The Fuel Economy web site is great for comparing information! Thank you very much.

All the other responses I'm getting are helping to educate me. I'm getting a crash course on hybrids and other environmentally friendly (or friendlier) vehicles. Maybe I'm just a easily impressionable but I saw "An Inconveninent Truth" and finally saw the light. Or what I think is the light.

Thanks to everyone that helps shed light on how these cars work for them.

You may also want to question yourself on why you want lots of power. Do you actually need it, or do you just feel comfortable having it because you've been indoctrinated to think so? While it's easy to blame the Auto Industry or the Oil Industry, power does come at a price of fuel economy, it's pretty much a basic rule of nature.

I've owned the FEH for nearly a year, and it's amazing how much my views have changed in some areas. (BTW, 250 HP and I'm getting 36 MPGs pretty consistantly in the warmer months, 30's in the freezing/below freezing months.)

First 4WD Hypermiler

Have you read the FEH FAQ?

Live in Michigan? Let it be known in Michigan Roll Call

Read My Automotive Blog at Rich Rambles

rich

Wow. You have done it again!!!! Never heard of anyone producing 250HP out of a FEH. How did you do it?

Thank you Rich for your thoughts.

You are right that I have been indoctrinated to think I need more power than I probably need but the problem I have is one of relativity. When I'm on the road (I live in Los Angeles) I like being able to make fast maneuvers to avoid aggressive drivers. I know that I should take the high road (forgive the pun) and never engage with other drivers but I do like knowing that I can pass someone quickly or go up a hill without feeling the engine struggle (when I had my first car I always lamented at how feeble my car was at climbing hills). Just to know that the power is there is enough-- the rest of the time, I'd be happy to have a very energy efficient, low emissions car.

Change begins with me, however, and my reluctance to engage in radical change is testament to the difficulties of making positive environmental changes across society. In the mean time, I'm hoping that a Lexus with decent mileage and low emissions is a start.... I hope.

Its another one of those NASCAR FEH's with the Pinocchio syndrome...

http://www.fordvehicles.com/suvs/esc...C18603%7C16902

Keep in mind that there are two elements of emissions.

Basically all the smog related ones, for which the Toyota hybrids do incredibly well. You cannot really improve on these cars.

The other is carbon dioxide. You only reduce carbon dioxide by improving gas milage, or driving less. A car that gets twice the MPG of another car will emit one half the carbon dioxide of that other car.

So compare the cars in the class you intend to buy, my guess is the hybrids will win out on MPG.

George

Gerard,
Wow. I could have written your note. But, I'm almost over it. Forget the guilt. Enjoy this wonderful machine, with its low emissions and luxurious, fast ride.
John

i agree with john

if we had the money to spare , we would have looked closer at the lexus, as its the same design. Lexus' are fantastic luxury cars. If we wanted just the gas mileage, we would have bought a prius or civic.



enjoy.

Rod - if we had only bought a FEH, we would have got 250HP and 52MPG on average. One time he got 75MPG. ........

I feel like an idiot......

Oh well. Lets just enjoy our loser lives with our highlanders.

We had looked at the Lexus as well, but the kicker for us was the 3rd row seat which you only get in the HiHy. While it's not made for adults, we have a daughter who is now 2 and can see a very clear benefit over the next 4-5 years where she and here friend can fit into it.