Re: [MBZ] Ford Escape Hybrid
I have a 2005 AWD FEH. We've driven it ~40K (total 107K? ish) Routine maintenance, one almost-recall [battery wiring harness, not through NTSB], plus a new rear door from the trucking company that used us for extra braking. Has retained its value more than any other used car I've owned, except the $650 Volvo, and maybe the W123 if I don't drive it to its grave. I would recommend the FWD for the better mileage and lower entry fee, but the AWD is not bad. We were consistently 30-31 MPG on the stock Continentals, with good tires and very short trips we lost 5 or 6 MPG (discussion about this a while ago) but the interior is much quieter. Mileage is worse (3-4mpg) in summer heat and winter cold, 50-80 degrees is the sweet spot; this winter my wife has gotten as low as 22, but when it hit 50 during the day she hovered around 25. I am usually 27-28 in spring/winter/fall [little/no cabin heat], 25-26 in summer 90 degF, when I get to drive it for a few days. The ones with navigation have a nice little economy gauge that keeps history and is pretty reliable, at least according to mileage tabulating versus the pump, so I don't rely on SWMBO telling me when and how much fuel she put in anymore. This is surprisingly helpful for family harmony. Mileage-wise, we could do better with a small sedan of some kind, but the carrying capacity of the Escape is very nice. I've carried a compressor and air handler of a 1.5t air conditioner in one trip, a few tons of sand, lots of lumber, some 12' quarter round, etc., though to have any significant cargo capacity you have to put down the back seats. The two children fit easily, and there is room for a third with no problem; I have been in the middle of two boosters in the back and while uncomfortable it's not bad. Plenty of room for two infant seats, two boosters and another infant seat, or three boosters. With the seat up we have sufficient but not extra room for four people's luggage and a large cooler, and SWMBO can still see out the back window. The 2008 was a redesign: I believe the gas engine is slightly larger, and you can spin the air conditioner and defroster from the electric motor; this latter is worth some incremental cash in my opinion. All FEHs have a totally different drive train from regular FEs, and I've read the originals were built on the Volvo XC90 chassis; not sure if that was true after 2005 or 2006. In any case ours hasn't had a nice life (see tons of sand :) but has survived so far with no significant work done to it. It probably needs shocks but I haven't done them yet, and the ride is certainly tolerable as it is. Our FEH was about the same price as a comparably-equipped non-hybrid FE, two years after new, but has retained value much better than if we'd bought the gas version. Not sure if we got a deal or just got lucky, there weren't a lot of FEHs for sale in '07. :) Only problem is that you pretty much have to use the Ford dealer for hybrid component service, and they (at least here) are shockingly bad. [I had to convince the service manager that the vehicle did, in fact, have a transmission, and that it must be present because it was in the service schedule - took surprisingly long for him to decide I might have a point, and maybe he should go look again. This was the same trip that they only had three spark plugs, and would owe me one. Sigh.] Anyway the FEH hardware is highly recommended, based on my limited experience. -Tim 300D, 300SDL: my autos FEH: her auto our driveway On Fri, Feb 4, 2011 at 12:51 PM, Donald Snook dsn...@mtsqh.com wrote: Anyone know anything about the Ford Escape Hybrids? Sent from my iPhone ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Ford Escape Hybrid
Mine's red, is that what makes it a false sense of being green? The FEH has a trailer hitch [in the garage and on the to do list], the MBs do not. I can also put a washing machine in the FEH, but not in the SDL. It is also worth more than all the MBs I've ever owned, combined, though I think that reflects more on my transportation choices than the FEH's value. :) -Tim Green I guess, since I don't like to dispose of a vehicle before the end of its useful life. On Fri, Feb 4, 2011 at 5:02 PM, Kaleb C. Striplin ka...@striplin.net wrote: A false sense of being green? On 2/4/2011 11:51 AM, Donald Snook wrote: Anyone know anything about the Ford Escape Hybrids? Sent from my iPhone ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 10.0.1204 / Virus Database: 1435/3422 - Release Date: 02/04/11 -- Kaleb C. Striplin/Claremore, OK 95 E300, 94 S500, 92 500SEL, 92 300SD, 92 300E 4Matic, 91 350SDL, 91 300D, 89 560SEL, 87 300SDL x2, 85 380SE 5.0 Euro, 85 190D, 84 190D, 84 300D euro manny, 76 240D, 76 300D, http://www.okiebenz.com - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 10.0.1204 / Virus Database: 1435/3422 - Release Date: 02/04/11 ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Ford Escape Hybrid
FEH and FE are fundamentally different; they share interior, sheet metal and the top half of the frame. FEH is much heavier in the tail end, for one, and set up very differently; drivetrain is computer-controlled CVT + oddball gas + electric motor. Not sure how the newer version differs in construction versus the FE but the weight is still quite different. That said it's not like driving an MB. Ours has never been offroad more than a few feet, so I can't speak to that; it's utility, not sport. And did I mention it probably needs shocks?.. -Tim not a risk taker On Fri, Feb 4, 2011 at 3:31 PM, Curt Raymond curtlud...@yahoo.com wrote: Not much, I've ridden in both generations of Escape though and don't think much of them. They're LOUSY (like my 240D is better) offroad and not really all that comfortable although the newer gen is better than the first. My idiot cousins have a pair of first gens, both are less than 10 years old and both have rebuilt motors... -Curt Date: Fri, 4 Feb 2011 11:51:53 -0600 From: Donald Snook dsn...@mtsqh.com To: Mercedes Mercedes@okiebenz.com Subject: [MBZ] Ford Escape Hybrid Message-ID: 75875091-3db4-47c9-b724-b74919944...@mtsqh.com Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Anyone know anything about the Ford Escape Hybrids? Sent from my iPhone ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Ford Escape Hybrid
I think my cousin's was also an '05 but I wouldn't quote me on that. In theirs we had descended a wet but not particularly muddy two track in the woods which the Escape was then completely unable to climb. I'd swear that my 240D would have puttered right up. When I got out and observed what was going on I *think* the cause was too tall gearing combined with an AWD system that didn't completely utilize the rear wheels as the fronts would be spinning and the rears would just twitch occasionally. Probably wasn't helped by the cheap tires my idiot cousins (did I mention they're idiots?) had on it. I managed to get some seat time thinking the problem was overactive throttle use and thats part of it but his Escape is one of those where you breathe on the throttle and the engine takes right off. I did managed to get the Escape up the hill through a combination of taking my boots off so I could feather the throttle better, a HARD left foot on the brake and a like dangerously close to the edge of the road where I found some rocks but risked ending up in the ditch. After that we stuck to the main packed woods roads... Softroader indeed! -Curt Date: Mon, 7 Feb 2011 11:51:27 -0500 From: Tim C bb...@crone.us To: Mercedes Discussion List mercedes@okiebenz.com Subject: Re: [MBZ] Ford Escape Hybrid Message-ID: AANLkTi=3exscramjfq+k1iuhkyvdmfjb7hsxnoro2...@mail.gmail.com Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 FEH and FE are fundamentally different; they share interior, sheet metal and the top half of the frame. FEH is much heavier in the tail end, for one, and set up very differently; drivetrain is computer-controlled CVT + oddball gas + electric motor. Not sure how the newer version differs in construction versus the FE but the weight is still quite different. That said it's not like driving an MB. Ours has never been offroad more than a few feet, so I can't speak to that; it's utility, not sport. And did I mention it probably needs shocks?.. -Tim not a risk taker On Fri, Feb 4, 2011 at 3:31 PM, Curt Raymond curtlud...@yahoo.com wrote: Not much, I've ridden in both generations of Escape though and don't think much of them. They're LOUSY (like my 240D is better) offroad and not really all that comfortable although the newer gen is better than the first. My idiot cousins have a pair of first gens, both are less than 10 years old and both have rebuilt motors... -Curt ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Ford Escape Hybrid
I can also put a washing machine in the FEH, but not in the SDL. Dunno why not. I brought home a dishwasher in the trunk of the 380SL. All you need is a rope! where you breathe on the throttle and the engine takes right off. I loathe and despise this trait. -- Jim ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Ford Escape Hybrid
From: Donald Snook Anyone know anything about the Ford Escape Hybrids? --- Son bought a Ford Fusion Hybrid and he's very happy with it; good handling and good ride. He drove from Nashville to Orlando at speeds of 75-80 mph and got 37 mpg. He's a munufacturers rep and puts a lot of miles on his cars. Don't know anyone with an Escape Hybrid or how similar they might be. I would like the Fusion because it's larger than most high mpg cars and is heavier; about 37xx pounds. I drove it to town and back and found that it has adequate leg-room for a tall man (6'4) which can't be said for a lot of new medium size cars. Gerry ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Ford Escape Hybrid
Friend of mine has an Escape (non-hybrid) and has had a series of problems with it, mostly engine/drivetrain related. I generally like Fords but I think the Escapes are cheaply constructed. Have not really looked at the latest versions though. Allan On Fri, 04 Feb 2011 13:18 -0500, Gerry Archer arche...@embarqmail.com wrote: From: Donald Snook Anyone know anything about the Ford Escape Hybrids? --- Son bought a Ford Fusion Hybrid and he's very happy with it; good handling and good ride. He drove from Nashville to Orlando at speeds of 75-80 mph and got 37 mpg. He's a munufacturers rep and puts a lot of miles on his cars. Don't know anyone with an Escape Hybrid or how similar they might be. I would like the Fusion because it's larger than most high mpg cars and is heavier; about 37xx pounds. I drove it to town and back and found that it has adequate leg-room for a tall man (6'4) which can't be said for a lot of new medium size cars. Gerry ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Ford Escape Hybrid
Not much, I've ridden in both generations of Escape though and don't think much of them. They're LOUSY (like my 240D is better) offroad and not really all that comfortable although the newer gen is better than the first. My idiot cousins have a pair of first gens, both are less than 10 years old and both have rebuilt motors... -Curt Date: Fri, 4 Feb 2011 11:51:53 -0600 From: Donald Snook dsn...@mtsqh.com To: Mercedes Mercedes@okiebenz.com Subject: [MBZ] Ford Escape Hybrid Message-ID: 75875091-3db4-47c9-b724-b74919944...@mtsqh.com Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Anyone know anything about the Ford Escape Hybrids? Sent from my iPhone ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Ford Escape Hybrid
A false sense of being green? On 2/4/2011 11:51 AM, Donald Snook wrote: Anyone know anything about the Ford Escape Hybrids? Sent from my iPhone ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 10.0.1204 / Virus Database: 1435/3422 - Release Date: 02/04/11 -- Kaleb C. Striplin/Claremore, OK 95 E300, 94 S500, 92 500SEL, 92 300SD, 92 300E 4Matic, 91 350SDL, 91 300D, 89 560SEL, 87 300SDL x2, 85 380SE 5.0 Euro, 85 190D, 84 190D, 84 300D euro manny, 76 240D, 76 300D, http://www.okiebenz.com - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 10.0.1204 / Virus Database: 1435/3422 - Release Date: 02/04/11 ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
