I love internal combustion engines, I love the sound of a healthy V8, all 8 cylinders firing at 6000 rpm is something aurally, to behold.
I've had V8s, V6', high winding DOHC, variable valve timed 4 cylinders, big English twins, big Japanese singles, high winding two stroke twins (motorcycles), outboards ...you name I've had it, if it's an internal combustion , gas burning engine and loved it.
But I've had it with the squeeze from ever increasing oil prices and I figure the next vehicle we get, which as we just bought two new 2007's will probably be in about 5 year, will be an electric/gas hybrid.
I've seen the Taxi companies switch over, almost 100 % in my medium large city, switch over to Toyota Prius Hybrids.
I hear them glide by, no engine noise, just on electric power at city speeds....they use the 4 cylinder gas engine on the highway. But as I live in the city, using mostly electric power appeals to me.
I prefer to buy domestic and I see that Chevy has introduced the new Malibu Hybrid, runs like the Prius I understand, electric power at lower speeds, 4 cylinder gas on the highway.
Eventually, alternate sources of power like hydrogen (although I don't understand how this works) and continued development of hybrid or completely electric power (possible future) I think is the way to go.
I note that one of the biggest oil producers is poised to pump out more oil, because they're concerned that they will kill the golden goose, through pressuring consumers to look at alternate sources of power. Well, too little, too late in my books, I feel that the squeeze, the blackmail (to use that old Scottish word) has gone on too long and will be never ending.
Alternate power here I come, unfortunately in about 4-5 years, as I've just 'invested' (do you ever with a new vehicle?) in two new 2007's.
What's your plan ? Country livers maybe different, because of the amount of highway driving , but for those who drive in the city, a lot, what are you thinking?
My plan is to drive my diesel-powered sedan.....indefinitely. I only drove it 3,800 miles last year. At this rate it won't even have 150K on it when I turn 70 yrs. old.
I have a sweet tender nature, however I enjoy sharing my thoughts and opinions.
DW plans on not buying a new car until a suitable alternative to the present gas-powered ones comes along. (Her 6-yo Acrua gets pretty good mileage now.)
I will probably do the same since I don't buy new cars very often. In 3 years I've put 20K on my Subaru, so it will be quite a while before I get to the 200K mark.
Some of the taxi companies here in Minneapolis are using Priuses, but most are still using Crown Vics that were formerly police cars.
I'll buy a hybrid when they have a diesel-electric model that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. The Prius is nice, but a Corolla is a lot cheaper and still does pretty good on the MPG. I have a VW Golf and I am waiting for someone to make a hybrid in that size.
I plan to run my Magnum half a million plus miles in about 20 years.
Maybe get an older (pre-TDI) diesel VW (or Ranger if I can find one) as a commuter.
John
1984 Ford B-700 school bus conversion, Thomas body
A bunch of other vehicles
3 nutty cats (Maya, Vierna, Briza)
One lazy dog (Marmaduke)
One wife (Liz)
"A wasted youth is better by far than a wise and productive old age"
-Jim Steinman
CHEVY VOLT. CHEVY VOLT!!!! Let's hope GM can stay afloat long enough to get it to the showroom. GO GM! Wouldn't it be ironic if Chevrolet really could be "An American Revolution" like their commercials have said?? I hope so, because this oil thing could jeopardize all of our freedom. We are not immune to that folks!
belfert wrote: Some of the taxi companies here in Minneapolis are using Priuses, but most are still using Crown Vics that were formerly police cars.
I'll buy a hybrid when they have a diesel-electric model that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. The Prius is nice, but a Corolla is a lot cheaper and still does pretty good on the MPG. I have a VW Golf and I am waiting for someone to make a hybrid in that size.
I understand that logic perfectly. Dollar for dollar the Corolla, Matrix, and Honda Civic non-hybrids are cheaper to drive for each individuals budget. But I am going to buy a Prius in 2009 (if I can get one) because at some point we have to stop feeding the pig so to speak, and invest our money on products that FIX the problem, not just our personal wallets.
I agree with KMB1966. I am waiting for the Volt. However, I will NOT buy one in 2010 as GM is notorious for not getting the kinks out of first year vehicles.
I am also looking at a plug-in hybrid that should come out next year.
belfert wrote: Some of the taxi companies here in Minneapolis are using Priuses, but most are still using Crown Vics that were formerly police cars.
In Winnipeg, Taxis up to about 18 months ago were former police (Ford Crown Vics and Impalas) that they taxi companies would buy at auction.
In a surprise move the majority traded in their old police cars for Priuses. They indicate they did to cut down on fuel costs. Must use a lot of fuel as these were new Prius' replacing cheap used police cars.
I'll buy a hybrid when they have a diesel-electric model that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. The Prius is nice, but a Corolla is a lot cheaper and still does pretty good on the MPG. I have a VW Golf and I am waiting for someone to make a hybrid in that size.
I agree, I think the Prius is way too much. In fact the Chevy Malibu electric/gas hybrid that just came out, is advertised by Chevy as the 'affordable' hybrid.
I figure in 4-5 years, there will be more affordable hybrids and one of the cars we bought last year was a Vibe, essentially a Toyota Corolla station wagon. Good mileage around town.
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