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What vehicle(s) did you trade (or sell) for your hybrid or diesel? - READ ONLY

46 messages,  Last post on Jun 22, 2005 at 8:17 PM

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#7 of 46 If you are in certain situations, it's a no-brainer by larsb

Jan 28, 2005 (11:24 am)

I replaced a Chevy Avalanche with an HCH, and it was mostly a financial decision. I'm saving about $7,400 (seventy four hundred dollars) a year versus the Avalanche with reduced gas use and reduced car payments and reduced insurance figured in, as well as reduced vehicle registration costs.

#8 of 46 Re: If you are in certain situations, it's a no-brainer [larsb] by xcel

Jan 28, 2005 (2:06 pm)

Replying to: larsb (Jan 28, 2005 11:24 am)
Hi Larsb:
 
___From the rest of us that encourage decreased consumption no matter the method, I thank you.
 
___Good Luck
 
___Wayne R. Gerdes

#9 of 46 P3oz, you did the right thing. by marcb

Jan 28, 2005 (3:17 pm)

Heres my story.
 
When I totalled my 93 Plymouth Voyager, my insurance provided a '02 Toyota Echo rental. For 27 days I used it exactly the same way I did to work, and then lived and breathed in that Echo as I scrambled around town to get a replacement for the Voyager. Needless to say, I got to know that car very well. I also was quiet disappointed with the mileage.
 
When we finally got a used 2001 Prius for the price of a Corolla, I had a really good 4 way comparison mileage wise. My experience?
 
1) '93 Voyager well kept, was comparable to our '00 Mazda MPV.
2) '02 Echo was exactly twice more efficient than the Voyager.
3) '01 Prius is 40~45% more efficient than '02 Echo.
 
Myth Blown: Echo/Corolla/Civic as efficient as Prius.
(... not in your dreams buddy).
 
But my story does not end there. Our 2nd child came and my wife will be stay at home again for the next 5 years. Our Prius with the bigger loan has to go.
 
So November, bought a 94 Jetta 1.9TD to replace the Prius. Kept the Prius while in the process of working out all the kinks on the junka er.. jetta. Needless to say I'm disappointed with the diesels mileage. My experience?
 
4) 94 Jetta 1.9TD manual is only about as efficient as the '02 Echo.
 
This after using all the tricks I learned with the Prius (40+psi, "pseudo" impulse driving in 5th gear, timing red lights and coasting in neutral). I may still be able to improve this, but the old 01' Prius had so far given us 48mpg. And thats only because wife ruined my 52mpg everytime she used it.
 
It may sound like gimmicky hocus-pocus, but the Prius's ability to cut off engine while coasting or stopped makes a difference. And impulse driving works too. When we 1st had the Prius I was quiet disappointed with the mileage like a lot of people. However knowing what I know now, hybrids are the way to go.

#10 of 46 by solar_dad

Jan 28, 2005 (7:54 pm)

2001 BMW 530i for a 2004 HCH. It was my wife's. She's a peach.

#11 of 46 by stevewa

Jan 28, 2005 (10:24 pm)

1998 BMW Z3 (1.9) for 2002 Prius...better mileage and a four seater instead of 2-seater.
 
2000 Volvo V70XC for 2005 Escape Hybrid...better mileage, runs on regular, roughly the same cargo space and seating space.

#12 of 46 Got my TDI by z28_sedan

Feb 11, 2005 (11:14 am)

Just an update. I got a Jetta TDI but it's not the wagon (the wagons are just too dog gone expensive right now...the price difference is something on the order of $4-5K just because it's a wagon).
 
Anyway, on the first tank I averaged 52.7 mpg almost all highway. I haven't yet had to fill the tank a second time...these things have 14.5 gallon tanks and even with mostly city driving people at tdiclub.com are reporting 40+ mpg. My commute is about 80% highway, so I'm guessing I'll average about 45-47 mpg.
 
Question for marcb:
Are you getting at least 40 mpg in your TDI? If not, you may want to check the tune of your engine (EGR sticking? intercooler clogged? intake manifold clogged? injection timing correct? etc.)
Also, if you had the Echo in the summer, remember it's not a fair comparison to your winter TDI mileage.

#13 of 46 BMW 740il for Ford Escape Hybrid FWD by hybd4me

Feb 13, 2005 (11:22 am)

Double the gas mileage. More nimble around town. More useable for my family life. I never look back.

#14 of 46 Diesel Excursion instead of a small car by gagrice

Feb 13, 2005 (3:28 pm)

Review: I love my car (truck). it drives excellent; the room is well worth the money and the backing up signal has made even the tightest spots feel like large ones. Also my truck turns on a dime. I was almost killed in my Honda Accord and my husband wanted to put me and our 3 kids into something safe. I can almost take on the world with comfort, style and reliablility it has been worth every penny. I do get 21 mpg in my 7.3 diesel Eddie Bauer.
 
http://www.edmunds.com/new/2005/ford/excursion/100469185/ratings_- consumersdetail.html?dcr_usein=n&modelid=100505109&tid=ed- munds.n.ratings_consumersdetail.content..2.Ford*&dcr_sid=all

#15 of 46 Re: Diesel Excursion instead of a small car [gagrice] by railroadjames

Feb 13, 2005 (5:02 pm)

Replying to: gagrice (Feb 13, 2005 3:28 pm)
Now I see.....I drive a 3 thousand lb mid-size car and you drive a mammoth Ford Excursion. Well, thats what makes this country great. Your special needs are met and so are mine. Where we differ perhaps is in what constitutes meeting everyday needs. If you want protection I can see the big advantage your vehicle has, BUT, when does BIG begin to be TOO BIG. The average parking spot is so narrow that your doors barely clear without banging dents in the side of my car (or anybody else's car for that matter). Then there's the fact that your rear (I'm referring to the EXCURSION, of course) sticks out a good 3 to 4 feet where ever you park the Jolly (Green) Giant. Now, lets not forget the height of your bumpers that never meet the more standard car bumpers and we all know what happens when you slam into US. Right? Then there's your headlights that glare into our mirrors every night (yea, thats a joy). Heaven forbid we pull up next to each other because it'll be a cold day in Burmuda before I'll see around or over your BUS.
Now the good news. I can afford gas when it crowds three bucks while deisel will be a bit less but still costly. Unless you pull a trailer or a big boat I fail to see anything practical in an Excursion. Unless $$$$ is no object when it comes time to replace tires yours will be about four times the cost of mine. Lastly, you said the excursion turns on a dime.....Isn't that an oxymoron? I do respect your opinion and even your selection in a Ford truck. I've owned a few and they were practical and reliable. If, some day we ever run into rationing of fuel I would hope that you will then look back and realize why I chose to drive a Hybrid and do my part to conserve fuel for OUR future. Now doesn't that make some sense?
Culliganman (Hybrids visit gas stations occasionally)

#16 of 46 Re: Diesel Excursion instead of a small car [railroadjames] by gagrice

Feb 13, 2005 (11:05 pm)

Replying to: railroadjames (Feb 13, 2005 5:02 pm)
when does BIG begin to be TOO BIG
 
I would say that the CXT from International is a bit large for the average soccer mom.
 
http://motortrend.com/features/news/112_news040921_inational/
 
When I drive to the store in our little Mazda 626 I understand why so many people are buying big vehicles. It is survival. At least half of the vehicles on the road are big PUs & SUVs. You take your life into your own hands driving a small car. Gas is still a small part of our budgets.

Messages Page 2 of 5

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