Ok so I know I'm wandering into the wrong area of the site since I have an F250 but my girlfriends mother is thinking about getting an Escape Hybrid and she was wondering what are all the pros and cons to having one. Could you please tell me everything she'd need to know about on, what you like, what you don't like, etc. Thanks for all the help!!!
__________________ 2004 F250PSD Gray Sport - 403.5rwhp 777.0rwtq 13.96@94.65mph
1990 Ford Mustang LX - Lots of goodies, lots of fun 474rwhp, 438rwtq. 11.4@122mph
You came to the right place. I can tell you everything you want to know and probably a whole lot more than you want to know about the Escape hybrid. You can probably find a bunch of my posts in this forum but I can give you the highlights. I own two of them, an '05 and an '06 and have a total of over 50k miles on them combined. I also drive an '08 at work so I am familiar with the new ones as well.
Since I have had mine (34 and 30 months) I have not had ONE hybrid related problem with either one. The '06 needed a lock motor replaced and both had to go back for a voluntary program to change something in the battery wiring. Reliability - 100% so far.
Depending on the outside temperature I get anywhere from 32 (winter) to 39+ in the warm weather. I've had a couple tanks at 40 mpg. My commute is very well suited to the hybrid. Lots of very short trips like my wife does brings the mileage down to about 32 (summer) and 28 (winter). She does so little driving that it barely affects the average. I also do the occasional 100 mile highway trip at 65 mph and get about 32-33 regardless of time of year. Brutal cold (sub zero° F) weather will reduce the mileage even more - maybe 10%. If you do 100% highway driving above 65-70 miles per hour, you would be as well off getting the I4 gas only.
Performance (0-60) is better than the I4 version of the gas only Escape and slightly below the V6 version. These cars are peppy as hell off the line due to the high torque of the electric motors.
The car is otherwise identical to any other Escape. I can't say enough good things about them. My only complaint is the lack of storage space in them but that is any Escape. The '08's have some great improvements over the "older" versions. I almost bought an '08 earlier this year but the dealer tried to bone me on my trades. I walked since I am perfectly content with both of them.
If you want to know more, let me know. I also have a database of my mileage since I bought them - PM me your email address if you want to see it.
Just a couple questions.. The overall life expectancy of these, how often would one expect to have to trade one in before maintenance and wear/tear start to offset the fuel savings and so forth. [Batteries, electric motor service, etc.]
Yours are rather new (From my perspective) and run quite well, and you put a lot of miles on them while new, but for the average buyer who can't afford brand new cars, (Or at least not without keeping them more than 5 years) --are these worth the higher sticker price and their more intensive maintenance schedule?
Just a couple questions.. The overall life expectancy of these, how often would one expect to have to trade one in before maintenance and wear/tear start to offset the fuel savings and so forth. [Batteries, electric motor service, etc.]
are these worth the higher sticker price and their more intensive maintenance schedule?
The maintenance schedule is actually LESS than a normal gas only Escape. The oil is a 10K interval, everything else is about the same. There is one battery filter that needs to be checked at 10k and changed at 20k. These cars are very low maintenance.
Nobody knows for certain how long the batteries and e-motors will last but all the signs are good so far. There is extreme testing going on in labs and in real life. Check out the information on the NYC Taxi fleet - many have over 100k and some are over 200k and no battery failures. Couple water pumps and some other minor stuff.
The standard warranty on the hybrid components is 8yr/80k. In California emission states it is 10yr/150k miles. I'm not worried about the battery for a while.
Buying a hybrid is like buying any other new car. If you are buying anyway, then the upcharge isn't all that bad. Does it make sense to trade in a perfectly good 11 month old '04 Escape with 10k miles on it? For me it did. I went from the V6 which is horrible in city driving (gas mileage wise) to the hybrid which is ideal. I'll never know for sure if I will recover all the costs but if you directly compare the gas I'll buy for the hybrid versus what I would have bought for an identical V6 Escape, I'm halfway there in recovering the upcharge.
It's an option nonetheless. Not for everyone but great for me.
Thanks.. All I learned about these was from the earlier generations of Honda Insight Toyota Prius, etc. Those early models were definitely "W. I. P."
Also my commute is primarily highway and the hybrids still don't do as well as they do in-town, but in-town is where the efficiency is more needed.
