I own a '01 Ford Taurus w/ 102,000 miles on it; gets 22 MPG. I commute 150 miles per day to & from work. So, on average, I put about 40,000 miles a year on my vehicles.

My Taurus, even though it has a lot of miles on it, is still solid. But, I'm thinking of getting a '07 FEH 2WD not only to help the environment but also because I would like to start driving an SUV back & forth to work - it just might be 'more fun.'

How many miles do you think the FEH is good for before I would have 'run into the ground?' 100,000? 200,000? More? I'm asking because I would have used up the power train warranty in 18 months and the hybrid warranty in 2.5 years. My bumper-to-bumper would last less than a year because of the miles I drive.

So, how are your experiences with the hybird? Do you think it's a car that will stay reliable for 200,000 miles or more? Or, after driving it, does it feel like it will start falling apart after the first 100,000?

 

I wouldn't be too worried about it falling apart, my only concern, given the number of miles you drive, is that once you pass the 100,000 mile mark (150k in the green states), you won't have any more warranty on the hybrid components.

I think the car itself is pretty solid and will easily make 200,000 miles or more but I'd hate to be unprotected on such expensive components. I think you have a couple options:

1. Plan on selling/trading the vehicle once it is out of warranty.
2. Take the money you are saving in gas (over $1000 a year at $2.5 a gallon and 30 mpg for a FEH) and put it in the bank in case you need major repairs once you are out of warranty. By the time you are out of warranty you could have several thou in the bank.
3. Buy 2 FEH so that you can get more time out of your warranty before you run out of miles. I do close to 30k a year and my wife does less than 5k. I swap back and forth between my two to average out the miles on them. I am hoping my warranty runs out of time about the same time I run out of miles.
4. Look into leasing one with a high mileage allowance.

I think you would be fine with the FEH. Go for it.

 

I like Ray's option 2. Of course, you can save >$2k /yr with a Prius or TCH or HCH, but you cant put a big desk in the back, or get home with a ton of plants from Home Depot wihtout the leaves being all shredded.

Go for it...help the environment, and further the cause of eventual pure EV for a cleaner future and a more secure America. Oh, and have lots of fun and pride in knowing you are at least doing something which others only talk about.

I've never taken an interest in cars, until my 07 MMH! Now I cant learn enough about it!

 

They use escape hybrids for taxis here in San Francisco.

Heres an article that can answer your questions.

http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2...20/004462.html