OT: Connecticut is the second most expensive state to purchase gas
- Thread starter argi
- Start date
We had looked at the Prius too. Then we talked to a close friend (who is an auto-mechanic) and he advised us to wait. The battery has to be replaced every 6 - 8 years and right now, they go for $8,000.
Also, if you talk to your local fire dept, electric cars are some of the worst vehicles to get into an accident in.
Also, if you talk to your local fire dept, electric cars are some of the worst vehicles to get into an accident in.
Fcataudo
New member
When you think about it we are one of the cheapest places in the world to buy gas. And to further break it down a gallon of milk will run between $3-4 and gas approaching 4. Considering it is a comodity that does not have an unlimited supply it seems priced rather cheaply relative to other commodities out there. Hopefully all this will encourage the motor companies to make a strong push to greater fuel efficiency or alternate fuel sources, because Gas is only going to get more expensive in time..
If you are looking for one, a quick search shows that several retailers (including Middletown, Balise and Hatford Toyota) have them in stock and ready to go.
It is good to see there is some real effort to reduce our use of oil. Here is one you may not yet heard of - Molten Salt
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generalee
New member
This is true. The fire departments want ALL hybrid cars to have duplicate wiring and wiring locations so they know where to cut and where not to. The hazard of electric shock is real if they use the jaws of life and cut into the main battery wiring or what not. At least this is what the news had reported a while back on the Hybrid cars and what the fire departments want to see done to make them safer for a rescue point of view.
Also the theory about milk and gas is a one good but not really a good example. Do you go through 10 gallons of milk a week? If you ask me milk is priced to cheap, it should be more like $40 a gallon going by your rate of consumption versus pricing.
ctreefer
New member
Jeff, that was one of the things that pushed me to the civic. The battery pack is much smaller (electric drive portion of civic is much smaller than Prius). The costs listed to replace are anywhere from $2500 to $4000. Also in the state of CT, civic batteries on the hybrid are warrantied for 10 years or 150,000 miles whichever comes first (probably the same for the Prius) so battery life shouldn't be a concern.
The issue with the safety for firemen and occupants in an accident is a concern, however, newer designs are limiting this issue. For example, if in an accident all the Fireman/driver need to do to shutoff power to the HV cable in the event of cutting the vehicle open is to turn off the ignition switch. If not accessable access is available from under the hood. This also shuts off power to all airbags. This information comes from the bulletins supplied by Honda to Fire and Rescue personell.
CassAttack
New member
I'm the same way too, we're having to rearrange our whole social schedules to try and save cash! I live 45 min away from work and my bf lives 15 and it's costing us a fortune- i can't imagine the people who both have a difficult commute! Maybe it's time i quit smoking to save some cash.....
on a side note, somehow when i installed my MH on my fish tank my electricity bill went *down* $100 (so that helps with the gas)! I think it's so bright that we forget to turn on the lights in the rest of the house haha
on a side note, somehow when i installed my MH on my fish tank my electricity bill went *down* $100 (so that helps with the gas)! I think it's so bright that we forget to turn on the lights in the rest of the house haha
reefman13
New member
The Jetta TDI is already available. In fact they have been special ordering Jettas and Passats; the TDI version, since 2003. Mercedes-Benz has just brought back a diesel because of rising gas prices. But heres and interesting fact: The USA has the HIGHEST restrictions on diesel cars than ANY other country in the world, but the LOWEST on commercial diesel vehicles (i.e. Semi's) And with it not being such a popular things among Americans, foreign car manufacturers along with American car companies feel that it would not be economically smart to spend the money in designing a diesel engine and exhaust system that meets USA standards.
reefman13
New member
Audi is on its way out with a TDI model and BMW has it in the works for possible release in January next year.
In Europe...You can get ANY Jeep in a diesel format, any VW, any Audi...so on and so on, it is just not worth it for them to come up with a whole new system and way of manufacturing for just the USA.
Obviously the companies that have done it (Mercedes and VW) are probably going to start dominating the market because once and or if the use of diesel cars becomes more popular, then we will actually see diesel get cheaper than regular unleaded.
In Europe...You can get ANY Jeep in a diesel format, any VW, any Audi...so on and so on, it is just not worth it for them to come up with a whole new system and way of manufacturing for just the USA.
