 Who needs a hybrid?
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877
Should be Riding
|
OP
Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877 |
So a couple years ago my In-laws sold us their old Hyundai Accent GL (Greatly Lacking) for like 5 bucks. Long story short, they needed a van, and I knew if and when I changed jobs/lost my job, I would lose the associated company car. Anywhoo, this car is a tin can, I have to admit. I can literally flex the trunk lid when it's up. No AC, roll up windows, and a tape deck that won't accept my adapter to listen to a CD or MP3 player... BUT!!! I got 38.5 mpg on the way up to Boston last weekend!!! And I regularly get 27 driving around down here. It's no 48 mpg city Prius, but it was $5, it's keeping a car out of the junk yard, and it doesn't have 500 lbs of toxic batteries in it. That's green! 
Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
|
|
|
 Re: Who needs a hybrid?
|
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 807
3/4 Throttle
|
|
3/4 Throttle
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 807 |
Eeek! You're pleased with 39mpg?!!  My Citroen AX 1.5 diesel ('96) gets 50 round town, 55 on a run (albeit sticking to 65mph) It also runs on vegetable oil, should the need arise. I should say, it performs *better* on veggie oil. Yes, yes, I realise it's comparing US to UK gallons but I still get 10 to the gallon more than you. My stepdad recently got over 55mpg (motorway miles) in his (big, fancy, "loaded") Peugeot Estate (2.0 TD, I think). Prius's aint that economical. If you look at the forums, they regularly complain about getting sub-30mpg. A big con, in my opinion. I'm not sure I could ever drive a car that gets less than 50mpg. I should add, Ben, that this isn't a dig, just an observation that you in the US really don't have a clue when it comes to economy-you've had it too good for too long and now things are chang'n!! 
|
|
|
Re: Who needs a hybrid?
|
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,616
Check Pants
|
|
Check Pants
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,616 |
I wish I could get close to that...my Montero gets 15-19 on a good day.
I miss the days of the Honda CRX HF...that little car got 50mpg and was a blast to drive. I just dont see getting in and out of a small car like that anymore.
SOLD: 07 Black BA, 39mm FCRs, TPUSA stage 1 head, TPUSA 813 cams, TPUSA 10.8:1 pistons, TTP #3 igniter, Specialty Spares Long Cannons, Tsukayu Hard Bags. 82HP/55tq
NEW: 19 Goldwing Tour DCT
|
|
|
Re: Who needs a hybrid?
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,420
Oil Expert
|
|
Oil Expert
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,420 |
Cool. I have a 07 Sentra that gets about 28 city and like 35-39 highway. Not 5 dollars but still a cheap car with AMAZING mileage for a non-diesel, non-hybrid, etc car.
|
|
|
Re: Who needs a hybrid?
|
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1
Worn Saddle
|
|
Worn Saddle
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1 |
Quote:
Prius's aint that economical. If you look at the forums, they regularly complain about getting sub-30mpg. A big con, in my opinion.
Can't speak to the Prius but my Camry Hybrid routinely gets 39-41 mpg. Coming form a car that got 25 mpg max that's quite an improvement; still, the Europeans have the US beat when it comes to fuel efficiency...even if Echoance does have to drive a French car to prove it.
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright (1876 - 1944)
|
|
|
Re: Who needs a hybrid?
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,681 Likes: 1
Bar Shake
|
|
Bar Shake
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,681 Likes: 1 |
The Ford Fusion Hybrid is coming out this Spring (as in now). It gets 41mg and is in direct competition with the Camry. Way to go Ford (the only US automaker that didn't take bailout money).
"Catching a yellow jacket in your shirt at seventy miles per hour can double your vocabulary" Author unknown
|
|
|
Re: Who needs a hybrid?
|
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,440
Learned Hand
|
|
Learned Hand
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,440 |
Quote:
Way to go Ford (the only US automaker that didn't take bailout money).
I'm danm proud of Ford for not contributing to our economic collapse.  Looks like the government will reward them by giving their failing competitors a leg up. 
'08 America Blue/White; Custom Headlamps, Custom Lowers, Clearview 20", Bafflectomy
|
|
|
Re: Who needs a hybrid?
|
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
|
|
Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Quote:
Eeek! You're pleased with 39mpg?!! ....
....that this isn't a dig, just an observation that you in the US really don't have a clue when it comes to economy-you've had it too good for too long and now things are chang'n!!
NOT so fast there, Neill! I'll have you know that in an effort to become more "Green", I sent away to J.C. Whitney for one of those 100MPG carburetors and put it on my Hummer a whole THREE YEARS AGO!!!
