Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Kevin Wood]

put the prius on the M1 at 85, then lets see how economical it is.

Fact still remains it has a massive carbon offset used to build the damn things, its much more environmentally friendly to build normal cars.

Hybrid drive is not the way to go.

Your example highlights the very scenario where a hybrid car is operating exactly as a conventional car with a bootload of redundant batteries and electric motors though. It's hardly likely to be a glowing endorsement for Hybrid cars.

One of the two times I have been in a prius was in a taxi travelling through the centre of Milan. Read: Italian driver, Italian traffic, Italian Traffic light sequencing. The average MPG was reading (metric equivalent of) about 55 MPG IIRC, and the reading was stable. The way this guy was driving, I can tell you that if he had been in my 3.2 Auto (or any petrol Omega)  he would have been doing low teens MPG.

Hybrid cars have a place, and solve a particular set of problems associated with a particular type of driving. Personally, I wouldn't buy one because I rarely do any urban driving and I'd want to know what the longer term costs of ownership are.

If I drive through the centre of Milan every day I sure as hell would ditch the Omega though.

Kevin

[crazyjoetavola]

put the prius on the M1 at 85, then lets see how economical it is.

Fact still remains it has a massive carbon offset used to build the damn things, its much more environmentally friendly to build normal cars.

Hybrid drive is not the way to go.

I will keep my big fat saloon for a long time yet, the massive cost is just not worth it, buy a 1.2 Corsa, it will be just as economical, cheaper to maintain, and about 1/4 of the cost to buy!

You're right Tunnie it's only an interim step

You're also correct here, it's down to the individual in what they're prepared to pay.  And like you, I will always keep a big car as it's so difficult to break the habit of a lifetime

[tunnie]

put the prius on the M1 at 85, then lets see how economical it is.

Fact still remains it has a massive carbon offset used to build the damn things, its much more environmentally friendly to build normal cars.

Hybrid drive is not the way to go.

I will keep my big fat saloon for a long time yet, the massive cost is just not worth it, buy a 1.2 Corsa, it will be just as economical, cheaper to maintain, and about 1/4 of the cost to buy!

You're right Tunnie it's only an interim step

You're also correct here, it's down to the individual in what they're prepared to pay.  And like you, I will always keep a big car as it's so difficult to break the habit of a lifetime

I can see the point of them in London, 60% of the time your standing still, 30% of the time your doing 15 mph, about 10% of the time do you get over 20mph.

But out in the country, for normal driving? Nah.

[crazyjoetavola]

put the prius on the M1 at 85, then lets see how economical it is.

Fact still remains it has a massive carbon offset used to build the damn things, its much more environmentally friendly to build normal cars.

Hybrid drive is not the way to go.

I will keep my big fat saloon for a long time yet, the massive cost is just not worth it, buy a 1.2 Corsa, it will be just as economical, cheaper to maintain, and about 1/4 of the cost to buy!

You're right Tunnie it's only an interim step

You're also correct here, it's down to the individual in what they're prepared to pay.  And like you, I will always keep a big car as it's so difficult to break the habit of a lifetime

I can see the point of them in London, 60% of the time your standing still, 30% of the time your doing 15 mph, about 10% of the time do you get over 20mph.

But out in the country, for normal driving? Nah.

Yep you're right Tunnie they are ideal city cars

I live some miles outside Belfast in a rural environment which results in the car not using the hybrid drive to the maximum potential efficiency.

I still can return 52 - 55 mpg however with the mixed driving I do.( this reduces to 46 to 49 in the winter)  I will stick to posted speed limits on non M roads and cruise at around 65 or so on the motorway.  

[crazyjoetavola]

put the prius on the M1 at 85, then lets see how economical it is.

Fact still remains it has a massive carbon offset used to build the damn things, its much more environmentally friendly to build normal cars.

Hybrid drive is not the way to go.

Your example highlights the very scenario where a hybrid car is operating exactly as a conventional car with a bootload of redundant batteries and electric motors though. It's hardly likely to be a glowing endorsement for Hybrid cars.

One of the two times I have been in a prius was in a taxi travelling through the centre of Milan. Read: Italian driver, Italian traffic, Italian Traffic light sequencing. The average MPG was reading (metric equivalent of) about 55 MPG IIRC, and the reading was stable. The way this guy was driving, I can tell you that if he had been in my 3.2 Auto (or any petrol Omega)  he would have been doing low teens MPG.

Hybrid cars have a place, and solve a particular set of problems associated with a particular type of driving. Personally, I wouldn't buy one because I rarely do any urban driving and I'd want to know what the longer term costs of ownership are.
If I drive through the centre of Milan every day I sure as hell would ditch the Omega though.

Kevin

Based on the present pricing structure Kevin, that might well be the mitigating factor against such a purchase

[Martin_1962]

Town driving - motorbike time

[tmx]

yes a ZX600/10 Ninja will be a hell of alot more fun than any car!

half the price too better MPG, 200mph top speed nearly on the 1000 anyway more fun on the motorway too!

plus unless theyre on a bike the filth will never be able to catch up

[tunnie]

yes a ZX600/10 Ninja will be a hell of alot more fun than any car!

half the price too better MPG, 200mph top speed nearly on the 1000 anyway more fun on the motorway too!

plus unless theyre on a bike the filth will never be able to catch up

I paid 2k for my 2006 Yam 660cc, its a great town bike, bags of torque, fairly rapid off the line and 55-60mpg  

Sadly due to the 'dangle berries' tax scheme, its £64 to tax a year  

[tmx]

have you done a "Direct Access" licence then? or is it restricted to the 25bhp or what ever it is rule?

[tyreburner]

Buy a 3.2 V6 and enjoy the power ... to cut the running costs get it LPG'd and it'll only cost you 15p/mile against 23p/mile on petrol ......

so bags of fun at 2/3 rds the cost ..

AND you get the full sized engine with the right number of cylinders ..    

Allow me to bow before the font of such wisdom  

Four pots just dont't cut it, I have one and having driven 3.2's in work I still can't get used to the lack of oomph when needed.  I would love a 3.2.

Alternatively get yourself a Prius to run around in, 52 - 56 mpg without fail and £15/yr duty. Will also be handy when road pricing is introduced

Except, as Top Gear Proved, they are only so economical when used around town... Driven hard they are shockingly poor

Oh.... And they look rather awful

Oh... And let's not go into the whole of life arguments!

Lets all just kill cows! as apparantley they are worse  for the enviroment than any car!!!!!!!! and it would keep the ethnic religions/veggies happy as no one could eat beef  

P.s this post is the result of vodski so if i have gotten any/all facts wrong ........ sue me!

[tmx]

ahh i love me beef id be upset if cows went they may be a methane machine but theyre very tasty!

[tunnie]

yup taken direct acess, full license, bike has 45bhp but loads of torque

[SJKOO01]

jeez that is around 42.7 to the gallon  

I've recently done a 230mile journey twice and gotten the above in my 2.2i auto. Most of the journey was motorway at 70mph speed, so I was well pleased.

M  

[jimmas]

crikey I will have to have a serious look at mine, starting with breathers and cleaning out throttle body, I have to say that the car runs really well and very smooth nothing to indicate a real problem  

[SJKOO01]

Don't forget to check your air filter is in good condition to, a block filter isn't going to help.

Not insulting your intelligence as you may have already checked, but as you mention you've just got your estate, you sure that the last owner put the correct size tires for the car, and not just stuck anything on there to get rid of it ?.

Just a thought ?.

M