Important Info for Hybrid vehicle drivers...

[AAlmeter]

Originally Posted by jinny

besides some people buy hybrids for the extra power... while Honda offered it, their Accord Hybrid was the most powerfull accord you can buy. Toyota's Highlander was the same way as well... Lexus's top of the line for each model that has one is the one with the Hybrid powerplant (LS, RX, GS... and more to come). Asking the question, "why do people buy Hybrids?" in this situation is kinda like asking, "Why get the V8 option in that Impala?"

I read online that the batteries used in the hybrids are made from the eyelashes of endangered albino baby seals.

Its just sad what people will do to gain a few HP (and a couple hundred pounds).

[Irons]

You guys will love this:

Dirty Secret: Green Cars Automakers Won't Sell You

http://autos.msn.com/advice/article....4974&GT1=10365

Thanks fark.

[boonedoggle]

Originally Posted by Irons

You guys will love this:

Dirty Secret: Green Cars Automakers Won't Sell You

http://autos.msn.com/advice/article....4974&GT1=10365

Thanks fark.

Oh, the only reason we got a Hybrid was to get on the HOV lane in Virginia to get to DC. The gas miles per gallon are hardly what the advertised and it lacks power, which I'm not too happy about...but whatever

[FriendlyFire]

First call the maker then Contact your local BBB

Originally Posted by boonedoggle

So, I get a flat in my Civic Hybrid and go to have it repaired. I find out that the tires are shot because they are wearing on the outside. This was due to the car being out of alignment because we regularly rotate the tires. Well, I was pretty sawed off because these were the tires that came with the car (Dunlop) when we bought it last year.

I just got back from getting some Firestones and they told me that they have been seeing many Hybrids coming in that are virtually new that are out of alignment. This is due to shipping issues and weight ratio cause by the heavy batteries...mainly in the Prius and Civic Hybrids. If you own one or know someone who does, it might be a good idea to check em out.

There's your friendly PSA!

[ssutton219]

ok...A few things your car salesman wont tell you........




The tires on the Hybrids are actually "low rolling resistance tires" which means less mass which leads to shorter life span....

Honda's Battery Pack has performed beautifully in Long Term testing...

Gm's Hybrid Truck was not ment for the general customer...more for the contractor, builder, ect..Looking for that lil extra that will help them in the field..2 outlets in the bed and 2 more in the cab..it only showed a gain of 1-2 mpg ofver the non-hybrid truck, but the guys who bought it loved the convience of having the ele availble on demand...even while the truck was off.


As for the Tahoe/Yukon Hybrid....well...its a shared platfom with a couple other companies..can;t remember which right now but with the info gathered from the Hybrid Silverado and others if it can do 20% better fuel economy it will be an amazing suv..the new AFM system the GM-900 platfom is useing really does well for the platform!


Ok enough secrets for now!!!


Shawn

[IHT]

off topic:
i heard the VW Beetle TDI gets about 700 mile per tankful (while riding in one, the owner told me that).

[Irons]

The biggest trouble I see with hybrids so far is the battery. It will still be a at least 5 years until we see a good high quality / high denisty with large scale manufacturing. Sure, Telsa has their system, but it's not large enough production yet.


Though.. if this acutally gets anywhere: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,295441,00.html

[jmcrawf1]

meh...my All terrain's hold up my heavy v8 just fine

[Puffin Fresh]

Originally Posted by jinny

purchasing a hybrid has never been a good economical decision...

On the contrary, it was a great economical decision for me. With the deal I got, and after the tax credit (not available anymore to Toyota hybrid buyers, but I didn't get a toyota), it actually is costing less than a similarly equipped non hybrid version of my car. Not to mention the gas savings. While it may not get the epa estimates, it's not horribly far off, has significantly more power than a 4 banger and get's lots better mileage than the 4 banger version.

[c2000]

Ok I want to know how fast you can go on the electric drive before the engine kicks in?? I looked at the Ford escape which is supposed to have the same system as the Toyota and the gas engine took over at 28mph..If that is the case with the other Hybrids then as far as I'm concerned they are worthless.

Jerry in Minnesota.

[ssutton219]

yeah sorry most are set up for mid 20s to low 30s......just used as a lil help to get going.




