Topic: question about Hybrid Cars/vehicles.

[Sirgod]

Well forget that man, The Lexus will have to wait untill I win the Lottery or something.  

Stephen

[TOCXOBearslayer]

If you live in and around hills, do NOT get a Honda Sprint (?).  One of the sales guys has one of these and he says that it runs well, but has lots of problems going up hill from a dead stop.  

Thankfully, this part of North Carolina doesn't have many steep inclines.

Hopefully, the newer models will correct this problem.

Edited for major spelling foo-pa's

[JMM]

If you buy Toyota, make sure that you DO NOT buy in the gulf states area, as the guy in Houston years ago made a deal with Toyota Motor Corp. to be the sole distributor to other dealers in 5 states, he makes 500 to 1k off each unit coming in. Damn I wish I was his son  

The dealer then passes on that cost to YOU as they are not in the business of losing money. Big difference in prices of Toyotas in N.M. vs Texas, better to fly southwest airlines or AA to Las Cruces or someplace in N.M. and buy and drive home to Tejas.  

[Scott Allen Abfalter]

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If you live in and around hills, do NOT get a Honda Sprint (?).  One of the sales guys has one of these and he says taht it runs well, but has lots of problems going up hill from a dead spot.  

Thankfully, this part of North Carolina doesn't have many steep inclines.

Hopefully, the newer models will correct this problem.  

Perfect down here in Florida then.  We don't know what hills ARE....
 

[Sirgod]

thanks again for the information, I'm still trying to talk my wife Into it, as she's wanting one of those $6,000 Kia things. But I've heard some bad stuff about them.

+ even though the cost would be at least 2-3 times more, I think the savings on Gas over a few years would be worth It.

Stephen

[hobbesmaster]

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Try www.edmunds.com and look up the Toyota Prius. A friend of mine has one and she loves it.   Also check www.motortrend.com.   They selected a hybrid as there 2004 Car of the Year.  I forget which car it was. Maybe the Prius.   I've been in the Prius, it's nice,  adequate HP.   0-60 in 10 seconds.   It ain't fast but I think it gets around 35 mpg, maybe more.

35 mpg?  My uhh.. Hyundai Accent.. gets that...  I would assume that he prius would get near twice that.  

[Baker]

 I've heard nothing but bad news on the Kia but that's just hearsay. Personally a Honda hybrid or a Toyota hybrid would be the way to go (Honda tends to be a bit more expensive part wise over here, but the quality is equal to Toyota).

JMM d you have any info on the Camry hybrid car for me to look at please. I find this development rather interesting.

[TOCXOBearslayer]

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Try www.edmunds.com and look up the Toyota Prius. A friend of mine has one and she loves it.   Also check www.motortrend.com.   They selected a hybrid as there 2004 Car of the Year.  I forget which car it was. Maybe the Prius.   I've been in the Prius, it's nice,  adequate HP.   0-60 in 10 seconds.   It ain't fast but I think it gets around 35 mpg, maybe more.

35 mpg?  My uhh.. Hyundai Accent.. gets that...  I would assume that he prius would get near twice that.  

only 35?!?!?

I get nearly 50 mgp on the highway, about 40 MPG in my daily routine.  I am in a Honda CRX HF 1990 with 200+K on it.

It is a damn good thing too.... b/c I drive about 150-200 miles a day.... thankfully, I get a car allowance!!  

[WillWeasel]

Quote:
Try www.edmunds.com and look up the Toyota Prius. A friend of mine has one and she loves it.   Also check www.motortrend.com.   They selected a hybrid as there 2004 Car of the Year.  I forget which car it was. Maybe the Prius.   I've been in the Prius, it's nice,  adequate HP.   0-60 in 10 seconds.   It ain't fast but I think it gets around 35 mpg, maybe more.

It's creepy being around it though.  When moving slowly it makes no noise at all.  


P.S.

I personally would not by a car with such new tech unless it had been out for at least a year.   Plus the intial price should come down as well, like with any new tech.

Also, I hear Ford is going to have a Hybrid Escape SUV soon.   I may have to take a long look at it.

I would think they would be great cars for commuter type driving, especially if it is a lot of long highway drives or heavy urban bumper to bumper stuff.

P.P.S.

SHHESH!! Look at all those typos.  Good thing I'm lazy or I would have to edit it.
 

First year prius was the 2001 one I think, the 2004 got car of the year. The 2004 model does like ~55+ MPG, better gas milage in the city then highway. Driving under 25 MPH the gas engine cuts out completly and runs just on electric motor, IE NO SOUND AT ALL BUT AIR. Very freaky. My sister in law has a 2001 model.  

And the neat thing about the 2004, it's like a real sized car, allthough the 2001 was not to bad considering.