Obviously the companies that have done it (Mercedes and VW) are probably going to start dominating the market because once and or if the use of diesel cars becomes more popular, then we will actually see diesel get cheaper than regular unleaded.
mikelaubach
New member
Diesel should already be cheaper since it requires less refining (less work), no? It used to always be substantially less than even the cheapest gas. Then about 5 years ago, maybe less, that all changed. Now it is 10% or better higher than the highest grade gas. I feel for the guys in construction (best friend is a general contractor - a "little guy") because they are hit the hardest. Remember when a pickup truck was cheap compared to a car? Soccer moms changed all that. The SUV became cool and truck prices when through the roof. He bought a new F350 dump truck. BASE model, nothing fancy at all - crack windows, the whole base package. $30K. Crazy.
ctreefer
New member
Dave, let me clarify. The TDI Jetta was released in 03 and they discontinued its importation into the country in 06. Since then you haven't been able to buy a new Diesel passenger vehicle in the US due to tightened Emmissions standards that the older technology couldn't achieve. For the past 18 months they've been in delay after delay in getting them back into the US market. The most recent news I could find was they would be available in the "late summer of 2008"
http://news.windingroad.com/car-buying/american-release-of-jetta-tdi-pushed-back/
The only diesel passenger vechicles you will be able to buy now are used 06 or earlier. Nothing since then. Believe me, I know, I really wanted one over the hybrid and went to the dealership last year to find out anything I could as well as asking at the NY auto show this past April. HOpefully this year will be the year of the return.....
http://news.windingroad.com/car-buying/american-release-of-jetta-tdi-pushed-back/
The only diesel passenger vechicles you will be able to buy now are used 06 or earlier. Nothing since then. Believe me, I know, I really wanted one over the hybrid and went to the dealership last year to find out anything I could as well as asking at the NY auto show this past April. HOpefully this year will be the year of the return.....
reefman13
New member
Actually it is a different technology in the new Jettas. This one is designed by VW themselves. And is actually (according to reviews) the most advanced diesel format out of all the automobiles offered in this county EVER. I actually just spoke to a friend at VW, and she said that you are exactly right, the car is due for release in September/August kind of area. So I guess my family will get one then. But the supposed gas consumption is probably going to be in the area of 45MPG (according to her).
charge up
charge up
Pretty slick.. But don't think the wife would like a roof covered with solar panels.
http://www.sierraclub.org/wecandoit/home/electric_cars.asp
charge up
Pretty slick.. But don't think the wife would like a roof covered with solar panels.
http://www.sierraclub.org/wecandoit/home/electric_cars.asp
Hybrid systems come with a 10 yr warranty. I haven't heard any complaints of batteries being replaced in any of them. Diesels will start to come back once they get past these new emissions regulations, they already did in the pickup trucks. The Duramax, Cummings, and Powerstroke are all new emissions passing motors, or at least have catalytic converters.
The Mercedes E320 Bluetech will change your mind about diesels forever. It's still a low reving diesel, but it gets out of the hole fast, and pulls really hard all the way to a lightning quick seemless shift to the next gear, and then it keep pulling just as fast. Absolutely fantastic drive line, but I'll keep my Civic seeing how I can buy 3 of them for the price of the E.
The Mercedes E320 Bluetech will change your mind about diesels forever. It's still a low reving diesel, but it gets out of the hole fast, and pulls really hard all the way to a lightning quick seemless shift to the next gear, and then it keep pulling just as fast. Absolutely fantastic drive line, but I'll keep my Civic seeing how I can buy 3 of them for the price of the E.
pecan2phat
Active member
I'm so glad that I invested into a hybrid last year. I drive 1k miles a week and my civic is averaging 47 mpg for the last 50k miles driven.
ct is right though, winter mileage drops down to about 43 mpg but when the temps are over 55 degrees, I can hit 50 mpg if I keep it under 63 mph.
I guess I know squat about bikes! I would have thought that they were up in 60s in mpg.
ct is right though, winter mileage drops down to about 43 mpg but when the temps are over 55 degrees, I can hit 50 mpg if I keep it under 63 mph.
I guess I know squat about bikes! I would have thought that they were up in 60s in mpg.
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