[ausev] Ford Escape gets overdue ratings --

[Charlesvsi at aol.com]

Data preliminary at best. I'd suggest researching carefully before using  
this data for a purchase decision. Safety records for years show Honda, Toyota  
very much safer, which results in lower insurance costs. American cars always  
rank much lower. the Ford Explorer is an example of dangerous design that took 
 years to improve a bit. 
 
As a '04 Honda Civic Hybrid, CVT owner with over 50K miles on it, I'd guess  
that all the mileage numbers are at least 10 mpg higher than reality. 
 
Note that mileages are for a specific mix of city and highway driving,  
However each vehicle is programmed for best mileage for one use. Honda Civic,  best 
on highway, Toyota Prius and Hylander, city driving, etc. . For examples,  on 
interstate in cruise and AC and lights on, our Honda gets 40 to 44 mpg at 73  
mph, and 36 to 38.5 mpg  at 75 mph. And in town,  35 to 38.5 depending  on 
the driver. So far, no electrical system problems, except a seat belt and air  
bag safety system computer that failed at 40K and replaced under warranty. 
 
Also,  the reliability of all systems and the limp-home-mode of  operation 
should be part of the purchase decision. Great promised mileage is no  help when 
sitting 100 miles from a dealer and it will not run. (Unfortunately,  nobody 
talks about this.) This data of course is never available until Consumer  
Reports has time to test and measure and gather reliability and safety  
performance data. 
 
Also note that all data is from manufactures, none tested or measured  
independently. The data has proven very unreliable in real life. 
Happy hunting: Charles Simms
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
In a message dated 11/9/2006 3:49:39 P.M. Central Standard Time,  
phev at wirehead.com writes:
Looks like the Ford Escape Hybrid ( or Merc Mariner or Mazda Tribute soon  )
are the cheapest, most efficient and safest Hybrid SUV going  ;

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/hybrid_sbs_SUVs.shtml  

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/testing/ncap/index2.cfm?myYear=2007&myMake=For
d&myModel=Escape%20Hybrid  

end 
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Chuck Simms

Director, North Austin M.U.District  #1
e-mail: charlesvsi at aol.com
Phone: 512-331-9630
Cell:  505-331-1237
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