Me and the wife own two hybrids. The Ford Escape averages around 29 MPG with combined highway and city diving. There is ample room in the Escape. One drawback is towing capacity. The hybrid only allows 1000 lbs towing. So if you were planning to pull anythying forget it. But the vehicle does have excellent power (compared to a V6 Escape model). I also drive a Toyota Prius. I am 6'1 210 lbs. The car may look small from the outside but is very comfortable. All the seats can fold down (even the front passenger) and you can get 8' long lumber in the car. The car averages 47 MPG combined highway and city. I drive alot for work...they pay 46.5 cents/mile driven. I havent had to make a car payment in over a year because of the extra money left over from travel payments.
Please do some research on battery life, how green they are etc. News reports always show the bad ill-informed side of things. If you compare EVERYTHING involved in manufacturing, cost of fuel, liefe expectancy etc. (cradle to grave method) hybrids ARE quite a bit better for the environment. Are they the savior some say...He!! no, but they are better than driving around in a gas hog for no reason.
Also (unless you get hit with the AMT) you can claim the vehicle on Federal Taxes (first year of ownership) Depending on your state (I am in WV) we are allowed to claim the cost overage of the hybrid above a normal gasoline only car split over 3 yrs as a pure tax credit. In other words my state allows me to get the extra money totally back.....which amounts to approx 3900 extra for the hybrid technology.
But the bottom line is this in my opinion....buy something....anything....that gets some decent mileage and serves the purpose its intended for.
I hate people saying...holy crap you drive that gas guzzler.....well do you know what they do for a living? do they NEED that big vehicle for what they do?
I am ALLLLLLLLLLL for environmental change. I recylce everything I possibly can. I drive the most fuel effecient car I can for the purpose intended (i own a full size truck...HAUL what I need, when i need to...but not driving it to work)....I purchased those ****** compact flourescent light bulbs. But you know what....if you dont. Thats ok with me.
Ok...done with that useless rant
