Who in the south (southeast or south west) would buy a car with a dark gray interior? I would. I buy black cars with black interiors. Get the windows tinted, roll the windows down a smidge, and put up a reflective windshield screen, and a black interior won't heat up more than 5 degrees over ambient. You can buy the regular Ford Escape with a tan interior. So why not the hybrid? Dollar to a donut says that the interior panels are different shapes because they've got to hide a battery somewhere under the floor, which raises the floor height, necessitating different trim pieces. So now they have to stock, and keep the line running with 4 different interiors. Or maybe their supplier could only meet demand at a reasonable cost in 1 color.

Have a 2013 Ford Escape, Eco Boost (love it), actually love the entire vehicle. Formerly purchased a first year of the Ford Explorer model (was pregnant with DD), lived rurally and have always had labradors. Was a great SUV for loading lots of kids, dogs, luggage, etc. Good for running around town, long drives, or for vacation destinations that didn't require air travel. For OBX & other similar beach locations, 4WD is great since you can take your vehicle onto the beach. Taking small children to the beach takes alot of effort, along with many cumbersome necessities that are easier driven to the beach, than hauled over large dunes wilst walking with the little ones. I do not have the 4WD on my new Escape. Don't currently have the need for off road driving, although I considered continuing with the 4WD option for driving in the snow. Depends on your lifestyle. I've had 2 Explorers, then went with the "mini van". HATED every minute of driving that, and returned to the Escape, purchased the hybrid model which I loved, and is currently driven by my college-aged DD. When DD went off to college, I purchased the Ford Edge, Loved it, but DH hated it and never drove it because there were alot of blind spots. I adjusted to the blind spots, but not DH. It had a big (by today's standards) engine, but I liked the pick-up. I don't like 4 cylinder (the smallest?) engine vehicles since I just feel like they take too long to get from 0-60 mph. FF to January, 2013, and I am back to an Escape. Looked around from October 2012 until January, and nothing else really thrilled me among my options. So, once again I am driving the Ford Escape. I would suggest purchasing the Eco Boost if your budge allows. An absolute pleasure to drive. Haven't calculated the mileage, but I believe it is on par with the Honda CRV (DH vehicle). Seems that all of the new model vehicles offer the computer screen which I thought would be hard for me to get used to, but in reality, it took all of a week to have it down pat. I opted for leather interior (dogs) and remote start (love getting into a warm car when it's cold outside). The model is a bit smaller than the other Escapes I've owned. Less cargo space, etc., but from what I looked at over a few months before deciding on the Escape, the cargo area isn't any smaller than the back of the CRV or other manufacturers' comps. I am completely satisfied. Until I buy my BMW 7 series, I will continue to be a loyal Ford customer, lol. Happy shopping!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MEREDITH!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOW!!! I Bet Will would like to come party with ya...he thinks he's 18, ya know...and has no problem with older women...especially adorable ones like you...:-) And Sharon love that one - I've got to remember it - a business "gotta doo" how bout gotta doo-doo...that's more like it. Linda, that sounds fun - an open house? Especially when it doesn't involve you packing your things? yep. fun. I love to go out in the evening before anyone has their curtains closed, but they do have their lights on. I make Scott drive real slow, so I can catch a glimpse inside houses...he thinks I'm deranged. Am open house is right up my alley. :-) Sharon, thanks for the pic, I think. She looks amazing. I didn't do my yoga this AM, now I feel guilty. Katie sounds like a fun weekend of shopping! We're getting some snow now - off and on all day. The Time of year for lake effect. The ground is covered but nothing worse. Lori, I'm with Alexa - that statement - quietly in the middle of your post - caught me off guard. LOL Alexa - I'm anxious to hear how the party goes. did you guys buy a chocolate fountain? Or two? I'm interested. Wondered the pound capacity and what you think of them... We don't have big plans this weekend. Today was report card day so we better do something special with Will...:-) On top of that, he is finally feeling better. All that bronchitis carp is just about over...sheesh. Now he's off all next week - yea!!!!! I love it. Take care everyone - clink. Stacy Gina and AM good luck with car shopping...seems to be the thing, as my friend just got a new one yesterday...

Along the lines of what Funky said, in 2015, I bought a used Lexus RX350, with low mileage that looked new. Its been great to haul dogs, compost, small trees, you-name-it. Brace yourself - I bought it after seeing it on Craigslist, and doing careful researching and having it checked out. It's incredible. A friend has a Toyota 4Runner that he loves, but he says the Lexus has more zip. It's called a crossover, meaning "the difference between the two is simple: A crossover is based on a car's platform, while an SUV uses the chassis of a truck. The result is that crossovers use "unibody" architecture, meaning the body and frame are one piece, while SUVs use a "body on frame" design." I also have a WONDERFUL place in Maine that services it for much less than the local dealership. They are all former dealership employees and do not try to up-sell anything like the dealer. I wish everyone had access to a place as nice as this one.