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Any downside to buying a hybrid? - READ ONLY

723 messages,  Last post on Oct 31, 2005 at 11:58 AM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Prius, Honda Accord, Lexus RX 400h, Honda Insight, Honda Civic, Toyota Highlander Hybrid, Hybrid Cars, Fuel Efficiency (MPG), Sedan, SUV

Messages Page 73 of 73

#714 of 723 Re: No Downsides for me [falconone] by dewey

Oct 31, 2005 (9:34 am)

Replying to: falconone (Oct 31, 2005 9:29 am)
If that was not the point of your post I must apologize since I am not a frequent visitor to this forum and do not really follow prior posts.
 
Pretty soon you won't be able to find a manual tranny in US cars.
 
 
I am confident that there will continue to be a niche demand for manual performance cars in the future! The last manufacturer of manual performance cars will earn very high monopoly profit margins! No manufacturer will want to give up such hefty profits and will be motivated to continue manufacturing future manual trannies in USA and Canada!

#715 of 723 Re: No Downsides for me [dewey] by shipo

Oct 31, 2005 (9:41 am)

Replying to: dewey (Oct 31, 2005 9:34 am)
"The last manufacturer of manual performance cars will earn very high monopoly profit margins!"
 
Yup, and I'll be one of those folks lining up to pay the premium so that I can keep stirring my own until the last possible moment. I'm still hoping that they'll have to pry the stick shift from my cold dead hand some day in the future, however, with the advent of fuel cell vehicles, I may have to religate such a ride to my "Weekender".
 
Best Regards,
Shipo

#716 of 723 Re: No Downsides for me [shipo] by dewey

Oct 31, 2005 (9:43 am)

Replying to: shipo (Oct 31, 2005 9:41 am)
Let us just hope for fuel cell vehicles with a manual tranny option!

#717 of 723 Re: No Downsides for me [dewey] by falconone

Oct 31, 2005 (10:14 am)

Replying to: dewey (Oct 31, 2005 9:43 am)
I am sure they will, but you never know. Look at the BWM SMG. Isn't that clutchless? I seriously doubt that the hybrids (even performance ones) will have a stick to row. Would be interesting to see if it would be embraced. But hey...there's always a motorcycle for your thrills!!

#718 of 723 Re: No Downsides for me [shipo] by kdhspyder

Oct 31, 2005 (10:19 am)

Replying to: shipo (Oct 31, 2005 8:40 am)
That and the skinny high mileage oriented tires that negatively impact handling and braking and you have the makings of a car that is, in my mind, highly likely to be incapable of attaining my minimum acceptable level of performance.
 
Actually the tires on the '04/'05/'06 Prius are the same as those on a Corolla CE P185/65R15 nothing special about them nor are they high performance tires either. The Prius was never intended to be a high performance vehicle (0-60 just under 10sec ) you'll have to look into the Lexus line for high performance hybrids. However the new '07 Camry HSD in the spring will likely have the performance you're looking for with little or no 'hybrid premium'.. and Corolla/Civic fuel efficiency.
 
But these vehicles are not for everyone and one size doesnt fit all.

#719 of 723 Re: No Downsides for me [falconone] by michael_mattox

Oct 31, 2005 (10:35 am)

Replying to: falconone (Oct 31, 2005 8:20 am)
Falcone:
 
There are two types of Speed control...Laser and Radar...It is the Radar speed control that is used in Pre-collision safety features...They say Radar Cruse works better in Poor conditions Rain for example.
 
My 01 Lexus LS has Laser Cruse control...It is Awesome...The set the distance you want to keep behind the car infront of you..and the Max speed you want to go...then you just steer. It does automatically break and accelerate up to the max speed set....I usually set mine at 73 on the freeway if the car in from of me is going 69 my car will do 69 and maintain it's gap with the car in front...It the car in front pickes it up to 90 my car stays at 73...
 
Note: if it is slow stop and go traffic...under 35 mph....the Laser cruse doesn't work..
 
My understanding is that this feature will soon be available in more Toyota cars.
 
The Radar cruse will sense an accident coming tighten your seat belt and shoulder harness hit your breaks hard and do some other stuff that I don't remember as well as work as a neat cruse control...
 
I believe Mercedes was indeed the first to come out with this technology, Toyota (as always) tested it worked with it made it more reliable and then they started putting it in their cars...04 I think was the first Year for the Radar Cruse with the Pre- Collision.

#720 of 723 Re: No Downsides for me [michael_mattox] by falconone

Oct 31, 2005 (10:57 am)

Replying to: michael_mattox (Oct 31, 2005 10:35 am)
Thanks so much for that information. My discussion with my friend this weekend (he drives an S class) was about the new system which will actually work in stop and go traffic. It must be very weird not to at least have your foot near the brake under those circumstances. I would not be surprised if the next gen Prius has this feature. Does your Lexus actually brake if someone in front of you slows down suddenly?

#722 of 723 Re: No Downsides for me [shipo] by michael_mattox

Oct 31, 2005 (10:58 am)

Replying to: shipo (Oct 31, 2005 8:40 am)
Shippo:
 
I got mine in 3 Weeks at a time when they were insisting there was a 6 mo. to 1YR wait....how...I first visited 3 dealers in my area...Test drove the car..learned about it decided on the Package I wanted and Color ...and told them I was going to buy and would not go on a waiting list because I wanted the car as soon as possible.
 
I then got on the phone and started calling around...I knew I would have to pay msrp...(They have to know you really will buy...if they know that some one will find the car for you in a reasonable amount of time) I called every toyota dealer within a 100 mile range of my house. Like I said I got the car (straight off the boat) withing 3 weeks EXACTLY as I ordered it....Pkg. 6, Millennium Silver..
 
Pkg. 6 includes Smart key access, 6 airbags, Hid headlamps with Suto Leveling Feature, Security Alarm, EC Mirror w/homelink, voice Activated Navagation System, JBL AM/FM/Cass/6 Disc Changer w/9 Speakers, Vehicle Stability Control, Front Fog Lamps, Glass Breakage Sensor (GBS) Rear Bumper Applique, Carpet Floor Mats and Cargo Mat., Equipped with Blue Tooth
 
Standard features include Auto climate Control w/Air filtration, Cruse Control, outside Temp gage and digital Clock, Multi Media-info Display Panal w/ energy monitor, Fuel consumption, Climate control, OS Temp and Audio Status, Tilt Steering wheel, W/climte and Audio Contrl, Variable wipers, 2 Auxillary 12v Power outlets...
 
Total Price $26,896...Including the 540 Delivery, processing, and Handling Fee........Taxes and Licenses were extra.

#723 of 723 It's time. by Karen@Edmunds HOST

Oct 31, 2005 (11:58 am)

This show has had a good run. Time to give it a rest and move on to other discussions where the topic isn't so easily derailed.

Messages Page 73 of 73

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