Beat the DUI wrap, NEW TRUCK!!!

[Negativecreep0]

for all those who didnt see this, I was on my way to getting a 2nd DUI would have lost license for a year ruined my life and gone to prison for 6 months instead I beat it got wreckless endangerment of individuals spent 24 days in jail. Learned a good lesson from this never drink and drive not even 2 or 3 beers. not worth it.........


OLD thread

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=55468.0

NEW truck

[ChadTower]

How is serving 24 days in jail "beating the wrap"?  Is that some new term for getting teabagged in the shower?

[sodapopinski]

I just bought a brand new 07 silverado on Friday, beautiful truck.......no DUI though

[ChadTower]

[shardian]

I have been wondering how your situation turned out. That was quite an interesting thread back then.

[TadChower]

for all those who didnt see this, I was on my way to getting a 2nd DUI would have lost license for a year ruined my life and gone to prison for 6 months

LOL! Nobody goes to prison for only 6 months, man. You would have spent 6mos. @ County Lockup or something similar. Anything less than 11/29 , always gets county lockup. You could have done 6mos. on your head.

I'd say you came out smelling like a rose on this one. To bad nobody was waiting for you outside after the big 24-day hiatus.

Must be nice! 

[Negativecreep0]

sodapop what model truck? I was looking at avalanche for a while but when I saw the hummer and sat in it, I was like YEsirrrrrrrr

[mrhowell]

 2 DUI arrest and 1 conviction.  You should not be allowed to drive.

[CCM]

2 DUI arrest and 1 conviction.  You should not be allowed to drive.

My thoughts exactly!  Now you just have a nice big truck to pad yourself when you wreck into other people while drinking...

[RayB]

Well look at his choice in new vehicle. Doesn't exactly scream "genius", does it?

EARTH HATER!!

hahahah 

[Texasmame]

Yes, congrats on shirking your responsibilities and rewarding yourself for doing so.

 

[Zero_Hour]

Learned a good lesson from this never drink and drive not even 2 or 3 beers. not worth it.........

Easy to say, harder to do. Best of luck.

[CheffoJeffo]

Doesn't exactly scream "genius", does it?

 

[Dartful Dodger]

Well look at his choice in new vehicle. Doesn't exactly scream "genius", does it?

EARTH HATER!!

hahahah 

I think it was sort of like buying life insurance.

With that thing a drunk could walk away from a head on collision with your kid's school bus.

If it makes you feel any better, chances are 3 times plus 2% more greater that he'll roll after cutting through the bus like butter.

[DrumAnBass]

http://www.fuh2.com/

Hehe just kidding; I actually like Hummers... Can't afford the gas to drive one but I like em...!

[danny_galaga]

http://www.fuh2.com/

Hehe just kidding; I actually like Hummers... Can't afford the gas to drive one but I like em...!

in so much as 'hummer' is apparently an euphemism, i like 'em too (",)

[Negativecreep0]

You would be surprised gas isn't really that bad compared to other trucks.... atleast soo far, it just has a bigger gas tank 33 galls

[KenToad]

I've never heard one of those things called a truck before.

And, yes, it is the perfect vehicle for the village idiot.

[ChadTower]

But it's bad for the village to have the idiot driving it.

[ChadTower]

One right out of county lockup, too.

[Chris G]

What a heart-warming story.  You sound SO sincere about having learned your lesson.

[KenToad]

One thing is that I can't afford it.  Another thing is that I don't want to pay $100 to fill up or wait for 33 gallons from the pump.  My 12 gallon tank already takes too long to fill up.

SUV's are for insecure people.

[shmokes]

A #1 I'm sorry, but that thing is retarded ugly.  I think that most SUVs are ugly in general (though I rather love that new two-toned Toyota called the somethign Cruiser -- RL Cruiser maybe), but that takes ugly to a whole new level.  Hilarious might be a more fitting term than hideous.   

B #2 unless you do one of a very few things that would warrant actually driving that size, you're a moron for a variety of reasons. 

C #3 I have to admit, it irritates a little that someone who isn't bright enough to not drive after drinking goes out and buys just about the most dangerous vehicle (to others) that he could possibly drive.

[horseboy]

I agree with most everyone's thoughts here that it is kind of stupid to brag about getting a dui and rewarding yourself with a new H3, but this has to be by far the most ignorant self-righteous thing that has been stated by anyone...

