Kelleytoons

+1

I assume you mean this thread as some sort of statement to counteract the issues others have, and not as something intended to make you feel better, right? Because everything is good so why worry? As with nearly all forums I've both participated in and run over the many decades, the preponderance of folks who come here do so because they have problems. It's like if you only ever visited hospitals you'd think there were no well people anywhere in the world. So of course we are going to see horror stories here because, frankly, the amount of folks like you and I who say "Hey, just wanted to drop by and say everything is fine!" is pretty small (and we're weird, anyway. Besides, I first came here looking for some minor issues with Maximis, like my arm rest, and for advice on window tinting and such. So, again, wasn't just coming to tell everyone I had nothing to tell :>). We have about 1400 miles on in a month (which is really high for us but mostly because we made a lot more trips into Orlando than we normally would, to get the windows tinted and the slight cosmetic issue on the car fixed). No issues other than the NAV system went "south" on us, but was (apparently) fixed by the dealer with an update to the system. I also couldn't get the voice in the system to lower after that, but that's because (again, apparently) they put the beta version of the new MFT system (which no one other than beta testers are supposed to have) and it had new options which even the first SYNC tech person I talked to couldn't figure out (but the second one knew and now all is well). I don't see either of these things as huge, because there is a LOT of tech in these cars and as an ex-IT person I'm used to the issues that come with that (with great power comes great...issues?). Heck, I still have issues with the fairly sophisticated stereo system I put into our 15 year old Durango (when we had it in for repair they somehow "rebooted" it and I'm struggling to get it back to how I had it fine tuned). Our lifetime average right now sits at 43.5 but we constantly run A/C high (as you most likely do in our area) and while my wife insists it is MY car she likes to drive it and Lead Foot Annie always brings down the average every day she does (so I'm constantly in a catch up game to her). I really think if I were the sole driver I'd easily have 47+ mpg on it right now, as even with an even mix of city and highway I get in the 50's most of the time (and it will only improve in our mild Florida winters, when no A/C and no heat are needed).

In terms of the OP I'm not sure how anyone who talks about themselves as a "life time buyer" but immediately starts looking elsewhere when they have one problem after 40K could be considered a very valuable customer anyway (and we never found out what the issue was so I suspect it WAS just a fuse). Folks need to act reasonable about their expectations. Cars are ENORMOUSLY complicated mechanisms, with tens of thousands of parts (and several thousand moving parts). To expect no issues over the lifetime of any vehicle is unreasonable -- the most reasonable expectation is that such issues can be handled (and hopefully within warranty but if not, then so be it). In five decades of ownership of nearly every maker there is, I've never had even one transport that didn't develop a problem or two along the way. That never made me run kicking and screaming away from that manufacturer, though. (I've had at least three vehicles whose A/C all went in various and sundry ways, the last one costing me $2K. Don't hear me whining about it, though, and I'm still driving that truck).

Glad you found it useful. I'm ex-IT (retired after 30 years in the industry) but always try and keep up as best I can. This is the *best* time to enjoy tech, be it hardware or software, as there is just so much great stuff out there. Media Monkey (in case I didn't mention it in this thread -- I think I mentioned it in another one) also lets you manage your album art (you can click on an album and then "Get Art from Web" or some such, and most of the time it will correctly find the album and embed the art in it for display on our screens). It has one additional trick which may or may not work in MFT (I don't have a definitive answer because I'm still playing around): it will allow you to embed Replay Gain information into each file. Essentially that is information that can be used on playback to balance the volume between albums (albums are seldom recorded at the same levels, which makes random or playlist playback a little awkward at times with the variances between songs). There are *some* devices that support this (SanDisk Sansa MP3 player being one) but I don't know if MFT does (if it doesn't it's something we should lobby for, and I would except I really have no idea where to do that). Some other software (like iTunes) will also try and manage this volume differences using their own, more proprietary methods, but Replay Gain is an MP3 standard that *could* be supported by all. Essentially in Media Monkey you use the "Volume Leveling" process in your Tools/Options dropdown. After analyzing your tracks it will then embed that info into them. Note that it is harmless for devices that don't support it (it will be ignored) and adds little if anything to file size (you won't notice it). I really need to run some tests to determine whether MFT can use this or not (it would NOT be something in the manual, which is pretty vague about a lot of things, and I can't get any answers from the techs who ONLY know the manual and little else) but it doesn't hurt to have it there.

