So I bought the wife a hybrid....

[jossjeff]

2008 Ford Escape.

Black.

Leather, sunroof, all that electronic backup bull****, heated seats (WTF does a Socal need heated seats for?) , numerous other bull**** gadgets, 6 year warranty, blah blah blah.

UnRACK me for signing up for 5 years of car payments.

All for a car I really had no interest in whatsoever.

Gotta admit it looks pretty tight though. The battery kicks in below 25 mph basically and since Socal traffic pretty much stays there in theory this should pay off.

In theory anyway. I figure there is no way we make up the cost difference between regular and hybrid vehicles.

Regardless RACK me for being all enviromentally friendly and stuff.

I guess.

0.0 APR is pretty nice though.

Still......

All I'm saying is that I had better be getting BJ's for a solid month after this.

Anyone else get sucked into......I mean own one of these?

[Los Broncos]

You bought it for her and paid every cent?

[CSU Husker]

Nope, dont have one. What was the advertised MPG on it? And the difference in price from the regular Escape? My former boss had a pimped out black Escape and it was really nice looking.

[Dukes]

My wife and I just bought a '05 Jeep Grand Cherokee. I tried getting her to look into a hybrid, mainly a Escape Hybrid. But she'd have nothing of it.

[NYBronco]

I will be seriously looking at the Toyota Corolla hybrid. I believe it is due out this fall in the 2008 car model.

I was looking at the Prius in 2005 and ended up buying an 05 Corolla. The price of the Prius went up about 7 grand when gas prices started to rise and I did a little math and determined the added cost wouldn't be saved in the hybrid.

[El Guapo]

Personally, the Saturn green line is the best bang for the buck...

[Beantown Bronco]

I will be seriously looking at the Toyota Corolla hybrid. I believe it is due out this fall in the 2008 car model.

I was looking at the Prius in 2005 and ended up buying an 05 Corolla. The price of the Prius went up about 7 grand when gas prices started to rise and I did a little math and determined the added cost wouldn't be saved in the hybrid.

I'd love the idea of a Corolla hybrid, but Toyota has already said they have no plans to release one any time in the near future. They're too focused on bringing the hybrid technology to the Sienna minivan and that's still at least two years away. I looked at the new Camry hybrid this Spring and loved everything about it, but I just couldn't justify spending $25K for it when I could get the regular version for under $19K. Maybe if I had a longer commute to work, but the numbers just didn't make sense for me, considering I only drive my car around 5,000 to 7,500 miles a year.

[NFLBRONCO]

We bought a 07 Toyota Camry Hybrid last June it is cool. I love the push button starter and key no need to fumble with keys just leave it in your pocket. If someone hits us from the rear it would cost 6000 to repair the hybrid system all the batteries are in the trunk.

[AboveAverage]

http://www.threesources.com/archives/1002_thaaannks.jpg

[jossjeff]

34/36 MPG

But you have to understand that in Socal traffic on the 405 it's gonna improve over that.

Not enough to offset the cost difference but.......

I will say it has suprising power for a hybrid.

Nice room, quiet ride, cool gadgets complete with the navigation nonsense... nothing really to dislike other than the extra hybrid cost involved.

I had to nix her red color as I am a man and all.

I'll post updates on mileage and cost periodically if ya'll are interested.

[jossjeff]

http://www.threesources.com/archives/1002_thaaannks.jpg

buwahaha

[Master___Pain]

So, awhile ago (I think it was here on the OM actually) there was an article posted that said that hybrids were more damaging to the environment than an standard vehicle because of how toxic the batteries are and the process of making them. I've also heard that the batteries for the hybrids are ridiculously expensive and don't last much more than 60,000 miles...is this true?

[smalltowngrll]

Studies I've seen from about a year ago say that it takes about 5-6 years to make up the difference in price of the vehicle with savings in fuel. So, you buy it because you like it or want to be environmentally friendlier...not necessarily because you want to save money.