SUV's are for insecure people.

I can only hope that this is some kind terrible joke that nobody understood. If not it makes you look like an idiot. Sure, SUVs aren't necessary for most people, but they are for many many others.

How about my neighbor with 4 boys between the ages of 11 and 15? They all play pretty much every sport. To haul all of them all over town to different practices pretty much everyday with a ton of equipment takes quite a big vehicle with quite a bit of cargo space. I don't think a Ford Escort is gonna do the job there. But I guess the mom must be insecure because KenTurd said so.

Or how about that same 11 year old kid's Little League coach? He has two kids on the team, so each game he has to haul himself, the two kids, both of their equipment bags, and all of the team equipment (catchers equipment, bats, balls, 6 or 7 helmets). But screw that insecure bastard, let's get him Ken!!!!!!

Or what about my old computer tech? He had to quit working for me because his daughter has been in so much trouble the last few year, he decided the only thing he could do was home-school her. So, he bought a *gasp* used Subarban so that he can have somewhat of a mobile office to travel to people homes and keep parts and equipment in it to fix their PC's. That insecure no health insurance having diabetic should let his daughter starve, right?

Or how about my wife? She witnessed a fatal accident between Minivan and a 4 door Sedan, both with babies on board. How dare her tell me that she wouldn't feel as safe driving in a minivan or small car with my daughter as she would with a much safer SUV. I mean they are only much much better in terms of child seat safety, but you are right, I am gonna give that insecure ---smurfette--- a backhand when I get home.

Or how about me? When my wife and I got married, we had to give her old car back to her parents and she got mine, so I was in the market for a new vehicle. I personally don't give two shits what I drive because I am truly not a vain person. If it gets me from A to B and back to A everyday it works. So when my dad had to repo an old Explorer that he sold, he gave me a great deal on it. But damn, now that my eyes have been opened I can see that it is only because I am insecure that I bought it.

Or what about the tens of thousands of people that live in my area that own farms? Many of them have vehicle needs that a truck just won't fill. Sometimes they need to carry people. Sometimes they need to haul bags of feed that can't get wet. But yeah, those insecure ---uvulas--- should have probably bought a Miata, right?



For big cities or totally non rural areas, I can see why most people wouldn't need an SUV, but to say that SUV's are for insecure people in general is the height of stupidity. Even though I have only understood 3 or so of the hundreds of shorthair posts that I have read, in my book he is now leaps and bounds beyond you in terms of intelligence. Think before you type something so idiotic and self-serving, would ya?

[ChadTower]

A #1 I'm sorry, but that thing is retarded ugly.  I think that most SUVs are ugly in general (though I rather love that new two-toned Toyota called the somethign Cruiser -- RL Cruiser maybe), but that takes ugly to a whole new level.  Hilarious might be a more fitting term than hideous.

So ugly it's Hillarious:

B #2 unless you do one of a very few things that would warrant actually driving that size, you're a moron for a variety of reasons. 

  Seriously, why would you bother with "unless"?   

C #3 I have to admit, it irritates a little that someone who isn't bright enough to not drive after drinking goes out and buys just about the most dangerous vehicle (to others) that he could possibly drive.

Well, given that he just got out of jail, I'm thinking he's going to be working so many hours to pay for that thing that he won't ever have time to do much else.

[Chris G]

         

... or what about me?  I need to replace a truck with something that carries four people but still allows me to haul stuff (and don't suggest a crew-cab - those are ugly too).

[patrickl]

Well, given that he just got out of jail, I'm thinking he's going to be working so many hours to pay for that thing that he won't ever have time to do much else.

Maybe he got some new connections in jail ...

[ChadTower]

Maybe he got some new connections in jail ...

I'm sure he did, but walking funny doesn't pay for a new truck.


EDIT:  actually, I'm going to have to replace my car in the next 18 months or so, and also need a vehicle I can move four people in while still being able to haul a cab/pin.

[horseboy]

You must be insecure.

[ChadTower]

Me?  Do you mean me?  Please say you're not talking about me, I don't know if I could handle that type of attack today.

[clanggedin]

Hummers are very under powered. They weigh about 1500 pounds more than a Suburban but use the same motor 6.0L V8 (not the 5.3L). They need to make an H2 with the Duramax in it or at least the 8.1L, but the 6.0L is too small for this beast. Have fun with the 8 mpg.

