Any DU'ers own or have checked out a Ford Escape Hybrid?

[RobertSeattle]

Would be curious about your comments.

[Pam-Moby]

1. Nope not me n/t

[HeyManThatsCool]

2. not I- but...

I am also interested in knowing if anyone else has.
I have to get a new car in June & that is on my list

[TlalocW]

3. Toyota is coming out with a hybrid SUV

Called the Highlander... but they're only making one of them. Ha-ha... bad sci-fi joke.

Anyway, it's supposed to be out in April or May I think.

I've read a few things about Ford's that suggest it's not a real hybrid.

TlalocW

[TwilightZone]

4. "I've read a few things...."

Such as?

Car & Driver had a recent test and article on the Escape gas/electric hybrid. Nothing in the article indicated that it isn't a "real" hybrid, unless you're defining "real" in some obscure manner.

[TlalocW]

5. You caught me...

I'm really a shill for Toyota. Are you happy now? HAPPY? :)

I just remember reading a few things that turned me off about Fords. Sorry I can't be more definitive. It's been a while.

TlalocW

[TwilightZone]

7. There are plenty of other reasons to be turned off by Fords...

...you don't have to make stuff up! ;) Believe me, I worked for them for several years.

That being said, Car & Driver averaged 33mpg in town in their test of the Escape Hybrid. Pretty darn impressive for a SUV. In fact, better than most cars.

[sbj405]

12. Ford used the Toyota technology in the Escape

After all the delays, they eventually went to Toyota.
http://www.detnews.com/2004/autosinsider/0403/11/autos-87820.htm

[TwilightZone]

6. Car & Driver mag had a test recently.

Here's the link: http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=3&article_id=8777&page_number=1

[stubertmcfly]

8. ford? i don't think so...

...i am going to avoid those who support *:

http://www.inaugural05.com/donors/
http://www.choosetheblue.com/main.php

[Krinkov]

9. good luck getting one

the wait is like 2 years.
For some reason theyre being timid about the market. I can't understand whats making them hesitate, gas won't get much cheaper..

[RobertSeattle]

10. The wait is if you want a custom spec'd one

But some Ford dealers have them "on the lot" but you might not get the color or factory installed things you want with it.

[indigolady]

13. The dealers keep sending me e-mails to come and look at one.

They're telling me that the dealers have given them permission to move them off, that means sell them without the mark up. I'm going to go see tomorrow.

[midnight armadillo]

11. No, but I've been meaning to drive a Ford

I have a promotion on my desk for $50 from Ford for test driving a new car. It's a tossup between the Escape Hybrid and one of the new Mustangs ;-) I have til the end of Feb to get around to it.

[NNadir]

14. I owned a Ford once. Never again.

It was the most unreliable car I ever owned. It reminded me of my father's 1960 Rambler. By the time I discarded the car at 80,000 miles (junking it) every single major system in the car had failed at least once, many three or four times. Even the review mirror fell off.