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.

[REACTIVATED IN CT]

1. How is your search for a hybrid coming along?

I was thinking about getting a Prius, but now that I am reading and learning about hybrids I'm not so sure. I do mostly highway driving and the article I read today on Nissan's new hybrid said that the savings on gas are in city driving.

The Nissan is supposed to be comfortable for larger folks - the reviewer (Mark Glover, Mc Clatchy Newspapers) is 6'4"

I usually don't read the car section of the paper, but have been looking at the ads lately and noticed that hardly anyone seems to advertise the MPG of their new vehicles