Buying a new car is a pain in the ass
We went to the Toyota dealer and test wrecked a 2005 Highlander tonight.
Nice.
Of course, they didn’t have the hybrid version that we want, but it gave us a feel for how it’s going to drive… and it drives pretty nice. The salesman was trying to get us “on the list” by putting money down right now.
On a car that they don’t have.
So we can be 5th in line to take whatever they get.
Um… I’ll wait till you have one, thank you very much.
So…. being that we were already on Auto Row (an area of East Sprague Avenue that is populated nearly completely by car dealers), we stopped at the Ford dealer to look at the Escape.
Well… they had one, but it was in the shop getting ready for customers (apparently it just came off the truck). So we talked to the dealer about it.
He basically said (and I quote): “You don’t want one, they’re not worth it”.
😐
Apparently, the Ford runs on batteries up to 25 mph, then the engine kicks in. If you have the heater or AC turned on, the engine is always running. So… if you live in an area like we do (with extreme cold in the winter and heat in the summer) for your extra $5,000…. you get the same exact mileage as a normal Escape.
Unless, of course, you never turn on the AC or heat, and keep it under 25mph.
Hmmmmm…..
That’s something that never crossed my mind. I’ll be calling the Toyota dealer again tomorrow and asking him about that to see if they do it differently.
Funny thing about the Ford salesman though… he didn’t offer to show us anything else. He did talk about his new ’05 mustang though. I guess he’s pretty proud of it, because that’s all he talked about.
*sigh*
So… unless we find out that Toyota has a different way to heat/cool their vehicle (or that it does it more efficiently), we’re off the hybird shuffle and will pry get something that gets better mileage without all the fancy bits.
I have a tricycle that will keep you cool in summer if you go faster than 25 all the time…..however it takes way more calories to run it with the heat on in the winter…….awww hell stay with the bicycle it gets better calories per mile buy the new 05 model and they will even throw in a new helmet with ear holes and the works LOL. Good luck on the auto shopping its a task I also hate. Yet when I get back to Alaska I may have to do it also:(
1If you want good gas mileage you got to go with the Prius, everything else out there just doesn’t get the mileage. And its new technology, so in about 3 years the vehicles will probably be pretty good. Have you given any thought to a Subaru Outback? It’s still Jap-crap, but it seems to be a quality rig with fairly decent economy. 🙂
2shhhhhh dont tell anyone but you could buy a hummer because in June we are invading Iran the third biggest oil field in the world…..so with that and the second biggest oil field under our belts you shouldnt even have to worry about that milage stuff LOL!
3If I’m getting a Hummer… I’d rather it not be the automotive kind (if you get my drift). If I want something that looks like a brick on wheels, I’ll buy a VW Bus (I’ve had one… fun to drive… until a semi passes you on the freeway).
I’m actually on hold with the Toyota dealer right now. I want to know how heating and air conditioning is handled in the Highlander. The salesman has no idea so he went to check.
We’ve expanded the search for a new vehicle to include (OMG!!) one domestic vehicle.
*edit* yeah… the AC and heat on the Highlander are powered by the engine. He said you’ll still get better mileage than a normal one, but it won’t be the high numbers that they advertise (which makes perfect sense). I’m pretty sure that this isn’t realy ecconomically viable.
With the additional price of about $5,000 for the hybrid version, that would fill over 168 gas tanks (today’s value of $2.49 per gallon). It would take a long time to break even with the cost (depending on how often you fill up). Filling once per week (from a totally empty tank) would take just over 3 years to hit the break even point. Realistically, it would take about 6 – 7 years for us to recoup the extra cost, and well trade it in long before then.
Of course, gas prices change, but you get my point.
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