I paid about $24k for a brand-new, loaded 2010 Milan Hybrid. It meets the criteria of being an appliance, but it's not sporty or fun to drive.

I got the car well off sticker because the Mercury name was going away, hybrids weren't selling at that time, and the dealer had a few on the lot.

I enjoy some aspects of the car, of which gas mileage on regular unleaded is one big one. Right now about 36-38 mpg, so a cost per mile in fuel of less than 10 cents. Scheduled maintenance is at the 10k interval, except for tire rotations. In 15k miles I've put gas in it, and paid $23 for the 10k service after I applied the "new car" credit. Cost of ownership is pretty low, including the concept of depreciating value since I got it well off retail. KBB (yeah, I know) currently values the car at more than I paid new for both private party and dealer.

I've got mixed feelings about the tech. It has satellite radio, big touch screen and integrated nav. The problem is that it's proprietary and there hasn't been a Navteq update for maps in two years. Likewise with traffic data, you're stuck with the company that the manufacturer selected. If I buy again, I'll look at not getting the dealer installed package.

I like the A/C. I like the concept of sitting "idling" with the engine off but the electrically driven compressor keeps the cool air flowing.

It's a daily driver appliance, and it does that well, but it's got no soul.