I just ordered a Ford C-Max hybrid.

[o00scorpion00o]

Hi Jeremy,

I've gone through a water pump, front shock, and now the suspension creaks like crazy, I'm not really impressed with Toyota's service which is expensive, and I'm not impressed with toyota's build quality, or their so called reliability, sure the hybrid and engine is reliable but the rest of the problems have proven to be expensive to fix and I don't think I'm going to spend the money on the suspension.

For a 30K Euro car the build quality and materials compared to Audi are less than impressive.

Sure my old A4's Multitronic was giving up but after 200,000 miles, 100k owned by me and 1 A/C compressor that cost me 300 Euro's to fix is pretty good. Everything else apart from the obvious was 100% original, and not a squeak or rattle compared to the prius interior.

As I said it's a good commuter car, but really in so far as what it's saving me on fuel.

 

[o00scorpion00o]

I would just like to add that I did most of the maintenance for the 100k miles I owned the Audi, everything except timing belt. and I've done the last service to the Prius myself and intend to do the rest of it for as long as I've had it. It sure saves a lot of money and it's a low enough maintenance car, but the dreaded transeaxle fluid and coolant are due to be changed at 100k miles and it's supposed to be expensive. I hope to have rid of it by then.

 

[Gordo]

Rationalization is a waste of time. I know an oil company parking lot that used to be full of Hummers. Now, because one guy who was waiting 7 hours for a flight home saw a Smart Car Ad, bought it and was halfway home with his FREE CAR before his flight took off, the company lot is now full of FREE SMART CARS. How can Smart Cars be FREE? By leaving the Hummers at home in the driveways, the fuel savings pay for the Smart Cars. I too am guilty of the same faulty logic. My "girlyman car" is free because my unused RV burns 5.5X the fuel. Stay in 1st Class hotels with the fuel savings. My power boat is free because my neighbours boat burns 3X as much fuel. My sailboat is free because it is wind powered. :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[TylerDurden]

Rationalization is a waste of time.

Reduction in commuting expenses is more than simple rationalization. The money saved by doubled fuel efficiency is real, particularly for non-discretionary travel.

 

[Punx0r]

Compared to the Merc I had before, I was amazed at just how cheap the Prius was to service, I don't think I ever had a service that cost less than £400 with the Merc.

I think it's worth looking at what's actually done for a service. If it's just an oil change with liquid unobtanium then you know you're being ripped off.

I've gone through a water pump, front shock, and now the suspension creaks like crazy

Just the one?!

 

[Gordo]

Rationalization is a waste of time.

Reduction in commuting expenses is more than simple rationalization. The money saved by doubled fuel efficiency is real, particularly for non-discretionary travel.

That is my point. It does not need goofy justification. Do it. Be smart and happy.

 

[recumpence]

I agree about rationalization. Actually, I was trying to rationalize AGAINST buying this thing because I detest debt like I cannot adequately communicate. However, as a business expense, this is the perfect vehicle. Since I have to buy something to drive, the issue becomes;

A-- Do I pay less up front and more later in gas.

Or

B-- Do I pay more up front and save on gas later.

I chose the latter. I would rather pay a company who did not take any bailout money than to pay our enemies oversees for more fuel.

Of course that logic is faulty as well because I still need to buy gas (just much less of it).

One thing that is strange, though;
This thing is not supposed to use E85. How strange is that? I would assume E85 would be a logical choice for those who want to give OPEC less cash.........

Just my two cents.

Matt

 

[TylerDurden]

One thing that is strange, though;
This thing is not supposed to use E85. How strange is that? I would assume E85 would be a logical choice for those who want to give OPEC less cash.........

Just a way to increase the MPGs (as opposed to MP$s), a major selling point for the vehicle.

 

[Gordo]

Matt,
I too detest debt and have continually crippled my business because of not going into debt. Using debt wisely is a powerful tool. Foolishly and it will kill you. I never found the proper balance. A vehicle is just another tool, either it is a good investment or a bad investment. Good planning is always better than good luck. I have always kept a couple of months of payments stashed away in case of injury. As I did have a serious fall, this stash saved us from loosing everything.
I think I've only bought 4 new vehicles in my life. 2 personal and 2 business. All 4 of them turned out to be good investments as they either earned their keep or were sold for more than they cost. I ordered one of the last Corvair's and a fool just had to have it for $1000 more than my cost. That represented 4 months earnings at the time. Most of the time a good used vehicle is cheaper in the long run. Reducing tax by writing vehicles off has never worked for me.
Isn't the C-Max a Mazda5??? As my "Ford" Escape is a Mazda Tribute!

I agree about rationalization. Actually, I was trying to rationalize AGAINST buying this thing because I detest debt like I cannot adequately communicate. However, as a business expense, this is the perfect vehicle. Since I have to buy something to drive, the issue becomes;

Matt

 

[recumpence]

Nope, the Ford C-Max is its own vehicle. It has nothing from the Mazda 5 on it.

Writing off mileage on vehicles makes me alot.

I just hope I do not regret this purchase. But, so far, so good.

Matt

 

[Gordo]

I read an article that says the Mazda5 shares the Ford C-1 platform, whatever that means? Guys on the Mazda Owners Forum are lamenting Mazda giving the 5 to Ford as it will be competition. Does not matter much, just interesting chatter. I love the Mazda V-6 in my Escape.

Nope, the Ford C-Max is its own vehicle. It has nothing from the Mazda 5 on it.

Writing off mileage on vehicles makes me alot.

I just hope I do not regret this purchase. But, so far, so good.

Matt

 

[recumpence]

They are mistaken 100%, AFAIK.

