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dayanara
* Dog in the Sand *
Australia
1811 Posts |
 Posted - 12/17/2004 : 18:47:00
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Anyone have any experience with them? I'm in the market for a new car and I'm seriously considering getting one, but I've heard that the battery needs to be replaced every other year, which can get really expensive. I've been looking the Honda Accord hybrid, and it's stupidly expensive and gets half the gas mileage of the Prius. Sadly, I'm too superficial to drive a car that looks like the Prius. I'd like to stay in the 20-25k range. Suggestions?
If you really want to know, look in the Frank |
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kathryn
~ Selkie Bride ~
Belgium
15320 Posts |
Posted - 12/17/2004 : 18:55:40
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I have no idea but I do laud you.
 I still believe in the excellent joy of the Frank |
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The King Of Karaoke
> Teenager of the Year <
USA
3759 Posts |
Posted - 12/17/2004 : 19:34:16
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I saw something on these turbo diesel cars that may be as good or better than the hybrids. I don't think they are available in the US until 2007 though. I'm not sure if this article touches on it much but...
http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/0409_prius_jetta_comparo/
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Newo
~ Abstract Brain ~
Spain
2674 Posts |
Posted - 12/18/2004 : 04:13:22
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I donīt drive but nice to see someone less than keen on paying court to these fossilfuel dinosaurs.
--
Maze rats dreamed of mazes, according to the latest studies. Maze rat scientists dreamed of rats. I was dreaming of cheese. |
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cvanepps
= Cult of Ray =
USA
442 Posts |
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BLT
> Teenager of the Year <
South Sandwich Islands
4204 Posts |
Posted - 12/18/2004 : 13:00:33
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quote:
Originally posted by cvanepps
Well, you could wait a bit longer and go the hydrogen route.
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darwin
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
USA
5454 Posts |
Posted - 12/18/2004 : 13:25:49
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I don't think the battery needs to be changed every other year. I've casually read about hybrids and I've never heard that mentioned when they talk about the relative costs of the hybrids. Honda and Toyota have the best hybirds, but there are many new ones coming out next year and beyond. Also, if you do go the hybrid route be aware that 1) the stated mpg is often too high because they use unrealistic tests like driving 45 on the highway to set the numbers and these tests tend to inflate hybrid mpg more than regular cars and 2) some of the new hybirds actually don't get much better mileage than regulars because the makers have opted for making the hybrids quicker rather than more efficient.
Also, don't wait for fuel cells. They aren't going to available for quite awhile. |
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notkimdeal
- FB Fan -
82 Posts |
Posted - 12/18/2004 : 14:55:47
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I test drove a Prius about 6 weeks ago and it was unbelievably cool. They are butt ugly on the outside, sweet on the inside, but the tan interior is not practical at all. The technology has come a long way in the last few years - I'd like to see it peak out before I go that road (and redesign the outside!). In the meantime I got a Rav4 which still gets at least twice the gas milage as my old Volvo (bless its lovely self).
See also Ford hybrid (more pricy than you're looking for)
http://www.fordvehicles.com/escapehybrid/home/
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dayanara
* Dog in the Sand *
Australia
1811 Posts |
Posted - 12/18/2004 : 15:02:05
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You know, I drove one a few years ago, can't remember which model now (it was a friend's) and it took forever to get up to speed. I have a lead foot, so this was not terribly appealing at the time. I'll have to try the Prius again. The hydrogen BMW looks really promising, but yeah, BMW... I haven't cracked the six-figure salary mark just yet.
Thanks for all the input. I will start hitting the dealerships sometime next week.
If you really want to know, look in the Frank |
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ObfuscateByWill
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1887 Posts |
Posted - 12/19/2004 : 10:29:24
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10 years ago Ford and Geo were making little cars that got 30-40 mpg.
Festiva and Metro. Tiny cars.
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Had a Festiva when I lived in Ohio. Great little car.
Wasn't much use as a staus symbol, though.
 Take a bite of the chocolate coffin. |
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Superabounder
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1041 Posts |
Posted - 12/19/2004 : 22:22:57
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| I work for a Lexus dealership, and our hybrid that's coming out is actually bad for people with a lead foot because it will get lower gas mileage if you are always standing on the accelerator. It only saves gas when the gas motor is not running which is when you are being very light on the accelerator. The car weighs more also than the gas only version, hence the lower gas mileage if you always pound on the gas pedal. Cool thing I liked about it-the electric motor is actually the brakes! When you push the brake pedal, the electric motor engages the transmission and slows the car, though feeling just like normal brakes. It also has a normal brake system for panic stops, but this other braking is what charges the battery and stops the car most of the time. Cool technology. By the way, you do not have to change the battery every other year or anything, at least not in the Toyota/Lexus versions. |
Edited by - Superabounder on 12/19/2004 22:24:06 |
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dayanara
* Dog in the Sand *
Australia
1811 Posts |
Posted - 12/20/2004 : 09:05:20
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While I can appreciate the gas economy of a compact car (I drive a Saturn, now) I live in America, land of the stupidly enormous SUVs being driven by stupidly enormous idiots paying more attention to their cell phone conversations than the road. I also live in an area famous for really super old people driving their Buick's into the pool because they can't remember which pedal is the gas and which is the brake. So just in case I get mowed down by Granny or a soccer mom watching a movie on her in-car dvd player, I'd like to have some chance of survival. For this reason alone, I'm going mid-sized car.
If you really want to know, look in the Frank |
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Daisy Girl
~ Abstract Brain ~
Belize
5305 Posts |
Posted - 12/20/2004 : 15:51:29
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Ohh. I don't have one but would love one when mine dies in like 4 years or so. They're cool. I also wouldn't feel so guilty for driving. I remember reading an article a few years ago about how owners of one model would download programs from the internet and use their laptops to program them to do certain things.  |
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Little Black Francis
> Teenager of the Year <
3648 Posts |
Posted - 06/24/2005 : 23:10:49
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And here's your fiance's topic too
... It was like the First time I ever tried Cheetos. |
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dayanara
* Dog in the Sand *
Australia
1811 Posts |
Posted - 06/24/2005 : 23:14:24
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| hmmm, yeah. i bought a honda accord (edit: the non-hybid earth-killing, baby seal-destroying kind). oh well. |
Edited by - dayanara on 06/24/2005 23:16:21 |
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VoVat
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
USA
9168 Posts |
Posted - 06/25/2005 : 08:35:55
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The more seals my car kills, the better! I want one that actively seeks out seals to kill them!
I was all out of luck, like a duck that died. I was all out of juice, like a moose denied. |
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Topic |
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hybrid gas/electric cars
