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Toyota Prius and Honda Hybrid: Will anyone buy Hybrids?? - READ ONLY

257 messages,  Last post on May 23, 2001 at 2:42 PM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Prius, Honda Insight, Hybrid Cars, Fuel Efficiency (MPG)

Messages Page 25 of 26

#238 of 257 abbanat..I knew that by boaz47

Apr 01, 2001 (9:04 pm)

I had looked into putting in charging stations where my employees could charge their cars if they bought one. Found out they were not only leasing EV-1s but the charger was a lease also. And yes, if my full sized 4X4 got better fuel milage I would have it today. The Dakota does get better fuel milage than the Ram Charger did. My SC-1 gets 41 mpg commuting during the week. My Z-28 did not. And yes that was 41 mpg. And it is shifted just before the shift light comes on. It still gets 35+ in the city and during the weekends. But you know what happens? My gas bill went down and you start looking at cold air intakes and you know the rest of the story. If you go to some of the other boards like C&D or R&T you will see people espousing the virtues of buying some small import car because it is not a fuel eater, and then they put all these modifications on them to make them run like a 5.0 Mustang. Unless something happens to the price of gas people tend to go for performance no matter what they say at a party over drinks.

#239 of 257 boaz by abbanat

Apr 01, 2001 (9:39 pm)

Sounds to me like you're already doing your part to minimize your fuel consumption (and kudos for looking into the charging stations). Now I don't have a vehicle that gets 35mpg, mine gets around 21. Instead, I ride transit 2 1/2 hours a day, so we both do something a little different to reduce our consumption, but end up with the same results. If more people commuted in SCs instead of XLTs, we might be in better shape.
 
BTW I hear you on the Japanese aftermarket niche. It's really big in California (not sure where you live). I don't understand it, but it's a different generation. I was on the tail end of the "mini-truck" generation, but that never made sense to me, either.

#240 of 257 abbanat by robertsmx

Apr 01, 2001 (10:02 pm)

"The Insight was designed from the start only to get the maximum fuel economy. The Prius was designed to meet the everyday needs of consumers looking for a compact (not subcompact) car. It's like comparing a Civic to a delSol."
 
In fact, both hybrids were designed to maximize fuel efficiency. The only difference between Prius and Insight, besides technology involved, is that Honda took a 'concept' route and Toyota decided to make it a mainstream car.
 
The Insight concept is more intriguing to me since it is much closer to conventional gasoline engine, while Prius is closer to the electric vehicles. Honda is using Insight concept and due to come out with a Civic (this year?), and later, CR-V using the IMA-gasoline engine combination. These two will not have the same mileage as Insight, but given that Civic HX is already rated at 36/44 mpg, I tend to believe that Hybrid Civic
will be close to Prius (or better) in mileage, and definitely in performance (based on some calculations, assuming 1.4 liter SOHC VTEC-E with same size IMA as in Insight).

#241 of 257 robertsmx by abbanat

Apr 01, 2001 (10:11 pm)

Point well taken, and was essentially what I was trying to say (though not very successfully). Both are trying to maximize fuel efficiency, but the Prius sacrifices that for size, comfort, and convenience (e.g. CVT transmission as opposed to manual).

#242 of 257 boaz47 by denniswade

Apr 02, 2001 (9:11 pm)

finally found the topic you were in -- I was interrupted this morning and forgot to postmark your invitation to Rialto.
 
Anyway, yes, I'd love to go -- dunno if I'll be particiapting, because streetable small-displacement cars generally don't do that well in the 1/8 mile -- lack of torque means they do their best in the last half of the 1/4 mile -- but it would be interesting to try. In any case, you could give my little ride a spin and see what you think.
 
My home e-mail address is badtoyearthlink.net -- give me a holler and we'll hook up.
 
By the way, I will be going to Palmdale this weekend, if you're interested.

#243 of 257 by chevytruck_fan

Apr 03, 2001 (12:05 am)

I still don't understand why automakers have to make hybrid cars uglier than sin, thats why I like the things Dodge and Chevy are cooking up, they are based on current trucks, things people will actually buy. And if these get mroe popular on suv, that will make SUV's even more popular.
 
me personally, I don't want to pay for it, make it an option.

#244 of 257 A hybrid SUV would be a facinating use of the technology. by hiwaysanity

Apr 03, 2001 (4:28 am)

An SUV that got 20 mpg - that would really drag 'em into the showrooms!

#245 of 257 And... by denniswade

Apr 03, 2001 (7:49 am)

it would serve to shut the mouths of all the tree-hugging hand-wringers who weep at the sight of an Excursion!

#246 of 257 Hybrids by edchen

Apr 04, 2001 (10:18 pm)

What some people seem to be missing is that no matter what fuel or engine choice becomes popular in the future a hybrid is still necessary. Hybrids can use regenerative braking. Braking costs energy. Hybrids work with gasoline, diesel, fuel cells or whatever is invented. No other technology does. The only concern with hybrids is the safe production and disposal of batteries.

#247 of 257 Prius Battery Life by chageman

Apr 08, 2001 (11:39 am)

I understand that the Honda Battery has a 5 year life, and is quite expensive to replace -- to the tune of thousands of dollars. Does anyone have any sense of what kind of battery life to expect on the Prius, and what it costs to replace? I'm considering buying a Prius, but when I heard about the HOnda, it made me want to reconsider.

Messages Page 25 of 26

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