tteman

Well, I decided to test drive the Energi and really liked it. You do not need to plug it in, but it is nice to have that option. There are a good number of used ones around Chicago, but they tend to be fleet cars for the Ford reps. Initially, I was told that typically they are traded in after about 7500 miles, but I have only seen 2014 with high mileage (17,000+ miles) and the dealers are not making them CPO. Not enough warranty left on those! Plus the trunk space suffers. If I go the CMAX route, it will be the Hybrid. I put together a scientific matrix between the CT200h and the CMAX (subjective...clearly!?): Interior quality- CT200h Interior comfort- CMAX Driveablity- CMAX Gas mileage- CT200h Reliability- CT200h Initial Cost- CMAXCMAX- Love the greenspace, the comfortable seating position, the practicality and the driving dynamic of the CMAX. The interior (besides the seats) feel cheap and plasticky. There definitely seems to be some rattles and the road noise is louder. CT200h- The interior feels a lot more upscale, reliability for me is less of a concern, the CPO is a lot better with Lexus, and it is quieter. I do feel a lot more claustrophobic, don't like how low to the ground it is and worried about long trip comfort. Lexus sales are much more professional and courteous. Ford sales seem to simply want to move inventory. So there you are... my current status and working on making a final decision.... Thanks again for all the responses

Good to hear about the reliability. Every time I see one now, I want to speak to the owner to see their likes/dislikes. I didn't get a chance to drive the C-Max again, but planning on doing so this next week. Going to try to test drive it back to back with the CT200h. I have a feeling that the size, seating position and overall comfort is going to be better in the C-Max. This should be fun because I am not sure how many people have legitimately cross shopped the two. Any more likes/dislikes...

Thanks for the responses!! Going to take my second test drive tomorrow and SEL is the trim that I would go for if I decide to go with the C-Max

Hey Everyone! Great forum, fun to read and super informative! In the past few months, I have been in the market for a new or new for me vehicle. The warranty on one of my cars is coming due in Feb and it needs to go as maintenance costs typically constitute a couple months of mortgage payments. A little background: Born in Chicago, grew up in Europe then South Florida...so my taste in cars lean towards hatchbacks! Here is a sample of the vehicles I am interested in: Buick Encore 13-15 Honda Crosstour 13-15 Toyota Prius Four 12-14 Honda CR-Z 13-14 Subaru XV Crosstek 12-14 Lexus CT200h 12-13 Honda CR-V 12-14 Ford C-Max 14-15Nice list, huh?!? Encore: Nice, although narrow and I feel expensive for some of the shortcuts they took.Crosstour: Love the look and how it drives, can get a great deal on a new one because no one likes them--I DO!Prius: Always called it a "turd on wheels". Actually not so bad, but sooo boring to driveCR-Z: Really ike it, but too small and low to the groundCrosstek: Love the functionality, the ride quality is a little jarring for my tasteCT200h: Tad more functional than the CR-Z, love the interior, tad better driver than the Prius CR-V: My mom and sister drive it (nothing wrong with that, just want something different)C-Max: LOVE IT!! but concerned about reliabilitySo there you have it. I am a car guy and never thought my list would look like this. I know there are others out there, but I want something more than what you see everyday. Currently the top runners are the C-Max and the CT200h--two totally different cars. Biggest concern with the C-Max is reliability and longevity. My criteria going in to this process was quality, reliability, MPG, and comfort! Thanks for reading my diatribe! Would love to hear your comments...