The next time you are DUI in your new H2 the person you slam into will probably not survive.

My niece traded in her 04 Alero for an 04 Lifted Diesel Excursion w/ hater vision, to haul her 2 kids in (one is new born). She saw an Alero with side impact damage and thought she needed something safer so she spent $30k on a used Excursion. The funny thing is that the vehcile is about the same size as the trailer she lives in.

We had a Tahoe for a bit, but it was costing too much in gas and we only have 2 kids. We now drive a mini-van (Toyota Sienna XLE). I know that's too much for 2 kids, but I am a Varsiry Scout Coach and I need something to haul my boys in. I get about 26 mpg in it too.

[Chris G]

He couldn't be talking about me either.  Why would I be insecure?

-Sally

[ChadTower]

The funny thing is that the vehcile is about the same size as the trailer she lives in.

If my monitor fails, you owe me a new one, because mine is covered in coffee now.

 

[KenToad]

Well, Horseboy, I'm sure you're attacking my point of view because you're still harboring resentment, but whatever ... You say these people need an SUV and I think you should rethink your use of the word need.  SUV's are not more safe.  They are barely more spacious than a hatchback, since most of the extra space is vertical.  They are notoriously unreliable.  They get terrible gas mileage and tend to kill the occupants of the vehicles they hit because they are so heavy.  They got popular because they disconnect you from the road and because there's a feeling of safety in that. 

I'm being general of course, since it's just my opinion and I don't claim to be an expert, but feel free to pick apart these statements, as well.

Have you seen the episode of the Simpsons, Canyonero?  Chad posted a screen cap from it earlier in the thread. 

Your posts are either mean or vacant.  Thanks for being here.

[horseboy]

You- People that drive SUV's are insecure.


Me- Not always. (along with provided evidence of people that NEED SUV's)


You- You are mean and even though you used actual real life circumstances to prove your point, I am still right.


 

[ChadTower]

We got a hatchback (Elantra) for our family car for pretty much the space reason.  I took measurements and the midsized SUVs only had a couple of feet more space while at the same time costing $10k more and getting 5mpg or more less.

I think the best compromise between the two is a station wagon... something like the Legacy or the Escort wagon.  Good space, reasonable mileage and price for the size.  Not cool, but I'd rather have money than cool.

[Chris G]

Agreed.  The Outback is actually on my possibilities list.  I'm not a wagon type of guy, but the turbo 4 version is pretty fun to drive.

[KenToad]

We got a hatchback (Elantra) for our family car for pretty much the space reason.  I took measurements and the midsized SUVs only had a couple of feet more space while at the same time costing $10k more and getting 5mpg or more less.

I think the best compromise between the two is a station wagon... something like the Legacy or the Escort wagon.  Good space, reasonable mileage and price for the size.  Not cool, but I'd rather have money than cool.

Yeah, I have a Legacy/Outback.  It's a pretty good car, but I would prefer something that gets better mileage.  However, we got it used from my best friend and really couldn't pass up the deal.  I try not to drive every day when I can help it.

The funniest part is that I seem to have more usable space than my buddy who drives a Suburban.  He's German and freely admits that he bought the car pretty much just to have the "American" experience, since a car like that would be wayyy to expensive to keep fueled up in Germany or Europe in general.  

[ChadTower]

If it means much, ours had to have the tranny done at 75k and the short block was dead at 110k.  That AWD was awesome in the winter but cost an assload to fix.

[KenToad]

Ours is getting up there and I'm starting to get worried about the transmission.  It's standard and changing into 3rd gear seems to be getting a bit less than smooth.  So, I guess a clutch or transmission or maybe both sometime in the not too distant future.   

[ChadTower]

Our was automatic and died all of a sudden on the highway, almost causing my wife to get into a really bad accident.  11pm on a 0 degree night with a baby and a toddler, too.  It sucked.  I wasn't in the car.

[horseboy]

http://www.iihs.org/news/rss/pr112106.html

Vehicle size and type are factored in: TOP SAFETY PICK is awarded by vehicle size because size and weight are closely related, and both influence how well occupants will be protected in serious crashes. Larger, heavier vehicles generally afford better protection in crashes than smaller, lighter ones.

4 cars on the list and 7 SUV's. Not to mention that they say this...

