I have a question about Hybrid cars....

[Ecumenist]

Me and Mr Ecumenist are looking to purchase a hybrid car. The prius is pretty much out of the question because himself is 6'6.5" and 275 easy. We want a car that we can vith ride in and have a enough room for a bag o'groceries or two.

We've been looking at Mercury Mariner and wondering how it drives, handles, etc. Does anyone own a Mariner and if so, what are your opinions about it?

Another thing we mulling over is converting a 2001 Jeep Laredo to a hybrid or Biodiesel combustion/ We live in northern California and in the Bay, there are garages that you can take your car to to get this done. We're wondering if anyone has done this and seeking the opinions of folks who are knowledgeable about this process. We're aware that it will be costly but it would be less costly that buying a brand new car when we have a Jeep siting the garage that has less than 25K miles on it.

Thanks in advance.

[MindMatter]

1. Highlander?

Have you tried the Prius? It is bigger than it looks.

How about a Toyota Highlander or a Ford Escape (is that the same as the Mariner?) The Highlander would have PLENTY of room for you.

[flyingfysh]

10. I drive a Prius

It is *very* roomy inside, and amazingly comfortable, especially for driving long distances. Driving is very smooth. There is no sensation of gears shifing. You just press the pedal, and it goes.

If you get an option package including side air bags and vehicle stability control, you have one of the safest cars on the road.

Besides, it's fun to fill up my tank at the gas station and laugh (silently) at the people trying to fill up their Ford Expedition tanks.

The mileage is a distinct plus, especially with gas prices going up again. The EPA rates it at 51MPG highway (60 city), but I consistently get better than 51 highway in warm weather. Depending on road conditions, I have gotten as much as 75.

Mine has one other essential accessory. I live in Massachusetts, so I have a Kennedy bumper sticker on the back.

[MurrayDelph]

12. There is no sensation of gears shifting

because there are no gears. The Prius uses a continuously variable transmission.

I have been driving one of the first generation for five years (and over 100,000 miles). I am 5'10" (mostly leg) and 290 lbs.
No room problems.

And the newer generation is larger.

[FogerRox]

2. Ford Escape hybrid

http://www.fordvehicles.com/suvs/escapehybrid/?searchid=426441|15932595|80550216

34mpg.

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. Honda civic, we love it, and is has quite a bit of space

in the trunk

[Tesha]

4. Daniel Pinkwater, a well-known author and large person...

Daniel Pinkwater, a well-known author and self-described
large person, spoke very well of the Vokswagen New Beetle.
He spoke of it as the roomiest car he'd ever driven, and
sold his big Beemer for one.

It (at least used to) come(s) with an available turbo-diesel
engine that will get very high mileage. Mr. Tesha took one
for a test drive and liked it very much; one or another VW
turbo diesel is still on our list of "possible next vehicles".

Tesha

[benddem]

5. Have mr. Ecumenist

sit in a prius before you decide. It isn't a small car. Maybe the first year was but they have lots of head and leg room.

[gravity]

6. The hybrid camry is a big car

When compared to the prius, and still gets good gas mileage

[TomInTib]

7. I have a friend who bitches about everything except...

His Mariner and his dog.

His name is Tom Snyder (The Late, Late Show for those of us of a certain age) and he loves his Mariner. Traded last year's model for this year's. They evidently made some cool improvement.

[and-justice-for-all]

8. Demand an EV. nt

[bananas]

9. I know someone 6'4" with a prius

Try a test drive.

[Bigmack]

11. I'm 6'3"... 265 and I drive a Prius...

... and love it. Drive it from the NW to the SW every winter, in addition to all the usual. The back seat folds down. We bought a small chest freezer, unboxed it in the parking lot, and slid it in.

I wish they made a small pickup just like the Prius. It still wouldn't get the great mileage, because a lot of the Prius economy comes from it's lack of wind Resistance.