Four Years of FEH Ownership, and at GH
#11
06-05-2007, 04:50 PM
Re: Two Years of FEH Ownership, and at GH
I absolutely LOVE my 06 FEH. I have owned a bunch of pretty cool vehicles over the years & I realized lately that I enjoy this vehicle as much as any I have ever owned.
Here are some of the mods I have made to mine:
http://www.pbase.com/jmorton10/inbox&page=all
~John
Here are some of the mods I have made to mine:
http://www.pbase.com/jmorton10/inbox&page=all
~John
#12
06-06-2007, 06:50 AM
Re: Two Years of FEH Ownership, and at GH
JM: I couldn't agree more. I moved from an 8-cyl 300hp RWD luxury car to the MMH, and haven't regretted it one bit. I truly enjoy the perfect size, agile handling, sporty suspension and most of all, the hybrid drivetrain. I have also discovered the joys of hypermiling and while I am no tree-hugger, I certainly appreciate using less fuel and causing less pollution while getting to work in style everyday.
#13
06-09-2008, 12:37 AM
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Michigan
Posts: 2,070
re: Four Years of FEH Ownership, and at GH
Bump!
It's that time again, my FEH is now three years old!
Estimated savings in fuel by having the FEH instead of a standard Escape: $4031.45, and my previous 1995 Ford Explorer: $6597.41. Both of these are more then I've spent in 3 years in gas.
No problems to report still, I've got new windshield wipers to go on it, and did go through the voluntary harness refit. I also have a Scanguage II, which was added last July.
Well, I was right on that count, and I bought a mousepad hand rest and used some double side tape to tape it to the arm rest; it's so much better! Needless to say, I've recouped the "hybrid premium". I've also written an editorial that I'm submitting to all the media sources I can think of telling people that.
I've been hired to teach three classes this fall for the college that I teach at:
How to get MANY more MPG
Hybrids 101
A Survey of Alternative Fuels
I'll be giving a presentation at Hybridfest 2008.
I'm in negotiations to take a hybrid around the world in Great Race 2009. (Sadly, Ford has passed not once, but 3 times on the proposition!)
Last summer my goal was 40 MPG; I had a tank at 43.3 and several above 40 MPG. This summer, my goal is 45 MPG. I'm finding I can EV for longer and "harder" better then I ever could before.
LOL, all in all, buying my FEH has been the best thing to ever happen to me! Something tells me that no matter what comes next, I will always remember this as MY car. When I'm old and gray in the retirement home having owned a dozen other vehicles or whatever, I'll still think back fondly to this vehicle (And that gas prices were $1.20 when I got her!).
It's that time again, my FEH is now three years old!
Estimated savings in fuel by having the FEH instead of a standard Escape: $4031.45, and my previous 1995 Ford Explorer: $6597.41. Both of these are more then I've spent in 3 years in gas.
No problems to report still, I've got new windshield wipers to go on it, and did go through the voluntary harness refit. I also have a Scanguage II, which was added last July.
Does that cover the $3800 initial price difference? No, but that's hardly an insurmountable difference that the media would have you believe. (And at that rate, by year 3 I'm ahead, let alone by year 10!)
...
The arm rests for sure, being hard plastic rather than a covered material,
...
The arm rests for sure, being hard plastic rather than a covered material,
I've been hired to teach three classes this fall for the college that I teach at:
How to get MANY more MPG
Hybrids 101
A Survey of Alternative Fuels
I'll be giving a presentation at Hybridfest 2008.
I'm in negotiations to take a hybrid around the world in Great Race 2009. (Sadly, Ford has passed not once, but 3 times on the proposition!)
Last summer my goal was 40 MPG; I had a tank at 43.3 and several above 40 MPG. This summer, my goal is 45 MPG. I'm finding I can EV for longer and "harder" better then I ever could before.
LOL, all in all, buying my FEH has been the best thing to ever happen to me! Something tells me that no matter what comes next, I will always remember this as MY car. When I'm old and gray in the retirement home having owned a dozen other vehicles or whatever, I'll still think back fondly to this vehicle (And that gas prices were $1.20 when I got her!).