But thanks for your informative and up to date posts on this.. It's sometimes tough to get clear, experience-based commentary on touchy subjects like these (try reading the "Cat or No Cat" threads or the flame throwers in the the "Ethanol" threads..)
It will be interesting to see how they hold up under the intensive testing, and good to see the batteries are better than the conventional-car batteries that are good for 5 years or less. And anything that can get trucks to perform as they should and get over 30 mpg is great news all around.
But thanks for your informative and up to date posts on this.. It's sometimes tough to get clear, experience-based commentary on touchy subjects like these (try reading the "Cat or No Cat" threads or the flame throwers in the the "Ethanol" threads..)
I TRY to only post on subjects that I either have personal experience in or have such an interest in that I have researched it enough to be pretty well versed in the subject. When I first heard about hybrid cars, the idea of FINALLY putting a proven concept (think submarines, locomotives) into automobiles fascinated me enough to buy a first model year vehicle, something I have always tried to avoid. I figured the worst that could happen was that it was a disaster and everyone would laugh at me for having a $26k lawn ornament. Thankfully it was the exact opposite. I was so impressed that I bought my second one four months later. They are that good.
I hope long term it proves to be as good as the first three years have been. I follow the hybrid boards closely for trends in problems with the cars and so far, nothing. Ford got these pretty darn near perfect and I see it as my mission (as an environmentalist, as an American concerned about oil imports, as a loyal Ford owner, etc.) to share my experience with others. Believe me, if the car was no good or I was having problems with it, I would be just as obsessive with spreading THAT information as well.
Thanks again.. You owned one of those early-early models or the ones Ford has been selling?
A larger Expy-type vehicle will become more necessary for me as the family grows (Size not number thanks!) and an environmentally friendly, or at least less harmful larger vehicle is definitely of interest, but due to finances one of these babies would have to be bought "used" so 'll be scanning the "fact" threads (moreso than the opinion "this vs that" threads that are out there in hopes of seeing if it is sensible to get them used-- well sensible as can be given the nature of used vehicle purchases--
Finally it's great that Ford is hitting this right-on.. They really need these kinds of positive things.. Always liked Fords-- really fine looking cars and trucks-- but hated the quality issues that has dogged them in the past.
I'll chime in with my endorsement. I have the AWD version. Am pleased with the vehicle as it performs as advertised. So far, recent trips through snow have been good.
One note of caution, as it performs as advertised, it also must be driven differently from non-hybrid vehicles to maximize efficency. For example, hard (fast) starts will cause it to the gas engine to kick in vice a nice smooth, slow start to keep it in electric mode. Also, avoiding (minimizing) A/C and defrost use will increase electric motor use. Driving habits, while applicable to non-hybrids too, make a big difference in how much your electric motors run vice the gas engine.
I had driven a few around the block before, but I just purchased one use this week! Got a heck of a deal (About $6,000 below bluebook), being they didn't know it was a Hybrid (It had just been traded in and they hadn't even had it in the garage yet when they quoted me a price!)
Anyways.. I've now driven both types extensively. The Hybrid drives just like any other car, with a few minor exceptions:
1> The CVT transmission can place the engine RPM at just about any range it wants, regardless of acceleration. There are times when RPM's actually decrease while accelerating, and the transmission doesn't shift.. it simply "slips" all of the time, and if you've never driven a CVT before, you'll swear something major is wrong with the transmission, but rest assured it isn't. Once you get used to this difference though, you'll notice it drives much, much smoother.
2> There is no starter! You simply turn the key to START and the engine is running. It really kind of cool. Also the engine will shut itself off at times sitting at a stoplight or while decelerating, but again this is completely normal on the Hybrid. The power brakes and steering are electronically controlled, so the engine does not need to be running for these to function. Why have the engine running when it's not necessary?
3> The only thing I dislike about my Hybrid... the brakes! Don't get me wrong, they are very responsive and work very well, but the pedal has a heavy, spongy feel to it due to the different power assist setup. (on another note, my wife LOVES them!) Also braking is a bit uneven as the electric motor helps slow down the car and when it disengages you have to apply a bit more brakes to compensate. Trust me, it's no big deal and not unsafe by any means.. just a different feel to get used to, is all.