So don't YOU tell ME that some of us Yanks over here haven't been doin' our level best to help preserve some of this world's finite resources, young man!!!
Now, if you're wonderin' how well that carb worked, well, I have to admit that it didn't give me near that 100MPG figure mind you, but it DID seem to help it jump up from an average of 6MPG to an amazing 8!!! And even THOUGH there turned out to be no guarantee that came with that carb(note: always remember to read the fine print out there, folks), every little bit helps, RIGHT?!
(and BTW...yeah folks, I KNOW it's now April 2nd, but you should ALL know by NOW that THIS is my S.O.P. around here NO MATTER what friggin' day it is...RIGHT???!!!)
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
|
|
|
Re: Who needs a hybrid?
|
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,068 Likes: 1
Saddle Sore
|
|
Saddle Sore
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,068 Likes: 1 |
So , let me get this correct - if you lose your source of income , you can return the Hundai , forget the balance on the initial $5.00 and it won't adversely affect your credit ? Man , that's a deal ! 
|
|
|
Re: Who needs a hybrid?
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877
Should be Riding
|
|
OP
Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877 |
haha I wish!! I did lose my income, hence the cheap car... 
Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
|
|
|
Re: Who needs a hybrid?
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877
Should be Riding
|
|
OP
Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877 |
Niell, apples and oranges man. We have 50 mpg diesels here too, but this is a 1.6L gas burner. I'd love an oil burner, but they are in such short supply here, that the real enthusiasts snatch em up! And command a premium price, even used. As a European car guy (such as one can be in the states... Grew up driving my dad's VW's), I personally think you guys have it way better just from a shear selection standpoint. I drove my friend's VW Polo TDI in Prague, that thing was awesome. I mean hey, just look what a Ford Fiesta can do!! Also you guys have it easier as far as emissions, which is part of what's strangling the diesel revolution around here...
Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
|
|
|
Re: Who needs a hybrid?
|
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
|
|
Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Quote:
Niell, apples and oranges man. We have 50 mpg diesels here too, but this is a 1.6L gas burner. I'd love an oil burner, but they are in such short supply here, that the real enthusiasts snatch em up! And command a premium price, even used. As a European car guy (such as one can be in the states... Grew up driving my dad's VW's), I personally think you guys have it way better just from a shear selection standpoint. I drove my friend's VW Polo TDI in Prague, that thing was awesome. I mean hey, just look what a Ford Fiesta can do!! Also you guys have it easier as far as emissions, which is part of what's strangling the diesel revolution around here...
Yep! Good points there Benny.
And BTW, to answer your orginal question here of "Who needs a hybrid?"
Well, maybe the same guy who'd ride somethin' like this here...
(photo "courtesy" of Eric[kidhaf] in another thread)
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
|
|
|
Re: Who needs a hybrid?
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,610
Loquacious
|
|
Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,610 |
Quote:
So , let me get this correct - if you lose your source of income , you can return the Hundai , forget the balance on the initial $5.00 and it won't adversely affect your credit ? Man , that's a deal !
I just read in yesterday's paper that GM and Ford are working out a very similar plan. Buyer or consumer protection, or some such crap, they'll be covering your payments if you get laid off. No real details in the article though.
Stewart
.......
"It's outside your field of expertise."
"Poppycock normally is."
|
|
|
Re: Who needs a hybrid?
|
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 605
Adjunct
|
|
Adjunct
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 605 |
My buddy's got a 93 geo metro. 52mpg 3 cylinder. Since the smart car gets less mpg's and has to run on higher octane, I'd say the geo is "smart". Now my Frontier these days is averaging 19.5 mpg's not bad really.
Who needs a hybrid though when we drive these bikes? I'm getting 50+ on my 04 America.
Aaron
04 "Green Bean" Freaked, AI removal, Bafflectomy, 6" Risers, and 30" Drag Bars.
|
|
|
Re: Who needs a hybrid?
|
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,440
Learned Hand
|
|
Learned Hand
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,440 |
I'm not convinced those teeny-tiny cars are really all that Smart. Wonder what happens to the driver when the vehicle hits the rear bumper of Ford F150 at even 40 MPH. You know, quite a few cars in China are made like this for their domestic market - tin cans with two doors and a sub-1500cc motor. Nearly every accident I've seen there so far has involved a fatality.
'08 America Blue/White; Custom Headlamps, Custom Lowers, Clearview 20", Bafflectomy
|
|
|
Re: Who needs a hybrid?
