Hybrid Cars

[John]

I am so mad at hybrid cars right now.

I know it is great that like the new Lexus gets 31 mpg in the city compared to its previous 18 mpg, but if they would just put a smaller engine in the car it could get so much more.

Do people really need to accelerate that much, I have a little 80 horsepower engine and I have never been in a situation that I couldn't go fast enough or accelerate quick enough.

I mean come on how many people are racing hybrid Lexus' out there?

Responses?

John

[theweakspot]

John, you are probably that guy who i was pinned behind for 15 minutes today while i was trying to get to the hospital... do me a favor and accelerate as much as you can in that Geo.

thanks. 

[BTs_Mysterio]

People like fast cars (on average). If you want what's good for the environment in the long run, then people need to see hybrid performance. And to reply to your first question, yes. Second question is a bit too ignorant in it's own light to properly respond.

[BTs_GhostSniper]

I know it is great that like the new Lexus gets 31 mpg in the city compared to its previous 18 mpg, but if they would just put a smaller engine in the car it could get so much more.

Ah, this is a good topic for me...seeing as how I actually sell Hybrid vehicles. 

Hybrids are great.  And you are wrong about putting a smaller engine in a vehicle...try that in a vehicle that is as heavy as a Lexus and you won't be able to get out of your own way.  By the way, true Hybrids do usually use a smaller gas engine to go with the electric motor.  Take the one I sell for example, the Ford Escape Hybrid.  It uses a small 4-cyl gas engine along with an electric motor, but still manages to accelerate as fast as a V-6 Escape.  While getting close to 40mpg IN THE CITY.  And it doesn't cost that much more than a regular Escape.  True Hybrids (not partial Hybrids like the ones Honda is selling), are really cost-effective, and great for the environment.  I will probably be buying my wife one within the year.

Peace.

-GhostSniper Out.

[theweakspot]

True Hybrids (not partial Hybrids like the ones Honda is selling), are really cost-effective, and great for the environment.

Hey ghosty,

why are hondas only partial hyrbrids?  my GF is in the middle of choosing between a Prius, Civic hybrid and Escape hybrid.  Any reccomendations either way?

thanks.

[BTs_GhostSniper]

True Hybrids (not partial Hybrids like the ones Honda is selling), are really cost-effective, and great for the environment.

Hey ghosty,

why are hondas only partial hyrbrids?  my GF is in the middle of choosing between a Prius, Civic hybrid and Escape hybrid.  Any reccomendations either way?

The Escape Hybrid is a really good choice.  The reason you want to go with a true Hybrid is that it will completely shut down one system if the other system is going to give you better performance.  So say you are sitting at a red light...the Escape Hybrid will actually shut off the gas engine and run off only the electric motor (and it does it very quiet...you can hardly tell when the gas engine shuts down or starts up).  It will keep the vehicle in electric mode under 30 mph...but will start up the gas engine if you need to accelerate suddenly (and it does it FAST).  While you are driving around over 30 mph, it will use both the gas and electric motor to power the vehicle, giving better fuel economy.  Also, you can't tell the difference inside or out between an Escape Hybrid and a regular Escape...the battery is hidden under the back cargo area, so it doesn't use up any of the inside space of the vehicle.

The problem with partial Hybrids is that they use both power plants ALL THE TIME, which doesn't make much sense to me.

So, my recommendation is that you at least go with a full-Hybrid.  Not necessarily the Escape, but it is a very good choice.

-GhostSniper Out.

[KoS.Rebel]

As soon as they make a hybrid that can street race with the rest of em...ill buy it. Its not about just driving....racing is key

[BTs_GhostSniper]

As soon as they make a hybrid that can street race with the rest of em...ill buy it. Its not about just driving....racing is key

Why make a Hybrid for racing?  The whole point is FUEL ECONOMY.  Doesn't make sense to use a Hybrid for a sport that goes by Gallons-Per-Mile.  Although I did read about a guy in England that made a Steam-powered Hybrid sports car with a small gas engine that did really well in both performance and fuel economy.  Hydrogen is the next evolution though...I doubt the major manufacturers would go back to Steam.