"The awards recognize the cream of the crop for safety in the vehicle size classes, but they don't mean a smaller vehicle that's an award winner affords better protection than a larger vehicle that didn't win TOP SAFETY PICK," Lund points out.

So, if it were just based solely on safety and not categorized by type, it would have likely been all SUV's and no cars.


So where is your "proof" that SUV's are no safer than cars?

You crack me up.     

How could you ever even begin to think differently... unless there is some other agenda?

[patrickl]

They only allow cars that have ESC? ESC is mostly put on SUVs in an attempt to make them roll less. Regular cars don't need it so much so they often don't have it. So yes, if you only allow vehicles with ESC then you are likely to get a majority of SUVs.

For a more balance safety list see ForbesAutos Top 10 Safest Vehicles

Acura RL
Volvo S80
Honda Odyssey
Acura TL
Chrysler 300C/Dodge Charger
Lincoln Town Car
Buick Lucerne
Lexus ES 330
Lincoln LS
Honda Pilot

or check the government safety site. Or check the actual crash statistics that are not really favorable for SUVs (LTVs includes SUVS,  but I added them separately too):

[horseboy]

http://www.safecarguide.com/exp/overall/idx.htm

[patrickl]

http://www.safecarguide.com/exp/overall/idx.htm

Two vehicle crashes is only part of the accidents. SUVs are more involved in single vehicle crashes and this compensates for their murderous nature in two-vehicle crashes.

[Dervacumen]

It's kinda funny that some of you guys are perfecting willing to drive around a sissy car in exchange for $500 in gas savings.

Let me know when there's a viable 75 mpg car, until then, stfu.

What's an example of a sissy car?

[TOK]

I have no problem with anyone driving what they want, and I'm partial to crew cab pickups since I tow, have dirt bikes, and also this weird arcade machine fetish none of the car drivers here seem to be interested in. 

The H2 SUT doesn't make sense to me, though. Its compromised as a people mover by losing the third row of seats to the bed, but the bed looks too small to really haul anything. At least the Avalanche and other 4 door pickups come with usable beds.

Since I live in the same area as our recovering drunk, I'm also happy to be driving a tank instead of a little shitbox. 

[TOK]

What's an example of a sissy car?

Can I take a stab at this?

The undefeated #1 World Champion sissy car: Toyota Prius.

Some of the contenders... New Beetle, Scion XB, Honda Element, Nissan Versa, Mini Cooper, Jeep Compass, Hyundai Tiburon, Honda Fit, Chevy Aveo and any Kia.

[jbox]

Here in Oz our government doesn't use our tax money to encourage toffs to buy SUVs, so those people who "need the space" have wagons, utes or reconfigurable mini-vans. Having been out to rural areas many, many times over the years I have never seen a single farmer drive those raised monstrosities here, even the ones who live in the places where a road is defined as any part of the land which doesn't have a tree on it. 

My advice to the toffs is the same as it always has been: quit ---smurfing--- around and buy a tank if you want your baby to be able to survive a train wreck. 

[KenToad]

What's an example of a sissy car?

Can I take a stab at this?

The undefeated #1 World Champion sissy car: Toyota Prius.

Some of the contenders... New Beetle, Scion XB, Honda Element, Nissan Versa, Mini Cooper, Jeep Compass, Hyundai Tiburon, Honda Fit, Chevy Aveo and any Kia.

I would love to have a Prius, just for the gas mileage. 

[shorthair]

http://www.safecarguide.com/exp/overall/idx.htm

Two vehicle crashes is only part of the accidents. SUVs are more involved in single vehicle crashes and this compensates for their murderous nature in two-vehicle crashes.

I bet that's cos they females - ahem, people in them are distracted jack-jawing on their cell phones...without at least using a headset.

Mileage, schmileage. Tucker made a 1-ton beast with 28 mpg IN THE 50'S. Electrical stuff has been around for over a hundred years. Or how bout this dude recently that found out how to catalyse water into hydrogen and oxygen, first as a welding device, and then as a fuel for combustion? It's capitalism, boys. Dig it.

[patrickl]

Let me know when there's a viable 75 mpg car, until then, stfu.

Well there are several cars already doing 78mpg. Guess since it doesn't have the size of a bus you will not call it viable, but still.