That's a bit like saying the new Transformers film is the best Transformers film ever made. It's a dubious distinction at best. It was a tiny SUV with a combined mpg of about 29 -- at the time, my big Durango got a combined mpg of around 20. So, yes, the Escape got better mileage, but not by much and by giving up a TON of space. SUVs just are never going to get the FE that more aerodynamic vehicles will, plain and simple. That doesn't mean it isn't a good idea to build them, or that they won't sell, but if you are going to buy a hybrid you might as well get something that gets true economy unless that's just a happy bonus for whatever else you like about the drive. (Not trying to get into an argument here, just trying to point out that discussions about the Escape aren't really relevant for the purpose of this topic -- which is the ending of the C-Max line. Unless anyone thinks they can build an SUV which gets 50+ combined MPG. I just don't see that happening).

Well, you'd have to run tests but I still think it's an mpg thing. Cost wouldn't be a factor -- they would just offer it as an option. I *suppose* appearance could be some sort of design decision, but since nearly every other car on the market has them it just doesn't make sense they would decide to go a different direction on the two cars they got dinged on mpg. I suspect it's mostly going to hurt highway speeds mpg, so if you don't travel that much at those speeds probably not a factor at all. I just hate to lose even a small amount (and if I *did* notice a hit it would be hard or impossible to remove them without looking ugly afterwards).

And we're both in central Florida -- lots of similarities here, Rick. Except... while my wife loves Maximis, it's really MY car. Well, let's put it this way -- I'm making the payments and like driving it far more than the Durango. We sort of "fight" over who gets to drive her. I'd drive the D more if it got better than 14 mpg -- once upon a time (over a decade ago, when we bought her) that was just fine, but now it's pretty ridiculous, not to mention difficult to live with on a fixed income. Since even driving badly I can do 3x the mileage on Maximis it just doesn't make a lot of sense to drive anything else much. But I'm glad we have it as a backup.

I wouldn't chalk up bad reputation to the battery issues. Or even SYNC problems. CR was undoubtedly the biggest issue. That and knocking down the EPA mileage claims (yes, that impacted other cars as well but we're talking C-Max here. And then lack of advertising dollars spent. So a niche car about 95 folks out of 100 haven't even heard of it, and the other 5 have probably heard/seen the CR article and/or the EPA news that dinged it. Heck, I was *researching* what to buy and had never even heard of this vehicle. What I read put it on my radar, but so low down that it was not even in consideration (I can thank my Ford salesman for bumping it up to the top of my list). I could care less for resale value, but then I keep my vehicles until they HAVE none (our Durango is 15 years old and may well last another 10). But I do hope that Ford doesn't give up on hybrids, or even electrics, and particularly in this form factor (the Fusion wasn't a vehicle that would have met any of our needs). Like others here, I'm skeptical we will see a hybrid SUV (or at least one that doesn't give C-Max mpg numbers) so I'm holding my breath that even if Ford "discontinues" our beloved babies their new car is essentially just a renamed (and, yes, improved) version of it.

Of course, if this IS true (and could be) then we might also be in luck with pricing on the 2017 models (or 2018, depending on which is the actual last year of production). I mean, let's pretend for a minute that the 2014 models were the last year. Can you imagine how frantic dealers would be starting about now to try and get them off their lots knowing there wasn't a "new" model coming? Might make for some *real* nice deals. It's a little early for me to want another one then (I really am looking at the 2018 model year, sometime in 2019) but who knows? I might just luck out.

