I need to buy a new vehicle soon, and I was wondering if anyone has purchased one yet. I'm normally not one to buy new technology due to price and reliability. But, I would also like to feel like I'm helping the environment and give a big middle finger to these greedy oil companies. Are the estimates on fuel economy accurate? Thanks.
Hybrid Cars?
- Thread starter Bush League
- Start date
Be prepared for a long wait.Bush League said:
The last i heard or read was, that the waiting time is a minimum of 6 month, at least for the Toyota Prius.
Not sure about the other HV's
Nifty. Hopefully the automakers will listen to the consumer demand and start making more and better HVs.
I read a comparison article on the various technologies recently.Bush League said:
http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=15&article_id=8427&page_number=1
But, I also read that they are having a much higher rate of problems than conventional engined cars do.
http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=30&article_id=8383&page_number=1
Ah, papasmerf, your willingness to comment on things about which you are totally clueless about never ceases to amaze.papasmerf said:
The Ford Escape Hybrid has 454-kilogram towing capacity.
I stand correctedThe Shake said:
what is the millage with the tow package enguaged?
Looking at the Ford promos a 1000 pound towing capacity is not likely going to pull a pop-up, most boat that are not rowboats, typical garden trailers will have a 2500 pound capasity or more. Just don't see at this current level or 1000 pound as it having a tow capacity. Also at 155 hosre you will be grossly underpowered on the highway with 2 more wheels and the added drag.
For most people, towing capacity is irrelevant. For those to whom it matters, don't buy a HV (at least, not yet). It's like someone in the market for a sports car saying "What do you mean it won't pull a trailer?"
No actually the Ford Escape is the first Hybrid SUV. it's either out already or will be shortly. Expect long delievery times.strange1 said:
Towing is a problem 454kg is not a lot.
YeaRanger68 said:Yeah, I have NO idea what he's talking about. Maybe he's living in a universe with different physics than the rest of us.
the real world
I don't know how repected he is generally, but Phil Edmonston's Lemonaidcars.com site says this about hybrids, leading me to avoid them:
"Don’t believe Hybrid Hype
This year’s Lemon-Aid New Car Guide doesn’t fawn over these cars’ fuel-saving advantages. Instead, we raise serious questions as to their high prices, un-tested technology (imagine a 500-volt zap to occupants or rescuers) and crashworthiness, and fuel economy exaggerations. Ford’s new Escape hybrid is Not Recommended, however, the Toyota noses out Honda’s Insight and Hybrid as the versatile vehicle of the lot. "
"Don’t believe Hybrid Hype
This year’s Lemon-Aid New Car Guide doesn’t fawn over these cars’ fuel-saving advantages. Instead, we raise serious questions as to their high prices, un-tested technology (imagine a 500-volt zap to occupants or rescuers) and crashworthiness, and fuel economy exaggerations. Ford’s new Escape hybrid is Not Recommended, however, the Toyota noses out Honda’s Insight and Hybrid as the versatile vehicle of the lot. "
This technology is far from untested, leading me to wonder whether this is a biased position.
Now, to be fair, the fuel economy of the newer generation of diesel cars is excellent - even better than the hybrids, depending upon driving factors - and if you use biodiesel, the environmental impact is wonderfully minimal.
That having been said, hybrids are certainly a part of our existence now.
Now, to be fair, the fuel economy of the newer generation of diesel cars is excellent - even better than the hybrids, depending upon driving factors - and if you use biodiesel, the environmental impact is wonderfully minimal.
That having been said, hybrids are certainly a part of our existence now.
The Escapes are available via selected Ford dealers. They run at least $6,000 more than a similarly equipped gas-only Escape. The mileage is excellent (compared to other SUV's) in the city, but only decent on the highway or, as Papa noted, when towing. I don't believe that there are particularly long waits for them at the moment, but that could change.langeweile said:
A Toyota Highlander hybrid is due out early in the new year.
As others have noted, the new diesel vehicles are likely a more reliable bet if you're looking for fuel efficiency without the worry of using a new technology.
With diesel you can buy a bio-diesel blend in Toronto now, the address may be 1001 Queen St. E.?:
http://forums.biodieselnow.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2600
www.alternate-nrg.com
Unionville
The first retail BioDiesel station in Canada was opened on March 2nd 2004. Located in Unionville, it is close to HWY 407, Kennedy Rd and HWY 7.
Hours of Operation:
Monday to Friday: 7am to 9pm
Saturday 8am to 8pm
Sunday 9am to 6pm
Downtown Toronto
The first retail BioDiesel station in the City of Toronto opened on May 13th 2004. Located in the Riverdale area, it is close to the Don Valley Parkway and Downtown.
Hours of Operation:
24 hours a day.
http://forums.biodieselnow.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2600
www.alternate-nrg.com
Unionville
The first retail BioDiesel station in Canada was opened on March 2nd 2004. Located in Unionville, it is close to HWY 407, Kennedy Rd and HWY 7.
Hours of Operation:
Monday to Friday: 7am to 9pm
Saturday 8am to 8pm
Sunday 9am to 6pm
Downtown Toronto
The first retail BioDiesel station in the City of Toronto opened on May 13th 2004. Located in the Riverdale area, it is close to the Don Valley Parkway and Downtown.
Hours of Operation:
24 hours a day.
If you find the addresses, can you post them, just using a 20% blend does wonders for the vehicle and the enviroment...Ranger68 said:
