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Does the current situation affect hybrid sales more?

108 messages,  Last post on May 20, 2009 at 1:35 PM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Prius, Toyota Highlander Hybrid, Ford Escape Hybrid, Honda Civic, Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid, Mercury Mariner Hybrid, Saturn Aura Hybrid, Saturn VUE Hybrid, Nissan Altima Hybrid, Car Buying, Coupe, Hatchback, Truck, Sedan, SUV

#19 of 108 Re: I'm lost [gagrice] I'm wiser than Ever! [railroadjames] by oldfarmer50 Nov 29, 2008 (11:19 am)
Replying to: railroadjames (Nov 26, 2008 8:16 pm) "...I was bold enough to take the plunge when lesser folks shyed away..."   You may indeed have made a smart move if you bought your hybrid a few years ago when gas was cheap. That takes courage. So many folks though ran out in a panic this summer and dumped their SUV for a 10K loss while picking up their hybrid for 3K over sticker.   They would have to drive to the moon and back to have saved any real money. That's just foolish in my book.   I think the smart move now would be to buy a SUV for pennies on the dollar and drive it on the cheap gas. In a year or so when all the people who bought hybrids get tired of them and trade them in, there will be a glut on the market and you can walk away with one cheap.   Buying a car so you can feel smug is usually not a good idea from a financial point of view. This applies to both hybrids and SUVs.
#20 of 108 Re: I'm lost [gagrice] I'm wiser than Ever! [railroadjames] [gagrice] by kdhspyder Nov 29, 2008 (2:51 pm)
Replying to: gagrice (Nov 26, 2008 8:54 pm) That's why there are so many choices. OTOH after 40+ yrs of driving all kinds of cars from every maker except Nissan I find the Prius to be the most comfortable ride I've ever had.   Why? Because it's not soft and cushy. It's firm and supportive. Just personal preferences I guess.   You are right it does not minimize road noise at all. It's the trade off between extra weight for sound dampening materials and lighter weight for better fuel economy. Replies to this message: andre1969 (Nov 29, 2008 3:07 pm) kdhspyder (Dec 01, 2008 6:03 am) gagrice (Nov 29, 2008 4:26 pm)
#21 of 108 Re: I'm lost [gagrice] I'm wiser than Ever! [railroadjames] [gagrice] [kdhs by andre1969 Nov 29, 2008 (3:07 pm)
Replying to: kdhspyder (Nov 29, 2008 2:51 pm) You are right it does not minimize road noise at all. It's the trade off between extra weight for sound dampening materials and lighter weight for better fuel economy.   I'd also imagine that the Prius has some kind of special tire that's a little extra hard, to reduce rolling resistance?   I've never driven a Prius, but I have ridden in a few. I think it's pretty comfy and roomy. Definitely a step above something like a Yaris or Corolla. I don't think it has enough shoulder room to rightfully be called a midsized car, even if the EPA says it is. But IMO it's a very comfy 4-seater.   My biggest beef with the Prius is that I just can't get past the styling. Well that, and the fact that I don't drive nearly enough to justify ever buying something like that. But I can see its appeal, in the right circumstances. Replies to this message: kdhspyder (Dec 01, 2008 6:03 am)
#22 of 108 Re: I'm lost [kdhspyder] by gagrice Nov 29, 2008 (4:26 pm)
Replying to: kdhspyder (Nov 29, 2008 2:51 pm) I did not find the ride that uncomfortable. Though we only went about 5 miles. It seemed like my two test drives in the original Prius back in 2000 were much quieter than this 2009 model. The most important thing is my buddy loves it and that is good enough for me. He drives from home 2 miles to church and to the golf course. Fits his needs and saves wear on his little Nissan PU truck.
#23 of 108 Do I Care About Gas Prices? by railroadjames Nov 29, 2008 (7:51 pm)
Well sure I do!! The thing is ...When gas is cheap it costs even less for me to fill up and go 500 miles plus between visits to the pump. When gas crowded 5 bucks it sure was less painfull for Prius owners. For those of you not getting on the great bandwagon for whatever reasons I say....Find me an unsatisfied Prius owner. As of yet I have come up zero. Everybody that owns one thinks it's the best thing since duct tape. I'm at nearly 95 K and I can't remember ever (I said ever) had a car that delivered such dependable, thrifty, and green car satisfaction. One other noticable plus with my Prius...It takes up so little room in the garage that I never experienced B/4.
#24 of 108 Re: I'm lost [gagrice] I'm wiser than Ever! [railroadjames] [gagrice] [kdhs [andre1969] by kdhspyder Dec 01, 2008 (6:03 am)
Replying to: andre1969 (Nov 29, 2008 3:07 pm) The Prius tires are just normal Goodyear Integritys which are run of the mill small vehicle tires. The first Gen Prius had special tires but the the current model uses tires that are also used on Corollas, Civics and others of this size.   Nothing special one way or another. $60 at Tire Rack.
#25 of 108 If the Prius by boaz47 Dec 01, 2008 (6:24 pm)
was developed because of high gas prices it might have a dog in this fight. But it wasn't, it was the bone Toyota tossed at the American public to get their minds off of a zero emissions vehicle. At least that is what they were in California. Until the Prius CARB mandated a zero emissions vehicle by 2000 and right after the Prius came out the concept was trashed. Hybrids may have a place but there is no law they have to be ugly nor that they are the solution to our fuel useage. If, and there is always a if, there is a limited amount of oil to be drilled for then all cars like the Prius do is slow down that useage and with more drivers getting cars every year that slowing down isn't going to do much. They do not solve the problem and they are not zero emissions.   However back to the subject today gas was $1.88 for regular in Riverside, Ca. You would be very hard pressed to get the additional money a hybrid costs over their non hybrid counterparts. So unless I could get Insight fuel mileage why jump on any bandwagon? Hybrids need to optimism fuel mileage and if and when they do then it will not matter what fuel cost they will sell. When they get 15 to 20 percent better fuel mileage than their counter parts and in return cost 15 to 20 percent more they will not sell. Replies to this message: kdhspyder (Dec 01, 2008 9:57 pm) kenlw (Dec 02, 2008 7:58 am) kdhspyder (Dec 02, 2008 8:51 pm) railroadjames (Dec 02, 2008 9:31 pm) nwng (Dec 03, 2008 10:49 am) gagrice (Dec 03, 2008 12:43 pm) boaz47 (Dec 03, 2008 2:50 pm) and 4 more...
#26 of 108 Re: If the Prius [boaz47] by kdhspyder Dec 01, 2008 (9:57 pm)
Replying to: boaz47 (Dec 01, 2008 6:24 pm) This is wrong but don't let a lack of knowledge keep you from forming a solid misconception. Replies to this message: kenlw (Dec 02, 2008 7:58 am) kdhspyder (Dec 02, 2008 8:51 pm) railroadjames (Dec 02, 2008 9:31 pm)
#27 of 108 November sales numbers? by larsb Dec 02, 2008 (7:06 am)
Anyone know why the November car sales totals have not been announced?   Google News shows not stories yet....WTH? Replies to this message: bumpy (Dec 02, 2008 7:24 am) kdhspyder (Dec 02, 2008 7:50 am) explorerx4 (Dec 02, 2008 3:24 pm)
#28 of 108 Re: November sales numbers? [larsb] by bumpy Dec 02, 2008 (7:24 am)
Replying to: larsb (Dec 02, 2008 7:06 am) The last four days of November were either holidays or weekends. Give 'em a day to count everything up.

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