You are here:
Forums
Automotive News & Views
Are gas prices fueling your pain? ![]()

10042 messages, Last post on Jul 12, 2008 at 3:07 PM
You are in the Automotive News & Views Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & claires
|
From the Philadelphia newspaper: http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/news_update/20080429_Elmer_Smith__That_stimulus_- rebate_check__It_s_in_the_mail_____and_you_ll_be_eating_it.html |
|
|
Replying to: lmpracetech (Apr 28, 2008 1:13 pm) Oooh, an electric E30 could be a sweet ride, especially if you outfit it for performance driving. There are some E30s in here: http://www.evalbum.com/type/BMW
|
|
|
A post over in Report Your Local Gas Prices Here reminded me.... I don't commute and my wife who does hasn't mentioned anything, but it seems like the pace of the 4 lane near me is a bit more relaxed. And I got stuck behind a hypermiler a couple of weeks ago but that was a Prius with Oregon plates so I'm not sure if that trend has actually hit Boise. My in-laws have been snowbirds for the last 5 or so years but just put their Florida house on the market to retire permanently to Michigan where most of their support network is. They made their last drive north last week and said it was the easiest drive they've had - traffic was lighter than the other trips. Anecdotal, but there it is. |
|
|
|
|
Replying to: kdhspyder (Apr 28, 2008 8:08 pm) So since R&D has nothing to do with the manufacturing costs of actually producing a hybrid vehicle or anything for that matter... How much does a total vehicle cost to produce with the added cost of R&D? Lets say for example a Prius?
|
|
|
|
|
Replying to: flash11 (Apr 28, 2008 7:27 pm) Haha, well I wish I could be a part of that list... But really if I had the money to blow a $100k on a sports car right now, I think I would get something that could make it to Las Vegas or the river. Where are the vehicles that are affordable and look half way decent... What if they took a Saturn Sky, Opel GT, or Pontiac Solstice (all the same platform, and would save them money) and put a hybrid motor in it? I mean, it might not be performance oriented... But it looks pretty cool and would save a hell of alot of fuel. I wouldn't mind commuting in something like this and I think that if they had a sports looking hybrid company's would really benefit from this.
|
|
|
Talk Back Tuesday: How Much is Too Much for Gas? "even at $4-a-gallon, gas still doesn't cost "too much."
|
|
|
Replying to: steve_ (Apr 29, 2008 7:42 am) |
|
|
Replying to: lmpracetech (Apr 29, 2008 7:40 am) Well if Tesla ditched 2/3rds of it's 50 kWh, 900 lb battery pack and replaced it with an 80 hp ICE generator, i.e. Volt configuration, you could have all the performance at a lower price and lower vehicle weight. Range would no longer be a factor and you'd still be getting exceptional mileage.
|
|
|
Replying to: lmpracetech (Apr 28, 2008 12:22 pm) The Tahoe Hybrid is not a $20k option. The current bunch of Tahoe Hybrid include a long list of options. A comparably equipped gas-only costs around $5,000 less. When production picks up, they will include be making hybrid Tahoe with fewer options and eventually stripped down models. It's just that they new they would sell every single one they made, so they made the first run with all the options so they would have a higher profit margin. Also, a Tahoe hybrid vs. a gas Tahoe saves way more gallons of gas in a year than switching from a Toyota Camry to a Camry Hybrid (or from a Camry to a Prius for that matter). Hybrid Tahoes still get horrible mileage, but percentage wise and gallon wise, they save a lot more. If all the SUV drivers switched to Hybrid SUV, it would do way more good than all the compact drivers switching to a comparable-sized hybrid.
|
|
|
Replying to: lmpracetech (Apr 28, 2008 1:31 pm) I doubt this is ever the case, I would have to see the facts on that. " I think what they were saying was regarding only the hybrid technology and how it can cost more than they ask for it. Meaning if a Toyota Camry costs $5,000 more than a non-hybrid camry, the hybrid technology might be costing Toyota more than $5,000. Basically, they might still be making a profit on the entire car, but less than on a non-hybrid. There is a pricepoint that people are willing to pay extra for a hybrid, so they have to ensure it falls within that threshold. That being said, that is the way it used to be. I'm not sure if that has changed now that their technology has been out a while. |
|
You are here:
Forums
Automotive News & Views
Are gas prices fueling your pain? ![]()
New? Join Now!
Forum Tools
Search Forums
Browse by Vehicle


Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
Today's Chats