Wife and I test drove a used 2006 FEH and a new 2008 FEH.

Used one had 27K miles, AWD, pretty loaded, and they want $26.5 (I think). New one was about $37K, AWD, also pretty loaded. We really like the used one, but we'd rather have a base 2WD FEH. They tried to make a hard sell on us, and offered more than KBB for our 2005 Relay. There's only 19K miles on our 3 year old Relay, so we're not terribly worried that there's 27K miles on the '06. However, for about the same money, and better MPG, we could new a new 2WD FEH.

Then stopped in another dealer. They had a new AWD FEH. Told 'em we'd been for a drive, liked it, but really wanted 2WD. Fleet Sales guy said yeah, I can order one. Asked me about options, and we chose none. It was $27K something for an '08 2WD FEH. Absolutely no pressure from this dealer, so I think we'll likely buy there.

We're still kicking it around. Debating just riding it out for 2 more years until the Relay is paid off. Read one news story yesterday that the 2010 HiHy will be PHEV. Things that make one wanna wait for a PHEV SUV or minivan.

 

On the vehicle itself, I really liked it. Obviously it's much smaller than our Relay minivan, but it's still quite roomy. I rode in back with both my kids, I'm 6'1", and there was plenty of headroom. Wife drove it, then we swapped. Salesman rode along upfront. I wanted both wife and I to drive it and ride in the back. She didn't have any issues riding in back, and she's a big girl.

Controls were different than either our Relay or SW2, but still very intuitive. Plenty of room in back for groceries and what not.

Wife has something of a heavy foot. I did much, much better keeping it in EV mode. Still, I think we'd see a big improvement over our 12 MPG Relay.

She complained at one point about "that noise" and blamed the electric motor. Sales guy and I couldn't figure it out. What noise? Then I caught it. She was hearing the rear wiper. Complained about how loud it was. She couldn't hear either the gas or electric motors, but she could hear the rear wiper. LOL moment.

 

The rear wiper bugs the crud out of me too!

 

The 2008 Escape Hybrid vehicles have been sold out for quite some time. If you order new, it will be a 2009 model.

 

I agree with Bill. If they order now it'll be a 2009. Unless they are talking about doing a dealer to dealer type swap for an existing 08. Be wary of a sales person that says he/she can order something that is no longer order-able. We've seen time and time again where sales persons and service centers don't know much about the FEH and treat it just like the non-hybrid versions when it's not.

On the up side, the 09 will have a new, bigger 2.5L engine with more power but the same FE and "better" brake pedal feedback. Ford continues to tweak the EV components. Interior and exterior should stay mostly the same.

On the down side, you might have to wait a while after the order for delivery of an 09.

 

That is the 2008 price; as others have noted, it is no longer possible to order a 2008 model. You'd better check with that dealer again. Did he give a delivery date?

 

One thing I learned when I was shopping for a Hybrid is that the best State that gives you fair price and doesn't jack up the price is California.
Living here in Las Vegas I was disgusted on how many dealerships were jacking up the price from the MSRP. SO When I was contacted from a dealership in CA and told me they had a Mazda Tribute Hybrid for 26,800 The Price is Exactly whats listed on Mazda-USA at the time). I jumped on the gun. When I got there, I learned Mazda had a instant rebate of $3000.00 which brought the price down to 23,000.00 then after my federal Tax Credit it brought it down again to 20,000,00 (plus taxes).

It really was worth the effort to go to California. I know it's not convient for most of you, but if you could swing it look at the savings you might get.
Danoby

 

Danoby-

I did the same thing in early 2005 to get mine.
Got mine in CA and I live in CO.
Got mine when they were very new, without mark-up, and I got the leather upgrade at no-charge. I had to take delivery "literally" at the NV State-Line there on I-15 to avoid paying CA sales tax, and got the papers notarized at the state line Casino front desk, but the salesman was willing to drive me out there in my new car, and my Mom & Dad who live near the CA dealer drove the salesman back. I paid nothing extra for the state line delivery method, and I went along my way to CO. That was my route home anyway, so it was not out of the way in the slightest.

In CA there were so many to choose from, I got what I wanted, without any waiting!!!

 

If you can afford the air fare from WA, you can get a brand new 2008 FEH $3000-4000 under MSRP in California. Rebates apply. There's a lot of stock. Buying a used 2006 for more than a brand new 2008 is unreasonable if money is a concern. You should be able to buy a base FWD for $24k.

 

Wow! Thank you to all. If I sell my Relay outright up here, then hop on a flight down to Cali ...

Hmmmmmm