Agreed. I would never consider an economy class award ticket unless it involved some very unusual circumstances. If F is available for the award flight I want, I'll always choose that, otherwise C.

For the OP, I certainly wouldn't even consider 'wasting' my miles on that sort of an award ticket where you had to pay so much in taxes/surcharges. You're getting very poor value for your miles. Of course if you have miles that will soon expire and don't have any other chance of burning them, then by all means go for it as it's better to get something out of them rather than nothing. If not, hold onto your miles and save up for a better award.