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Thread: Hybrid cars...anybody got one?

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  1. #1
    Master OptiBoarder
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    Hybrid cars...anybody got one?

    I do a lot of local driving and was thinking of getting a Ford Escape. Maybe it's not the best in mileage of the hybrids, but it has more room.

    Can anyone relate their experience wih hybrids?

  2. #2
    On the Sunset Tour! Framebender's Avatar
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    Wink Ford Escape. . .??

    Come on Doc. . .buy a Harley! 45 to 55 mpg and if you need more room get a sidecar or one of the old 45ci three wheelers!! My buddy gets better than 70 mpg with his three wheeler!! You'll also look very cool!!
    :D
    Last edited by Framebender; 07-08-2006 at 07:19 PM. Reason: Drinking coffee and typing!
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    Unless I missed something in the little bit of physics I have learned. You cannot change one form of energy to another without energy loss. This basicly makes the hybred a looser. Also makes the electric car a looser.

    However I did back in the early '50's own a few Studebakers that got 35 miles to the gallon no matter how much the engine was past worn out, had enough power to pull a large boat, free wheeling, a hill holder (kept car in place when stopped on an uphill, and would do 85 mph all day long (getting 35 mpg) with 6 people in the car and all the windows down. All this with a heavy cast iron carbureted engine, a heavy cast iorn frame and real metal fenders and body.

    Too bad Detroit or somebody doesn't want to make a planetary overdrive and use a modern light weight engine with computerised fuel injection. Bet it would do more than the old Stude and get 60 miles per gallon.

    Not all progress is in the right direction.

    Chip

  4. #4
    Objection! OptiBoard Gold Supporter shanbaum's Avatar
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    Chip, how is it that even when you're right, you're wrong? What you say about energy conversion is correct, so far as I know. However, hybrids (and other electric cars) use energy that's normally lost during braking to charge their batteries - so there's a net gain.

    That's why they're not losers.

    Having said that, I think my next car may be a diesel Jetta - over 40 mpg without the complexity of a hybrid.

  5. #5
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    It's good to see we don't just argue over optical thngs. Anybody else?

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    Objection! OptiBoard Gold Supporter shanbaum's Avatar
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    I suppose I should've added I agree with Chip's fondness for Studebakers, since I'm usually bashing him. The day they closed was one of the saddest in automotive history. Imagine what a updated Golden Hawk might be like...

    I know RT has a hybrid SUV (I think it's an Escape), and likes it a lot. Maybe he'll chime in, or you could PM him.

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    Went to Long Island the other day. Maybe 75 mile round trip. Got 56 mpg for the trip according to the cars computer. They are known to be about 3-4 miles too generous...but still.

  8. #8
    Master OptiBoarder OptiBoard Gold Supporter DragonLensmanWV's Avatar
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    Well you save money because you don't waste energy braking.:bbg::bbg::bbg:
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  9. #9
    Master OptiBoarder rbaker's Avatar
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    You may find a great disparity between the computers mileage figures and the actual MPG calculated by measuring actual fuel burn. You may also notice that the economy indicator seem to follow throttle position and little else. It's really just a gimmick.

    The Prius realizes its fuel economy primarily through its low horsepower, light weight and little else.

    My question is, what do you do if you have a wife, three kids, a dog and a mother in law and ten bags of groceries?

  10. #10
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    mmm...I think you are mostly incorrect. As I said the computer is off 3-4 mpg when compared to fill-up calculations. Like all other cars, it calculates mpg based on fuel burned. The lighter the foot, the better the mileage...but this is true with all cars. Prius also has very good 0-60 performance because it uses the ICE and electric motors on hard acceleration. Not at all anemic like a Corolla. For family trips, I use the family van.

    Recently I rented a car in Fla. which happened to be a Corolla. It is a much smaller car than the Prius and the most I could get out of the car was 32 mpg on the highway.

  11. #11
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    Have you noticed??

    The price of gas went over $3.00 in NY as oil went to $85 per barrel. Now that the price of oil has gone back down to $70, the price of gas is still over $3.00.

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by fjpod View Post
    Have you noticed??

    The price of gas went over $3.00 in NY as oil went to $85 per barrel. Now that the price of oil has gone back down to $70, the price of gas is still over $3.00.
    I paid $2.54 yesterday.
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    Underemployed Genius Jacqui's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Johns View Post
    I paid $2.54 yesterday.
    $2.56 here, was a week or so ago about $3.00

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    Do I have a hybrid???? Parked next to a Rabbit once, and later had a lot of little ones hopping around the garage....called an exterminator and a tow truck.


    I prefer purebreds.

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    So...has anyone else taken the plunge into an alternative fuel car?

    I'm still chuggin along gettin 52 mpg around town with comfort and ease.

  16. #16
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    [QUOTE=fjpod;354529]So...has anyone else taken the plunge into an alternative fuel car?

    I'm still chuggin along gettin 52 mpg around town with comfort and ease.[/QUOTE

    No, but I pulled one out of the ditch last December, (w/my F150 4X4). The driver (a local college prof) swore that the force of an oncoming snow plow forced him off the road.

    I'll stick w/my trucks & vans.
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  17. #17
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    All the way to the poorhouse...LOL. But what's really happening is we are making the oil sheiks rich. For my highway driving, I do prefer my Dodge Journey.

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    Vision Equipment OptiBoard Corporate Sponsor Leo Hadley Jr's Avatar
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    55mpg hwy.

    BigRadiusDyna-1.jpg
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  19. #19
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    Quote Originally Posted by fjpod View Post
    All the way to the poorhouse...LOL. But what's really happening is we are making the oil sheiks rich. For my highway driving, I do prefer my Dodge Journey.
    Got it! So...when you want to do your "highway driving" (I see the Journey is only rated 25mpg), you have no problem making the oil sheiks rich. Looks like you're a true to the soul greenie planet saver until it comes to giving up your comforts.

    At least we got that straight!:cheers:
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  20. #20
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    My you sound accusatory today...

    I have a bigger car and a smaller car. Sometimes I need the big one and sometimes the little one serves the purpose. I use the little one as much as I can.

    So let me get this clear...you just use a big car whether you need it or not, so you make the oil sheiks rich with every mile you drive?

    I think we should go back to four words.

  21. #21
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    Not yet, I still have a car which consumes conventional fuel.

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    A completely different type of emmission standard!

    http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2...el-motive.html

  23. #23
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    Quote Originally Posted by uncut View Post
    A completely different type of emmission standard!

    http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2...el-motive.html
    This is a great idea, even if it isn't a new one...

  24. #24
    Master OptiBoarder OptiBoard Gold Supporter DragonLensmanWV's Avatar
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    What I want to know is, is there secret Prius club where they meet and determine that all Prius drivers will drive in the left lane at two MPH under the speed limit?
    DragonlensmanWV N.A.O.L.
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  25. #25
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    Quote Originally Posted by DragonLensmanWV View Post
    What I want to know is, is there secret Prius club where they meet and determine that all Prius drivers will drive in the left lane at two MPH under the speed limit?
    I think they do that to avoid be hit by the kids on their 10 speeds going by them!:bbg::bbg: (That would be a nasty wreck...those 10 speeds are tough!)
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