BTW What's wrong with a Toyota Prius? It's reasonably spacey, has some cool high tech features, is probably safer to drive than a hummer H2, has pretty good acceleration which means it will outrun most behemoth SUVs and it still does something like 50mpg. 50 mpg which would save closer to $2,000 a year in gas if you drive 15,000 miles a year compared to an SUV which does 16 mpg. It's sissy because it's a sensible car?

[TOK]

I would love to have a Prius, just for the gas mileage. 

Ken, hybrids are the greatest automotive scam in the last 50 years. First, the mileage was over-reported on them by testing them in a low speed testing cycle that maximized battery usage. Once busted, they had to re-do the test cycles and report the correct and substantially lower mileage.

Second, the premium you pay over a standard 4 cylinder car will not repay itself in fuel savings for about 6 or 7 years. That co-incides with the useful life of the battery units. We haven't started hitting this point in the hybrid age yet. Figure 4 to 5 THOUSAND dollars to replace the batteries in a 7+ year old car.

At that point, all your wasted money and environmental do-gooding is negated by the disposal/chemical recycling process of a huge toxic battery. Around that same point, there will start to be some normal wear and tear things like charging and switching failures that are going to make troubleshooting the complex electrical systems of these cars an expensive "guess and replace" nightmare for both mechanics and owners.

Do some real research, not Consumer Reports BS, and you'll find any current hybrid is about the worst purchase decision you could make. If you want to save gas and have a car that will last for many trouble free years, get a standard Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla.

[ChadTower]

Here's a screaming endorsement of the Civic... 30-35mpg, reasonable pop for the engine size, practically maintenance free outside of normal wear parts.  $16,000 MSRP.

Just going from the 15mpg of an SUV to the 30mpg of the Civic saves a huge amount of money at $3/gallon.

I've been driving my Civic for 100k miles now.  The only drawback I've had at all is that it was stolen twice when new.

[shardian]

When fuel cell technology is at a well-designed and implemented point, I'll buy into that. From what I understand about the hybrids, the Toyota Corrolla can actually outperform the Prius in gas mileage (or at least be comparable at 30-35) depending on the driving conditions.

[ChadTower]

I've read a couple of reports that say in reasonable city driving, the Prius isn't any better than the Civic.  You have to be primarily on the highway for it to make a real difference.

[ChadTower]

Don't know how many similar cars you'll find in the advertised range of the Prius for highway driving.  It's way up there in the literature.

Here is a good thread I'm poking through about the Prius and mileage.  Ridiculously long.

[AtomSmasher]

I believe the car that still gets the best gas milage is the diesel Jetta TDI.  Do a search for any road trip tests of the prius vs the jetta tdi and you'll see the jetta easily beats it every time.

[AtomSmasher]

Top Gear's (my favorite car show) review of the Prius   

[ChadTower]

In the low to mid $20k range.  Not too bad, I suppose, relatively.

[SirPeale]

...and any Kia.

Ah, crap.  I'm a sissy.

[ChadTower]

FWIW, it's less sissified if you're on the type of budget that makes Kia a reasonable option.

[knave]

Interesting stuff ther on the hybrids TOK.  Glad I havn't bought one. (Although I still like them.)

What I want to chime in with is that it also really makes a difference how far one drives when figuring what is practical.

In my other life I'm a Jeep nut.  I have 3.  Currently my Daily driver is a 02 Wrangler with a modest lift and mud tires.  It gets crap for gas milage but I like driving it and my total commute each day is about 2 miles.  At 14 MPG with Gas at $3.25 thats ~.46¢. I can handle that.  When I go driving on the dirt then I don't care because gas is just factored in to the cost of having fun. 

[TOK]

...and any Kia.

Ah, crap.  I'm a sissy.

I was just breaking balls based on a setup line. Besides, you can always just say it's your sisters if anyone asks. 

[patrickl]

Don't know how many similar cars you'll find in the advertised range of the Prius for highway driving.  It's way up there in the literature.

Here is a good thread I'm poking through about the Prius and mileage.  Ridiculously long.

Actually the mileage maybe best in highway use, but the hybrid is most effective in cutting city fuel usage. The stopping and starting is where the hybrid is best. A prius will have a reasonable mileage like 45 mpg if you drive it in the city and up to 60mpg if you drive it on the highway. While a regular car like a 1.4l Honda Civic will get 30mpg in the city and something like 50mpg on the highway.

