diesel cars vs hybrid cars

[Champane Flight]

Ok

I think hybirds have their place, just not in my driveway. If someone has the money to plop down on something as unproven as a hybird, well, they better have the money to repair it.



As far as my liberal status, I guess in some circles I am, in others I am a rightwing conservative. Think about it... Just kiddin you man... Be cool.

 

[WBusa]

Wbusa? I called you names? how?

Sorry; I guess I just had to let off a little steam. Get's tiresome sometimes, going to read about diesels but instead getting an earful about how all the world's problems are the fault of the Vast Eastern Liberal Intellectual Conspiracy. Yawn.



Can anyone tell me how much the batteries weigh in a typical hybrid? Are we talking a coupla hundred pounds, or more like a thousand? Do they lighten the rest of the construction to make up for this, or do hybrids weigh more than conventional cars? Either way, it would seem like you're wasting a lot of the energy savings by lugging all that lead uphill... . Of course, I guess somebody could make much the same argument about heavy diesel engines... .

 

[rbattelle]

Either way, it would seem like you're wasting a lot of the energy savings by lugging all that lead uphill... . Of course, I guess somebody could make much the same argument about heavy diesel engines... .

Let's think about it from a life-cycle cost perspective. It takes a lot of energy to make those giant batteries for the hybrids, and a lot of energy to recycle them later on down the road. So with a hybrid you've got all the life cycle costs associated with an ordinary vehicle PLUS all the new costs associated with a giant battery and an electric motor. Hmmmm... .



And how much emissions does the plant that makes the batteries produce?



-Ryan

 

[David Oxland]

How abou this if you can afford it?



http://www.daimlerchrysler.com/dccom/0,,0-5-7145-1-488422-1-0-0-0-0-0-9-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0,00.html

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

I saw a very recent blurb in AutoWeek (or something like that) that basically said the love affair with hybrid is downward. Folks are tired of the gutless wonders.



The gist of the article was why get a gutless hybrid when you can get a diesel VW Jetta and GO!!!.

 

[rbattelle]

According to an issue of Automotive News last month Toyota is going to price their new Hybrid SUV (R400 something) at a $8000-$10000 premium over the gas version. They were quoted as saying they feel the buying public is willing to pay a significant premium to drive hybrids.



Spoke with a friend today who has a Jetta TDi. Says he averages 47 mpg. I was not able to verify this by examining his fuel records, so I cannot atest to its accuracy.



-Ryan

 

[TKingsbury]

If your in CA I would look at the Honda GX (natural gas) Civic. They just now (this month) selling them packaged with the Phil (Fuelmaker) Phil is a compressed natural gas dispenser that is installed in your own garage. This means you fill up your tank at home! 200+ mile range and is the Cleanest running gasser on earth. It' also the cheapest car per mile to run. ($1. 50 per gal. ) Say goodbye to OPEC. Only 500 available this year from 17 different dealers in CA only. This Phil/Civic GX is a brand new Idea. What's really cool is since it's an "alternative fuel" car you can drive it in the car-pool lanes. The perfect commuter car. There is also a $2000 rebate for buying a clean vehicle.

Can you tell this is exiting to me?!

This is one time that I wished I lived in that state.

I'd like to see a diesel hybred and get the best highway & city mileage. Better yet Howabout a CNG hybred for 45mpg @ $1. 50 per gal. .



dj

I don't think CNG is a viable alternative. They are low on power, you have to find somewhere to fill it (or hook it up every night), and you can't leave the greater area of your city due to the lack of range. We have a large fleet of CNG vehicles at work, and while they are ok for around town (we have our own fueling station), I wouldn't want to own one myself. You just can't carry enough to get anywhere.

Travis. .

 

[cojhl2]

The only advantage (and I dont think it's worth it for reasons stated above) a hybrid has over a pure diesel is it's capability to convert kinetic energy back to potential energy. With a pure diesel all the kinetic energy is thrown away thru heat.



If we really want to see a mess,, what about the biggest joke of all,, the Fuel cell power plant!!

 

[emarsh]

ordered a 03 jetta TDI wagon and now have 69k miles on it. Drive 80+ MPH most of the time, have 16 inch tires & wheels;worst tank was 37MPG (once), best was 49MPG, I keep records and average right at 44MPG lifetime.

I will be 53 years old next month and have owned many new cars in my lifetime; this is without question, the best new car I have ever owned, ZERO defects period! I now have 8 cars and one forklift, we drive THIS car most everywhere, VERY comfortable seats, 5 star crash rating and it weighs right at 3,000 lbs, so it is not no cracker box. For the life of me I cannot understand why these cars are the best kept secret; hardly anyone seems to know about them. I bought ours a year after the 02 ram purchase, electronics have done wonders for the diesel engine as far as noise, smoke and power. This car is really a blast to drive, nearly NO ONE passes me on the hills! I am not affiliated with VW in any way, I just really like mine and never want a hybrid, even if the batteries are included!

 

[Neibe]

It depends on where she is going to drive it in the city the Hybrids have the advantage but on the highway the diesel will have the advantage. This is because the gas part of the Hybrid runs more on the highway but in the city at lower speeds the electric part of the hybrid will run more. Few Toyota Prius's owners are getting the advertised mileage with their Prius.