Yup, there goes the garden hose theory.

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Life is good, the water is sweet. The ground keeps moving beneath my feet.

Things are already changing as a result of the pressure at the gas pump. Business, controlled by the free market, will change ... and is changing to meet demand. I think I said in a previous thread that I'm seriously thinking about buying a new Toyota Prius. I know a few people who own them ... and they are getting above the mileage advertised by Toyota. Some, who drive carefully are averaging over 50mph. I took one out for a test drive about a month ago, and I have to say ... nice car! Way more pep that I thought it would have. Cruises on the freeway with no problems at all at 80. The one I drove had all the bells and whistles ... 28k out the door. Now that I'm considering the Prius, I've really started to notice just how many are on the road. Toyota is selling these things like hotcakes. Also, I'm considering the Camery Hibred. Haven't driven one yet ... but they look nice. As a side bonus ... the Toyotas are bullet proof.

Vi

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Liberals are people that will believe anything twice.

To rent a compact car, a "hibred", costs nearly double what a full size car is renting for in my area. So....you negate any savings in gas by the higher rental rate, and, get "less" car too....unless your doing it to save the planet.......

http://cnwmr.com/nss-folder/automoti...%20VERSION.pdf

Excerpt from........

"The Top 10 most energy efficient vehicles over their lifetime:
1. Scion xB ($0.48 per mile)
2. Ford Escort (0.57 per mile)
3. Jeep Wrangler ($0.60 per mile)
4. Chevrolet Tracker ($0.69 per mile)
5. Toyota Echo ($0.70 per mile)
6. Saturn Ion ($0.71 per mile)
7. Hyundai Elantra ($0.72 per mile)
8. Dodge Neon ($0.73 per mile)
9. Toyota Corolla ($0.73 per mile)
10. Scion xA ($0.74 per mile)


The 10 least energy efficient vehicles over their lifetime:
1. Mercedes Benz produced Maybach ($11.58 per mile)
2. Volkswagen Phaeton ($11.21 per mile)
3. Rolls-Royce (full line average: $10.66 per mile)
4. Bentley (full line average: $10.56 per mile)
5. Audi allroad Quattro ($5.59 per mile)
6. Audi A8 ($4.96 per mile)
7. Audi A6 ($4.96 per mile)
8. Lexus LS430 ($4.73 per mile)
9. Porsche Carrera GT ($4.53 per mile)
10. Acura NSX ($4.45 per mile)


Hybrid energy efficiency over their lifetime:
1. Honda Insight ($2.94 per mile)
2. Ford Escape Hybrid ($3.18 per mile)
3. Honda Civic Hybrid ($3.24 per mile)
4. Toyota Prius ($3.25 per mile)
5. Honda Accord Hybrid ($3.30 per mile)"

Refuting of arguments against validity, by author......

Automotive Energy

Thanks for the link, ccodiane ...

I read the info on the Prius with interest. They are talking about the entire energy "footprint" of the car from parts aquisition, manufacturing and driving.

Here's the deal ... I just filled up the tank in my V8 auto today for a total of $71.00. I do mostly city driving and probably average just a little under 20 mpg. The Prius gets better mileage "city" than it does on "highway." The folks I know who are getting 50+ mph from their Prius' do mostly city driving. I wouldn't be buying a Prius to reduce my "carbon footprint," but to get away from $76-dollar fill-ups at the pump. Here's where not just the Prius wouldn't be cost effective ... but this would apply to any car. My present car is still drivable, although its showing wear. I'd say its good for another two years at least. Its paid for and has been for quite a few years now. So ... do I spend 27k on a new car that gets better mileage, or do I keep my present car, with ensuing repairs and continue to drive the gas guzzler?

Vi

__________________
Liberals are people that will believe anything twice.

Buy 2 years old, low mileage, for 15K and drive your ass off with your savings.....this has always been my philosophy....many, many people buy new cars, baby their cars, and then decide they want a new car or a lower payment a few years later. Just take it to a trusted mechanic and have him do the work-up. IMO....

PS- and get a great detailer to detail you old car, (around $300), prior to selling. This can be the difference in thousands, literally, in selling cost. People want a "super clean" car.

Oh, and read this. The info is from the second link I posted. I guess the guy was getting a bunch of flak for saying that the prius, over a lifetime, including research, marketing, construction, disposal, etc. was more inefficient than the hummer, so he responded. It actually, the response, makes the hybrid look more feasible in the near term.

http://cnwmr.com/nss-folder/automoti...or%20Prius.pdf

Excerpt from-

"Can the Prius be driven more than 100,000 miles? Of course. The vehicle is superbly
engineered."

You know, after reading the article again, here's what I think. Hang on to your old car for another year or two, and wait for the hybrid technology to become more sound. At the rate these thing move, technologies, 2 years could mean a world of difference in longevity and serviceability.

ccodiane ...

Thanks for your input ... and the links.

Yep ... In recent years, with my quest to attain life simplification, I've been buying used cars and then driving the wheels off of them. Five or six years with no car payments is a beautiful thing. I used to buy a new car every two or three years with the resultant never ending car payments. I no longer have the desire to "make a statement," or "impress." Honestly, the simpler I can make my life, the better I like it.

Vi

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Liberals are people that will believe anything twice.

Agreed.. I've never had a new car.. lol. Not even like semi new.. lol.. always 10+ years... drive it into the ground then buy another.. Who do i have to impress? LOL.. my check book def. wouldn't be impressed I can tell ya that much.. lol.. I still use dial up because I'm cheap.. lol..

The simpler things are the more joys I find.. absolutely..

I get the point, drive junk and avoid the high cost. I did that for years. Being a mechanic, I repaired them myself and saved even more. In my older reality, I decided to award myself and buy a new truck. Little did I know that within 7 years the price of fuel would triple. I now own a very nice gas hog. It will get 19 MPG on the highway, but around town, it only pulls down 12. Now I drive very little, unless I take it on the road, maybe 100-200 miles a month, so my fuel costs and my carbon footprint are much less than a person that gets 30 MPG and drives say 1,000-2,000 miles a mo. What I'm trying to say is it's all relative. Price to hassle may be a factor. With my almost new truck, I have no fear getting in it and driving to say new york other than fuel costs. 18-25 bucks a hundred miles. A 1,000 mile trip will eat up 180.00-250.00 in gas alone, thats 540.00-750.00 in fuel to go to NYC from vegas. Now flying and taxi fare seems reasonable or a rental car. If I wasn't so imprinted with the automobile, I'd get an electric go cart and do all my local stuff with that.

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Life is good, the water is sweet. The ground keeps moving beneath my feet.