Last edited by Pravus Prime; 06-09-2008 at 08:26 PM.
#14
06-09-2008, 04:03 AM
re: Four Years of FEH Ownership, and at GH
Congratulations Pravus Prime, and Happy Birthday Liberator!
As an early adopter you are one of the hybrid pioneers, and those of us that came later are grateful. As others have noted your excellent FAQ helped a lot of people with their buying decisions. Your perennial high MPG marks motivate (some of) us to try to do better.
Thanks for everything!
As an early adopter you are one of the hybrid pioneers, and those of us that came later are grateful. As others have noted your excellent FAQ helped a lot of people with their buying decisions. Your perennial high MPG marks motivate (some of) us to try to do better.
Thanks for everything!
#15
06-09-2008, 07:31 PM
re: Four Years of FEH Ownership, and at GH
You know it's funny. I've had my FEH about two months now. I can agree that it's not perfect, but then again what car ever is?
The coolest part of it all is that this car has taught me how to drive all over again. IMHO, it's impossible to drive a hybrid for any period of time and NOT re-evaluate your driving habits. Even when I'm in a normal car, I'm still forced to drive efficiently! And yes, this includes my Harley as well!
You actually stop and think about how doing this maneuver... or passing this car.. is going to affect your MPG. . .
The coolest part of it all is that this car has taught me how to drive all over again. IMHO, it's impossible to drive a hybrid for any period of time and NOT re-evaluate your driving habits. Even when I'm in a normal car, I'm still forced to drive efficiently! And yes, this includes my Harley as well!
You actually stop and think about how doing this maneuver... or passing this car.. is going to affect your MPG. . .
#16
06-10-2008, 08:47 AM
re: Four Years of FEH Ownership, and at GH
Happy Birthday, Liberator!
I will never forget that first day, when I was just blown away by the technology. Also that first time we were getting on the the expressway and you said the engine was off. I was getting nervous because I wasn't sure we'd have any power to enter the freeway. Now my engine goes off there too!
Congrats Pravus Prime on 3 years!
You are showing the gas savings only. Can you imagine what kind of repairs you'd have to be doing on that Explorer (Exploder) to keep it running at this point?
Not only have you changed your life and your driving, you've changed mine too. Who would have thought I'd be driving under 70 on I-696?
In our family, the gas hog is the Focus!
Thanks for all the driving lessons and encouragement. (the ridicule helps too)
Happy Hypermiling!
Prius Prime
I will never forget that first day, when I was just blown away by the technology. Also that first time we were getting on the the expressway and you said the engine was off. I was getting nervous because I wasn't sure we'd have any power to enter the freeway. Now my engine goes off there too!
Congrats Pravus Prime on 3 years!
You are showing the gas savings only. Can you imagine what kind of repairs you'd have to be doing on that Explorer (Exploder) to keep it running at this point?
Not only have you changed your life and your driving, you've changed mine too. Who would have thought I'd be driving under 70 on I-696?
In our family, the gas hog is the Focus!
Thanks for all the driving lessons and encouragement. (the ridicule helps too)
Happy Hypermiling!
Prius Prime
#17
07-04-2008, 08:21 AM
re: Four Years of FEH Ownership, and at GH
Wow congratulations! I wish I can meet some Canadian owners in Toronto too! I have a 2008 AWD, desperately need a repair manual to change the engine oil after breaking in period. Now I have 2000 km on it, love it so much! I got 7.2L/100kM the first tank with mildest acceleration but many drivers push me behind. So the next tank I drive it normal and I got 7.9 L / 100kM.
#18
07-04-2008, 11:38 AM
Active Enthusiast
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: New Jersey. Land of high auto insurance and pollution.
Posts: 127
re: Four Years of FEH Ownership, and at GH
Pravus Prime,
I would like to thank you for all the hard work and effort you have put into this forum. The information you and others have provided here was a major part of our decision to order an 09 FEH.
Congratulations on the Hybrids 101 teaching gig. Will your college be offering remote classes? Would love to have my wife be able to take one.
Sincerely,
Blind Mike & Michelle
TwoLostMinds
I would like to thank you for all the hard work and effort you have put into this forum. The information you and others have provided here was a major part of our decision to order an 09 FEH.
Congratulations on the Hybrids 101 teaching gig. Will your college be offering remote classes? Would love to have my wife be able to take one.
Sincerely,
Blind Mike & Michelle
TwoLostMinds
#19
07-12-2008, 02:43 PM
re: Four Years of FEH Ownership, and at GH
Rich -
Congrats on 3+ years! That's a remarkable run and it's a great example for any nay-sayers out there! I've only had my 08 FEH since June 2007, but the information and resources available on GreenHybrid, CleanMPG, and other websites like these were invaluable not only in making my decision to buy the hybrid, but in helping me (and I'm sure others!) get great mileage.
I'm no Pravus Prime or GaryG, but with heavy highway driving on my commute and only "mild" hypermiling techniques, I'm at my first 500+ mile tank - one of my first goals upon purchasing the hybrid! I mean, I had counted on beating the 2008 EPA estimate of 29/27, but 35.6 mpg on the NAV is just awesome.
I'll be looking forward to your presentation at Hybridfest 08!
Congrats on 3+ years! That's a remarkable run and it's a great example for any nay-sayers out there! I've only had my 08 FEH since June 2007, but the information and resources available on GreenHybrid, CleanMPG, and other websites like these were invaluable not only in making my decision to buy the hybrid, but in helping me (and I'm sure others!) get great mileage.
I'm no Pravus Prime or GaryG, but with heavy highway driving on my commute and only "mild" hypermiling techniques, I'm at my first 500+ mile tank - one of my first goals upon purchasing the hybrid! I mean, I had counted on beating the 2008 EPA estimate of 29/27, but 35.6 mpg on the NAV is just awesome.
I'll be looking forward to your presentation at Hybridfest 08!
#20
06-01-2009, 04:29 PM
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Michigan
Posts: 2,070
re: Four Years of FEH Ownership, and at GH
Bump!
It's that time again! Liberator turned four today. Estimated savings in fuel by having the FEH instead of a standard Escape, $4,916.63, and my previous 1995 Ford Explorer... $8,012.54. At this point, not only have I recouped the "Hybrid Premium", but I'm ahead by $1,221-4,317 dollars over the Escape and my old Explorer after subtracting said premium.
Still no problems to report, I'll be going in for an oil change next week or so.
Some fun facts: I filled up 20 times in the last year, at an average of 11.8 gallons per fillup for 8.5K miles, which has been the least amount of miles I've ever driven in a year. Worst tank ever: An abysmal 22.4 MPG over 273.9 miles. (Winter, cold, lots of snow, many short drives, etc.) Best tank ever: 44.3 MPG over 719.9 miles. 7 tanks above 40 MPG. 23 tanks above 37 MPG.
As for benefits, that's always changing, especially in today's economic climate, but I was hired by the Detroit Examiner to be their alternative fuel and efficiency writer.
It's that time again! Liberator turned four today. Estimated savings in fuel by having the FEH instead of a standard Escape, $4,916.63, and my previous 1995 Ford Explorer... $8,012.54. At this point, not only have I recouped the "Hybrid Premium", but I'm ahead by $1,221-4,317 dollars over the Escape and my old Explorer after subtracting said premium.
Still no problems to report, I'll be going in for an oil change next week or so.
Some fun facts: I filled up 20 times in the last year, at an average of 11.8 gallons per fillup for 8.5K miles, which has been the least amount of miles I've ever driven in a year. Worst tank ever: An abysmal 22.4 MPG over 273.9 miles. (Winter, cold, lots of snow, many short drives, etc.) Best tank ever: 44.3 MPG over 719.9 miles. 7 tanks above 40 MPG. 23 tanks above 37 MPG.
As for benefits, that's always changing, especially in today's economic climate, but I was hired by the Detroit Examiner to be their alternative fuel and efficiency writer.
