1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

The Death of the V6 and V8 engines.....

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by freshmtt, May 19, 2008.

  1. Spectra

    Spectra Amphi-Prius

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2008
    3,123
    17
    1
    Location:
    S NJ
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Very interesting & points well taken, Thomas !
     
  2. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 4, 2005
    12,544
    2,122
    1
    Location:
    SF Bay Area, CA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    I'm with you on this although 40+ mpg (on the sticker, not just 40 "CAFE" mpg) on all vehicles is a little tough.

    I don't think the market has done enough... I still see WAY too many monstrosity class SUVs (curb weight >5000 lbs) including very new ones. Clearly, gas is still too cheap for them. I'm sure we'd see a sharp decline if gas rapidly went up to $8+/gal here.

    We've got to get rid of the loophole that makes light trucks (including SUVs) exempt from the gas guzzler tax, lower the limits for that tax and seriously raise the $ amounts.
     
  3. chinoloco93

    chinoloco93 New Member

    Joined:
    May 21, 2008
    30
    0
    0
    Location:
    Mt. View California
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    III
    We just sold our two lexus for a prius and a corolla. There is more truth to this then many realize. I for one will only have hybrids or other fuel efficient cars in the future.
     
  4. Voidvoice

    Voidvoice New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 4, 2008
    55
    0
    0
    Location:
    New York City
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    One of the reason people tell me they buy a suv because they ave kid. Isnt kid is small compare to adult, why they need a suv , most suv still sit 5, same as normal sedan, their reasoning is really funny and silly. I can see the reason to get a minivan that can seat more than 5 if the familly is large.

    I dont think american will give up their large SUV. the gas is expensive if you are poor or middle income, but to many who are high middle class, even $5 a gallon wont make much different to them. They will just complain gas is high but they will never change their lifestyle.
     
  5. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    44,767
    16,016
    41
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    You've said it!
     
  6. PriusSport

    PriusSport senior member

    Joined:
    May 20, 2008
    1,498
    88
    0
    Location:
    SE PA
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    My impression is the car market has been radically changed the past month or so by gas prices spiraling. Everybody wants a hybrid--all of a sudden. That probably means many of the larger vehicles on the market right now are already dinosaured. Unless oil futures/gas prices take a significant downward turn soon. The car companies, of course, are aware of this, so I expect things to happen soon affecting oil futures.
     
  7. Sheepdog

    Sheepdog C'Mere Sheepie!

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2008
    1,125
    15
    9
    Location:
    Sanford FLorida
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    A friend told me he tried to trade his 2005 Toyota big pickup truck (forget what its called) and was told by the toyota dealer that they didnt want it and if they took it they would give him maybe $1500 for a truck he paid 20K on two years ago! hint: It gets 15mpg!

    I drove by the dealership and they have 100's of trucks and suv's in the back lot along with new big trucks that are not selling!
     
  8. removeum

    removeum Member

    Joined:
    Jul 6, 2004
    407
    0
    0
    Location:
    El Paso, TX
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    II
    :cool: My Lexus 400h is a V-6 and averages 30 plus mpg with out any trying.
     
  9. stumpy_c

    stumpy_c New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2007
    50
    0
    0
    Uh...personally I think the internal combustion engine itself will be a relic within 20 years for personal transport applications.

    But that's just me. The only reason it's still around (IMHO) is because the US market hasn't had to worry about high gas prices until now. And I use 'high' in a relative sense.

    Much as people like to hate on the U.S. we are still essentially the most 'important' consumer base in the world. Now that we're uncomfortable with what we're having to pay for fuel we see a bevy of alternatives both rolling out and on the drawing boards the likes of which we've never seen before. The environmental factor was never enough to make that happen and never will be....but cut a little too far into Americans' pocket books at the pump and watch the manufacturers scramble to do what we tell them, heh. So much for the great American decline theory.
     
  10. stumpy_c

    stumpy_c New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2007
    50
    0
    0
    *choke*

    Heh...too bad you couldn't have kept it. You could damn near retire on what they go for nowadays.
     
  11. HardCase

    HardCase SilverPineMica, the green one

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2007
    408
    10
    0
    Location:
    Kalispell, Montana
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    I don't agree with banning any specific class of vehicles. However, I do think that a different tax structure needs to be applied. I'd be in favor of raising, rather than lowering, the gas tax. I'd also like to see European style displacement taxes on engine size and vehicle weight. The money raised from these taxes should then be earmarked for R&D into alternative energy resources, improvement of mass-transit (a big missing link in much of the US), construction of bike-paths, etc. The public and the market-place would soon shift away from SUVs and gas-hogs.
     
  12. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2006
    18,058
    3,073
    7
    Location:
    Northern Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    We have had the reverse for years in the U.S.. SUVs have been held to lesser standards, effectively giving them a subsidy. This may have made sense originally, when SUVs were used only by business, but it makes no sense when they are driven by soccer moms as the family car.

    Tom
     
  13. wedge40

    wedge40 Waiting build character

    Joined:
    May 21, 2008
    55
    0
    0
    Location:
    Unionville, in
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    As I read through these, I have to agree with most of what's being said. I currently am one who if I forget something at the store, it's too bad, since I live about 10 mile from town and the only vehicle I have is a truck that gets 15mpg. I just "ordered" 2008 Pruis, but I'm told there is a 3 month wait. Even when I get the car I'll still keep the truck so I can haul things and get in and out in the winter time.