[shakenbake]

I have to "un-rack" you just for using the term "rack" and "un-rack" Jim Rome Sucks

[Master___Pain]

I have to "un-rack" you just for using the term "rack" and "un-rack" Jim Rome Sucks

I thought he wanted us to kick him in the nuts.......

[jossjeff]

So, awhile ago (I think it was here on the OM actually) there was an article posted that said that hybrids were more damaging to the environment than an standard vehicle because of how toxic the batteries are and the process of making them. I've also heard that the batteries for the hybrids are ridiculously expensive and don't last much more than 60,000 miles...is this true?

I've got a 100 k warrenty on the battery personally.

As far as the other topics...not sure to be honest.

[jossjeff]

I have to "un-rack" you just for using the term "rack" and "un-rack" Jim Rome Sucks


Heh.

Listened to Rome back in the day when he was a kid at nights and I was just out of high school.

Haven't listened for years though.

However, I did post on smack chat for a few years and still maintain ties to a few spawn boards.

Ask TJ about smackchat someday. I still remember him from back in the day.

Was a good read at one time.

That time has passed.

[Master___Pain]

I've got a 100 k warrenty on the battery personally.

As far as the other topics...not sure to be honest.

Yeah, it may have been 100k....(as yours obviously is) are they not crazy expensive to replace though?

[jossjeff]

Studies I've seen from about a year ago say that it takes about 5-6 years to make up the difference in price of the vehicle with savings in fuel. So, you buy it because you like it or want to be environmentally friendlier...not necessarily because you want to save money.


No disrespect but I thought I made that clear with previous posts.....

[jossjeff]

Yeah, it may have been 100k....(as yours obviously is) are they not crazy expensive to replace though?

From what I understand yes...

[Master___Pain]

From what I understand yes...

Interesting.

Enjoy the new ride!! A new car is always exciting. More so when you are the primary driver, but exciting anyway. I've heard good things about the escape, I had a client get one about a year ago and he seems very pleased. He commutes between Denver and Colorado Springs and enjoys his ride.

[NYBronco]

I'd love the idea of a Corolla hybrid, but Toyota has already said they have no plans to release one any time in the near future. They're too focused on bringing the hybrid technology to the Sienna minivan and that's still at least two years away. I looked at the new Camry hybrid this Spring and loved everything about it, but I just couldn't justify spending $25K for it when I could get the regular version for under $19K. Maybe if I had a longer commute to work, but the numbers just didn't make sense for me, considering I only drive my car around 5,000 to 7,500 miles a year.

Thanks for brinning me up to date on the Corolla hybrid. I guess this mean I keep the one I have.

[Hogan11]

I'm rapidly approaching the time when I'll have to finally retire my Celica and get a new vehicle. With an 80 mile roundtrip a day, it's not a question of what kind of car I want, it's a question of the highest MPG I can get.

I understand hybreds are not worth it if the majority of your miles are highway miles....I'm not overly sure though as I'm just trying to milk two more years out of the vehilce I have at this point.

[TexanBob]

My liberal brother bought a Prius and was showing it off when he visited for Thanksgiving a few years back. Nice and comfortable. He's a stingy sort but, for that weekend, everytime we needed to drive somewhere, he offered to take us in his Prius.

So the Prius is an economical car in that it saved me money because my tightwad brother became our chauffer for the weekend. :thumbsup:

He crashed it the following summer/ Apparently something split on the engine block and it was declared a total. He took the insurance money and bought a regular car.

[RkyMtnThunder]

dont understand why its necessary to mention your brother's political preference in this reply?

unless you are trying to foster a stereotype?





Naw - that couldn't be it

[RkyMtnThunder]

2008 Ford Escape.

Black.

Leather, sunroof, all that electronic backup bull****, heated seats (WTF does a Socal need heated seats for?) , numerous other bull**** gadgets, 6 year warranty, blah blah blah.

UnRACK me for signing up for 5 years of car payments.

All for a car I really had no interest in whatsoever.

Gotta admit it looks pretty tight though. The battery kicks in below 25 mph basically and since Socal traffic pretty much stays there in theory this should pay off.