It's maybe even easier to see with the Honda Civic 1.4l hybrid and the regular Civic 1.4. The highway mileage for the Hybrid and the regular Civic is comparable. In the City, the Hybrid uses 40% less fuel than the regular Civic.

[KenToad]

Yeah, TOK, I can't afford that car, but thanks for the information.  My wife is German and my Brother-in-law works as an engineer for VW in Wolfsburg, so I've heard a lot about the differences between mileage here and there. 

The Turbodiesel's are doing very well in Europe and my wife's family has a car that they always fill with biodiesel, which is plentiful from gas station's there.

[ChadTower]

Actually the mileage maybe best in highway use, but the hybrid is most effective in cutting city fuel usage.
[/quote]

If you read through that monster Prius thread I linked to, they're commonly saying it simply isn't happening that way.  The theory is sound but the technology, in practice, isn't accomplishing the goal.

[Samstag]

Yeah, TOK, I can't afford that car, but thanks for the information.  My wife is German and my Brother-in-law works as an engineer for VW in Wolfsburg, so I've heard a lot about the differences between mileage here and there. 

My wife just bought a Jetta Wolfsburg and wants to visit the plant when she's in Germany this summer.  Any chance your wife can hook her up with a VIP tour? 

[patrickl]

Actually the mileage maybe best in highway use, but the hybrid is most effective in cutting city fuel usage.

If you read through that monster Prius thread I linked to, they're commonly saying it simply isn't happening that way.  The theory is sound but the technology, in practice, isn't accomplishing the goal.

Well I read part of that thread, but no I didn't see anyone claim that it doesn't work. I do see a lot of people claiming it does well over 50mpg

[ChadTower]

There are a lot of people saying it doesn't, too, and that the MPG meter on the dashboard doesn't match their hand calculated stats.  It's better than the regular cars, yes, but not nearly on the scale with which Toyota would have people believe.

[patrickl]

There are a lot of people saying it doesn't, too, and that the MPG meter on the dashboard doesn't match their hand calculated stats.  It's better than the regular cars, yes, but not nearly on the scale with which Toyota would have people believe.

From the page you linked to:

52.2MPG
51.46 (+-0.36) MPG
50.8 mpg
50 MPG
52-53 mpg

All done by hand calculating how much gas they tanked at the pump.

[ChadTower]

Yes, and I saw many that were in the low 40s, as well.  As I keep saying, the results are mixed. 

[Havoc]

Actually the mileage maybe best in highway use, but the hybrid is most effective in cutting city fuel usage.

[/quote]

Makes sense if you think about, electric motors are great at providing a lot of torque at low speeds and gasoline engines are more efficient when cruising speed is reached.

[ChadTower]

The reviews are saying the technology isn't working optimally, though, such as the gas motor turning on too soon or too late, etc etc.  The theory is sound, their extensive reviews are mixed as to the implementation.

[patrickl]

The reviews are saying the technology isn't working optimally, though, such as the gas motor turning on too soon or too late, etc etc.  The theory is sound, their extensive reviews are mixed as to the implementation.

Seriously, where do you get that from that thread? There are so many people on that thread reporting 50+ mpg that I cannot see how you claim it doesn't work. I guess for most people it's less than the 60mpg EPA claims, but without hybrid that car would get the same mileage a regular car gets and that would be around 35 mpg (or 40mpg at best, but then you'd need to compare that to the 55 or 60 mpg figures that people mention too).

Like I said before, my dad has one. Well, it's not his, he got it from his company to drive in. He has a tank card and when he gets gas he has to enter the number on the kilometer meter. So they know exactly what his mileage is. He also gets 50+ mpg all the time.

What is ridiculous though, in the Netherlands they give a 6.000 euro net tax break on these cars. That's just out of proportion.

[shorthair]

Or what about the Ford EV-1 that got killed. Seen that video?  Much less the Tesla car. Or, back on fuel, how bout that bio-diesel hotrod (0-60 in 4 seconds) with 50 mpg those KIDS at some east coast high school built from scratch?

[AtomSmasher]

Just thought I would mention this again, the Jetta TDI is not a hybrid and gets better milage then the Prius.

[TOK]

Or what about the Ford EV-1 that got killed. Seen that video?  Much less the Tesla car. Or, back on fuel, how bout that bio-diesel hotrod (0-60 in 4 seconds) with 50 mpg those KIDS at some east coast high school built from scratch?