Could it be that Ford didn't include them because of EPA mpg tests? Again, a concern.

Way too many likes to pick one (which is why I've ignored this thread until now) but I have to say the combination of quiet ride and great sound (even on our standard MFT system) makes even a long, slow drive a real joy (I was listening to my "Jazz Girls Vocals" during my trip to and from the doctor yesterday and I honestly tried to drive as slow as I could just to make the trip last -- not too many other times I get to just enjoy music all by myself). I could be a wise guy and say the thing I dislike the most is my wife wanting to drive it (so I can't) but in truth my biggest gripe is the lack of a decent armrest. I'm *still* not nearly as comfortable on my right arm (which I like to lay on the armrest and still hold onto the wheel) as I am in our Durango. A sliding armrest like on some cars would have fixed this, but even a folding one would have been nice. Although I have a pillow I use to alleviate things, I'm not happy with it and need to still engineer the perfect solution before we go on a long trip.

We'll keep our Durango until it stops moving as well, Rick. (At this point, with the amount of driving we do, I'm guessing it will last about 10 more years, which would be almost a quarter of a century). It only gets 14 mpg lifetime (V-8 engine and Lead Foot Annie) but is built like a tank (the C-Max would bounce right off of it) and I can put 4x8 plywood sheets inside of it with the hatch closed. I wouldn't trust it for a long trip (which is why we got Maximis) but it's a nice backup vehicle (and the more I can get my wife to drive it, the better the mpg I can get on Maximis :>).

Well, I also have two issues with these: 1) How hard is it to get them straight? I'm not real good at such things and am guessing that the results would look far worse than any ding. 2) Since nearly ALL gasoline cars come with them, is it a coincidence the C-Max doesn't have them or will they remove even 1 mpg from the drive? Everything about this car is engineered aerodynamically, and I have to believe there was a reason they were left off. Now, losing 1 or 2 mpg (most likely at highway speeds) isn't a HUGE deal I suppose, but with that combined with my lack of ability to get this right I suspect I'm just better off taking my chances.

Rick, You're FAR more optimistic than I am -- then again, I'm guessing your wife is far younger (mine is AARP age). Old dog and new tricks, don't ya know?

I wish I could say the same -- DW drive it yesterday to work and lowered us again by two tenths for lifetime mpg. Sigh. One day. One drive to work. So I'm back to saying I will *never* post my gauge pictures. Since the day I got it I have *never* gotten a lower mpg than any trip that I step into it. It doesn't always go up (some trips are too short for that) but it NEVER goes down, and as I slowly work it up my wife undos three days of my driving with one commute. It's a losing game. But I'll enjoy the ride anyway (and try and encourage her to keep at it, although it's unlikely at this point in her life she will ever change).

+10 -- you may have hit the nail on the head completely about why I just adore getting into Maximis and why mpg (although a lot of fun) isn't even close to why I love this car. Some of the things are true for any hybrid, like the no engine revving (although the Prius sure makes some odd noises when you drive it -- part of the problem is that it isn't *nearly* as soundproofed as our ride) and others (like the headroom and nice cargo area) can be gotten from other vehicles, but there isn't a one I know of that puts it all together like the C-Max, at least at this price point (AND gets great gas mileage). It really feels like a much more expensive vehicle to me -- something I would have had to pay at least 10K more for.

Well, I never kept the sticker so I suspect it would be hard to prove. And I don't want to sound like money isn't important (it's ALWAYS important, no matter how much you have) but I didn't expect any rebate so it's no big deal to me. I mean, I'd probably just use it for gas for some nice trip somewhere in Maximis anyway (and that much gas would take me to Europe :>).

So you are saying that those of us who do NOT have the 14B03 FSA are never going to see that? Or that it will show up at some point in time? IOW, what triggers an FSA? I would assume that my car (built in January with the same kind of window sticker as Rob) would also qualify for this, but perhaps not. Is this something we can find out from Ford?

