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Old 05-09-2006, 06:47 AM
rihavo rihavo is offline
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Real Name: Rich
Location: Maryland
Hybrids: '05 Escape Hybrid 4wd
Posts: 129
Default Re: Anyone have the big picture on FEH reliability?

Quote:
Originally Posted by bigsweeps

If I had the $30,000 I spent on my FEH to spend today - I wouldn't consider the FEH. No matter what I tried, I couldn't get above an average of 28 mpg. (And in the winter, it dropped to 26). There are so many other vehicles that will get that fuel economy and have the cargo capacity, features, and reliability for less (e.g. Toyota Rav4). Another big factor (I wish I knew this before I bought mine) is that the FEH isn't doing well holding it's value. Mine stickered for $32,400.....8 months and 18,000 miles later it was only worth about $22,000. You would never see a Civic Hybrid or Prius lose 30% of it's value in the first year. (Try looking up used Prius values.....it's shocking how well they hold their value!) In fact, when I was at the Toyota dealership test driving a Rav4, someone with a 2006 FEH with 5,000 miles was trying to trade his in......and the dealership was only willing to offer him $18,000 in trade in value. The sad thing is, this poor guy was seriously considering taking the offer - he must have been so desperate to get out of it.
When recommending a fuel efficient conventional gas powered vehicle over a hybrid, you should first read this article I found yesterday from www.hybridcars.com . It is called "Get You a Hybrid" written by Eric Folkerth (short version is found here: http://www.hybridcars.com/news/news.php?news_id=1124 ; with the whole article found at http://houseoflabor.tpmcafe.com/node/29621 )

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