bushwacked Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 Hybrid Fight! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Swerski Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 Stop and go traffic from Zanesville to Columbus, isn't exactly like Everett to Seattle. Never been to Zanesville or Columbus, but I imagine that Everett/Seattle is comparable to Chicago/Naperville. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bushwacked Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 Never been to Zanesville or Columbus, but I imagine that Everett/Seattle is comparable to Chicago/Naperville. Whatever, it's irrelevant..... The federal info that MV posted acknowledges that external factors (including regional) greatly effect estimated MPG and I was trying to point out those factors I've experienced and how contradictory the EPA estimates were to my actual observed MPGs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtomicCEO Posted March 26, 2008 Share Posted March 26, 2008 I've been reading that Chinese car manufacturer BYD may be bringing a pretty nice looking all-electric vehicle to US Market this year. Maybe. http://www.chinacartimes.com/2007/10/11/by...e-electric-car/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yo mama Posted March 26, 2008 Share Posted March 26, 2008 (edited) I've been reading that Chinese car manufacturer BYD may be bringing a pretty nice looking all-electric vehicle to US Market this year. Maybe. http://www.chinacartimes.com/2007/10/11/by...e-electric-car/ Hopefully they make better cars than dog food. Edited March 26, 2008 by yo mama Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Holy Roller Posted March 26, 2008 Share Posted March 26, 2008 How safe are those? No one has ever been hurt by an Al Gore hand job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaxfactor Posted March 26, 2008 Share Posted March 26, 2008 . When we decided to get small car Hybrid we went with the Civic because we thought the Pruis was too ugly +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big John Posted March 26, 2008 Share Posted March 26, 2008 Plus, I help the environment and I want al gore to like me. Or if he finds out you voted for Nader in Florida in 2000? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtomicCEO Posted March 26, 2008 Share Posted March 26, 2008 Hopefully they make better cars than dog food. One of the reviews I was reading was talking about their ferrous lithium battery technology and made a joke about "for once, a Chinese product without lead in it". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikesVikes Posted March 26, 2008 Share Posted March 26, 2008 (edited) Here's an example, from the link I gave before. The MPG for a 2008 Toyota Camry (Hybrid) is 33 for City and 34 for Hwy miles. The MPG for a 2008 Toyota Camry (non-Hybrid) is 21 for City and 31 for Hwy miles. This is what you would normally expect from a non-hybrid vehicle in that City driving results in less fuel economy. But when you look at the hybrid, the city miles are much closer to the Hwy miles. That is because city driving results in more speed changes and starts and stops. Those starts and stops and speed changes is when the electric power is a better advantage to have. I wasn't saying that it is only better in city driving, but it is definetly where you see the biggest increase in the MPG in a hybrid. The business I work at owns the very first Prius Hybrid ever purchased in the city. We now own two of them. Edited March 26, 2008 by MikesVikes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bushwacked Posted March 26, 2008 Share Posted March 26, 2008 As best I can tell hybrid civics for instance get around 42-42 while gas models get around 35-37. I believe that after you factor in the battery cost ( I hear 5 grandish) and the increased cost of upkeep because new,bigger tech is more likely to break, and the dealers only being able to service them, right now the gas models look a lot cheaper to me. I would love to have a hybrid for the nerd factor but right now they seem far too expensive to operate. Maybe, based on the studies Puddy linked it appears I'll be making the money back in gas for my hybrid in October 2011. If the batteries go out before then, I have some really expensive sand bags in the back for winter traveling. This was the first brand new vehicle we've ever bought and while we are paying $300+ on a car payment; We are also saving a minimum of $150 on gas a month instead by having the Jeep Cherokee as a 2nd vehicle (i.e...parked in the driveway cause I work from home). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikesVikes Posted March 26, 2008 Share Posted March 26, 2008 Maybe, based on the studies Puddy linked it appears I'll be making the money back in gas for my hybrid in October 2011. If the batteries go out before then, I have some really expensive sand bags in the back for winter traveling. This was the first brand new vehicle we've ever bought and while we are paying $300+ on a car payment; We are also saving a minimum of $150 on gas a month instead by having the Jeep Cherokee as a 2nd vehicle (i.e...parked in the driveway cause I work from home). That sux. Do you happen to have gap coverage? Send a 16 year-old out with the vehicle and your problems will be over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Irish Doggy Posted March 26, 2008 Share Posted March 26, 2008 Or if he finds out you voted for Nader in Florida in 2000? Oh , we get to blame Unta for the Iraq debacle. Hooray, a chink in his armor! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bushwacked Posted March 26, 2008 Share Posted March 26, 2008 That sux. Do you happen to have gap coverage? Send a 16 year-old out with the vehicle and your problems will be over. I don't know what gap coverage is, and I don't plan on sending a 16 year old out with a vehicle for another 10 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yukon Cornelius Posted March 26, 2008 Share Posted March 26, 2008 3 words Biodiesel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puddy Posted March 26, 2008 Share Posted March 26, 2008 3 words Biodiesel Hey Yuk - Could you fit in a Prius Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
untateve Posted March 26, 2008 Author Share Posted March 26, 2008 Oh , we get to blame Unta for the Iraq debacle. Hooray, a chink in his armor! I wouldn't have voted for Gore if I didn't vote for Nader. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbimm Posted March 26, 2008 Share Posted March 26, 2008 Maybe, based on the studies Puddy linked it appears I'll be making the money back in gas for my hybrid in October 2011. If the batteries go out before then, I have some really expensive sand bags in the back for winter traveling. Sandbags in the back will be of little help in a front wheel drive car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikesVikes Posted March 26, 2008 Share Posted March 26, 2008 Have you looked into a compressed natural gas-powered car? I get the feeling that there's been a ton of alternatives to gas guzzlers designed and the oil companies give them an offer they can't refuse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikesVikes Posted March 26, 2008 Share Posted March 26, 2008 I don't know what gap coverage is, and I don't plan on sending a 16 year old out with a vehicle for another 10 years. Gap coverage covers the difference between what you owe on a vehicle and what the vehicle is worth. So in the "unfortunate" case of when you get into an "accident" you don't have to make payments on a car you don't have anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DemonKnight Posted March 26, 2008 Share Posted March 26, 2008 Or if you really wanna piss off the oil industry you can reasonably convert your Prius into a plug-in... The result is a car that gets 100mpg on the highway and 150mph in city driving for 50 miles after being plugged in. I think these figures are using the new, more accurate 2008 EPA testing that replaces the old one (with the new system, hybrids are more accurately measured at about 45mpg rather than the unrealistic 60). According to the Hymotion FAQ on their website, the Hymotion battery will take about 5.5 hours to recharge at 120V or 4 hours at 240V. The battery being developed for Ford Escape takes longer. The recharge for the battery will cost about $1 with current electricity prices. This may drop depending on whether power companies give night discounts or EV incentives. The only problem I see is that this will probably void your warranty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theeohiostate Posted March 26, 2008 Share Posted March 26, 2008 Top ten most economic vehicles I'm taking my wife to look at the Toyota Prius this weekend and trade in one of our gas hogs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Posted March 26, 2008 Share Posted March 26, 2008 Top ten most economic vehiclesI'm taking my wife to look at the Toyota Prius this weekend and trade in one of our gas hogs. Do they have plug in versions with Lithium ion batteries? Those can get insane mileage. "Next-Gen Prius to get lithium ion battery and 113 mpg AutoExpress magazine in the UK has a report in this week's issue about the next generation Toyota Prius. They are reporting that the new Prius will be switching from nickel metal hydride batteries to lithium ion batteries that have greater capacity in an even smaller size. With the smaller package, interior room of the new car should be improved, especially in the back seat. The improved power output of the lithium batteries will allow the car to run on electrons-only more often in urban traffic. According to the magazine, Toyota engineers are targeting a mileage rating of 113 mpg, with improved 0-60 mph acceleration of less than 10 seconds. The internal combustion part of the drive train is reported to be a new turbocharged 1.8L lean burn four cylinder. The car may even get factory plug-in capability when it goes on sale in 2009 and now that GM has announced their intention to offer a plug-in hybrid Saturn Vue, this one may be a certainty. The styling is also reported to be revamped, with a spy photo in the print version of the magazine. " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Posted March 26, 2008 Share Posted March 26, 2008 Rent this movie. Who killed the Electric Car? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DemonKnight Posted March 26, 2008 Share Posted March 26, 2008 Rent this movie. Who killed the Electric Car? Read here for the Huddles consensus of the movie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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