Lincon MKZ hybrid with 2.0L engine?

I stopped by the dealer and took a peek at a Lincon MKZ hybrid with the 2.0L engine. It is like a small Caddy, easily what looks to be a comfortable ride with a lot interior space. It has a lot of creature comforts. But I was surprised to see the MPG listed as high as it was (it is listed 45 MPG.) Still, it looks to be a nice, big sedan hybrid for eating a lot of miles.

I've not found much at Fuelly.com. The earlier models had the 2.5L and apparently are just 41 MPG, on a good day, cars.

Anyone have info or recommend a good site to find out what owners are seeing?

Thanks,
Bob Wilson

 

I walked away from the deal:

• Finance approved - both Ford and Credit Union ($700-800/mo.)
  • a credit rating over 800
• Price fair - for value, included adaptive cruise control and lane following
• Liked the car, 2013 2.0L, full-size sedan, 45 MPG rating
  • still need to do a drag-power curve

But upon reflection, I didn't feel comfortable about what is about to happen in October:

• Oct 1, 2013 - may get a 'stop work' order or even layoff notices
  • 4.4 million direct federal workers including military
  • uncounted civilian contracts
  • ripples from Federal programs and services stopping
• employer re-organization
  • SAIC is splitting into separate DoD and civilian companies
• delay one year
  • used, 2.0L, MKZ hybrids should be available
  • MKZ hybrid, 2.5L, 2011-12 are $20-32,000
• use 401K loan to pay for car
  • the interest goes back into the 401K (if it still exists)

In another year, I'll have the option of used 2.0L MKZ hybrids, a 401K better positioned to fund the purchase (using my 401K for the auto loan,) and we save another year of no-car loan, just liability insurance.

Of course Toyota might decide to make adaptive cruise control, lane following, and collision avoidance an option on all future models . . . no not likely. I was struck by how trying to buy this safety feature led me to looking at the forced, luxury options for all manufacturers. It is hard to explain until you 'step through the looking glass.'

I have requirements:

1. fuel economy - has to be affordable to drive
2. automated, safety systems - aging means sensors and computers should take some of the load
   • but I have to buy "luxury" crap!

So the "luxury" items cost ~4-5x the price of the safety system. If I have to spend that sort of money to get non-safety luxury crap, then I'm going 'shopping' for the best luxury return for the bucks spent. So how does this work:

	Column 1	Column 2
0	[th]Prius+safety[th]MKZ hybrid	2.0L
1	[tr][td2]50 MPG[td2]45 MPG
2	[tr][td2]no 110VAC[td2]110VAC 150W std.
3	[tr][td2]leather option[td2]standard
4	[tr][td2]94 ft{3} passenger[td2]99 ft{3} passenger
5	[tr][td2]folding wheel chair in back[td2]folding wheel chair in trunk

source: Fuel Economy

The point is forcing me to buy "luxury" to get safety means I'll shop for luxury and not just within the Toyota Prius family. In effect, "safety" forces shopping for the "luxury" overhead and that expands my market to include non-Toyota vehicles.

The "eye candy" of giving someone in the USA an empty title of "Vice President of Quality" or "Safety" is not impressive. It has less value than the useless internet posting announcing the promotion. A real statement, a real commitment means making safety options such as adaptive cruise control, lane following, and collision avoidance an option for all Toyota vehicles . . . and not just the Prius . . . but the Prius would be a good place to start!

Bob Wilson