Anybody know anything about the Ford C-Max (Hybrid) car?

[Double-O-Dave]

Good morning:

Well, Mrs. Double-O has been after me to start looking for a new car for myself as my current car is: (a) getting old (it's a 2004 Scion xA), and (b) our daughter needs a good starter car. I drive around 50 miles/day for work, and with the rising price of gas, I started looking at hybrid cars - specifically, the Toyota Prius. We test drove a Prius over the weekend, and I thought it was fine, but the wife didn't particularly like it. The (Car Max) salesman suggested we look at a (2013) Ford C-Max, which he stated is Ford's competition to the Toyota Prius. We both test drove the Ford, and while I liked it, the wife loved it.

My problems are that: (1) I don't like Ford products (I had only one Ford in my life, and that was 1 too many), and (2) I really hate buying anything that doesn't have a track record to look at, and the Ford C-Max was just introduced last year. The C-Max has a bunch of awards from NHTSA, Car & Driver, etc., but was wondering if anyone out there has any personal experience that would help me make a decision.

Thank you,

Dave

 

[diamonback68]

Just because you had one Ford in your lifetime and didn't like that one particular car should not taint your judgement, listen to your wife. Even though I used to sell Toyota's I've had nothing but great success with Ford products. My newest 2014 Escape 31MPG is a driving dream. YMMV

 

[7tenz]

One of the reasons Toyota regained the top spot in sales has been their deserved reputation with reliability. I haven't seen Consumer Reports data on the c-max. The only car Ford had that was competitive with Toyota was the Fusion. Ford put a lot into that car that they didn't in the rest of their fleet.

I couldn't vote for some reason, so put me down in favor of the Toyota.

 

[Old Seabee]

Car

I would not buy a hybred they are only an in between car to the hydrogen car

 

[scooter123]

I wouldn't buy a hybrid because they are rolling HAZMAT sites. You should see the Fire Response manual for one of these when they get in an accident. If you want exceptional mileage take a look at something like a VW TDI Diesel. If you want good gas mileage and one of the best looking sedans ever created get a Ford Fusion, those 2.0 turbo motors produce surprizing power and deliver mileage in the low 30's.

 

[NCooper]

look into the fusion hybrid, or even fords all electric fusion.

If ford ain't your thing, try Cadillac's new elr all electric Cadillac.

Honda offers a civic in hybrid or electric..

Chevy offered an electric cobalt or something. They also have a cruise in a turbo diesel.

When looking at hybrids look at what kind of driving you will be doing. Freeway driving? Forget it. They aren't worth it. The fusion as the highest mph operating range at 62 mph.

My brother has a vw Jetta tdi and gets like 42 mpg.

 

[TucsonMTB]

Get the Ford. Remember, "if momma ain't happy . . . ain't nobody gonna' be happy."

Life is too short to sweat the small stuff, like car brands.

Oh, and remember too that Ford is run well enough these days that they did not have to grovel for Federal money, like the guys who built the GM car I drive.

 

[MattJames]

I like the Ford.

 

[roarindan]

"the war department" bought one back in Nov. We like the battery drive feature around town, heated seats are a plus!!

 

[franzas]

Look into getting a diesel car (Audi, BMW, VW, etc.). Great mileage and more serviceable IMO.

 

[TucsonMTB]

Look into getting a diesel car (Audi, BMW, VW, etc.). Great mileage and more serviceable IMO.

A recent Consumers Report issue had a very positive review of one of the Mercedes diesel sedans. They did mention that the car requires "diesel fluid" added separately from the fuel from time to time. Probably something to help control emissions, I am guessing. Since you have been shopping German diesels, can you shed any light on that?

Edited to add: Never mind. I checked the web and it appears to be a minor nuisance at worst and basically a trivial additional cost. Sorry about the noise . . .

 

[Comrad]

I drive a Lincoln MKZ which is a fancied up version of the Ford Fusion, same drive train. It's a great car, love getting 39MPG in a semi luxury car. The new models are rated for 44 MPG and Ford does not charge a premium for the hybrid model over the gas model. I would not hesitate to buy a Ford hybrid. As far as hazmat goes it would take some kind of one of a kind crash to get into the batteries which are under the rear seat.

 

[Double-O-Dave]

UPDATE: the Ford C-Max won

First off, thanks to all who responded to my original post.

After a lot of research and test driving, we settled on the Ford C-Max SEL. The Ford had the best "bang for the buck", plus, it was the only car we looked at that was (slightly) higher off of the ground than the Prius, volkswagen, etc. We ended up with a low mileage (< 18k miles) 2013 model from Car Max. We tried to buy a new 2013 model from the local Ford dealers, but none of them were interested in negotiating the price to a reasonable level. This car has quite a bit of modern technology in it, in fact, this is the first time I've had to actually read the owner's manual before driving it.

Again, many thanks for your advice and your responses.

Regards,

Dave

 

[Cpo1944]

I vote for the Ford. One of my patients has one and he and his wife- both car guys- love it and they drive it everywhere . They live in the NC mountains and even like it in the snow and ice, as well as around town. I checked it out and it`s really a nice car, my wife is making noises that she likes it too.