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Maybe Boeing should call Toyota for some battery advice? :dunno:
 
bflynn said:
Look at it this way - replacing your battery at 150k is the trade off for not having to have done major engine work at 100k.
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For a modern vehicle, that figure is closer to 250K, unless you do something out of spec like drive with severely low oil or continue while overheating.

bflynn said:
How did you get 300k miles on one clutch? I don't know anyone that has ever done that. As I recall it was like $800 to replace it with an expected life of 80k miles.
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One very effective way is highway driving. It also helps to avoid shifting like a gorilla.

I routinely double that figure. And I do almost all my driving on mountain roads.
 
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us AAirways said:
If you look at new car prices, you aren't saving much if any $ with the TDI or Prius. A new Civic is $19k and gets 40mpg. $5k-$6k more for the prius/tdi for only 10mpg? Used of course probably works out better.
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That was our conclusion as well. That 19K civic will also have sunroof-bluetooth and alloy wheels. You can get a bare bones civic for less than 17K.
 
wickedsprint said:
That was our conclusion as well. That 19K civic will also have sunroof-bluetooth and alloy wheels. You can get a bare bones civic for less than 17K.
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that's great, except that what you have then is a honda
 
Henning said:
My buddy has the Mitsubishi electric car, his daily 60 mile commute costs 55 cents in electricity. No Diesel car uses less than a penny a mile in fuel.
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He is getting amazing performance. Mitsubishi itself is saying that it cost about $3.60/100miles or 3.6cents per mile and your friend is geting .9cents per mile.

Mitsu is basing their figure on 12 cents per kWh, which is an country average. Any idea what your buddy pays in electricity?

FWIW even the book number on MiEV is better than Diesels. My Jette TDI is getting 11.5 cents per mile, 3x more that Mitsubishi.


http://i.mitsubishicars.com/faq

What are the costs per charge and on a yearly basis?
At the current national average of 12 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh), it costs approximately $3.60 for every 100 miles traveled to "fill up" the Mitsubishi i. On a yearly basis (if you drive about 15,000 miles) you'll end up spending approximately $550 on electricity. Your costs could be significantly lower if "off peak" electricity pricing is available in your area.
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ScottM said:
He is getting amazing performance. Mitsubishi itself is saying that it cost about $3.60/100miles or 3.6cents per mile and your friend is geting .9cents per mile.

Mitsu is basing their figure on 12 cents per kWh, which is an country average. Any idea what your buddy pays in electricity?

FWIW even the book number on MiEV is better than Diesels. My Jette TDI is getting 11.5 cents per mile, 3x more that Mitsubishi.


http://i.mitsubishicars.com/faq
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He showed me a much lower rate at 55¢ to charge. He has a small solar panel which can't do much, but I'm pretty sure he gets to buy electricity at an industrial rate for having an electric car.
 
wickedsprint said:
What's wrong with a Honda?
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Drive one, you'll understand. ;)

(Says the guy who declares his Mitsubishi to be fun but ridiculously unreliable)
 
Ted DuPuis said:
Drive one, you'll understand. ;)

(Says the guy who declares his Mitsubishi to be fun but ridiculously unreliable)
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I drive mine 120 miles a day. Not a very exciting car(dull)...but it's safe for our new family, efficient, reliable and paid off.

I'd feel bad racking up this many miles on something nicer.
 
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wickedsprint said:
I drive mine 120 miles a day. Not a very exciting car(dull)...but it's safe for our new family, efficient, reliable and paid off.

I'd feel bad racking up this many miles on something nicer.
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The dull part is my issue with them. I can't stand the driving experience.

As far as racking up the miles - that's what cars are for. If anything, it's more important to drive a nice car if you put on a lot of miles for your sanity. At least for mine.
 
Electric cars like the Leaf won't ever be mainstream unless they can go 300-400 miles between charges. How much extra fossil fuel are they going to have to burn to keep all those cars that use no fossil fuels charged??:rolleyes:
 
Ted DuPuis said:
The dull part is my issue with them. I can't stand the driving experience.