In theory anyway. I figure there is no way we make up the cost difference between regular and hybrid vehicles.

Regardless RACK me for being all enviromentally friendly and stuff.

I guess.

0.0 APR is pretty nice though.

Still......

All I'm saying is that I had better be getting BJ's for a solid month after this.

Anyone else get sucked into......I mean own one of these?



Hey, takes a big man to buy a car he is not exactly thrilled with for the benefit of his lady.

Never owned a hybred - kinda waiting for technology to improve. But she likes it, so I guess thats what matters. Hopefully it does as advertised and you see some savings in your monthly expenses!

[Orange_Beard]

I am getting rid of my suv (2004 Highlander) I think I am going to get some kind of Volkswagon TDI. Unreal gas mileage, fair priced.
IMHO the Prius is wayyyyy over priced.

[scorpio]

Ugh, I've been driving a Civic Hybrid for the last few days (not my choice) and there's no way you'd ever get me to buy one of those glorified go-karts. Not nearly enough oomph, and you can feel the thing shudder when you take off from a dead stop (engine starting back up I guess?).

All the dials and displays are pretty cool though. Been getting between 40 and 50 mpg if the trip computer is correct.

[Ray Finkle]

Have the Highlander Hybrid....get about 29 MPG...and HOV restrictions are lifted...best SUV I have ever owned...



P.S. My buddy has the non-hybrid and the hybrid version has more power....

[Dedhed]

So, awhile ago (I think it was here on the OM actually) there was an article posted that said that hybrids were more damaging to the environment than an standard vehicle because of how toxic the batteries are and the process of making them. I've also heard that the batteries for the hybrids are ridiculously expensive and don't last much more than 60,000 miles...is this true?No.

[Dedhed]

I think bio-diesel is a better step currently. I'm looking at getting rid of my range rover and getting a diesel. Better mileage right away, longer lasting engines, and I will eventually convert it to run on corn oil. You want to talk cheap locomotion and minimal environmental impact, that's the way to go.

I have a friend with a corn oil diesel who drove to his parents house for Thanksgiving, deep fried a turkey, and drove home on the oil the next day.

[wabbit]

I drove a Chevrolet 'Impulse' for two weeks as part of a promotion in the 90's....all electric.

Maxxed out at 60 according to the manual, but I only got on the freeway once to see how it performed...no problem with hills or acceleration, just nothing over...say, 55..and at higher speeds, the batteries drain out much faster.

Had a range of 80 miles, plugged it in one of those outdoor plugs at work, and then had to wrangle an extension cord to plug it in my garage outlet.

Used standard batteries, but now the new ion lithium technology makes that unbelievable weight unnecessary.

It's comin' folks...it has to.

[watermock]

Till car companies stop advertising horsepower and start advertising mileage, nothing will change.

The issue of toxic batteries is very real. I think it's more than illegal to dump your battery. I just wish we could come up with a better battery. Battery fatigue is a real issue with hybrids as they will soon find out. Pretty sure that you have to go to the dealer to exchange batteries and of course, will have to get out the credit card.

There is no reason why cars are not getting 40 plus MPG.

My nephew Matt who is king of the kittens has this brute Dodge SuperDuty with a Desiel Cummins and stick that has a motor used on ground trac-tors. This pickup he needs. It's got some fancy electronic injection so it doesn't bang and the turbo is quiet. Doesn't smoke either. 42K sticker and he raped on the net lying till he got one for 32. He would email them that he had another one lined up what was rediculously different. He said it was highly amusing.

Regarding the South Park smug episode, they burned them all at the dump.

[REB]

This looks economical and enviromentally friendly. Could be a pain in the a$$ though ;) ...

http://a1487.g.akamai.net/7/1487/2597/0001/media.southparkstudios.com/media/images/511/image_07.gif

[chaz]

http://www.threesources.com/archives/1002_thaaannks.jpg

:spit: smug cloud anyone?!?!

[watermock]

That's some funny smelling sh!t.

