Like several here, I have owned at least 3 Fords in my lifetime of driving, plus I had a Ford company car at one of my old jobs. All have been very reliable and pleasing in the features and looks.

I can say that I multiply this sentiment when it comes to my new 3 months old 2006 FEH 4WD! This is my first SUV and it is both sporty looking and yet rugged. It has great fuel economy compared to other SUVs, is just the right size for me and my wife (not too small and not too big) and is an attention-getter with that "Hybrid" logo!

Add a 1,000 watt Memphis Audio stereo upgrade and I have a vehicle that's both clean and LOUD! Zero air pollution, MAX noise pollution!

View and rate my audio install gallery here:

http://www.carstereo.com/installs/ph...galleryid=1495

Mine is so far the only Ford Escape there.

I also come from a Ford family, but I purcahsed the Prius because it was the right body style at the right price for me at the time. Hybrid Escapes about this time last year were pretty hard to get your hands on, and the price for the options I wanted was outside of my budget.

I would happily purchase a Hybrid Escape or rather a Hybrid Mariner and move back into the fold at Ford at any time that I need a new vehicle. Ford fit and finish and engineerign has always been solid and competitive the world over. By being the first with a hybrid SUV, they certainly did place themselves in the front of the pack.

It has been said:
Hybrid drivers come in 3 flavors, greenie, techie and cheapie. Pick any 2.
2005 Prius, Melinium Silver over gray, package 5 (AI)

My Father was a Ford man and he handed down my first car to drive to school. Dad bought it new in 1966 at San Jose Ford in CA. It was a rare Galaxy 500 conv. with bucket seats, 4 sp., 428ci police interceptor which had "7 liter" emblems all around. Would you give your son at 16yrs old a car like this now? I showed him how to really drive that car! Ford had made a great first impression on me and I had to be First On Race Day (FORD) from that point on.

Here is a list of Fords I've bought so far. I got married in 1976 and she had a 1969 Mustang then. On our first date, we raced around in my Shelby Gt 500. We will be married 30yrs on Jan. 17, 2006. She is a Ford Women.

1966 Galaxy 500 (above)
1967 Shelby GT 500 (two engines for racing) 427/428 Dual Quad, 4 sp.
1967 Mustang Fastback 289ci auto
19681/2 Mustang Fastback Cobra Jet Ram Air (NHRA Race Version) 428ci, 4 sp.
1969 Mustang Grande 390ci Auto
1977 Mustang Cobra 11, 302, Auto
1977 Bronco, 302ci Auto 4WD
1979 Mustang Fastback, 302ci, auto
1979 Mustang Pace Car, 302ci, Auto
1981 F-150
1982 Mustang GT, 302ci, Auto
1985 Mustang GT 350, 303ci, Auto
1985 Lincoln Mark V11
1986 Bronco 302ci, Auto
1986 Ranger STX, EC 4WD V6 Auto
1987 Mustang GT, 302ci Auto
1989 Bronco EB 302ci 4WD Auto
1992 Explorer EB V6
1993 Explorer Limited, V6
1995 Explorer Limited, V6
1999 Lincoln Navigator 5.4 V8
2000 Focus SE Sport
2002 Explorer EB, 302ci, Auto - Present
2005 FEH FWD All Options - Present

I know, can't stop buying Fords, 24 so far and the FEH is at the top of the best owned yet! The Shelby is second now.

GaryG