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Ford Fusion/Mercury Milan Hybrid

1054 messages,  Last post on Nov 01, 2009 at 2:52 PM

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What is this discussion about? Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Hybrid Cars, Sedan

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#78 of 1054 Re: Fusion Hybrid '10 availability [akirby] by coldcranker Jan 06, 2009 (4:40 pm)
Replying to: akirby (Jan 06, 2009 10:56 am) Wow, thats a ton of discussion. Anyway, my point way back still stands as mathematical, economic sense: If you drive more than 15,000 miles per year in city driving, then a hybrid will probably make economic sense. You probably have to raise that to 20,000 miles per year to justify a hybrid if you do a lot of highway driving, since hybrids really shine in city driving, and are only a little better in highway driving than non-hybrids. For example, you can get a Fusion for $20,000, and a hybrid version of the same vehicle for $27,000, very realistic cost numbers. I'm saying $7,000 buys a lot of gas, plus don't forget the insurance numbers are a little higher for the hybrid, too. Many people shopping are going to ask how much extra do I have to pay to get a Fusion hybrid over a regular Fusion? That said, hybrids are cool, and its nice to stick it to the Saudis and Chavez, too!!!!
#79 of 1054 Re: Fusion Hybrid '10 availability [explorerx4] by coldcranker Jan 06, 2009 (4:46 pm)
Replying to: explorerx4 (Jan 06, 2009 3:59 pm) explorerx4 said: "Honda better bring some game with the new Insight."   The Insight will be attractive for 2 main reasons: 1) Cost will be lower than any other hybrid. 2) Honda's have a great reputation.
#80 of 1054 Re: Hybrid MPG question [bigt] by coldcranker Jan 06, 2009 (4:56 pm)
Replying to: bigt (Jan 06, 2009 4:35 pm) bigt asked: "What happens when you run the air or heat in the Hybrid vehicle? I assume it runs the gasoline engine right?"   If the air conditioner runs off an electrical motor instead of off an engine drive belt, then you wouldn't necessarily have to run the engine when the air cond turned on. The heater could actually route battery heat (they do generate some heat) to the passengers. That being said, running the air conditioning will reduce your MPG just like any other vehicle. Running the heater in a hybrid hurts your MPG, while running the heater in a non-hybrid does not hurt MPG. I'm not sure what the hit in MPG is, but a hybrid will still do better than a non-hybrid overall. The EPA tests do take into account running the air conditioner a little, so you can use the EPA MPG numbers to compare between any vehicles with confidence.
#81 of 1054 Re: Hybrid MPG question [bigt] by akirby Jan 06, 2009 (5:29 pm)
Replying to: bigt (Jan 06, 2009 4:35 pm) The main reason the Prius got 60 mpg on the old EPA tests but only 45 in the real world was that the old EPA test never used the A/C and in the Prius using the A/C forced the engine to run. That was one thing they changed for the 2008 tests to make it more realistic. As was stated the newer models with electric A/C may not do that, although you could only run the A/C for a short time without the engine to recharge the battery.
#82 of 1054 Re: Fusion Hybrid '10 availability [explorerx4] by akirby Jan 06, 2009 (5:31 pm)
Replying to: explorerx4 (Jan 06, 2009 3:59 pm) The Accord hybrid was a failure because it was not designed for optimal fuel economy. It was designed for V6 performance at I4 fuel economy rather than I4 performance with much better fuel economy. That won't be the case for the insight - they've learned their lesson. I believe Lexus has the same problem with the LS hybrid. Replies to this message: explorerx4 (Jan 06, 2009 5:59 pm)
#83 of 1054 Re: Fusion Hybrid '10 availability [akirby] by explorerx4 Jan 06, 2009 (5:59 pm)
Replying to: akirby (Jan 06, 2009 5:31 pm) that's why i posted that honda better make good on the new Insight. new england has been a good market for honda, but they need new customers.
#84 of 1054 Re: Fusion Hybrid '10 availability [akirby] by jd25 Jan 06, 2009 (9:02 pm)
Replying to: akirby (Jan 03, 2009 9:47 pm) Do we get a tax deduction for buying Ford Fusion Hybrid in 2009? How much is the deduction amount?   Thanks! Replies to this message: akirby (Jan 07, 2009 5:58 am)
#85 of 1054 Re: Fusion Hybrid '10 availability [jd25] by akirby Jan 07, 2009 (5:58 am)
Replying to: jd25 (Jan 06, 2009 9:02 pm) I think so but I'm not sure.
#86 of 1054 Just stopping by by wvgasguy Jan 07, 2009 (6:26 am)
I found this thread and am indeed interested in the Fusion Hybrid. I see a lot of the questions being asked here are generic about Hybrids. For really good answers to some of your questions perhaps you should stop over to the threads on the Toyota Camry Hybrid. Most of the concerns and questions you will have about the Ford/Mercury can be answered there.   BTW, as for the new EPA estimates, I believe they assumed an "inexperienced" driver, or at least one that drove the hybrid as if it was the first time they had driven one to do the test drives. The Camry estimated dropped drastically in the new rating system. Yet I drove my TCH for 65,000 miles and averaged 37.3 mpg.   I don't know how the Ford will be "tuned" but I'm guessing it's similar to the camry. The Prius is indeed a great city car. However my experience is that the Camry was more balanced. It's a great balanced car. I did very little city driving. When I did I got well in excess of 40mpg. And no, interstate driving is not it's best function, although I believe it still outshines the ICE only 4cy versions. Where I found it to really be the ultimate is on 2 lane, normal driving patterns. It's a good balance of FE and comfort. I believe the Ford will be patterned after this design (just a guess).   Will the economics justify the purchase? Probably not, at least not without tax credits, but once you get used to having the power you need and still getting 35 mpg, it's hard to go back to anything else. I recently purchased a Highlander Hybrid. can't justify it to anyone but myself, but getting 25 mpg all the time makes me more satisfied than getting 24 on the highway but knowing I'll only get 17 most of the time in a non-hybrid version.   Everyone quotes their Highway milage when in fact most people never average anywhere near that number (at least I never did in the 30+ vehicles I've owned over the last 35 years) Replies to this message: bigt (Jan 07, 2009 6:40 am) wvgasguy (Jan 07, 2009 7:22 am)
#87 of 1054 Re: Just stopping by [wvgasguy] by bigt Jan 07, 2009 (6:40 am)
Replying to: wvgasguy (Jan 07, 2009 6:26 am) Thanks for such an elegant reply. I am really trying to sort all of this out. I love my MKZ but my mileage is an average of 17-18 in the city driving I do. Luckily I can work around the rush hours but still getting double what I am getting now is very appealing. Along with reduced carbon footprint.   Funny a buddy of mine and I were on the Toyota lot when the Camry HB showed up. It was bright red, I loved it and was about to trade in my 2006 Zephyr for it. I decided to show it to my girl the next day. When I got back my buddy already purchased it. So I sold my Zephyr to my girl and purchased a new MKZ bright red. He still got all of the attention because he had the Hybrid. Hmm, that is a interesting sales point.   Do people make a purchase decision on how much attention the car gets? I bet we do! Replies to this message: wvgasguy (Jan 07, 2009 7:22 am)

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