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Originally Posted by kjr
I found this site a couple days ago, and it's more informative than any other I've seen re: the Escape Hybrid, so I was hoping someone might be able to help me out.
The lease on my current car is up in a few months, and I'm tired of seeing 14-15 mpg for my city driving, so I was planning to by the FEH and feel like I was doing something environmentally responsible. But I only put about 8000 miles/year on my car, and my daily commute is about 7 miles each way, mixture of flat and hills. Based on what I've read from some of you, my dreams of doing half of my driving under battery power and scoring mid-30s mpg are unrealistic. If I plan do do most of my highway driving (i.e. family trips) in a different car, how much more environmentally friendly is the FEH than a standard ICE car?
Also, I'm 6'3" and found the driver's seat a little tight during a brief test drive of a V6 Escape -- will I be miserable long term?
Finallly, are there any changes in the 2006 FEH that would make it worth waiting for? The lease terms for the FEH are horrible, so if I get it I'm buying it -- I'd rather wait a bit if there's any technological advantage to it.
Thanks for any information anyone can provide.
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I'm 6'3" also. The FEH is a little tight, but OK. You're other options for hydrid vehicles won't be any better. I've sat in the HCH and the Prius and they seemed much smaller. Haven't tried the HAH yet, but for the price and FE, I think you'd do better for more utility from the FEH, IMHO.
Even driving 7 miles, you should be able to eek out mid to upper 20s. Earlier this month, I took the commuter train to work with the station 2-3 miles from my house. Temps were in the 30s-40s and I still managed 25-27mpg. I only have 1000 miles on mine as of yet. My FEH warms to EV mode in about 5min, about the time I hit the rail station. So, you should be able to get some EV out of your commute (given the right speed limits, terrain, etc.)
15mpg-->to even 25mpg is quite a jump. You'll get even better mileage out of a Prius or HCH, but you'll give up some space and SUV "usefullness". For me, I found the FEH to be the right compromise. You will not find another small SUV that gets the FEH fuel economy on the market today.
30 mpg isn't out of the question, esp for 2wd. 35-40 mpg may be pushing it for most of us(except for sdcatcher!
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Driving only 8k miles a year you need to ask yourself how long you plan to keep the FEH. Even with rising gas prices, it will take quite a while to recoup the gas costs. Are you confortable driving a 10yr old FEH? (even if it has only 80k miles?)
I would suggest you buy by the end of 2005 so you can get the tax deduction. Leasing won't get you this and it is scheduled to be reduced after this tax year.
As far as prices...shop around. There are deals to be had. I bought mine at invoice in early Feb. If you live on the East Coast drop me a line and I can give you my dealers name & number in VA. They exceeded my expectations..a truly great buying experience, wholeheartedly recommended.
There seem to be a lot of unclaimed FEHs floating around--as soon as the Ford dealers come off their high horse a little bit, I think you'll see some more deals, esp if the 2006s start rolling out before they are all sold.
The selling point will be the value you put on environmental conciousness. Only you can answear that question.
For more info, check out sdcatcher's "hybrid_ford_escape" yahoo group. That is where I learned the most info prior to purchase.
Nate Green