[J'inn]

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Try www.edmunds.com and look up the Toyota Prius. A friend of mine has one and she loves it.   Also check www.motortrend.com.   They selected a hybrid as there 2004 Car of the Year.  I forget which car it was. Maybe the Prius.   I've been in the Prius, it's nice,  adequate HP.   0-60 in 10 seconds.   It ain't fast but I think it gets around 35 mpg, maybe more.

It's creepy being around it though.  When moving slowly it makes no noise at all.  


P.S.

I personally would not by a car with such new tech unless it had been out for at least a year.   Plus the intial price should come down as well, like with any new tech.

Also, I hear Ford is going to have a Hybrid Escape SUV soon.   I may have to take a long look at it.

I would think they would be great cars for commuter type driving, especially if it is a lot of long highway drives or heavy urban bumper to bumper stuff.

P.P.S.

SHHESH!! Look at all those typos.  Good thing I'm lazy or I would have to edit it.
 

First year prius was the 2001 one I think, the 2004 got car of the year. The 2004 model does like ~55+ MPG, better gas milage in the city then highway. Driving under 25 MPH the gas engine cuts out completly and runs just on electric motor, IE NO SOUND AT ALL BUT AIR. Very freaky. My sister in law has a 2001 model.  

And the neat thing about the 2004, it's like a real sized car, allthough the 2001 was not to bad considering.

55 yeah that was it.  I couldn't remember.  

Geezerdom . . .  don't let this happen to you!!
 

[Towelie]

Quote:
thanks again for the information, I'm still trying to talk my wife Into it, as she's wanting one of those $6,000 Kia things. But I've heard some bad stuff about them.

+ even though the cost would be at least 2-3 times more, I think the savings on Gas over a few years would be worth It.

Stephen  

  I can relay numerous bad adventures with Kias from people I know locally, mostly with the Sephias. They all swear it was the worst mistake. The local dealer has a two week wait for people to get their KIa fixed under that warranty and no loaner. I can link numerous reviews that state the same along with class action lawsuits for defects in Kias. Not to mention the really low resale value of one. Not to mention the serious safety issues on them.

  Small example. A recently married couple bought new matching Kia Sephias. Two weeks later, his burned down while parked overnight. Two months later, hers did same. A driver I know bought one and lost his job because his Kia was unreliable. And another friend of ours bought one and had the manual tranny go out in first month. They were all Sephias I believe.  You could always get a more reliable Pacer, Yugo, or Fiat  

   I only say this because I am also about to get another vehicle. I have to look at safety, mileage, handling, and reliability (so that list excludes KIA). My choices are going with Honda, Toyota, VW Jetta, and some other runner ups. The Jetta is speaking to me, it may be my first non-american car. And first with a manual transmission... ...weeee. The Jetta I took for a test drive handled WAY better than the other cars I've driven. And I was shocked it only had a 2.0 4 cylinder.

  Honda and others may cost more, but you won't regret it as much. There are too many unhappy Kia owners that regret trying to save a few bucks. Of course some are quite happy, but the ratio isn't too good. There is a reason why Honda has engines in increasing number of American cars. Good luck, and if you buy a Kia, I will do a drive by when I take my vacation across the country.        

[Toten]

 I only say this because I am also about to get another vehicle. I have to look at safety, mileage, handling, and reliability (so that list excludes KIA). My choices are going with Honda, Toyota, VW Jetta, and some other runner ups. The Jetta is speaking to me, it may be my first non-american car. And first with a manual transmission... ...weeee. The Jetta I took for a test drive handled WAY better than the other cars I've driven. And I was shocked it only had a 2.0 4 cylinder.


Towlie,

I have a 99 Passat 1.8T 5 speed manual.  She gets about 650Km on 40L, has 150HP and tops out at 210Km/hr, and seats four adults comfortablly.

I am hooked now.  As long as the VW stays at this level I will be buying my next passat in about 5 years.  

[NJAntman]

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.  You could always get a more reliable Pacer, Yugo, or Fiat  
     

Ah...... fond memories of jump starting the Yugo on level ground by simply placing my left foot out the door and pushing. Car was a champ in the snow. Went nearly 200K before the timing belt broke and KO'ed the engine. Got between 30-40mpg dependng on the gas. Too damn light though, found it "displaced" on the campus lots several  times.  

[Sirgod]

 

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 Too damn light though, found it "displaced" on the campus lots several times.
 

I wonder who would do something like that.

sirgod Whistles away...  

Stephen

[JMM]

Toten, even though I'm a Toyota fan, I will say you are correct, VW has done wonders with their cars lately!

Check out what Toyota has now though, hehehehehehe.

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040115/ap_on_hi_te/tech_test_self_parking_car