South Park had a methane attack. The writers of that show are brilliant. Or insane. Sniffing your own methane only they could come up with.

[SonOfLe-loLang]

I'm a proud owner of a Civic Hybrid and i personally love it. First off, for the person who said that it takes 5 years to make up the cost in gas savings, thats true, ONLY if you were thinking of buying a NORMAL civic. If you are thinking of buying a car in the 25 thousand dollar range anyway, then your point is not valid.

Though Hybrid cars are not the final answer, people should buy them to prove to car manufacturers and the government that the people are serious for change. They are significantly better for the environment than a normal car and you do save a lot at the pump...i think i refill once a month.

I think everyone should buy one if you can afford one. It's a statement.

[watermock]

Smug is building up here to critial levels.

[Dedhed]

There is no reason why cars are not getting 40 plus MPG.


Sure there is. Billions of dollars, lobbyists, and the perception that being environmentally responsible in un-American. I think what you menat to say is that there's no legitimate reason why all cars aren't getting 40 MPG.

I want to make a bumper sticker that says; "Support Terrorism; drive a car that gets 12 MPG".

[Bronco_Beerslug]

I'm a proud owner of a Civic Hybrid and i personally love it. First off, for the person who said that it takes 5 years to make up the cost in gas savings, thats true, ONLY if you were thinking of buying a NORMAL civic. If you are thinking of buying a car in the 25 thousand dollar range anyway, then your point is not valid.

Though Hybrid cars are not the final answer, people should buy them to prove to car manufacturers and the government that the people are serious for change. They are significantly better for the environment than a normal car and you do save a lot at the pump...i think i refill once a month.

I think everyone should buy one if you can afford one. It's a statement.The new Civic Hybrids are real nice cars! Nice riding and peppy enough. Plus the new tax credits are up to $3,400 for Hybrids and more are coming.

[Master___Pain]

No.

So the batteries are not expensive?

[Beantown Bronco]

So the batteries are not expensive?

Sure, the batteries are expensive right now. Nobody really knows how much they'll cost to replace, because the manufacturers aren't saying, but estimates are said to be around $1000 to $1500. The price will go down quickly, though, as more hybrids are manufactured and more batteries become available in the secondary market. The good news right now is that they are covered by toyota for 10 years and 150,000 miles (more years and miles than most owners ever see), and none have been replaced to date (not counting those damaged due to accidents) at the cost of their owners.

Many special interest groups are trying to say that these hybrid cars do more harm to the environment than good as a result of the special manufacturing process of the batteries. This has been disproven. What is true, however, is that, in the grand scheme of things, new car emission's negative effects on the environment are overrated.

More harm is done to the environment doing things like painting one's house versus driving the average "gas guzzling" SUVs on the road today for a full year. Also, all new cars sold in the US today run so clean that the difference between a hybrid and a non-hybrid counterpart is fairly minute in the grand scheme of things.....especially in the "CA Emissions states" where cars like the 4 cylinder Camry are all PZEV (Partial Zero Emissions Vehicles).

These cars do make sense for people that commute a long ways or drive a lot in general because they CAN save gas over their "all gas" counterparts. I just have a problem with those who buy them to supposedly make an environmental statement, yet park it in the garage of their 3,000+ square foot house with a perfectly green lawn and central air pumping 12 months out of the year.

[hades]

Don't forget the tax credit next year you can take. it is a HUGE difference in the tax you are required to have paid, it is a credit, not a deduction that gets slimmed down too.

We bought an 06 Lexus RX400 last year, and I think it was worth the extra compared to the gas model. We averaged 28 MPG in town, in an SUV!

[Beantown Bronco]

Don't forget the tax credit next year you can take. it is a HUGE difference in the tax you are required to have paid, it is a credit, not a deduction that gets slimmed down too.

We bought an 06 Lexus RX400 last year, and I think it was worth the extra compared to the gas model. We averaged 28 MPG in town, in an SUV!

Please note that if you pay the alternate minimum tax, however, the credit will not apply to you.

