| Author |
Message |
    
CageyD
Citizen
Username: Cageyd
Post Number: 683
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, April 23, 2006 - 10:17 pm: | 
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We need a new car and we are thinking of going hybrid both to get more fuel economy and to expel less poison into the atmosphere. Anyone out there have experiences with Hybrids good or bad? Please be specific so I know which model/make you are refering to.
Thanks:> |
susan1014
Supporter
Username: Susan1014
Post Number: 1522
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, April 23, 2006 - 10:45 pm: |
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There was a thread on this a couple of months ago when we were car shopping.
We didn't end up buying hybrid, since the hybrids of the sort we wanted (mid-sized nicely appointed sedan) didn't actually improve gas mileage much, and cost much more (with AMT issues, we can't get the tax rebate).
Best of luck sorting through this. I'm eager for the next generation of fuel efficient/hybrid cars, when I shop again. |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 13821
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Monday, April 24, 2006 - 7:45 am: |
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My friends in Maplewood like their Prius. It gets 45 mpg in real life. He drives it to Staten Island where he works. They have no complaints about it.
You probably know this, but they don't save money. You're paying extra to be responsible to the planet. I do hope that equation changes so it saves money.
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susan1014
Supporter
Username: Susan1014
Post Number: 1523
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Monday, April 24, 2006 - 8:29 am: |
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Yes, Tom's point is especially for those of us who have already been responsible in choosing short commutes by choosing to live here (one of 10 miles, one by train).
We were disappointed to write off this option for now, and hope that options will improve in the future. |
Darren Say Grrrrrrrr
Citizen
Username: Darrensager
Post Number: 385
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Monday, April 24, 2006 - 9:51 am: |
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Autoweek just did a fuel economy test and believe it or not, the Prius LOST to a VW by 8 MPG. Figuring that the VW did about 20% better than the Toyota that's HUGE!
See the article here:
http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060424/FREE/60417021/1008
Yet another argument to set up that biodiesel plant here in Maplewood! |
TomD
Citizen
Username: Tomd
Post Number: 409
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Monday, April 24, 2006 - 11:00 am: |
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A recent issuer of Consumer Reports also looked at the economy of hybrids. Taking into account the higher purchase costs, lower resale value, higher maintenance costs and the fact that the technology is not as mature and well known as the standard engine I think that showed that it was like 5-8 years before the dded costs of the hybrid were paid back. I don't have the article in front of me, but it really painted hybrids as a prettypoor investment at this stage. |
CLK
Supporter
Username: Clkelley
Post Number: 2209
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Monday, April 24, 2006 - 11:45 am: |
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Have these analyses been re-done with various prices per gallon of gas entered into the equation? I guess it would be interesting to see something like - at $3/gal, it takes 5 years to break even, but at $4/gal, it only takes 3 years (or something). It seems that with rising gas prices, hybrids would be come more cost-effective, right? |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 13824
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Monday, April 24, 2006 - 11:50 am: |
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I think it won't be until gas prices are up to $8/gallon or so. Still interested?
I want everyone to buy a hybrid so the industry can get better at making and fixing them. That will bring the cost down. Thereafter, I will be ready to buy one.
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Peter
Supporter
Username: Peter
Post Number: 242
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, April 24, 2006 - 11:52 am: |
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In the issue that arrived on Saturday, Consumer Reports just issued a correction on some of its break even numbers for some of the hybrids. |
kmk
Supporter
Username: Kmk
Post Number: 1190
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, April 24, 2006 - 12:53 pm: |
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We have the Toyota Highlander Hybrid and we love it.
It has become a lifestyle thing for us....trying to drive on all electric power etc. We own a push-type reel lawn mower (see the NY Times article on lawn mower emissions) and only have one car for our family of five.
I won't split hairs on exactly the MPG and the cost effectiveness. It is pretty darn good that in this hilly terrain (I go through South Mountain Reservation on SO Avenue at least twice a day) I get 28 MPG in an SUV without batting and eyelash. If I "work it" I can improve on that effeiciency.
I am very proud of my car's low impact on the environment especially when I am sitting in traffic to go into NYC on a Friday night....
While all the other cars idle and spew out exhaust my polite little hybrid turns into a quick and quiet turbo-charged golf cart! |
Phil Legree
Citizen
Username: Fil
Post Number: 28
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Monday, April 24, 2006 - 1:04 pm: |
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Glad you're happy with your hybrid, kmk. Don't let it make you feel too environmentally responsible though. 28 mpg is nothing to be proud of when you can buy a regular gasoline-powered car that gets 36+ mpg (Hyundai Excel). A Honda Insight that gets 65-70 mpg on the highway - now that would be a different story. |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 11299
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, April 24, 2006 - 1:09 pm: |
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LOve to see a family of five in a Hyundai Excel or a Honda Insight (isn't that Insite?), which I think is a two seater.
KMK is probably getting at least ten miles per gallon more in the hybrid than in a regular Highlander. |
kmk
Supporter
Username: Kmk
Post Number: 1191
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, April 24, 2006 - 1:42 pm: |
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I should also add that I am 5'-11" and my husband is 6'-6" tall.
Our preteen daughter is already 5'-6" tall and we stayed in a Volvo wagon (5 speed) until we literally did not fit anymore!
For my family's needs it is an ideal solution. |
Jennifer Pickett
Citizen
Username: Jpickett
Post Number: 203
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Monday, April 24, 2006 - 1:49 pm: |
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How about emissions? I am also interested in a hybrid, because I thought they produced less CO2. |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 13827
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Monday, April 24, 2006 - 1:57 pm: |
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Emissions are in direct proportion to the amount of gas you use.
But then there is the matter of disposal of the battery, once it no longer works, so it isn't clear how much cleaner the hybrid is. My gut feeling is that it is a net gain, since it consumes so much less fuel. Also, I believe big factories are more pollution than small motors, i.e. private transportation.
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Darren Say Grrrrrrrr
Citizen
Username: Darrensager
Post Number: 387
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Monday, April 24, 2006 - 7:33 pm: |
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Tom's right.
Seriously consider getting a diesel powered vehicle and putting a vetable oil conversion kit on it. You'll get the same fuel economy as regular diesel, if not a bit better, and the plants that were grown to create the vegtable oil more than offset the greenhouse gases you're producing from efficiently burning the oil. In fact the plants clean more of the air than what you're burning. Its a win win.
You could go over to Bill & Harry's and collect their used oil they use during the course of a week. You can filter the oil yourself, and then effectively drive around for next to nothing!
I think it would be so much fun to be able to do this. Am I the only one? In the mean time I'll continue to drive my ULEV Acura. |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 11307
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 4:34 am: |
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I would love my car exhaust to smell like Bill and Harry's sesame chicken. Or maybe Mickey D's french fries.  |
Rastro
Citizen
Username: Rastro
Post Number: 2946
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 26, 2006 - 4:38 pm: |
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Mandy Moore drives a biodiesel. I learned that watching 3 minutes of Conan O'Brien (or was it Leno?) last night. |
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