- #74 of 1054
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Re: Fusion Hybrid '10 availability [gregg_vw]
by akirby
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Jan 06, 2009 (10:56 am)
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Replying to: gregg_vw (Jan 06, 2009 10:02 am)
I'm not trying to discourage hybrid purchases and there are many valid reasons to buy a hybrid as you pointed out - and I agree with them. But if your main reason is to save money there are better alternatives starting with keeping a vehicle that's already paid for rather than buying a new one. Most buyers tend to focus on the cost of fuel and potential savings (which is only a few hundred dollars per year) and ignore all of the other costs like depreciation, insurance, etc. (which is thousands per year) to rationalize their purchase.
I say if you want one, get one - you don't need a reason or justification.
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- #75 of 1054
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Re: Fusion Hybrid '10 availability [akirby]
by gregg_vw
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Jan 06, 2009 (11:05 am)
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Replying to: akirby (Jan 06, 2009 10:56 am)
Point taken.
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- #76 of 1054
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Re: Fusion Hybrid '10 availability [larsb]
by explorerx4
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Jan 06, 2009 (3:59 pm)
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Replying to: larsb (Jan 06, 2009 8:50 am)
lars,
i live in new england, it gets cold here. in the saturday car section of the local paper(same owner as la times), there have been several letters published regarding the underperforming gas mileage of HCH's.
the HAH was a failure.
the 2 front runners are now the TCH and the FFH as sedans.
Honda better bring some game with the new Insight.
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- #77 of 1054
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Hybrid MPG question
by bigt
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Jan 06, 2009 (4:35 pm)
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What happens when you run the air or heat in the Hybrid vehicle? I assume it runs the gasoline engine right?
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- #78 of 1054
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Re: Fusion Hybrid '10 availability [akirby]
by coldcranker
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Jan 06, 2009 (4:40 pm)
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Replying to: akirby (Jan 06, 2009 10:56 am)
Wow, thats a ton of discussion. Anyway, my point way back still stands as mathematical, economic sense: If you drive more than 15,000 miles per year in city driving, then a hybrid will probably make economic sense. You probably have to raise that to 20,000 miles per year to justify a hybrid if you do a lot of highway driving, since hybrids really shine in city driving, and are only a little better in highway driving than non-hybrids. For example, you can get a Fusion for $20,000, and a hybrid version of the same vehicle for $27,000, very realistic cost numbers. I'm saying $7,000 buys a lot of gas, plus don't forget the insurance numbers are a little higher for the hybrid, too. Many people shopping are going to ask how much extra do I have to pay to get a Fusion hybrid over a regular Fusion? That said, hybrids are cool, and its nice to stick it to the Saudis and Chavez, too!!!!
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- #79 of 1054
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Re: Fusion Hybrid '10 availability [explorerx4]
by coldcranker
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Jan 06, 2009 (4:46 pm)
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Replying to: explorerx4 (Jan 06, 2009 3:59 pm)
explorerx4 said: "Honda better bring some game with the new Insight."
The Insight will be attractive for 2 main reasons: 1) Cost will be lower than any other hybrid. 2) Honda's have a great reputation.
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- #80 of 1054
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Re: Hybrid MPG question [bigt]
by coldcranker
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Jan 06, 2009 (4:56 pm)
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Replying to: bigt (Jan 06, 2009 4:35 pm)
bigt asked: "What happens when you run the air or heat in the Hybrid vehicle? I assume it runs the gasoline engine right?"
If the air conditioner runs off an electrical motor instead of off an engine drive belt, then you wouldn't necessarily have to run the engine when the air cond turned on. The heater could actually route battery heat (they do generate some heat) to the passengers. That being said, running the air conditioning will reduce your MPG just like any other vehicle. Running the heater in a hybrid hurts your MPG, while running the heater in a non-hybrid does not hurt MPG. I'm not sure what the hit in MPG is, but a hybrid will still do better than a non-hybrid overall. The EPA tests do take into account running the air conditioner a little, so you can use the EPA MPG numbers to compare between any vehicles with confidence.
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- #81 of 1054
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Re: Hybrid MPG question [bigt]
by akirby
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Jan 06, 2009 (5:29 pm)
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Replying to: bigt (Jan 06, 2009 4:35 pm)
The main reason the Prius got 60 mpg on the old EPA tests but only 45 in the real world was that the old EPA test never used the A/C and in the Prius using the A/C forced the engine to run. That was one thing they changed for the 2008 tests to make it more realistic. As was stated the newer models with electric A/C may not do that, although you could only run the A/C for a short time without the engine to recharge the battery.
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- #82 of 1054
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Re: Fusion Hybrid '10 availability [explorerx4]
by akirby
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Jan 06, 2009 (5:31 pm)
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Replying to: explorerx4 (Jan 06, 2009 3:59 pm)
The Accord hybrid was a failure because it was not designed for optimal fuel economy. It was designed for V6 performance at I4 fuel economy rather than I4 performance with much better fuel economy. That won't be the case for the insight - they've learned their lesson. I believe Lexus has the same problem with the LS hybrid.
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- #83 of 1054
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Re: Fusion Hybrid '10 availability [akirby]
by explorerx4
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Jan 06, 2009 (5:59 pm)
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Replying to: akirby (Jan 06, 2009 5:31 pm)
that's why i posted that honda better make good on the new Insight.
new england has been a good market for honda, but they need new customers.
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