I'm Driving a Honda Accord !

[Regcabguy]

Bajabob,



Boy, I'm sure sorry to hear that news. Sure hope you're wrong. I would consider a diesel Accord.



I looked into a hybrid (Prius,Civic, etc. ) & the diesel Accord gets as good, or better mileage. Much less complicated car, also.



I recently read that there may be problems with electromagnetic waves coming off the electric wiring from the batteries to the motor. The wiring runs right next to the drivers seat. The thinking seems to be that being that close to all that current flowing next to the driver may not be good for your health. Now, I don't know if this is a REAL problem, or not. But, there is some concern about it.



A woman I know is getting 56 mpg. , regularly, with her Prius. Had a high of 57 mpg's. Not bad.



I'm a bit concerned about their belt-driven transmissions. They may be great. I just don't know. The cars are a lot more complicated than regular cars & I wonder if that will have an effect on durability? One of my neighbors is a Honda mechanic. He said that if I buy a hybrid it would be a good idea to have it serviced at the dealership. They are the only ones that understand how they work & know how to fix them.



Joe F. (Buffalo)

I drove my boss's Prius out of curiosity and although quite roomy,the seats are mounted too close to the floor and too narrow. A long trip would be out of the question. We never made it to the freeway. The diesel Accord will only carry a $2,000 premium when they release it. I just hope the bunk quality of domestic diesel compared to Euro brand won't sabotage the sucker.

 

[DHayden]

BTW, do you guys know that Honda is bringing a 4 cylinder diesel Accord into the US in 2009? It's rated at 58 mpg's. The car is already in Europe & other parts of the world. It has very good reports. One guy rented one while in Europe & said that it worked great. Good power & economy.



Joe F. (Buffalo)

This is what I'm waiting for, I drive over 120 miles a day round trip to work. I do it in a hyundai sonata right now which isnt bad but only gets 27-28 mpg (have to cross a mountain range) so it brings the mileage down some.

I pass a few greenies that work at white sands missile range that own prius, there were a TON of them them a year or so ago, now there are only a few. I don't know if crossing the mountain ate their lunch or if they just couldnt get out of their own way over the pass.

 

[Simplysmn]

The problem I see with the newer or pretty much all the good on gas car's is there is no Darn leg Room . You put me in a honda you will end up picking me out with a stick and a spoon I personally saw a crash test done ona 2002 honda civic and there is no way a drivier would survive a head on crash in that car if you are over 6 ft and they call it a crumble zone I call it leg room and there isn't any .

 

[Edgemann55]

The problem I see with the newer or pretty much all the good on gas car's is there is no Darn leg Room . You put me in a honda you will end up picking me out with a stick and a spoon I personally saw a crash test done ona 2002 honda civic and there is no way a drivier would survive a head on crash in that car if you are over 6 ft and they call it a crumble zone I call it leg room and there isn't any .

Boy all you said is so true. I am 6'5" and only feel comfortable in my truck. I don't even like riden in my wifes Caravan. I just don't drive as much in the truck and being one of those retired folks don't have too unless I want or have too. My economy ride is a 05 Yamaha Road Star-45 miles to the gallon but not fun in the winter months. If we get to 7-8 dollar a gallon diesel I don't think these large trucks will be worth much in the open market but I am going to keep playin with mine for many years to come.

 

[Regcabguy]

This is what I'm waiting for, I drive over 120 miles a day round trip to work. I do it in a hyundai sonata right now which isnt bad but only gets 27-28 mpg (have to cross a mountain range) so it brings the mileage down some.

I pass a few greenies that work at white sands missile range that own prius, there were a TON of them them a year or so ago, now there are only a few. I don't know if crossing the mountain ate their lunch or if they just couldnt get out of their own way over the pass.

Your comment on the Prius' scarcity at your jobplace reminds me of our last trip to Oxnard. On the return trip to San Diego going south on 101 directly out of Oxnard,their is a steep grade that goes on for miles and miles. Santa Ana winds were blowing and two cars and two cars only were in the right lane struggling to keep up. They were both Priuses. Apparently the small motor just can't do it. Older compacts of all makes were right up to speed. Scary. I tell my wife that if I eat it in the Accord it'll be quick,no lingering on life support for months.

 

[Simplysmn]

After watching what I watched a few years ago I do not believe that the small car's that are claiming a 5 start rateing are truly getting that rateing I know things have changed sense 2002 but come on there still death trap's with a motor then you add the great Priuses with the Battery that if it explodes it will eat your skin off the bone and they claim that the car is safe come on people Wake Up . you wont catch me in one of thoese little death trap's Yes I drive a Vw but it also has been modified to fit me with a cage and 4 point harness I would take that over a honda any day sorry.

