Ah, the gasoline hybrid. Makes ya feel good about being an even nastier polluter than using just gas alone.Does anyone even research this stuff anymore? Or is just because "they say it's good"?
Super VXer
Ah, the gasoline hybrid. Makes ya feel good about being an even nastier polluter than using just gas alone.
Over 20 years of Isuzu enjoyment...
Super VXer
No one thinks of that little toxic waste disposal nightmare of a battery in the damn things. Guess we'll just load 'em up and shoot 'em at the sun when we're done with them. Anyone remember Porsche's "forever car" (lifetime car). Interchangeable systems and parts allowing for upgrades and replacements as needed, in a modular arrangement? You only ever buy one car, just turn it into what you wanted as you went along. Really need to start thinking more like thisOriginally Posted by Joe_Black
Ah, the gasoline hybrid. Makes ya feel good about being an even nastier polluter than using just gas alone.
Super VXer
my thought is that they are already made so i might as well use it.. selfish i know but my motives are not eco related.. im of the persuasion that there are enough ignorants out there that my efforts will make very little difference in the grand scheme of things.. so this purchase is strictly for money saving purposes(and keeping miles off the vx).......
ive been looking through their forum.. looks decent, these things get insane gas mileage.. but if the drive is as bad as chopper says i guess ill keep looking.. smart car was kind of an option.. this car would mostly be for highway trips.. my new lady friend lives about 100 miles away..my mom and sis live about 150 miles away.. vx mileage kills me on those drives!
Super VXer
Pick up a used VW or Mercedes diesel. They're cheap and super-easy to work on, especially the Mercedes. A 300D Turbo rides nice, handles pretty decent and is incredibly well built plus will net you about 32MPG. Oh, they'll run on straight vegetable oil too! A couple I bought a 300SD from over in Largo was getting these big plastic cubes of soy oil from Costco for almost a buck less than what diesel was a gallon and ran the car on it for the several years they had it. Now the price gap is likely even wider, so it's nice to know you've got even more economical options.
Super VXer
Found this Top Gear review of the Prius - thought it was pretty funny:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmG05AtNVtM&NR=1
Several references to diesels in there.
-- John
John Eaton
Original Owner
2001 Proton Yellow #580
Atlanta GA
http://wildtoys.com/vehicross/
http://vehicross.blogspot.com/
"Metaphors be with you"
Super VXer
Super VXer
New I'd go for a Smart or a Yaris. I'm not a fan of the Fit/Jazz.
Used? VW TDis are inordinately expensive compared to over here so again I'd go along the lines of an Echo. There's a guy in CA imported an Echo HB from Canada a year or so ago and I know he's ordered a new Smart... His Echo is really frugal, a bit different and I could put you in touch if you like.
A
Super VXer
haha! thats great
Super VXer
You NEED to check out a Jetta TDI little brother. That is what it does best. Go to Md. to see the fam for like six or seven gallons round trip, and it's fun to drive. As for the GF...there is a lot of females in Phila??? why you traveling for....(big talk from a guy that drove from Roosevelt and Veree to Brooklyn each Friday....we've been married eleven years now
Super VXer
Well, it is starting to grow on me. A little. Like I'm starting to think maybe suspension and a short-throw shifter from dieselgeek.com maybe...
Super VXer
Summit Racing catalog actually has a diesel section (mostly trucks...okay..nearly entirely for trucks) that lists a product specifically for VW TDI that claims to get more performance:
BD Diesel Volkswagen X-Power Computer Modules
More power and torque with BD Diesel's X-Power module.
Economy doesn't have to be boring. Not with BD's X-Power modules for the Volkswagen TDI. The Volkswagen TDI is known for its amazing economy, but for enthusiasts, its power output can feel somewhat lacking. Now you can add some excitement with BD's new X-Power modules. Simply plug them in to the ECM, and the X-Power modules increase the fuel injector supply pressure, resulting in an amazing gain of 20 hp and 30 ft.-lbs. of torque, along with quicker turbo response.
http://store.summitracing.com/egnsea...25028&D=325028
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]"If its fast and reliable, its not cheap;
if its fast and cheap, its not reliable;
if its cheap and reliable, its not fast."
If love is blind, why is lingerie so popular?
Super VXer
Yeah, it's kinda scary the stuff available for trucks that mostly just gouts fuel out the tail pipe as "black smoke". The unfortunate trend among those with the HD trucks isn't at all about power & economy but just show-n-go. If you're making "black smoke" you're not tuned for maximum power as that smoke is mostly unconsumed fuel. It's normal for heavy equipment and commercial trucks to do it to some degree when under heavy load as the engine is burning as much fuel as it can while getting up to speed, but not for a pickup truck trying to get a set of 26" hoops down to McDonalds.
For the VW TDI's there is quite an active tuning community and they're showing up in greater numbers at the drag strip, autocross and rally events. Diesel Geek is just one of many vendors with shiny new doo-dads to improve performance on these torquey little oil burners. I've got entirely too many projects and irons in the fire to start messing with the Jetta, but it will be SOOOO tempting when tire-time comes 'round! :bwgr:
Super VXer
http://www.dailytech.com/Honda+CEO+S...ticle10147.htmAh, the gasoline hybrid. Makes ya feel good about being an even nastier polluter than using just gas alone.
The comments after the article with attached links pretty much covers all these debates.
Enough to convince me to stay away from all hybrids except the Prius.
I did own a diesel rabbit, and I must say it's a great feeling to go 530mi+ between fueling.
Both sides of this argument are valid, I like to keep an open mind to future Tech. An indie Japanese Prof. has developed an all electric 8 wheel drive (motors in the wheels) 370kmph+ car-----Think slot car fast ... the Eliica
http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/Ar...eID=8754&vf=23
P.S. Why post if your opinion doesn't matter.
IMHO, some posters seem to want the last word on EVERY topic.
it must be great to know so much.
Last edited by Bulldoggie : 01/15/2008 at 07:00 PM Reason: added link
Super VXer
I wouldnt touch a Prius with a 10 foot crankshaft ... ashes to ashes study shows it is more damaging to the environment than a Hummer... (ashes to ashes = from the time the materials are gathered to build it until the day it gets crushed/recycled. )
Plus they are hideous looking... and in my personal experience, their owners are often extremely arrogant... to the point of wanting to ban plastic testicles from the back of vehicles in Maryland. :P
Aside from all of that, forget changing your own oil. Do it wrong, engine starts up right after you drain it, and you just siezed up your engine...
Oh yea.. and dont bother trying to put a supercharger on one :P
~ ~ ~
Van Eyes - slightly trimmed, Sylvania SilverStar ULTRA head lamps, Red (port) & green (starboard) 5 LED 'headlight horn' lights, PIAA silicone windshield wipers, K&N Filtercharger (in stock air box), MacNeil WeatherFlectors, Assorted cargo nets from previous vehicles, Optima red-top battery, Transmission Interceptor, 20 LED 'light tower' turn signals & brake lights, 18W PIAA W2 running lights, Trooper skid plates, Black Luverne step bars w/Tone's custom brackets
Super VXer
Hey Spike - that "study" has been debunked. Seems the setup of the Hummer factory was left out of the equation as "unavailable" or some-such. If you'll do a search on it you'll find that's it's an attempt at misdirection.
-- John
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