And toyota has exceeded the sales threshold that was set by the government, so the tax credit has been more than cut in half for their models, and will be completely gone soon. I don't think any other manufacturer has hit it yet, so you may still get the full credit if you buy the honda, ford or nissan hybrids.

[SonOfLe-loLang]

There is a stat out there that states if everyone drove a hybrid vehicle, it would be the equivilant of taking 100,000,000 cars off the road (emissions wise). Thats significant

[Beantown Bronco]

There is a stat out there that states if everyone drove a hybrid vehicle, it would be the equivilant of taking 100,000,000 cars off the road (emissions wise). Thats significant

Stats like that are very deceiving and depend entirely on what they are using as their "control". Sure, many of the cars in Europe and elsewhere across the globe pollute quite a bit. Here in the US however, and especially the CA-emissions states, where the EPA regulates emissions to the extreme, cars like that would never be allowed on the roads.

What I want to see is a stat that shows how much of the "bad emissions" that are potentially damaging the earth are the result of cars vs other causes like lawnmowers, paint, air conditioning, etc. One person with a gas lawnmower does more damage than 10 SUVs, so I'm really not that impressed by taking some cars off the road. I'd like to deal with the things we use that truly emit bad things into the air.

[hades]

Please note that if you pay the alternate minimum tax, however, the credit will not apply to you.

And toyota has exceeded the sales threshold that was set by the government, so the tax credit has been more than cut in half for their models, and will be completely gone soon. I don't think any other manufacturer has hit it yet, so you may still get the full credit if you buy the honda, ford or nissan hybrids.


True, here is a page that has some figures. We didn't buy it cause it was a hybrid tho, it had better incentives than the RX350, so it came out cheaper, with the same options - since the RX350 was a 2007 model and the 400H was an 06. Got it in March 2006

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/tax_hybrid.shtml

[RkyMtnThunder]

What I want to see is a stat that shows how much of the "bad emissions" that are potentially damaging the earth are the result of cars vs other causes like lawnmowers, paint, air conditioning, etc. One person with a gas lawnmower does more damage than 10 SUVs, so I'm really not that impressed by taking some cars off the road. I'd like to deal with the things we use that truly emit bad things into the air.


That is very hard to believe. A gas lawn mower is not being operated nearly as often each week than 10 SUVs. It would seem highly improbable that a gas mower under normal usage & operation would consume more fuel, and produce more lbs of CO2 and other emissions than 10 SUVs combined.


You make very valid points about other sources of pollution, although I do think you are drastically underestimating the impact automobiles do indeed have. In the western 1/2 of the US almost every adult owns at least one vehicle. You cant really say that about lawnmowers.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

That is very hard to believe. A gas lawn mower is not being operated nearly as often each week than 10 SUVs. It would seem highly improbable that a gas mower under normal usage & operation would consume more fuel, and produce more lbs of CO2 and other emissions than 10 SUVs combined.


You make very valid points about other sources of pollution, although I do think you are drastically underestimating the impact automobiles do indeed have. In the western 1/2 of the US almost every adult owns at least one vehicle. You cant really say that about lawnmowers.
Reports about those noxious fumes emitted from gasoline lawn mowers (http://environment.about.com/od/pollution/a/lawnmowers.htm) are indeed true. A Swedish study conducted in 2001 concluded, “Air pollution from cutting grass for an hour with a gasoline powered lawn mower is about the same as that from a 100-mile automobile ride.” Meanwhile, the 54 million Americans mowing their lawns each weekend with gas-powered mowers may be contributing as much as five percent of the nation’s air pollution, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)....

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

Ban rice

http://www.scidev.net/News/index.cfm?fuseaction=readNews&itemid=2287&language=1

Researchers have identified a group of soil-dwelling microbes that help make Asian rice-farming one of the world's largest sources of a major greenhouse gas.

Methane is the most important greenhouse gas, after carbon dioxide. Although more carbon dioxide is emitted, methane is thought to be 20 times more effective at trapping heat in the atmosphere.