    Our mass transit infrastructure has been declining for years and it will take billions to get it where is needs to be to accomplish what people are talking about here. I the last 10 years I've seen thousands of miles of train track ripped up that could have been used for mass transit. Lets not forget how many times Amtrak has been bailed out by the government.
    I do agree American's need a new mind set.. but untill gas gets to $15 or $20 gal, it wont happen. Are we planning on this today. Probably not. I doubt most communities are looking at increasing their MT infrastructue.

    sorry for rant.

    Wedge
     
  14. Walker1

    Walker1 Empire

    Joined:
    Jan 13, 2006
    911
    6
    0
    Location:
    FL
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I understand you need the truck. Not a problem. However, the idea of Americans paying far more than what gas is now will break the financial backs of me and most other middle class working people. Our electric co. announced that we can expect a huge rate increase next year if the gas prices don't come down. We can't afford this along with high food prices. Where can we cut next? We busted our butts to buy a 2nd Prius to at least stay even with the $4.00 crap. If it goes to $8.00 we will have truly lost all gained ground and have no more $$ to pay out for transportation, electric, and food. Someone MUST stop what's going on or we working people are doomed. :mad:
     
  15. NorCal Rusty

    NorCal Rusty RatherBWakeboarding

    Joined:
    Mar 1, 2008
    189
    1
    0
    Location:
    Napa
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    High "everything" prices are sure hurting us to here in Nor Cal. Everything is going up except for costumer service. I hate the idea of any new taxes. Here is Cali, we pay more at the pump then some states as we are taxed on everything. So...if you have a big arse truck and get less mileage per gallon, then you surely are paying more in taxes anyway. Our public transportation doesn't make it out to where we live so that is a no go. My family loves to go boating. Now we have to take out a loan from the Sopranos so that we can get some gas for our wakeboard sessions. Times are tough, but America is still a great place to live!
     
  16. freshmtt

    freshmtt Dachshund Addict

    Joined:
    Apr 23, 2008
    532
    4
    5
    Location:
    Chicago Suburbs
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    I agree that Mass transit needs to be greatly improved. For the most part, here in the Chicago suburbs, unless you live in one of the direct collar suburbs that border the city of Chicago, the suburbs do not have regular public transportation. Some are lucky like myself that happens to live in an area of my suburb that everything is within walking distance if I really had to walk or bike to get to the grocery store and other places. However, for the majority of the suburban population this is not the fact, you must own a car to get anywhere.

    I see a small business venture coming to some people if they put their heads together and work a plan out in getting small vans licensed for public transport.

    I saw this already happening in Brooklyn when I visited there in 1996.. Some enterprising Haitians had their own Tap-Tap system running in the streets of Brooklyn. This little Jitney service was very cool to see happening in the Haitian neighborhoods of New York. They had large passenger vans, and everybody knew they just had to stand anywhere on the street corner and flag down one of these Tap-Taps, driver stops and you get on, pay a $1, and ask to stop anywhere along the route.

    Anyone here could easily start up their own little business like this with some advertising. This could really take off big in the suburbs since we don't have a regular bus service. The person would only have to get a Livery license plate for the van and with the right kind of advertising they have found a way to make some easy money.

    I lived in Haiti for a year almost 18 years ago, I know how easy this Jitney/Tap-Tap service is, and with the price of gas now, someone owning a van could easily make a slight fortune with the right kind of advertising and getting right kind of license for the van.
     
  17. wedge40

    wedge40 Waiting build character

    Joined:
    May 21, 2008
    55
    0
    0
    Location:
    Unionville, in
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    I understand the plight..
    Can anyone say "depression". If the dollar isn't brought back up in the next year, I'm pretty sure that's what it'll be called.

    Wedge
     
  18. wedge40

    wedge40 Waiting build character

    Joined:
    May 21, 2008
    55
    0
    0
    Location:
    Unionville, in
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Sorry for the double post.
    Oh my you wont be able to boat or use your wakeboards.. I'm guessing that alot of the weekend outings to the lakes and such will decline as well in the coming months. Any place that makes a living by tourists is SOL.

    Wedge
     
  19. Walker1

    Walker1 Empire

    Joined:
    Jan 13, 2006
    911
    6
    0
    Location:
    FL
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Just make sure you pay "Tony" or you may get serenaded with Frank Sinatra at night like that lawyer did when he wouldn't refund the beach cottage deposit!:)
     
  20. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

    Joined:
    Jun 23, 2005
    19,604
    8,036
    54
    Location:
    Montana & Nashville, TN
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    It doesn't have anything to do w/ smug. It has everything to do w/ CONSEQUENCES. There has been evidence we'd hit peak oil in the early 2000's ever since Hubbert made his science public during the 1950's. We should have seen the storm clouds on the horizon back in the 1970's back when the contenental U.S. had to start ramping up imports, and lines around the gas station, with 'odd-even' buying days. Society (both political parties) chose to ignore the writing on the wall. As the shrinks often say, "mankind can only handle so much reality". Welcome to reality. It's the nature of our species. This generation wasn't the first to indulge in decades of waste:

    [​IMG]