Thanks KenG and MyPart...that's exactly what I wanted to hear.

I'll check Ford's site again to see if they have any older FEHs but if not, oh well. It would have been nice to try out one of the hybrids so I could get a feel for the EV. Not that it'd matter a whole lot...after waiting, what, 6 to 8 months before I actually see my car, I won't remember what the EV feels like anyway (grin). For me it's MUCH more a matter of seeing how I fit (after sitting in a FEH and a MMH at the local car show a few months ago, I'm 95% sure I'll be fine...but I still want to drive an Escape before I buy one).

SO...first thing to do is test drive. Easy. Next will be to try to find a dealer in that Palm Beach - Jax - Crystal River - Clearwater (I suppose I actually COULD go as far out Gainesville and Sarasota) who is willing to take X-Plan. And if that falls through, then I go for Plan B or maybe even Plan C (broker like GaryG says, or hubby says he knows of some similar deals with, I forget, AAA or BJ's or *something* acting on your behalf to help you get the car at a better price).