Much of the methane produced by human activity originates in rice fields, 90 per cent of which are in Asia.

[RkyMtnThunder]

...

Now THAT was more reasonable. 1 hr = 100 miles in an 'automobile'

If the average vehicle goes 12,000 miles in 1 yr, thats 230 miles per week.

10 SUVs on average would be 2300 miles/wk. According to these figures, it would take 23 mowers operating at 1 hour each to match the pollution created by 10 SUVs over a typical week.


Anyhow - I own a 4cyl commuter (avgs 32mpg on my commute) and an electric mower so at least I am trying to do my part - somewhat. lol

[RkyMtnThunder]

Ban rice

http://www.scidev.net/News/index.cfm?fuseaction=readNews&itemid=2287&language=1

Researchers have identified a group of soil-dwelling microbes that help make Asian rice-farming one of the world's largest sources of a major greenhouse gas.

Methane is the most important greenhouse gas, after carbon dioxide. Although more carbon dioxide is emitted, methane is thought to be 20 times more effective at trapping heat in the atmosphere.

Much of the methane produced by human activity originates in rice fields, 90 per cent of which are in Asia.




I read about the dangers of methane pollution as well. And how as the earth warms, perma-frost areas in the tundra are starting to melt and release methane gas that was trapped in the permafrost for thousands of years. (as result of organic decomposition over the ages) A potentially devistating domino effect. Once the tundras start getting really soft and mushy - banning rice production in Asia wont do much. :-(

But its a start! And why not, them Asians dont need that much rice - do they? (seriously though, what could they do to improve the production of their biggest food staple?)

[Dukes]

...

Here's your solution........

http://evatech.net/images2/orange6e.jpg


http://www.evatech.net/

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

I read about the dangers of methane pollution as well. And how as the earth warms, perma-frost areas in the tundra are starting to melt and release methane gas that was trapped in the permafrost for thousands of years. (as result of organic decomposition over the ages) A potentially devistating domino effect. Once the tundras start getting really soft and mushy - banning rice production in Asia wont do much. :-(

But its a start! And why not, them Asians dont need that much rice - do they? (seriously though, what could they do to improve the production of their biggest food staple?)

I was looking for the article I read about the same thing. I also read about how much "greenhouse gas" comes from the slash burning of the rain forests in South America, It was a staggering amount - something like 30% of the total problem. Sounded like if we stopped that we could go right on driving our gas hog cars.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Here's your solution........
http://www.evatech.net/

Only $3500. I think I'll get one for the front and back yard.

----------------------------------------------------------
The Hybrid RCLM2007 S class has evolved from five generations of high tech robots. It is state of the art and custom built to suit all mowing needs. The RCLM2006S comes with a wireless gas engine electric start. All components were engineered for optimum balance in all its proportions. It is a safe, energy efficient, effortless remote control lawn mower that does not compromise speed or power to cut the lawn. It is a lawn mower that one controls and enjoys.

The Brain speed control has a quick response for excellent handling of the independent High Torque DC motors which allows for fast terrain adaptability. There is so much muscle on the drive system that it allows the mower to climb a 40 degree incline, pull fertilizer spreader container, and push snow plows. The brain controls the unit in all directions, forward, reverse, forward right, forward, left, reverse right, reverse left, and zero turning radius. The response of the brain is smooth and accurate. Unlike most hydraulic riding mowers, the Hybrid RCLM2007 S-Class generates it's own electric power. It does not contain any fluids that could be harmful to your lawn. It is safe and environmentally friendly.
Click here to see spreader

The hybrid system generates lots of power to drive the high torque DC motors and charge the battery. The brain that controls the RCLM2007S class has a Hybrid smart algorithm that recyles the energy store in the DC motors to recharge the battery. This process makes the Hybrid RCLM2007S class a very efficient unit.

