even if you do have the new transmission fitted, you won’t have doubled the value of the car. In fact, you’ll have done nothing for its resale value compared with any other working Escape. And right now, your Escape with a broken transmission is worth – roughly - $300 which is what a scrap merchant will pay for it to be crushed and turned into microwave ovens.

However, balancing all that is the question of, if you do scrap the car, how much will you need to spend to get into something that will be reliable and safe? And the answer to that is probably more than $5000. At this point, you also need to assess the condition of the rest of your car. At 170,000km on the clock, it could well be ready for maintenance in other expensive areas.

But assuming the rest of your car is in good condition and still works properly, here’s another option: Rather than a brand-new transmission, why not track down a good, second-hand unit from a vehicle recycler. Specialist recyclers have a range of components like these, and you should be able to find one that’s been tested and perhaps even carries a short warranty. It will still cost money to buy the transmission and have it fitted, but it shouldn’t be anything like $5000 and if it keeps your car on the road for another few years, then it’s recycling at its best. The greenest car is the one that’s already been built.

The Ford Escape plug-in should be an interesting vehicle when it arrives, with 165kW of power and something like a 50km electric-only range. It will be here sometime this year, but the exact timing is still a trade secret.

The Toyota RAV4, meanwhile, isn’t a plug-in hybrid, so it can’t be recharged form your home solar panels (which the plug-in Escape could be). Frankly, if you’re making four times the power your household needs with your solar array, you’re in the pound seats for owning a plug-in hybrid which could put that excess electricity generation to very good use. That’s especially true if most of your driving is around town within a 20km radius or so of home-base.

That said, the new RAV4 Hybrid is gaining rave reviews as well as recording very sharp real-world fuel-economy figures. But a plug-in hybrid in a household with excess solar capacity could almost be run for free.