Shawn

[jockolarity]

[SIZE=3]Why I love my hybrid, being Green has nothing to do with it…[/SIZE]

[SIZE=3]I work 4-10’s and drive round trip 110 miles. That’s a 2 gals of gas and some vapor at current 54mpg. My wife then drives it 5 days a week to work and leaves the Highlander in the garage. I fill less than 10 gals of gas a week, with weekend errands and such, a tank last 6 days, Before the Highbreed, 3-10 gal tanks for the Focus and 15 gals a week for the SUV.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=3]It has more comfortable seats and ride than more expensive cars I tried.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]It has better gas mileage, and the 12K range cars were loud and uncomfortable. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=3]Bottom line is that I had to buy a new car and the math looks like this, [/SIZE]

[SIZE=3]22K for car, 1.7K tax credit[/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]Gas for car per week 10 gal, about $25 market price[/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]Gas not bough a week about $90 x 4 = $360 a month[/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]Payment for car $500 a month, Car does not pay for itself when gas is not sky high.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]HOV positive has expired in this area. To travel High occupancy lane need 3. However, that is mote with my hours.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=3]I bought the car in February, and it has 20,000 mile on it already. The warrantee on the batteries is 100K miles. Think about it, it gets about the same mileage as a motorcycle, it doesn’t have to be filled up every day, and I can drive it in the rain, cold, and plug in my IPOD to the aux port on the radio.[/SIZE]

[jinny]

Originally Posted by Greerzilla

On the contrary, it was a great economical decision for me. With the deal I got, and after the tax credit (not available anymore to Toyota hybrid buyers, but I didn't get a toyota), it actually is costing less than a similarly equipped non hybrid version of my car. Not to mention the gas savings. While it may not get the epa estimates, it's not horribly far off, has significantly more power than a 4 banger and get's lots better mileage than the 4 banger version.

that's what the tax credit was for... to partially offset the economical disadvantage... if it was a good economical decision, there wouldn't be a need for incentives... also, when considering the whole picture, which includes the need to replace the very expensive batteries, the actual aggregate cost is much higher than what you are seeing now. And if you think that you can avoid the expense of the battery change by selling the car before it is needed, I think you will be disppointed to discover that the replacement cost will be taken in to account when valuing the car.

Now I'm not trying to poo poo hybrids... in fact, my opinion is quite the opposite; however, I am cautious about heralding them as the solution to all our fuel woes. I think, at this time, purchasing a Hybrid is still more than just economics... and I would hate to misguide someone into thinking it is the economically favorable proposition.

Personally, I think, even with the higher cost, it is a great idea to conserve fuel.. even if, on an individual basis, it is a minisculin amount. we have to start somewhere. and as fuel prices continue to rise and hybrids get cheaper and the batteries get cheaper, it will become more and more a good idea.

I guess a flip side is to just screw all this effort and just burn thru the resource as quickly as possible and just hope that we can find alternatives...

[Puffin Fresh]

Originally Posted by c2000

Ok I want to know how fast you can go on the electric drive before the engine kicks in?? I looked at the Ford escape which is supposed to have the same system as the Toyota and the gas engine took over at 28mph..If that is the case with the other Hybrids then as far as I'm concerned they are worthless.

Jerry in Minnesota.

I can go up to 42 mph on just electric, but need the gas to get there if I want to do it in a decent amount of time.

Originally Posted by jinny

that's what the tax credit was for... to partially offset the economical disadvantage... if it was a good economical decision, there wouldn't be a need for incentives... also, when considering the whole picture, which includes the need to replace the very expensive batteries, the actual aggregate cost is much higher than what you are seeing now. And if you think that you can avoid the expense of the battery change by selling the car before it is needed, I think you will be disppointed to discover that the replacement cost will be taken in to account when valuing the car.

Now I'm not trying to poo poo hybrids... in fact, my opinion is quite the opposite; however, I am cautious about heralding them as the solution to all our fuel woes. I think, at this time, purchasing a Hybrid is still more than just economics... and I would hate to misguide someone into thinking it is the economically favorable proposition.

Personally, I think, even with the higher cost, it is a great idea to conserve fuel.. even if, on an individual basis, it is a minisculin amount. we have to start somewhere. and as fuel prices continue to rise and hybrids get cheaper and the batteries get cheaper, it will become more and more a good idea.

I guess a flip side is to just screw all this effort and just burn thru the resource as quickly as possible and just hope that we can find alternatives...

True about the batteries, but mine is warranteed for over 100K miles (I think it's 150, but I'm too lazy to look it up) and for 12 years I believe. I'm hoping by then the battery will be less expensive.

[JCK]

This is a hot hybrid.

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/au...otor_show.html