 

[Edgemann55]

We were at the Rv show in Reno a while back and they had the Smart car there. Little more then a go cart as far as I can see. The sales guy said that it was 5 Star rated for saftey and I laughed and said if I hit that thing at 30 mph with my 8500 lb Truck that 5 Star rating means you will walk away unharmed. He had no comment.

 

[jgillott]

After watching what I watched a few years ago I do not believe that the small car's that are claiming a 5 start rateing are truly getting that rateing I know things have changed sense 2002 but come on there still death trap's with a motor then you add the great Priuses with the Battery that if it explodes it will eat your skin off the bone and they claim that the car is safe come on people Wake Up . you wont catch me in one of thoese little death trap's Yes I drive a Vw but it also has been modified to fit me with a cage and 4 point harness I would take that over a honda any day sorry.

I'm sure that someone will correct me if I am wrong, but I always understood the 5 star rating was calculated considering how that car will perform in a single car accident (at least with the front impact rating). To me, that means nothing when considering how it will perform when getting hit by another, much larger vehicle.



I've had over 18 years in our local fire/rescue company. I started driving full size trucks daily due to some of the thing I have seen on calls. I simply can't even begin to describe what happens in a small car vs. full size vehicle accident once the "crumple zone" of the passanger car is breached.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

yeah, I'm 6'5" and way too many LBS. I can ride shotgun in the wife's Honda, but I HATE driving it

 

[Buffalo]

Bajabob,



You seem to suggest the US made diesel fuel is inferior to European diesel? I was under the impression that when we went to ULSD, we would be on par with the European fuel. Am I wrong & if so, what is the difference, today?



Since we started manufacturing ULSD, we are now importing 6 tankers full of fuel (per day or week, don't remember which). While manufacturing the LSD, we only imported 1 tanker from our shores. As I understand it, that's part of the reason diesel is so high. Previously, we got almost all the diesel produced, for our consumption. Now, much of it is being sold overseas. They are creating an artificial shortage, here, & selling it elsewhere.



Thanks.



Joe F. (Buffalo)

 

[Regcabguy]

Bajabob,



You seem to suggest the US made diesel fuel is inferior to European diesel? I was under the impression that when we went to ULSD, we would be on par with the European fuel. Am I wrong & if so, what is the difference, today?



Since we started manufacturing ULSD, we are now importing 6 tankers full of fuel (per day or week, don't remember which). While manufacturing the LSD, we only imported 1 tanker from our shores. As I understand it, that's part of the reason diesel is so high. Previously, we got almost all the diesel produced, for our consumption. Now, much of it is being sold overseas. They are creating an artificial shortage, here, & selling it elsewhere.



Thanks.



Joe F. (Buffalo)

In the TDR I got the impression our fuel was still not up to par compared to the Euros. I know Bosch recommends a much better filter than is supplied by Dodge. I know Marco is not having any smoke issues with Italy's fuel. Bob 4x4 has mentioned that he installed a much superior filtration system in his truck due to seeing so many fuel related problems at his dealership. Much of that might be due to the detergent action of the early ULSD introduction. We've never seen a dirty fuel related problem at work and that's with hundreds of vehicles of many makes. I just changed my filter at 9,000 miles and it looked typical in color and the canister was clean. I sure agree with your statement of exporting our diesel overseas. Sucks.

 

[JasonCzerak]

If it's woth it to you to be in a car that is not that safe as in If you were to get PLOWED into, will that extra saving really be worth it?



However I only pay $1. 25 a Gallon anyway, but, even if I payed 10. 00 a Gallon I still would rather drive the CUMMINS



Or I could ride my HD that gets 35MPG or more to work, But its a Luxury item, and going to work is not Pleasure, Unless you are a PORN STAR



#ad

I'd rather be plowed into in an accord, then not seen and plowed into on a bike

 

[cArNiVaLwOrKeR]

Jason, you have a good point there, I am just talking as an everyday commuter, I again ride this bike 3 times a month, but when I do go for rides its always on familiar roads and I always keep safety and caution in mind...



JoeLee

 

[JasonCzerak]

Jason, you have a good point there, I am just talking as an everyday commuter, I again ride this bike 3 times a month, but when I do go for rides its always on familiar roads and I always keep safety and caution in mind...



JoeLee

I hear ya. Just recently some idiot smashed into a biker in a 25mph zone and the biker was killed.



When the truck payments are done, I'm prolly going to get a used diesel jetta or is the market is better, move up to a better hours just before things turn around. I'd enjoy a second car so I can muck with the truck more.

 

[msperos]

I'm on the Harley most days now. Hard to argue the Milage difference. 40mpg on the Roadglide or 15mpg in the Dually. My wife laughs that she gets 45mpg with heated seats in our TDI Jetta. I also just picked up a 97' outback for my son. So I'll be driving that when the weather is to bad, until he gets his licsense. I figure that the fuel saved by not driving the Dually everyday will help pay for fuel when I need it to pull the 5ver on vacation.