Considering a Ford Escape Hybrid

[pmh013]

With my new job, I get a pretty hefty car allowance. I'm considering getting rid of the Vibe (which is fairly high mileage) for a Ford Escape Hybrid. My pre-Vibe ride was a '99 Explorer Sport, and I LOVE LOVE LOVED that truck.I'd probably lease this time around, since my commute is only 1.5 km each way to work.Does anybody have any opinions on the Ford Escape Hybrid? (as if I have to ask!)

[joatmon]

would you get the 2wd or the 4wd? (I guess 4wd) Still good gas mileage (or to be pc, kilometerage ) although with a token 1.5 km to work, maybe you should keep the vibe and get a snow machine and a bike.

[pmh013]

Oh yeah, my intention isn't actually to DRIVE to work. Mostly, it's for when I need to entertain clients, or go somewhere on a "professional" function.I had the luxury of having my boss ride in my car the day before we discussed my new job offer. He got to hear the horrible whining noise in my back end (which may have something to do with neglecting to do any service). Coincidentally, on the same day, his brother picked up a new H3.I was thinking of a hybrid since we are an environmental consulting company, but after looking at the price tag of an Escape Hybrid, I'm starting to thingk that maybe it's a little too rich for my tastes, even with the car allowance.

[joatmon]

I looked at the Ford website and couldn't find the link to the Escape Hybrid's specs, so I didn't look at it closely. "Hybrid" does cost more.I was catching up pretty close to your mileage since you lost the long commute, if you get rid of the Vibe then there will be no fun in that race.If your boss's family is buying hummers, there doesn't seem to be a lot of dedication to the whole environmental theme, so don't worry about that, if you want another Explorer then get one. Either get a nice shiny new one with lots of excess options, or save some cash and pick up a used one. Probably a lot of them around. And the dealers will probably have worked on one before.

[ShadowRuleZ]

Wait until you have to replace the batteries. I looked at them and when you figure gas savings vs extra cost it'll take forever to recoup the cost; not worth it in my opinon, especially with all the "special" parts that will be 4x as much as a normal part.

[Pablo1669]

I hope you don't like your AC that much, because everytime you stop, so does your AC. Hybrids are a waste of time and money. It's a commercial ploy to sell vehicles. Think about any REAL savings. You don't gain that much in fuel economy and you pay twice as much for the car.

[soldierguy]

I think most if not all hybrid manufacturers leave the engine running if the AC is on or at least cycle the engine off and on while at stop lights to support the AC operation.And there are mileage benefits to hybrids...my aunt bought a Pruis (the newer style) about 7 months ago and the worst tank of gas for her has been 52 mpg...mostly she sits in the mid to high 50's in her daily commute. That's 20-25 mpg better than she was getting in her old Mazda Protoge (she had the automatic so her mileage was never that great). Sure she doesn't hit the EPA ratings, but she's cut her fuel costs nearly in half. She needed a new car anyways and was going to spend about the same amount of money she paid for her Prius, so it made sense for her. She got a car comparable in size and price to the Camry she was considering, but she's getting MUCH better mileage than she ever would have with the Camry.The Prius is too "out there" for my tastes...don't like the center mounted gauges, and the styling leaves me cold. But I'd buy a hybrid if it looked and behaved like a normal car, and if the extra price over a comparable non-hybrid could be recouped through fuel savings over the life of the car loan. I just wouldn't buy one and plan on keeping it forever...the batteries will wear out eventually, and that will add substantially to the cost of keeping the car for several hundred thousand miles.

[ShadowRuleZ]

Quote, originally posted by soldierguy »I think most if not all hybrid manufacturers leave the engine running if the AC is on or at least cycle the engine off and on while at stop lights to support the AC operation.I know they do it with the defrost. That's why gas milage in something like the prius in the northern climates during the winter sucks and is in the 20s or so.