Toyota Prius or Ford Escape? I hope to buy a hybrid by the end of the ..

[Maat]

year.

I just drove both 2006 models yesterday.

My husband, a chemical and materials engineer, was VERY impressed with the new engineering on the Prius. During acceleration, the system availed itself of both gasoline and electric power.

Pardon me. I haven't ever posted to the Lounge before (I don't think).

Anyway, discuss (I like them both; Ford Escape was cuter).

[benburch]

1. I love my 2002 Prius.

If you can find a used one with less than say 30,000 miles on it, I'd buy it.

Then it has the full warrantee intact and if there were anything wrong with it, you could get it made right for free.

[Maat]

2. Hi, Ben!

Good news - I'm glad you like it.

My sister was trying to tell me that people have had problems with them. But I can't find anything to that effect.

I trust a DUer's experience.

Thanks for posting!

(I have to get out of my Toyota van first. It has quite a few miles on it - 81,000 - but it a top-of-the-line Sienna. I might sell it myself. I really want a hybrid.).

Say 'hello' to your wife for me - isn't she a social worker?

I was from '93 to 2000. I graduated from law school. I'm going to go to work for a defense firm now (I'll alternate between rep'g kids and parents).

[salin]

6. I love my Mom's 2002 Prius

drive it every chance I get. No problems with that car.

I know nothing about the ford you mention -so I can't compare them.

[AlGore-08.com]

16. You should check out the owner forums at Edmunds.com

To see what real owners say about each car.

[lenidog]

3. At the moment and just for the moment I would go with the Ford Escape

Toyota is launching an quiet investigation into reports that the Prius is having stalling problems when it switches engines.

[wolfgirl]

4. It's not all that

quiet an investigation

My next vehicle will be the Ford Escape Hybrid....Had nothing but wonderful experience with my current Escape (pre-hybrid). Good mileage, comfortable ride, easy to handle, no problems whatsoever...

[Maat]

9. That's good news.

[terrierist]

29. Toyota's so-called stalling problem

It's the Federal government, not Toyota, that's pushing for the investigation of the "stalling" problem, which affected 33, or .000625% of 88,000 Priuses. The newscast I saw didn't mention how many were affected, they only said that "85% of the cars that experienced the problem wouldn't start up again." Sounds to me like the American car industry is trying to spin the news a little to trash Toyota because their sales are so hot and they are so far ahead of American cars with hybrid technology (the Escape licenses its technology from Toyota). Toyota sees what is happening and has responded quietly, and in the past few days announced that they will raise their prices so american carmakers would have a better chance at competing. I have a 2004 Prius that has been incredible. They're worth waiting for if you can hold out.

[Mutley]

5. There is a reason why

people say Found On Road Dead

PLEASE take that into consideration before buying. I've NEVER had a good experience with Ford.

Toyotas last forever. A friend still drives an early 80s Toyota that runs perfectly.

[Maat]

10. Isn't that funny? We've had an Expedition for nine years now ..

and it has been SUPERB.

And I'm not crazy about my Toyota minivan - the automatic doors stopped working right after the warranty expired.

I guess we all have different experiences.

[progressoid]

24. I know a dealer that calls them

Fucking Old Recycled Dodges

[catzies]

7. Why did you rule Hondas out? There's a hybrid Civic & an Accord

:shrug:

[Maat]

11. I still need to check Honda out.

[AlGore-08.com]

15. Re: Honda hybrid - - it gets less mpg but they're easier to get

My credit union has an auto buying service, and we got into quite a long discussion about the Honda hybrid vs. the Prius. The Honda doesn't get as good a gas mileage, mostly because it looks exactly like any other Honda Civic or Accord.

The big plus of the Honda is that you can get a Honda hybrid right away in most places, but because the demand is so high, I had to special order my Prius and wait six months for it to be delivered.

You should definitely check with your local dealership to see how long it would take to get each one delivered before you definitely decide which car to buy.

[Maat]

18. Sounds good. (n/t)

[catzies]

22. Accord hybrid is V-6, gets 32 mpg, Civic hybrid is 4-cyl, gets 48 mpg

"The Honda doesn't get as good a gas mileage, mostly because it looks exactly like any other Honda Civic or Accord."

You're saying its looks affect its mpg?????

[AlGore-08.com]

26. I mean it's less aerodynamic than the Prius, okay?

Take a deep breath, it's no big deal. :)

[Orsino]

8. I love my '05 Prius

No experience with or knowledge of the Escape, and no desire to learn.

I never loved a car before. 55 mpg, reliably!

[Maat]

12. Well, that's good news.

Thanks to all for replying.

My engineer-husband thinks that it would be important to keep the Prius tuned up, then one probably wouldn't have problems - and that would be the key.

[AlGore-08.com]

13. I love my 2005 Prius.

Absolutely love it.

[illbill]

14. SUV! Go big or go home :)

:P

[kwassa]

17. We are thinking about the Accord hybrid

because it gives both good milage and outstanding power

255 horsepower!

Now, if they just could make a better-looking body on the car ...

[Maat]

19. There you go ..

I kind of do want something with a little style.

I think I had better wait until I make up my mind - get a preference going on.

Thanks for all of the suggestions, DUers!

[Orsino]

27. Can't go wrong there...

...my wife is in love with hers, and though I prefer my Prius, I can understand why.

[TK421]

20. Stick with anything made by Toyota. You will get reliability and a low

maintenance vehicle. I would strongly suggest you avoid anything with a blue oval, else you surely will pay out the nose for repairs. The good thing about them is that you will make friends with mechanics!

[Aristus]

21. Welcome to the Lounge, Maat! You don't have to be crazy to be a Lounger,

but it helps!

:crazy::silly::smoke:

[Madrone]

23. re: the Escape -

I bought my first EVER new car on NYE - and while doing research, the Escape (NON-hybrid version) was one briefly on my list.

What I found out about the Escape is that people that owned them thought they pretty much sucked ass. Cheap, broke down all the time - lots and lots of issues. The overwhelming theme seemed to be a desire to unload the car asap.

I don't know how that translates to the Hybrid version, if it does at all - but I will say the Escape was crossed off my list of potential vehicles after reading up on it - both the regular reviews, and owner comments.

[Momgonepostal]

25. Toyotas generally have higher resale value

Depending on what your philsophy is, whether you drive cars until they die or will want to sell it in a few years.

At any rate, Toyotas a mechanically very good cars. I've had more than one auto mechanic advise me not to buy Fords.

[intrepid_wanderer]

28. Escape...

... I've been trying to rationalize the purchase of an Escape Hybrid for almost two years now...


- Three friends own an Escape
- 1 has the Hybrid (jealousy!!)
- the only problem any had was a item recalled (forget what) that was not causing them any problems


so far I'm on the "Mortgage first, then a car payment" plan... but I'm not certain that it'll last another 14 years!

:bounce: