If only a Hummer weighed as much as a Prius

[Jimmie84]

Originally Posted by jayman

I agree.

I propose we ban all hybrid vehicles, stop using hydrotreating at refineries to remove sulfur, ban reformulated gasoline, require everybody to cut the catalytic converter off their vehicle, and return to leaded gas

It sure is a waste of time and money to worry about pesky smog reduction standards that directly influence human mortality and morbidity

We should also pass a new law that lowers CAFE to 6.4 MPG. It's proven that importing in excess of 60% of your crude oil needs, massive deficit spending, and peak oil are all *good* for the economy

I also propose we ban vaccinations, primary and secondary wastewater treatment, and potable water treatment. It should be obvious that we should only "encourage" the healthiest specimens to live, no sense making it easier for the "substandard" specimens

I'll even set up a website with a catchy title that is sure to invoke an emotional, FUD based response: waaaadonttakemygasguzzlinredneckmobile dot com

I never said we had to ban hybrids. It's not for everyone buddy.
Whats better? Buying a old Civic or even a Cavalier that gets 30 MPG for $5,000 for spending $30,000 on a hybrid that gets 45MPG?

Your the typical pot calling the kettle black person. Your sig line is living proof that you also drive a gas guzzler. 16 city and 20 highway perhaps?

[F8L]

Originally Posted by Jimmie84

Whats better? Buying a old Civic or even a Cavalier that gets 30 MPG for $5,000 for spending $30,000 on a hybrid that gets 45MPG?

I'm not trying to pick on you Jimmie but from a safety and emissions standpoint the hybrid would be the better the better choice. Have you ever seen the Cavalie in a crash test? You could'nt pay me to drive one of those death traps! Hahaha

[Jimmie84]

Originally Posted by F8L

I'm not trying to pick on you Jimmie but from a safety and emissions standpoint the hybrid would be the better the better choice. Have you ever seen the Cavalie in a crash test? You could'nt pay me to drive one of those death traps! Hahaha

I meant to say Cobalt. Yeah, I saw the crash test on youtube and I'm very glad my Dad got out of that car and into something else.

[F8L]

Originally Posted by Jimmie84

I meant to say Cobalt. Yeah, I saw the crash test on youtube and I'm very glad my Dad got out of that car and into something else.

Me too, it's definately not a safe car for him to be in. As if any car is truely safe right? lol

Did you see the Consumer Reports article where they voted the Prius the most economical family car to own after 5-yrs even over cars like the Cobalt that cost over $7,000 less initial purchase price? It was pretty imnteresting how much can be saved over 5yrs just in fuel let alone any repairs.

I'm off to a BBQ, have a great weekend Jimmie.

[jayman]

Originally Posted by Jimmie84

Whats better? Buying a old Civic or even a Cavalier that gets 30 MPG for $5,000 for spending $30,000 on a hybrid that gets 45MPG?

Depending on how many miles you put on, the Prius will be the better buy. I wasn't aware they were so much in the US, I thought around $23,000

Here in Canada, you won't get much for $5 G's: already rusting, motor probably shot, etc. A decent used Civic - much smaller than Prius but a decent economy car, light years better than an Aveo - is around $10 G's

A new Prius here is $30 G's. If you only put on 5,000 miles a year, drive the older car. If you commute average to longer than average distances, even CR has proven the Prius is cheaper. F8L beat me to the CR article

Originally Posted by Jimmie84

Your the typical pot calling the kettle black person. Your sig line is living proof that you also drive a gas guzzler. 16 city and 20 highway perhaps?

The Prius has 160,000 km on it, I'll probably sell it to a taxi company this summer and get a new Prius. It will be my primary commute/work vehicle, so I can write it off

The FJ at the speed limit gets 29 mpg, Imperial gallon. Somewhere around 24 mpg your gallon. A lot of the techniques that work on a Prius to boost fuel economy work on my FJ as well. I don't hold up traffic, but I don't floor it either

No lift, no aggressive tires, no bulls*** up on the roof. Mobil Delvac Synthetic Gear Oil 75W-90 in the transfer case and both axles. Mobil 1 0W-40 Euro Car Formula in the motor. I'll probably croak before the FJ does

The FJ is my weekend play toy for driving out to the hobby farm. Right now I'm averaging 600 km a month, so it still looks, feels, and smells brand new. In August I'll have a month off and the FJ will probably sit at the hobby farm the entire time

So in my case, I really don't see how the pot is calling the kettle black. It's not a daily driver, far from it. I put my money where my mouth is, and bought an environmentally friendly, fuel efficient car for daily use.

I didn't want a tiny toy car, but something with proven crash safety. Once you compare the Prius against cars of the same size, that huge hybrid "premium" really isn't there anymore

I'm not at all worried that some folks think the Prius is "gay." I'm built like a nighclub bouncer. The very rare time somebody has flipped me off or cut me off in traffic, just getting out of the car I scare them s***less

[Jimmie84]

Do you know what I drive jayman? Take a guess.

I'm in the process of looking for a newer Cobalt. Possibly an 06 or an 07. I'd say the Cobalt is a bit bigger than the Prius but I'm gonna use it as my daily driver. The truck I will use for my off roading adventures and in the winter time when we get snow. I live in an area where plows don't come through so 4x4 is a must.

Right now I'm driving to and from work and maybe running errands on the weekends. I put my self in the 12,000/year mileage bracket.

[jayman]

Originally Posted by Jimmie84

Do you know what I drive jayman? Take a guess.

I do believe you have stated in other posts you drive something like an S10 or S15. I predict we'll see the market for smaller trucks grow as full size trucks tank.

Boo-hoo on Toyota for dumping all that money on the new Tundra and Sequoia. I'd like to hope somebody lost their job over *that* executive decision! That money would have been better spent on rolling out hybrid versions of the Echo/Yaris and Corolla.

When I was in Seattle last fall to attend a conference, I was put into a rental Cobalt. It's no Prius, I'll tell you that

[Jimmie84]

Yeah, It's an S-10. 1999 with 109,750 miles on it now.

But, Technically I can only fit 2 people in it but there is a 3rd jump seat in the back when we need to cram a friend back there. LOL

I don't want payments for another 5-7 years. Probably a new truck then but in the mean time to put an ease on my pocket book I might buy a car. Then again it might be cheaper for me to just drive the S-10.

[jayman]

Originally Posted by Jimmie84

Then again it might be cheaper for me to just drive the S-10.

I think you're right at the edge - given current fuel prices - of tipping the balance. If we can assume fuel prices no longer rise, you're probably better off keeping the S-10, especially if it is in good shape

For many the net cost will still be higher if they buy a new vehicle, as payments are usually involved.

If fuel prices rise towards $6 a gallon - four years ago we though $2.50 a gallon was a stretch - and if your commute should happen to change, a fuel efficient car may be a better choice

As a consulting engineer, I tend to put on a lot of miles. In my case, since I can claim the expenses and write off the vehicle, it really doesn't matter if I drive a Prius or an FJ, or the new 5.7 litre V8 Sequoia.

I went with the "feel good" choice, and have not regretted it. The only knock I had against my Prius was the - in my opinion - overly sensitive Traction control. In winter, this has caused problems for me, until I finally switched from studless to studded winter tires. Deep snow still kills it, but most cars would be motionless anyway

I testdrove a new 2008 Prius back in March, when we still had a bit of snow around. It's Traction control is *much* improved over my 2004, that alone almost made me buy it on the spot

[Jimmie84]

Oh believe me I've changed my driving habits. I don't go over 65MPH and I shift at 2000 RPMS. It's a manual of course and if i drive it the smart way I can get 19.5 MPG. I think the EPA rating on it was 15/20.