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,610
Loquacious
|
|
Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,610 |
The "appeal" of the smart car and others like it, is not necessarily the gas mileage, but the convenience of it - a small, city car- easy to maneuver and park anywhere.
Stewart
.......
"It's outside your field of expertise."
"Poppycock normally is."
|
|
|
Re: Who needs a hybrid?
|
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 605
Adjunct
|
|
Adjunct
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 605 |
Well from what I understand the smart car has a 5 star crash test rating. It's supposed to fair well in an accident. I think this is due to it's inersia is easy to stop since it's so small. Basically bounce off with minor crushing of front end.
Aaron
04 "Green Bean" Freaked, AI removal, Bafflectomy, 6" Risers, and 30" Drag Bars.
|
|
|
Re: Who needs a hybrid?
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877
Should be Riding
|
|
OP
Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877 |
Quote:
I'm not convinced those teeny-tiny cars are really all that Smart. Wonder what happens to the driver when the vehicle hits the rear bumper of Ford F150 at even 40 MPH. You know, quite a few cars in China are made like this for their domestic market - tin cans with two doors and a sub-1500cc motor. Nearly every accident I've seen there so far has involved a fatality.
We could all drive dump trucks and kill eachother fairly.
Of course speaking in terms of "if you get in an accident" is also a hypothetical. Something we face each day on a bike too. I'll hedge my bets that I can avoid an accident in a small car better than that F250.
Plus really my point was that using a car that already exists is green in and of itself. It's like recycling!
Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
|
|
|
Re: Who needs a hybrid?
|
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,721 Likes: 5
Should be Riding
|
Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,721 Likes: 5 |
Quote:
The "appeal" of the smart car and others like it, is not necessarily the gas mileage, but the convenience of it - a small, city car- easy to maneuver and park anywhere.
You would be amazed at the tiny places I can fit my car into. I get 600 miles on a tank of fuel. I have never been uncomfortable or cramped in my car, and I'm 6'2. I drive a Volkswagen Beetle with a turbo diesel. It has a huge amount of space inside for such a small car, the turn radius is tiny, and it gets great mileage.
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
|
|
|
Re: Who needs a hybrid?
|
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 533
Adjunct
|
|
Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 533 |
Wussies.  I want BIG! I want the 6000 SUX
2018 FLHCS
2014 Surly Straggler - 16,000 miles and counting!
|
|
|
Re: Who needs a hybrid?
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877
Should be Riding
|
|
OP
Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877 |
My SISTER drives a beetle 
Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
|
|
|
Re: Who needs a hybrid?
|
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,721 Likes: 5
Should be Riding
|
|
Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,721 Likes: 5 |
Quote:
My SISTER drives a beetle
hmmm, not sure how to take that.  Call it girly if you want, I have a truck that stays parked unless I need it and a very nice MANLY motorcycle for when I need my balls to drop , I guess 
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
|
|
|
Re: Who needs a hybrid?
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,590
Check Pants
|
|
Check Pants
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,590 |
Quote:
My SISTER drives a beetle
I've thought about getting a Beetle, and slapping decals all over it and one on my GF's forehead.
jh
"It's not what I say that's important, it's what you hear" Red Auerbach
|
|
|
Re: Who needs a hybrid?
|
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,971
Loquacious
|
|
Loquacious
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,971 |
My wife had a 3 cylinder Subaru Justy. It had a variable pulley size snow mobile type drive.
I used to get 53 MPG
She used to get 35
My wife the rally driver...
She does carrier landings / fronties at the end of our driveway
My boss has a Prius. What a techno wizard mobile that is. The owners manual is a scant 440 pages.
Very cool car.
|
|
|
Re: Who needs a hybrid?
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877
Should be Riding
|
|
OP
Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877 |
Old school CVT! She was a pioneer. My friend had a Subaru Bratt that lost a wheel going down the mountain once. Rolled right by him. That same friend has a Prius now. Drove it quite a bit while I visited him last year. It is pretty neat, and he was getting 50 MPG with it... can't complain I guess. We also managed to fit quite the load o crap from home depot in it too!
Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
|
|
|
Re: Who needs a hybrid?
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
|
|
"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
Just dropped off my V8 Shelby Dakota at the shop for a tuneup and picked up my 4banger VW Golf, which has been sitting there for several months. People go to my buddy's shop looking for a used car all the time and I was hoping someone would buy it.
The thing is, I missed driving my little car. There's a lot wrong with it but it runs great and gets really good mpg. I have enough money now to pay cash to get a new furnace and tankless water heater, so I no longer need to sell the Golf. Might just keep it...
|
|
|
Re: Who needs a hybrid?
|
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,971
Loquacious
|
|
Loquacious
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,971 |
Quote:
Old school CVT!
