On Mon, 14 May 2007 19:56:08 -0600, "Earle Horton"
<earle@angloburgues.usa> wrote:

>"Gordon McGrew" <gRmEcMgOrVeEw@mindspring.com> wrote in message
>news:j6qh43t32k5uhbc8qqc7lojs1h73iutndk@4ax.com.. .
>> On Mon, 14 May 2007 06:21:05 -0600, "Earle Horton"
>> <earle@angloburgues.usa> wrote:
>>
>> >If you keep the vehicle more than a couple years you may need
>> >that $2,100 to replace the batteries and electronics after they wear
>> >out.
>> >
>> >Earle
>>
>>
>> Batteries guaranteed for 8 years and 80K. In CA and some other
>> states, it's 10/100.
>>
>> I see gas is up to $3.60 near me.
>>
>It's almost that high here. 80k is just broken in on a Honda, admit it. My
>'02 HX has 83k, looks like new, runs like a top, and gets 45 mpg. So far,
>major repairs have been a timing belt and a door skin. For me to trade in
>on relatively new untested technology at this point would be idiocy.

I agree. But if you are buying a new car anyway and are an
early-adopter...

> I see
>a '92 VX with 124k in the paper for $3,200, where the seller claims 55 mpg.
>I think that's the EPA rating it had when new. Why did they stop making a
>perfectly good 55 mpg car, and then a perfectly good 45 mpg car, and replace
>them with a similar performing model, but costing more to manufacture? No
>idea, and I am not into conspiracy theories, but the Emperor's New Clothes
>story comes to mind.

The problem is that all these new cars have a weight control problem.
The heaviest Civic models are within about 100 pounds of the old Volvo
240. At the same time, people expect them to be quick. The Civic
Hybrid has a 110 hp engine, about the same as my G1 Integra. The
Integra weighed 500 lbs less and I don't think I ever got 30 mpg with
it, although I don't recall ever trying either ;-)

> "Batteries are good, we are wasting so much energy
>going downhill..." I wonder if anyone even did the math.
>
>According to Nevada State Patrol, the HX is capable of 127 mph too. I
>wasn't there, but I paid the fine.

A story there, no doubt. Frankly, I would have to see that to believe
it.


>Another thing about hybrids. In the winter, when you want heat, and you are
>driving in the city, the engine comes on with the battery fully charged just
>to warm your toes and windshield. Mpg plummets to about 20, just like my
>Jeep.

I'm sure winter mileage drops more than a conventional car, but I
would be very surprised if it dropped to 20. At it's worst, this is a
small car with a 1.3L engine.