"Gordon McGrew" <gRmEcMgOrVeEw@mindspring.com> wrote in message
news:ntai43lm6bts0furtac0ho69ht2i18q14b@4ax.com...
> 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.

Sorry I don't let her drive it anymore. There were two passengers and a
pile of luggage in the car too.

The thing I don't get, is that they invest in this elaborate, expensive
hybrid technology, make the engine smaller and the car heavier and scarcely
change the fuel mileage, and people buy into it.

Earle

>
>
> >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.
>