Need your advise before I buy my car

[bwishah]

I need your professional advise before I buy my car
Which car is better:

Camry hypred 2008 or Ford Escape hypred 2008?

in regards to the long term car life, service, mechanical issues, and maintenance

Thanks

[65comet]

A few years back in the Escape thread I had arguments with a hybrid owner about the pitfalls of hybrid vs. regular. I showed facts and figures that the higher initial cost would not be made back in gas savings for at least seven or eight years. Then I went on to mention that the batteries had been shown to have a steep decline in capacity after 5 years, so there would be the additional cost of replacement at that time. Then there are the articles showing how more pollution is created in making a hybrid than what the non-hybrid puts out in its lifetime. I wouldn't buy any hybrid until they can come up with a "new" battery. 2008 is a year away from the 5 year mark. The latest news is that there isn't any idea of how to make one yet. So I'm looking at the news of compressed air vehicles and also hoping hydrogen fuel can get going soon.