The EV-1 was by GM, and was electric only. The EV-1 worked in a very limited way in warm climates only. GM knew this, which is why they offered them for lease only to a hand picked group of people, then destroyed them all when the leases were up.

[shorthair]

Or what about the Ford EV-1 that got killed. Seen that video?  Much less the Tesla car. Or, back on fuel, how bout that bio-diesel hotrod (0-60 in 4 seconds) with 50 mpg those KIDS at some east coast high school built from scratch?

The EV-1 was by GM, and was electric only. The EV-1 worked in a very limited way in warm climates only. GM knew this, which is why they offered them for lease only to a hand picked group of people, then destroyed them all when the leases were up.

Not what it says in the movie.

[patrickl]

Just thought I would mention this again, the Jetta TDI is not a hybrid and gets better milage then the Prius.

Only in incidental cases (worst Prius figures compared to best Jetta figures). In normal use it has 35/42 mileage. The 2008 version is supposed to get better mileage (45mpg average). I like that they can just apply the bluemotion principle to any regular car and make it burn less fuel.

Diesel is bad for the health though. The fine dust coming from diesel exhausts is quite dangerous. So especially in congested areas it's not really a good option.

[AtomSmasher]

Just thought I would mention this again, the Jetta TDI is not a hybrid and gets better milage then the Prius.

Only in incidental cases (worst Prius figures compared to best Jetta figures). In normal use it has 35/42 mileage. The 2008 version is supposed to get better mileage (45mpg average). I like that they can just apply the bluemotion principle to any regular car and make it burn less fuel.

Diesel is bad for the health though. The fine dust coming from diesel exhausts is quite dangerous. So especially in congested areas it's not really a good option.

Well considering most side-by-side comparison road tests say that the Jetta gets better milage.  I wouldn't exactly call that incidental cases.

Heres a couple I quickly found on google:
AutoWeek Prius = 42mpg   Jetta = 49.9mpg
USA Today Prius = 38mpg  Jetta = 44mpg  (they also note that the Prius's computer says it got 51.7 even though doing the actual math by hand shows otherwise)
Also the Top Gear review earlier says the diesels have better milage then the Prius, although he didn't give any exact numbers.

[AtomSmasher]

How about sake powered cars?
http://www.reuters.com/article/scienceNews/idUST29909220070511

[TOK]

Or what about the Ford EV-1 that got killed. Seen that video?  Much less the Tesla car. Or, back on fuel, how bout that bio-diesel hotrod (0-60 in 4 seconds) with 50 mpg those KIDS at some east coast high school built from scratch?

The EV-1 was by GM, and was electric only. The EV-1 worked in a very limited way in warm climates only. GM knew this, which is why they offered them for lease only to a hand picked group of people, then destroyed them all when the leases were up.

Not what it says in the movie.

What movie? If the movie said the EV-1 was a Ford, I'd say the rest of its facts are also worthless. The EV-1 was not a hybrid, it was an electric car that had very limited usefulness.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EV-1

[patrickl]

Just thought I would mention this again, the Jetta TDI is not a hybrid and gets better milage then the Prius.

Only in incidental cases (worst Prius figures compared to best Jetta figures). In normal use it has 35/42 mileage. The 2008 version is supposed to get better mileage (45mpg average). I like that they can just apply the bluemotion principle to any regular car and make it burn less fuel.

Diesel is bad for the health though. The fine dust coming from diesel exhausts is quite dangerous. So especially in congested areas it's not really a good option.

Well considering most side-by-side comparison road tests say that the Jetta gets better milage.  I wouldn't exactly call that incidental cases.

Heres a couple I quickly found on google:
AutoWeek Prius = 42mpg   Jetta = 49.9mpg
USA Today Prius = 38mpg  Jetta = 44mpg  (they also note that the Prius's computer says it got 51.7 even though doing the actual math by hand shows otherwise)
Also the Top Gear review earlier says the diesels have better milage then the Prius, although he didn't give any exact numbers.

Well there are much more people indicating the Prius does actually get much better mileage than those reviews get. So I don't know what that reviewer did with the car. Comparing when using biodiesel is not very fair either. Indeed it has more umpf to the gallon, but can you actually buy that at the gas station?

