I'm a new owner (sub-3000 miles) of a 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid and I couldn't be happier. I have no problems, my fuel economy is on the rise (37.2 mpg highest average during a trip, 34.1 mpg best tank mpg and I fully expect that to increase as I was refueling with 130+ Miles To Empty (MTE) and now know I can run it down below 50 MTE with no worries. Tips I've picked up here and on the Yahoo group dedicated to hybrid Ford Escapes have helped considerably and increased my mileage over those reported on my 6 total tank average currently reflected in my signature here.
I loved the Ford Escape Limited we had as a rental vehicle in October 2005 on a trip around Washington, D.C. and environs and having it in hybrid form is perfect for my family's needs.
I'm not concerned in the least about resale value. My FEH replaces a 1992 Toyota Corolla which we still own and which my husband now uses as his commuter vehicle instead of our Ford F-150. Our FEH will be in our family for at least 10 years, if not longer. I buy a new car so rarely trying to sell it isn't even a blip on the radar.
Reliability wise I have read the same threads everyone else have and I don't sense any worse incidence of issues in the FEH than in any other hybrid I've followed. Could be just a perception issue but I read a lot and see things about the Prius, Honda, as well and Ford Escape and all seems pretty much equal to me.
Just my 2 cents.
