general hybrid car advice?

[Ronny1340]

Hey there,

I am looking to buy my first hybrid car, but have really no idea about where to go for the best infromation.  Frankly, the more general the information, the better - as I really have no clue what I'm doing! The only resource on hybrids and other fuel-efficient cars that I've found that is as general as I would like is http://fuelfriendlycars.com but I would like some other hybrid car resources as well. Any suggestions? Thanks -

Ronny

Resectioned because this is NOT related to hydro and is only vaguely topical on this forum at all.

[disaray1]

Here's one...

http://www.kbb.com/kbb/NewCars/Hybrid.aspx?trid=21&gclid=CK7xqLXs1I0CFQP7gAodJkmqZg

 and another... (if you believe the government)

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/hybrid_sbs.shtml

or you can google "hybrid comparison"  and get enough hits to keep you reading for days.

 Toyota is introducing a Prius this year for less than $21K. Prius is the current hands down favorite. Have fun.

 David

[electrondady1]

a friend of mine has the toyota hybrid.

  the suv type

it is wonderfully quiet

i am thinking if i am  nice to her she may let me drive it !

lol.

[spinningmagnets]

Anything from Toyota will probably hold its value better than the Honda and Ford variants. Since nobody wants to pay royalties on a patented system, or admit that they are using the exact same system from some other company in their products, every company varies the method of integrating the engine/electric motor.

The latest buzz is about a "plug-in" hybrid. By increasing the size of the (expensive) battery pack, (and also changing to a more advanced type) the car can be driven as a pure electric vehicle for about thirty minutes. This means 90% of the time you won't burn any fuel at all, but the gasoline engine is still there if you need to drive on a long trip. The Prius' sytem configuration is more easily adapted to becoming a plug-in hybrid, making them more desireable a few years down the road.

There's a company (I think its "Hymotion"?) that will install a large Li-ion battery pack (replacing the small NiMH pack) and adjust the power management computer (voiding the warrantee) for $17,000. Because of the warrantee being voided, it is usually being done to 5 year old Priuses, which are just now becoming available in noticeable quantities.

I commend you on committing to spending a significant amount of money to buy a car that will reduce fuel use and pollution. You will be well-served by any one of the high-quality Honda, Ford, or Toyota hybrid cars.

Might I suggest that you look into, and seriously consider, a 2008 VW Diesel Golf/Jetta?

They get around 50 MPG and are easily convertible to running on FREE, American-grown,  and non-polluting used vegetable oil from restaurants (WVO), while still maintaining the ability to run on Diesel or Bio-diesel on long trips.

Diesels are well-known to reliably run over 200K miles, and an automatic transmission rebuild is much cheaper than a hybrid battery pack replacement.

Either way, a hybrid or Diesel is a good choice in my opinion. -Ron

"Electricians do it without shorts until it Hertz"

[ghurd]

I'm told Honda quit making hybrids.

And the batteries don't last past 80,000 miles, though my friend's Civic had ~150K (in a few years).

Honda may quit making the batteries soon???

G-

[spinningmagnets]

I have been impressed by Honda products, and I am certain they will stand behind any car that they build. Their configuration of engine/electric motor Hybrid is more complex to convert to a "plug-in" Hybrid, but even in their stock form they are a well-designed and well-made product.

I have recently read that Honda will discontinue the 2-seat Insight hybrid, and the Accord V-6 Hybrid (but not the conventional Accord). But before the "Big-Oil conspiracy" theorists begin grumbling, both these models have suffered unusually low sales. Its my understanding that Honda is committed to continuing to produce the Civic Gas/electric hybrid, and the Civic CNG "GX". In addition, they are contemplating making their hybrid drivetrain option available on the CR-V small SUV (in response to the successful Ford Escape hybrid) and also on the compact "Fit". The Insight body and the V-6 Hybrid drivetrain are both unique and now very low volume. The conventional Civic, Fit, and CR-V are selling well, so optioning the 4-cylinder hybrid drivetrain on these platforms makes sense for them.

That being said, the Toyota Prius has recently passed the one-million sales mark, outselling all other hybrids by a large margin.

Everyone seems eager to slap a "Hybrid" label on one of their good-selling models now, so definitely do some homework before you rush into a significant purchase.

If the weather is nice and the trip is short, you may also want to consider the option of an electric bicycle as an addition to your garage. You may need a large truck to tow your boat and family to the lake, but why fire up a big-block V-8 every time you just need to get some milk and bread? -Ron

The Zen of a 4-year-old sage:

"When you want a puppy, ask for a pony...then cry"