Most sites just echo the Autoweek review, but there are reviews saying the Prius does better too. Apart from some dutch reviews I saw also:
Green Living: 2004-2005 Toyota Prius and 1999-2005 Volkswagen Jetta Diesel Compared (52 mpg for Prius and 34/43 for the Jetta, but seems like the use the computer for the mileage though)
2007 Toyota Prius Touring Edition test drive (45 mpg)
Toyota Prius Review (mid 50's mpg)
2004 Toyota Prius review and test drive (53.9 mpg)

Maybe the trip computer only gives the average over the last few miles or something. I have the same with my Audi. It is never the same as what I calculate from actual amounts of fuel going in and distance driven. Seems rather odd since the car knows how far it drove and it should know how much fuel it consumed too.

Diesel cars generally need less fuel than petrol powered cars, but still they let out 2 to 3 times as much bad exhaust gasses. Then there is the fine dust. It's just not a very environmentally friendly alternative. A diesel is something you drive to save your wallet. Although mostly if you drive a lot of miles. In the Netherlands at least there is an extra tax penalty on diesel powered cars so you have to drive a lot before you start saving money.

When my dad got the Prius he got some instructions on how to drive the car. They told him that if you use a normal driving style you will get between 40 and 45 mpg, but if you drive the car the way it needs to you get 50 to 60mpg. I do remember (because it struck me as odd) that they told him to accelerate rather quickly to desired speed and then cruise. Guess it is because they want you to cruise on the electric motor after that. He does get 50+ mpg (based on actual fuel purchases).

Real Hybrid Mileage Database (Prius gets 48 mpg average)
On-the road fuel economy Prius (mark II Prius gets 47mpg average)
On-the road fuel economy Jetta (only manual shift Jetta's get 45 mpg auto shift gets around 40 mpg)
Japanese Mileage Freaks Hack Prius For 116 MPG


BTW see the Shell Eco-marathon which is running right now. The record is 3,410 km on 1l of fuel (which is 8,000 mpg)

[Ed_McCarron]

They are barely more spacious than a hatchback, since most of the extra space is vertical.

What, you're not allowed to stack cargo?

When I can cram myself, my wife, 2 kids in car seats, 2 dogs, and enough support material into a car to go camping for a weekend (just ask Chad... My camping cargo gets out of hand...) I'll reconsider.  Until then, I'll drive my 6 cylinder, 22mpg, 1996 Explorer until it falls apart.

Oh, and if I happen to get into an accident, and turn a mini cooper into an oversized arcade token, then I consider it their fault for not driving a safer car.

Didn't we already do this thread?

[AtomSmasher]

Well there are much more people indicating the Prius does actually get much better mileage than those reviews get. So I don't know what that reviewer did with the car. Comparing when using biodiesel is not very fair either. Indeed it has more umpf to the gallon, but can you actually buy that at the gas station?

Looks like theres plenty of information supporting both sides, so who knows 

Also, if I were to buy a fuel efficient car, it would be to save my wallet, not to save the environment.

[ChadTower]

(just ask Chad... My camping cargo gets out of hand...)

I don't remember why I'd know that.

[Ed_McCarron]

(just ask Chad... My camping cargo gets out of hand...)

I don't remember why I'd know that.

You felt the need to tell me I was a weenie for taking a video projector, screen, DVD player, and air conditioner camping.

I'd find the pic, but it died with Stingrays old site.

[ChadTower]

That's okay, I fully believe I said that.

And thanks for reminding me of your wienerdom.   

[Ed_McCarron]

And thanks for reminding me of your wienerdom.   

S'ok, its a free service.  I'm reminded I'm a weenie quite often by my wife, and she doesn't charge me for it either.

[ChadTower]

I need to stop telling her that, I guess.

[Ed_McCarron]

I need to stop telling her that, I guess.

Yes.  Please stop talking to my wife about my weenie.

You're creeping me out, man.  I feel like I'm talking to Drew here...

[Texasmame]

Holy threaddrift, Batman!

[danny_galaga]

anything to distract us from how much a dick negativecreep is...

[Ed_McCarron]

This is EE.  Topics tend to wander.  Some of them don't come back.

[Negativecreep0]

Hmm I think I would be considered more of an ---uvula--- than a dick? wouldnt you agree? haha

[CCM]

Hmm I think I would be considered more of an ---uvula--- than a dick? wouldnt you agree? haha

Don't sell yourself short, you can be both!

[ChadTower]

That way he can go ---fudgesicle--- himself when he's bored.