Apparently they weren't ultra reliable.
I dropped the tranny pan to change the fluid, and some belt chunks were having a swim. I called the Subaru dealer to get the service manager's opinion.
He said, quote: "If I were you, I'd drive it into a tree for the insurance money before you need to replace that belt. It's a $1200 repair"
|
|
|
Re: Who needs a hybrid?
|
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 883 Likes: 2
3/4 Throttle
|
|
3/4 Throttle
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 883 Likes: 2 |
Quote:
My SISTER drives a beetle
Hey, I now drive a beetle! Got my '73 super beetle running pretty good and rarely use my truck any more. Depending on how I drive it, it gets better mileage than my Speedy! I'm now working on building an HHO generator for it, after which I expect to be getting in the neighborhood of 50+ MPG. The good thing about the older vehicles is the lack of computer controlled timing, so you can really ramp up the HHO production and adjust timing to prevent it from running to rich.
Cheers,
Brad
To be old and wise, you must first be young and stupid.
|
|
|
Re: Who needs a hybrid?
|
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,721 Likes: 5
Should be Riding
|
|
Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,721 Likes: 5 |
nice looking car!!
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
|
|
|
Re: Who needs a hybrid?
|
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 29
Greenhorn
|
|
Greenhorn
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 29 |
For sure, when 2 cars hit each other, the big one wins!
That's why when it came time to buy cars for my kids it was a Ford Taurus and a Pontiac Grand Prix. Who cares what the gas mileage is when it comes to your kids safety? My son has managed to justify the choice 3 times now.
As for me, it's a Jeep TJ that gets 15 on a good day - downhill with a tailwind. My enjoyment is more important to me than the cost.
Black 04 TBA, AI gone, Freak, soft bags, summer screen, sissy w/rack
I was once on safari and some fiend lost the corkscrew. We were forced to subsist on food and water for many days - W C Fields
|
|
|
Re: Who needs a hybrid?
|
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 175
Adjunct
|
|
Adjunct
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 175 |
the manager at a shop i used to work for drives an old 88 HF crx...it has well over 200k and it it has seen much better days....however he constantly gets 55 mpg in town and 56mpg on the highway....after a fill up he said at the most its 1mpg more or less
|
|
|
Re: Who needs a hybrid?
|
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,194 Likes: 56
Fe Butt
|
|
Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,194 Likes: 56 |
Quote:
For sure, when 2 cars hit each other, the big one wins!
I feel safer in my trucks to be sure but this isn't always true. A few years back I saw a head on between a late 70s Ford Granada (might have been an early 80s) and Fiero. The Fiero looked really bad but the guy inside wasn't hurt (couple cuts and bruises) and the passenger compartment was fairly intact. The same couldn't be said for the Ford or it's occupants. Both had to be flown to the hospital. Now granted they both hit the windshield probably due to no belts. It was amazing the extent of damage the Ford had being so much bigger.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
|
|
|
Re: Who needs a hybrid?
|
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,440
Learned Hand
|
|
Learned Hand
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,440 |
Some years ago I T-boned a week-old Caddy with my '72 454 'Vette. The Caddy went to the junkyard, and his insurance fixed my rat. Don't ask me what this means.
'08 America Blue/White; Custom Headlamps, Custom Lowers, Clearview 20", Bafflectomy
|
|
|
Re: Who needs a hybrid?
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877
Should be Riding
|
|
OP
Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877 |
Quote:
The thing is, I missed driving my little car. There's a lot wrong with it but it runs great and gets really good mpg. I have enough money now to pay cash to get a new furnace and tankless water heater, so I no longer need to sell the Golf. Might just keep it...
If I had my way, I'd have two vehicles for myself (and a family mobile for the wife). A small, fun, fairly efficient car to zip around in, and an off-road-able truck that I can also get lumber in. Like maybe a slightly (or heavily...) jacked up Toyota pickup (NOT one of the new bloated ones), or maybe a Jeep with a decent hitch on it so I can tow a utility trailer to the lumber yard.
The thing with the "who beats who in a crash" thing is accidents are like finger prints, no two are alike. So many variables that will influence the way things happen. So the only things you can really control are your own reflexes, and having a smaller, more responsive car that can react to YOUR reflexes better may increase your chances. But I understand that safe feeling, and ya know what, if you feel anxious or scared, you're reflexes will suffer too, so there's something to be said for that safe feeling...
Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
|
|
|
|
|