SPECS - Standard Package
*Powder coated exterior - Custom colors available
* 22" mulch blade
* Gas engine
* Alternator
* Two independent rear motors with speed control
* Zero Turning Radius
* Rear wheel tree guard shield
* Cutting height range 1.5" to 5.5"
* Wireless electric starter
* FM radio control

[Dedhed]

Stats like that are very deceiving and depend entirely on what they are using as their "control". Sure, many of the cars in Europe and elsewhere across the globe pollute quite a bit. Here in the US however, and especially the CA-emissions states, where the EPA regulates emissions to the extreme, cars like that would never be allowed on the roads.

What I want to see is a stat that shows how much of the "bad emissions" that are potentially damaging the earth are the result of cars vs other causes like lawnmowers, paint, air conditioning, etc. One person with a gas lawnmower does more damage than 10 SUVs, so I'm really not that impressed by taking some cars off the road. I'd like to deal with the things we use that truly emit bad things into the air.

You're talking like emissions is the only issue here, and it's a smaller one than an ever increasing reliance on foreign oil which gets us embroiled in foreign wars, which drag on for years, oh...never mind. If you can't immediately see the inherent advantages to less oil consumption, then you're pushing a political agenda.

[El Guapo]

It's comin' folks...it has to.

It is...

http://www.evworld.com/images/chevyvolt_boblutz.jpg

http://www.chevrolet.com/electriccar/


GM is testing the durability of over 300 hydrogen equinox's this summer in california. Unfortunately the timeline of events will be hyrbid (now), electric, and then hydrogen.

Electric is great but it uses up the electric grid. It's a viable option and personally I will be all over one seeing as to how you can virtually drive 40 miles one way in the volt without using a drop of gas. 8')

[UKBronco]

I guess I was the only person who saw the title and though "ooh, a solar powered vibrator"

[Malcontent]

Heh..I thought it said "hybrid wife" like all the reat of y'all.

[jossjeff]

Wow this thread took on a life of it's own.

Just a bit of an update if any are interested.

Wife is two days in and informs me that the needle literally hasn't moved yet.

Maybe it will pay for itself after all......

[Malcontent]

Wow this thread took on a life of it's own.

Just a bit of an update if any are interested.

Wife is two days in and informs me that the fuel guage literally hasn't moved yet.

Maybe it will pay for itself after all......

Yes it will pay off, I thought about one...oh..maybe for 6 seconds, and bought me a new truck instead. Gas gauge looks like the applause-O-meter they show at the Bronco games!

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

It is...

http://www.evworld.com/images/chevyvolt_boblutz.jpg

http://www.chevrolet.com/electriccar/


GM is testing the durability of over 300 hydrogen equinox's this summer in california. Unfortunately the timeline of events will be hyrbid (now), electric, and then hydrogen.

Electric is great but it uses up the electric grid. It's a viable option and personally I will be all over one seeing as to how you can virtually drive 40 miles one way in the volt without using a drop of gas. 8')

There are several companies and research facilities working on "ultra capacitors" Which can hold more electricity than batteries and recharge in a matter of minutes.

Hydrogen might not be that far off either. There is an Australian company that is beginning to make "reverse fuel cells" that run on solar power, are about the size of a file cabinet so they fit in your garage and tehy currently produce enough hydrogen in a day to run a fuel cell care about 100 miles. Suspect these will get smaller and have more production soon.

[Willynowei]

Hybrids are not real cars, and they get sold for more money than real cars. Other than that, congrats on the purchase.

[Jana®]

34/36 MPG

But you have to understand that in Socal traffic on the 405 it's gonna improve over that.

Not enough to offset the cost difference but.......

I will say it has suprising power for a hybrid.

Nice room, quiet ride, cool gadgets complete with the navigation nonsense... nothing really to dislike other than the extra hybrid cost involved.

I had to nix her red color as I am a man and all.

I'll post updates on mileage and cost periodically if ya'll are interested.

Traffic on the 405 sucks royally.

[Dr.5280]

Can you spell "Grapevine"? 85 mph driving a VW van bumper to bumper comin in to LaLa Land. Thank God it was down hill.

[Dr.5280]

This site sucks. Type out a post and you get disconnected.

[Dr.5280]

Whoops! Most of the time that is.