[:MoD:Shade]

GS - would you recommend a hybrid for a rural area?

[BTs_GhostSniper]

GS - would you recommend a hybrid for a rural area?

Although they do get better fuel economy even on the Highway, they are much better suited to city driving.  The Escape Hybrid gets close to 40mpg in the City, but only about 30mpg on the Highway (this is due to the gas engine being on all the time at highway speeds).  It is still good for rural areas though...

[:MoD:Shade]

Do they come in Standard Transmissions?

Then...

Would they have the same amount of power, as in, how fast they can get up and go, as say a regular V6 - like say as much as our 1999 Toyota Camry which has a standard transmission and a V6 engine.

[BTs_GhostSniper]

Do they come in Standard Transmissions?

No, most Hybrids, including the Escape, use Automatic Transmissions.  In fact, the one in the Escape is a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission), which never shifts gears...it continuously selects the optimum power setting and adjusts the transmission output accordingly.  Pretty neat technology.  Several other Ford vehicles are using CVT's now, including the new Ford Five Hundred and the Freestyle.[/size]

Would they have the same amount of power, as in, how fast they can get up and go, as say a regular V6 - like say as much as our 1999 Toyota Camry which has a standard transmission and a V6 engine.

The Escape Hybrid gets the same performance as the regular V-6 Escape, which is pretty peppy.  I drove one home for the weekend a few weeks ago and I was really surprised at how much power it has...when you want to use it.  Normally, you would want to drive it easy to get the most out of the electric engine for better fuel economy...but punch it, and both the electric motor and gas motor will get the vehicle moving very quickly.  You can't even get the regular Escape V-6 with a manual, by the way.[/size]

[:MoD:Shade]

Well thanks for the info, even though you only know about Fords it was still helpful. 

...I still have your business card right here just in case. 

[bronto]

the prius is fucking ugly nobody ever buy that pugnosed piece of shit

[:MoD:Shade]

I agree, do the hybrids have to look like that or can they make a "normal" looking one.

[BTs_GhostSniper]

I agree, do the hybrids have to look like that or can they make a "normal" looking one.

Which is why I mentioned the Escape Hybrid...looks just like a regular Escape. 

[theweakspot]

the prius is fucking ugly nobody ever buy that pugnosed piece of shit

beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I guess.  Here in Los Angeles the things are everywhere, so they just seem fine to me.

I test drove one the otherday, and I must say it was a very fun car to drive.  Won't pack the punch of Ghosty's Mustang but more than gets the job done driving around Hollywood and Beverly Hills.  The manuervering is sharp and the cornering was impressive... was able to make a clean right at 35mph without a hitch.

Tomorrow, I take on the Escape!

[BTs_GhostSniper]

Tomorrow, I take on the Escape!

Another thing to remember, you get a tax credit for buying a Hybrid vehicle.  I think it's around $2,000 on your Federal Taxes.

[crypt]

w00t, so you could find a cash back deal, and then get tax dollars! Major bonuses. How much more is it to buy hybrid cars? And, will that change in the future (say 3-6 years)? I might look into one for the future, I need something that will reverse my gas guzzling curse with my Mercury Mountaineer.

[BTs_GhostSniper]

w00t, so you could find a cash back deal, and then get tax dollars! Major bonuses. How much more is it to buy hybrid cars? And, will that change in the future (say 3-6 years)? I might look into one for the future, I need something that will reverse my gas guzzling curse with my Mercury Mountaineer.

Unfortunately, there are currently no rebates on the Hybrid vehicles (this goes for all manufacturers), and don't expect to get much of a discount on them either.  But fortunately for the Escape Hybrid, it is only about $2,500 to $3,000 more than a regular Escape, so it is pretty cheap for what you are getting.  You'll actually save money buying one when you consider the tax break and the better fuel economy.