Joe wrote:
> Wound Up > wrote in
> :
>
> <snipped for brevity's sake>
>
>>>>Too much expensive hardware, IMO.
>>>
>>>
>>>That's exactly what I think of hybrids now.
>>>
>>
>>When I first started hearing about the design ideas, I thought they
>>would be disasters. Well, they're out there, but I still think
>>"disaster".
>
>
> Guess most of them work ok, but again, I'd never want to have to fix
> one.

Parts availability alone would concern me too much to buy one. If I
were a professional mechanic or service writer (even), I'd groan in pain
at the thought of having to explain the repair bills.

>
>>>>A friend's got a Civic hybrid -
>>>>picked me up when I brought the Tempo in for inspection. It's like
>>>>a damned golf cart, hit the gas, the engine springs to life, and
>>>>you feel the pull of the electric motors. Stop, and it's like
>>>>you're dead in the water. It's a bit unnerving at first. He gets
>>>>45+ in it.
>>>
>>>And how much more than a regular Civic did he pay for it?
>>
>>I don't know. He did get a tax break but a dime more than its
>>comparable gas model is too much.
>
> So ask him to do the math - how long will it take him to recoup the
> extra $$ he paid for the car in gasoline savings?
>

He'll know; he analytical like that. I'll ask him. It's a labor of
love for the environment to him. It was high 90s - 100 here for about a
month and he still didn't turn on his a/c in his home or car. I told
him he was insane, and I that just charged up the R12 in my old Tempo,
and he said, "oh, bad for the environment". I reminded him of how many
coal-fired megawatts were needed to build his hybrid.

>
>>>>But I just don't know if I'd want to consider fixing all that crap.
>>>
>>>
>>>Bingo! In addition to the regular gasoline stuff you have the
>>>electric stuff to fix. Double the complexity, double the cost. At
>>>least.
>>>
>>
>>I completely agree, at least double. Maybe worth leasing.
>>Proprietary, new, complicated and expensive technology that is
>>critical to the operation of the vehicle. No thanks (ha), I'll take
>>8-10 fewer MPG.
>
>
> If that. And I'll also take the _much lower_ price of the gasoline-
> only vehicle.
>

No kidding. I'm going to look at the websites and compare MSRPs more
closely now. Personal habit and proper maintenance can account for much
of the so-called savings anyway.

>
>>>>I'd get a small gas engined car, or a TDI VW. For SUVs, it raises
>>>>an interesting point because they suck so badly on mileage. But
>>>>again, even more hardware. I'd get a small sta wag... whatever
>>>>happened to the sta wag?
>>>
>>>
>>>It's kicking major ass as the Dodge Magnum SRT-8. 1/4 mile in 13.1
>>>seconds. Check out the article in this month's Motor Trend.
>>>
>>
>>Man, that's pretty cool. I will. I liked the idea of the Magnum,
>>but was underwhelmed. Sounds like they're moving in the right
>>direction.
>
>
> The 6.1 is no slouch. 425hp/420lb-ft torque off the showroom floor.

MAN that's cool, bravo for Chrysler.

>
>>I have an affinity for gigantic, powerful wagons. I plan to build a
>>car called The Dragon some day. I'm thinking tubbed, green, wood
>>paneled LTD with a bored and stroked 460, either with twin turbos or
>>a roots blower. I'll even re-do the wood paneling.
>
>
> Cool. A while ago Hot Rod did a spread on hi-po wagons. I died over
> the '57 Merc twin-turbo 460. Awesome.

Another thing to Google! I've been a slouch with keeping up on stuff.
That WOULD be one awesome sled to have. So cool to see old wagons
smoking the usual suspects at the strip.

--
Wound Up
ThunderSnake #65