The C-Max is based on the Focus platform. It uses the Focus wheelbase and much of the drive components. It was developed in Europe as a gas and or diesel system and hybrid in the US. It may share wheelbase measurements or some other similarity with the 5. But, the C-Max is 100% Ford. That is, unless Ford used the Mazda platform for the Focus first. However, I highly doubt that.

Not that it matters to me. But, I have read many articles about comparing the C-Max to the Mazda 5 just because they are similar in size and no reviewer ever mentioned any parts compatibility with the 5. In fact, they constantly harp on the Focus origin of the C-Max.

Matt

 

[Gordo]

Lots of confusing info out there;
"The current Mazda 5 is based on the Ford C1 platform, which was first time used at the old generation Ford C-Max and currently is used from Mazda for the Mazda3 MkI and II and Mazda5, other uses Focus(worldwide outside USA), C-Max, Kuga and many other vehicles from Ford and Volvo .. This 2012 C-Max already uses the new Ford global C platform.All vehicles based on the Ford C1 platfrom are more or less cars with a big portion of german Bratwurst.. because the Ford C1 platform was developt in Cologne Germany .. Mazda3 and 5 are far less Sushi than most imagine..
For the time being, Ford plans to ship only the seven-passenger C-Max across the Atlantic. That's right, ship, as even North American variants will be built in Valencia, Spain

Read more: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/minivans-vans/1010_2012_ford_c_max_drive/viewall.html#ixzz2AnJthV00 "

Every time I look at a new car, my old math kicks in. $30,000 worth of fuel (from purchase price and finance cost) takes me @ 500,000 miles, before I break even. Not going to live that long.

 

[recumpence]

Lots of confusing info out there;
"The current Mazda 5 is based on the Ford C1 platform, which was first time used at the old generation Ford C-Max and currently is used from Mazda for the Mazda3 MkI and II and Mazda5, other uses Focus(worldwide outside USA), C-Max, Kuga and many other vehicles from Ford and Volvo .. This 2012 C-Max already uses the new Ford global C platform.All vehicles based on the Ford C1 platfrom are more or less cars with a big portion of german Bratwurst.. because the Ford C1 platform was developt in Cologne Germany .. Mazda3 and 5 are far less Sushi than most imagine..
For the time being, Ford plans to ship only the seven-passenger C-Max across the Atlantic. That's right, ship, as even North American variants will be built in Valencia, Spain

Read more: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/minivans-vans/1010_2012_ford_c_max_drive/viewall.html#ixzz2AnJthV00 "

Every time I look at a new car, my old math kicks in. $30,000 worth of fuel (from purchase price and finance cost) takes me @ 500,000 miles, before I break even. Not going to live that long.

My car was made in Michigan (at least it was assembled there). There is a sticker on the side window stating such.

As for the car paying for itself, our gas prices moves this to about 8 to 9 years before it pays for itself at the rate I drive. Even so, I would need to buy something. So, the difference in price between this car and a cheaper one becomes negated in a relatively short period of time.

So far I love this thing. Of course, a brand new car is bound to be enjoyable.

Matt

 

[TylerDurden]

For the North American market, the C-Max Hybrid is assembled alongside the 2012 Focus and Ford Focus Electric at Ford's Wayne plant in Michigan. The C-Max Energi will also be assembled in Michigan. All European versions will be built in Valencia, Spain.[9][10] The C-Max Hybrid was released in the United States in September 2012 as a 2013 model year. During its first month in the market sold 969 units.[11] The plug-in Energi version is scheduled to be released in the U.S. in November 2012.[12] Both the plug-in and hybrid version designs are based on the European gasoline- and diesel-powered versions.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_C-Max#C-Max_Hybrid

Following a $550-million transformation, MAP (Michigan Assembly Plant) now produces the Focus, Focus ST and Focus Electric, and is ramping up production of the C-MAX Hybrid and C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid.

http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=37222

 

[Gordo]

Matt,
At 8-9 years the depreciation will be offset by the fuel savings, so you have a free car very soon.

As for the car paying for itself, our gas prices moves this to about 8 to 9 years before it pays for itself at the rate I drive. Even so, I would need to buy something. So, the difference in price between this car and a cheaper one becomes negated in a relatively short period of time.

So far I love this thing. Of course, a brand new car is bound to be enjoyable.

Matt

 

[recumpence]

Well, I am up to 51mpg at this point! I cannot believe the mileage of this car.

I will keep you guys updated.

Matt

 

[MikeB]

Congrats on the purchase, recumpence!

I test drove the C-Max Hybrid last Wed, and the C-Max Energi on the same route yesterday, using EV mode. I was impressed, the drive was pretty much the same. I didn't gun it, but had no problem keeping up with traffic. So I've now placed an order for the Energi. I'm well within the 21 mile electric range for my daily commute, but do longer distances on the weekend, so this vehicle should be a good match for me.

 

[pkirkll]

Matt,
Enjoy it and dont overthink the blessing!!!!!!!!!!

Makes me think of this:

Malachi 3:10
'Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it."

When we are blessed to overflowing, and do not have enough room to store them,,, someone else reaps a benefit (blessing) ---- you know, my cup runneth over!

Not that receiving blessings is our motive, but a cheerful giver is always blessed in many ways. IMHO...

I just saw the ad for them last night and thought... wow,,,those look like they could be the deal......

 

[recumpence]

Yes, I do feel blessed for sure. I am not rich by any stretch. But, having a business that benefits from a vehicle like this is a blessing for sure.

Oh, here is a picture of the trip odometer from the other day.

Matt

 

[pkirkll]

Beautiful....

 

[mikebikerad]

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find.do?zipCode=95616&year=2013&vehicleId=33336&action=bt3

Great that this cool online calculator has the C-Max PHEV but not the hybrid. Enter your zip code to see how you compare!