4> The Hybrid feels a lot more "solid" than the normal Escape. I've always loved the Escapes, but the non-Hybrids feel a little on the CHEAP side. I don't know if they have a different manufacturing method, or if it's just the fact that there is more weight in the rear, but the difference in the Hybrid vs. the non-Hybrid is like comparing a Lexus to a Toyota.
5> Much better gas mileage... I'm getting 26.5 MPG in the ICE and SNOW.. and very cold temperatures this week.. this even includes warming it up for about 15 minutes before leaving for work! I can't wait to see what this sucker gets this spring...
Like I said, my only problem with mine is the brakes.. not that there's anything wrong with them, maybe I just need a bit more time to get used to them... Oh yeah.. and the tires. It still has the factory "Junkinentals" installed, and has a bit of a "WHOOP WHOOP" noise going down the highway. There is plenty of tread, but they have gotten a bit choppy. This is typical of the Continental tires on all of the Escape models, though.
I have yet to see any problems on these electrical systems.. I'm sure they've done something right. Tell her to go drive one and if she likes it, don't be afraid to buy it!
Hey guys, that's good information!
I have located a NEW 2006 Mariner Hybrid on a dealer's lot at a good discount. Any ideas why this vehicle with all the rave reviews is still not sold? I am considering taking a look at it and wonder what to look for or ask about as potential problems.
__________________
Winford
06 Mariner Hybrid 4wd
02 Mountaineer 4.0L AWD
88F150, 5.0 ExtCab
54 F100 92 5.0 HO Powered
Previous Vehicles:
71,73 F100, 92 F150
83, 88 Ranger
64 Econoline
91, 98 Explorer
65,68,70,92(2),96 Mustangs
71,75 Pinto
75 Torino
80 Tbird
62,63 Falcon
and a few non-Fords
I have located a NEW 2006 Mariner Hybrid on a dealer's lot at a good discount. Any ideas why this vehicle with all the rave reviews is still not sold? I am considering taking a look at it and wonder what to look for or ask about as potential problems.
Is the vehicle really new, untitled, not a demo or salesman driven car, not damaged in transit and repaired and has very low (<100) mileage? If yes then I'd say go for it as long as you are sure there are no catches. If you are getting the same NEW CAR hybrid warranty then you should have nothing to worry about. These cars are rock solid.
Ask THEM why it isn't sold. I'd be curious as to the history of this car but as long as they give the right answers and will put everything (especially warranty coverage) in writing, you should be fine.
Well, I talked to the salesman, I have not seen the vehicle. I am planning to go take a look today. It's a 45 mile drive. He declares that it has never been titled, but does have about 3000 miles on it. He called it a "holdover". Its msrp is 28900, and they are asking 21900. I am not happy with his answer on the warranty, but don't know if he answered off the top of his head ( or somewhere else). He says there is a little over one year left, but offered to purchase an extended warranty. I am trying to find if the tax incentive is still good, since it has never been titled.
__________________
Winford
06 Mariner Hybrid 4wd
02 Mountaineer 4.0L AWD
88F150, 5.0 ExtCab
54 F100 92 5.0 HO Powered
Previous Vehicles:
71,73 F100, 92 F150
83, 88 Ranger
64 Econoline
91, 98 Explorer
65,68,70,92(2),96 Mustangs
71,75 Pinto
75 Torino
80 Tbird
62,63 Falcon
and a few non-Fords
3000 miles is just about enough to break a hybrid in but I would be a little bit concerned regarding how it was treated during the two years or more that it has been sitting on the lot. I bought a very early '06 in June of 2005 so the '06 models have been around for a while.
The issue of the warranty start date is a little concerning since I didn't think the warranty started on a new car until delivery but maybe they change the rules for "holdovers". If they are willing to throw in an extended warranty that starts on delivery then that would be a plus. I'd hate to lose the first two years of a bumper to bumper factory warranty though. On the plus side, these vehicles are very reliable - my '06 has been back once and it was for a power lock motor.
The other factor that would make me comfortable with buying this unit is that you still have the 8 yr/80k warranty on the hybrid components (10yr/150k if you are in a "green" state).
Now just work on the price with them....I bet there is wiggle room there. Good luck.
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