JUGGERNAUT Posted August 13, 2005 Share Posted August 13, 2005 http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050813/ap_on_...ybrid_tinkerers Energy CS: will convert any hybrid to a plug-in for about $12K starting next year. Believes auto-makers could mass-produce them for $6K more on the sticker price. This is what makes Americans great. They don't sit around waiting for big govt or big business to solve a problem. While reading this I was thinking way beyond the home owner. Buses, passenger trains, trucks, freight trains can all benefit by this hybrid technology to reduce costs. That in turn will help us slow inflation & protect against spikes in oil prices. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
He_Gawn Posted August 13, 2005 Share Posted August 13, 2005 Since my dad works at State Farm he gets a company car. They gave him one of those for a while and they were pretty sweet. I didnt really like the look of it though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UofIChiSox Posted August 13, 2005 Share Posted August 13, 2005 yeah, I'm all for the hybrid technology stuff, but until the make hybrid cars that look like cars instead of futuristic go-karts or golf carts, I'm gonna have to pass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxfn Posted August 13, 2005 Share Posted August 13, 2005 I wouldn't pay 12000 bucks more for it. In fact I woudln't pay 3000 more for it which is about what it costs now to get a hybrid. Financially it doesn't make sense cause unless you drive a total assload, its going to take way too long to ever reclaim the savings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nitetrain8601 Posted August 13, 2005 Share Posted August 13, 2005 QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Aug 13, 2005 -> 03:30 PM) I wouldn't pay 12000 bucks more for it. In fact I woudln't pay 3000 more for it which is about what it costs now to get a hybrid. Financially it doesn't make sense cause unless you drive a total assload, its going to take way too long to ever reclaim the savings. ^^What he said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rex Kickass Posted August 13, 2005 Share Posted August 13, 2005 Just so you know, the Highlander is available in hybrid and nonhybrid form. The difference in MPG is about 11 miles to the gallon. If you drive 12000 miles a year. Annual gas savings with an average gas price of 2.20 per gallon would be about 700 dollars. My annual savings would be 2100 dollars. The difference in price is about 7 grand between the two cars. It's not really economical unless you drive 35,000+ miles a year. If I went from the xB to the Prius, id save on average about 15 mpg. My annual savings would be 700 dollars a year driving 36,000 miles a year. The difference in price between the two cars is about 5,000 dollars. It's just not economical for me. In two years though, the prices will be about equal - at least with Toyota. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxfn Posted August 13, 2005 Share Posted August 13, 2005 QUOTE(winodj @ Aug 13, 2005 -> 01:58 PM) Just so you know, the Highlander is available in hybrid and nonhybrid form. The difference in MPG is about 11 miles to the gallon. If you drive 12000 miles a year. Annual gas savings with an average gas price of 2.20 per gallon would be about 700 dollars. My annual savings would be 2100 dollars. The difference in price is about 7 grand between the two cars. It's not really economical unless you drive 35,000+ miles a year. If I went from the xB to the Prius, id save on average about 15 mpg. My annual savings would be 700 dollars a year driving 36,000 miles a year. The difference in price between the two cars is about 5,000 dollars. It's just not economical for me. In two years though, the prices will be about equal - at least with Toyota. Thats when it will start making sense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rex Kickass Posted August 13, 2005 Share Posted August 13, 2005 Plus the mileage will be even better I bet. In two years, I'll be getting a hybrid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nitetrain8601 Posted August 14, 2005 Share Posted August 14, 2005 I'll stick with my gas. I'm too old school. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kalapse Posted August 14, 2005 Share Posted August 14, 2005 Let me know when they make a hybrid with a top speed over 130 mph and make it look like a car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rex Kickass Posted August 14, 2005 Share Posted August 14, 2005 There is a hybrid version of the Highlander. And one of the Honda Civic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NUKE_CLEVELAND Posted August 15, 2005 Share Posted August 15, 2005 QUOTE(Kalapse @ Aug 14, 2005 -> 11:46 AM) Let me know when they make a hybrid with a top speed over 130 mph and make it look like a car. They will.......and sooner rather than later. Hybrid technology is the first major step in weaning ourselves off the addiction we have for foregin oil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wise Master Buehrle Posted August 15, 2005 Share Posted August 15, 2005 I'm sorry but... I love the roar of an old 454 gas engine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kalapse Posted August 15, 2005 Share Posted August 15, 2005 QUOTE(YahtzeeSox @ Aug 14, 2005 -> 09:28 PM) I'm sorry but... I love the roar of an old 454 gas engine. You should check out my '71 Chevelle. It'll stop your heart with the simple tap of the gas, gotta love that 454 big block. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxrd5 Posted August 15, 2005 Share Posted August 15, 2005 QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Aug 13, 2005 -> 03:30 PM) I wouldn't pay 12000 bucks more for it. In fact I woudln't pay 3000 more for it which is about what it costs now to get a hybrid. Financially it doesn't make sense cause unless you drive a total assload, its going to take way too long to ever reclaim the savings. I'm shocked you never even brought up the tax writeoff available for purchasing a hybrid...normally your all over the tax stuff But I do agree right now a hybrid is just isn't for me but sooner rather than later it may just be the right purchase. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JUGGERNAUT Posted August 15, 2005 Author Share Posted August 15, 2005 Why are you looking to re-coup the loss after 1 year? I think 7 years is the average time a consumer hangs on to their car. So assuming average driving over that time you're looking at $6000 savings at the pump over the life of the car. The tax write-off & the added cost in electricty over that time is probably a wash. So economically you won't gain anything but you'll be helping the environment & the nation. Money isn't everything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlaSoxxJim Posted August 15, 2005 Share Posted August 15, 2005 QUOTE(JUGGERNAUT @ Aug 15, 2005 -> 12:53 PM) So economically you won't gain anything but you'll be helping the environment & the nation. Money isn't everything. Agreed, it is difficult to be on the bleeding edge of new technology. But it is necessary that small grassroots groups of idealistic people take these kind of leaps even if they are not entirely cost effective. Demand has to start somewhere/some time, or R&D toward cost-effective follow-on technology will be minimal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balta1701 Posted August 15, 2005 Share Posted August 15, 2005 Actually, it really won't take that much more for even a normal hybrid to become cost-effective with current oil prices...if you're a heavy city-based driver right now you'd probably be saving quite a bit with a prius over your average mid-sized sedan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Queen Prawn Posted August 15, 2005 Share Posted August 15, 2005 QUOTE(Kalapse @ Aug 14, 2005 -> 10:56 PM) You should check out my '71 Chevelle. It'll stop your heart with the simple tap of the gas, gotta love that 454 big block. Small block and big block Fords have a great throaty sound as well. I would like to get a hybrid for my next car (hopefully 4-5 years in the future), but I hope the batteries for these types of cars inprove in reliability and go down in cost (not sure where it is now, but some of those were high priced the last time I looked). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balta1701 Posted August 15, 2005 Share Posted August 15, 2005 (edited) QUOTE(Queen Prawn @ Aug 15, 2005 -> 11:10 AM) Small block and big block Fords have a great throaty sound as well. I would like to get a hybrid for my next car (hopefully 4-5 years in the future), but I hope the batteries for these types of cars inprove in reliability and go down in cost (not sure where it is now, but some of those were high priced the last time I looked). Toyota offers a 10 year warranty on all of the battery systems on their hybrids. I believe Honda may as well, although I haven't researched theirs as much. The Prius is roughly the same price as a Camry, has slightly more interior space, and has the hybrid engine. If you're not in the market for a mid-sized sedan I wouldn't say to buy one, but if you are, I think it's a very competitive vehicle. Edited August 15, 2005 by Balta1701 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nitetrain8601 Posted August 16, 2005 Share Posted August 16, 2005 Make the cars look better and maybe I'll take a look at them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YASNY Posted August 17, 2005 Share Posted August 17, 2005 QUOTE(Queen Prawn @ Aug 15, 2005 -> 01:10 PM) Small block and big block Fords have a great throaty sound as well. I would like to get a hybrid for my next car (hopefully 4-5 years in the future), but I hope the batteries for these types of cars inprove in reliability and go down in cost (not sure where it is now, but some of those were high priced the last time I looked). Another significant cost to calculate into whetherbuying a hybrid is economically a sound decision. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rex Kickass Posted August 17, 2005 Share Posted August 17, 2005 QUOTE(nitetrain8601 @ Aug 15, 2005 -> 09:24 PM) Make the cars look better and maybe I'll take a look at them. There is a Ford Escape hybrid. And I think an Explorer too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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