I live in Florida as well (about 40 miles north of Orlando) and as a result have to run the A/C all the time. We drive into Orlando quite a bit and although our car is new (1300 miles) and my wife has a lead foot ("Lead Foot Annie") that, as one wag described here on the forum about his own wife, tends to be a binary type (which is to say either gas on or brake on) we still have a lifetime of 43.5 mpg but when *I'm* driving I can easily average into the high 40's/low 50's when driving less than 60 mph. There is supposedly a "sweet spot" of around 67-68 mph that gives you, what?, 47 mpg at highway speeds IIRC. I haven't done enough experimenting to find out if this is true, but since we are getting Universal passes this fall I will. Also, in the fall we won't be running the A/C much (right now we are in the high 90's with lots of humidity but I guess you know that). If your wife can learn to drive well (and it really has nothing to do with hybrids per se, but just sensible type "don't accelerate faster than you need/anticipate your traffic margins so you don't have to slam on the brakes" she can get into the high 40/s/low 50's as well. Florida has a lot of advantages for a hybrid -- not much difference in elevation and weather. While the A/C does eat some up, it's far worse for our winter brethren who have to deal with the extreme cold. Here we can get four or even five months without use of either a heater or A/C. Our mileage should go up according (I'm really thinking if I can get my wife educated we can raise our lifetime average into the 50's). We came from a Durango (which we still have and drive some) and did NOT want to sit so low down as you do in some of these vehicles nowadays. The C-Max also had some of the same cargo options as the Durango (not nearly as much, but still more than a Prius or some sedan). It has been my dream car -- my only hope is they keep making them so that I can pick up a 2019 model and we'll be a two-C-Max family.

Yup, that's what I thought. And the sound is just *fine* (better than my Bose system which is pretty damn good).

Pretty sure I don't have Sony audio in my 8" MFT -- I'm sure it would say that somewhere (they would tout it somewhere. Plus -- it doesn't have some of the features that I suspect come with that higher end audio, like DSP and Space Compensated Volume). What I *don't* know is if the "standard" MFT audio is any different from the 4" audio system. All I'm saying is that it sounds just fine to me.

I'm pretty critical about audio in any form and have upgraded my various vehicles car stereos over the years myself but we didn't get any upgraded stereo, just whatever comes with the MFT system (certainly not the Sony one) and it's as good or better than most I have used and even upgraded to during the last 30 or 40 years. Now, I DO listen to more vocal stuff than anything else (and midrange isn't as demanding) but even when I'm listening to rather heavy big band stuff I'm impressed. Sure, the low end could be better, but most standard stuff sucks at bass (which is why I've added sub-woofs to almost all my drives. Not going to here, of course). So either my ears have gone completely bad (possible -- old age *will* do that) or the 2014 MFT standard stereo is quite good (and I tend to think the latter).

Yes, by all means get on the court. Heck, I'm playing now with folks more than 20 years older, so I hope I have a few decades of play left in me <g>. And you didn't startle me. I just didn't want you to feel bad about any decision you made. While I think it's true of any age, I think it's more true than ever that the older I get the more I realize I only regret the things I haven't done, not the ones I have. Buying a car is the second largest expense for nearly all people, regardless of income, and is sure to carry its weight with it, but if we can keep it in perspective and realize we only get one go around and had better enjoy it, then it's not so bad. (And I enjoy my decision every single day and I'm confident you will as well -- this was a case where you made EXACTLY the right decision).

Laurel -- regardless of what that thread says, the A5 DOES change the firmware. I can confirm this by switching it out with the old one. And that is what the tech told me (and confirmed on his end with his own version of MFT and the NAV system). But if it works differently for you with A5 I have no explanation for it so I'll leave that for someone else to resolve it (because, right now, everything is working just fine for me :>)

No, that's not true. If I put in A4 I get different menu options -- I actually get yours. The NAV IS firmware, and does affect what you can do with navigation things in MFT. Try it.