Augh – Car shopping is so frustrating!

[freebeard]

My Superbeetle has to take a 3 1/2" speed bump at an angle.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by freebeard

My Superbeetle has to take a 3 1/2" speed bump at an angle.

Is it so much lowered?

[freebeard]

When the adjustable struts were installed it was lower, then raised until 3/4 of the speed bumps don't cause impact. The lowest point is a tow hook on the right of center.

[JSH]

I think I've found a solution by looking at some older vehicles:

Ford Escape Hybrid.

I like the 1st gen Escape Hybrid when it came out but the newest one is 10 years old. However, from 2005 - 2009 Ford included a dedicated A/C loop to the battery pack to keep heat in check and preserve battery life.

The EPA estimates 31 mpg combined and even auto journalists were getting mileage in the 30's during reviews. More economically minded people say it is easy to get 35 mpg.

Plenty of ground clearance and real AWD (It can put 99% of power to the rear wheels)

Not quick but a lot quicker than a Prius especially where it counts (passing)

1st Gen Escape
0-60 9.3 seconds
30-50 3.5 seconds

2nd Gen Prius
0-60 10.3 seconds
30-50 7.0 seconds

I like the original look better than the facelift version (2008) but the 2009 was the first with stability control. 2009 also got a bigger engine with a bit more HP, throttle by wire and variable valve timing for a boost in efficiency. It also boosts EV mode to 40 mph and the braking and suspension is suppose to be more refined Choices....

I'm going to take a look at one at a local dealer that specializes in EVs and Hybrids. $5,000 is cheap enough to take a risk.

2005 - 2007


2008 - 2012

[freebeard]

I'm going to take a look at one at a local dealer that specializes in EVs and Hybrids. $5,000 is cheap enough to take a risk.

Agree it's an attractive deal. Also that the earlier nose is more photogenic.

Which one does the dealer have?

[JSH]

The dealer had the Blue one but sold it Friday. He is getting a Red 2006 with identical specs but 20K fewer miles tomorrow. He is also a broker so if you tell him what you are looking for he will go out and source it for you for a fee.

Ford Escape Hybrids aren't hard to find and the prices are a lot lower than a similar Toyota.

A new wrinkle in the decision matrix. Mid-2008 and earlier have a built in DC-DC charger that can charge the Ni-MH battery from the 12v battery. Ni-MH batteries self discharge over time. In a Ford Escape Hybrid if the SOC drops below 32% the vehicle won't start to protect the battery from severe discharge. For mid-2008 and later the battery has to be removed from the vehicle, opened, partially disassembled, and then each module manually charged. With the built in charger you can just hit a button hidden in the dash.

As the battery ages they discharge quicker and the no-start situation is the first sign of a failing battery. I seems like having the built in charger is a good option to have with a hybrid that is more than 10 years old.

EDIT: I like the rounded looks for the 2005 - 2007 but the squared off 2008 - 2012 is actually more aerodynamic according to Ford

[redpoint5]

Almost convinced to go Escape hybrid, but nobody here has the RAV4 Prime yet. Surely your connections could get you into one for a reasonable price.

[JSH]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

Almost convinced to go Escape hybrid, but nobody here has the RAV4 Prime yet. Surely your connections could get you into one for a reasonable price.

LOL. If only it worked that way. We get offered the slow selling vehicles not the hot ones. Fast selling models are excluded from the employee lease and purchase programs.



Some more key differences between Escape Hybrid model years:

2005-2008 do not have traction control on the Hybrid.

This is a big plus as the Prius traction control is so aggressive that it is more of a hindrance than a help. Even with chains on it would cut power when the wheels would slip the tiniest amount.

2005 - 2007 only use the battery from 40% to 53% SOC.

This is just another way that Ford was INCREDIBLY conservative with their first hybrid to ensure battery life. Even later models from 2008 - 2012 they only allowed usage of 40% - 60%. That is 1/2 of what Toyota allowed with the 2nd gen Prius.

[JSH]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

Almost convinced to go Escape hybrid, but nobody here has the RAV4 Prime yet. Surely your connections could get you into one for a reasonable price.

LOL. If only it worked that way. We get offered the slow selling vehicles not the hot ones. Fast selling models are excluded from the employee lease and purchase programs.



Some more key differences between Escape Hybrid model years:

2005-2008 do not have traction control on the Hybrid.

This is a big plus as the Prius traction control is so aggressive that it is more of a hindrance than a help. Even with chains on it would cut power when the wheels would slip the tiniest amount.

2005 - 2007 only use the battery from 40% to 53% SOC.

This is just another way that Ford was INCREDIBLY conservative with their first hybrid to ensure battery life. Even later models from 2008 - 2012 they only allowed usage of 40% - 60%. That is 1/2 of what Toyota allowed with the 2nd gen Prius.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by JSH

I like the original look better than the facelift version (2008) but the 2009 was the first with stability control.

The original look is quite clean, but the fake-chrome grille of the facelift version doesn't look so bad at all.

2009 also got a bigger engine with a bit more HP, throttle by wire and variable valve timing for a boost in efficiency.

I don't remember having ever seen a vehicle fitted with stability control and a cable-actuated throttle plate.