As far as racking up the miles - that's what cars are for. If anything, it's more important to drive a nice car if you put on a lot of miles for your sanity. At least for mine.
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What do you drive?
 
wickedsprint said:
What do you drive?
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I have a 2009 Explorer


wickedsprint said:
Based on what?
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Toyota all the recalls

two people I know have '12 Civics. Both new. One had tranny problems at 12k. The other, the battery dies if left for more than 3 days. Dealer replaced battery, then claims " they all do that....just be sure to drive it every other day.." I let my Ford sit for 10 days while on vacation...no problems at all. Nothing is perfect I know. Just an opinion that their quality has gone down, but I could be wrong. :)
 
JHW said:
The complication you *may* run into is a convoluted initial charging procedure for a new battery. You see that a lot on electric powered industrial equipment.
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What has to be done? Discharge completely first then slowly charge?
 
us AAirways said:
I have a 2009 Explorer




Toyota all the recalls

two people I know have '12 Civics. Both new. One had tranny problems at 12k. The other, the battery dies if left for more than 3 days. Dealer replaced battery, then claims " they all do that....just be sure to drive it every other day.." I let my Ford sit for 10 days while on vacation...no problems at all. Nothing is perfect I know. Just an opinion that their quality has gone down, but I could be wrong. :)
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I've been less than impressed with toyotas recalls lately.

Explorers are nice trucks but the fuel mileage (~20mpg HWY) would cost me over $200 extra per month.

Once my commute gets back to normal I'll consider something more fun. I miss my Miata.


As to charging a new Prius pack, I'd tend to think any smart charger could handle it if the packs chemistry isn't exotic.
 
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Yea, I know the gas mileage sucks, but I prefer a bigger vehicle. Makes trips to Home Depot easier. :)
 
wickedsprint said:
What do you drive?
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Currently a 1993 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 that I've upgraded/modified to my liking. Gets about 20-21 mpg on my commuting cycle. It's far from the most efficient vehicle, and certainly not the most reliable. But it's a lot of fun to drive, which is what matters most to me.
 
Ted DuPuis said:
Currently a 1993 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 that I've upgraded/modified to my liking. Gets about 20-21 mpg on my commuting cycle. It's far from the most efficient vehicle, and certainly not the most reliable. But it's a lot of fun to drive, which is what matters most to me.
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Well, I've got a 2001 Acura (Honda) CL Type S that get about 25mpg on my 80% "fast" highway commute, has about 272K miles, has never stranded me, and is fun to drive, not to mention comfortable. I do about 80 miles a day. To each his own.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acura_CL said:
2001 model featuring a 3.2 L SOHC VTEC J-series V6. A navigation system was also available along with the Type-S model, denoting Acura's 'Sport' edition. While the regular CL featured a 205 hp (153 kW) V6, the Type-S boasted a 260 hp (194 kW) V6 with 17-inch wheels, a firmer suspension, slightly larger brakes, and firmer seats.
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Ted DuPuis said:
Currently a 1993 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 that I've upgraded/modified to my liking. Gets about 20-21 mpg on my commuting cycle. It's far from the most efficient vehicle, and certainly not the most reliable. But it's a lot of fun to drive, which is what matters most to me.
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Ive got an 06 Accord Coupe. I get 26+ mpg.

The 4door accord is absolutely no fun but in the coupe they put more moulded seats and toyed with the engines computer to where its fun to drive. I just wish it was rear wheel drive for those rainy days at the empty parking lots. :D
 
There just was a house fire in Marin, cause was Determined to be caused by Prius. Electrical fire in garage. And the transfer of Pollution from the tail pipe to the people that live next to the power plant might make you feel better but it's still Pollution. It's a proven fact that from start to Finish the Prius is a dirty car. Symbolism over substance.
 
Ted DuPuis said:
Currently a 1993 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 that I've upgraded/modified to my liking. Gets about 20-21 mpg on my commuting cycle. It's far from the most efficient vehicle, and certainly not the most reliable. But it's a lot of fun to drive, which is what matters most to me.
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Good looking cars.
 
gprellwitz said:
Well, I've got a 2001 Acura (Honda) CL Type S that get about 25mpg on my 80% "fast" highway commute, has about 272K miles, has never stranded me, and is fun to drive, not to mention comfortable. I do about 80 miles a day. To each his own.
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The Type S/R Hondas/Acuras are definitely more enjoyable to drive. If you find it fun, that's what matters. :)

My daily driver has 450 HP, though. That wouldn't be particularly fun with front wheel drive. Although that's an automatic deal killer for me.
 
Seanaldinho said:
Ive got an 06 Accord Coupe. I get 26+ mpg.

The 4door accord is absolutely no fun but in the coupe they put more moulded seats and toyed with the engines computer to where its fun to drive. I just wish it was rear wheel drive for those rainy days at the empty parking lots. :D[/QUOTE
I will never buy another FWD car if I have a choice, if 50% or more of the power doesn't make it out back I am not interested.
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Ted DuPuis said:
The Type S/R Hondas/Acuras are definitely more enjoyable to drive. If you find it fun, that's what matters. :)

My daily driver has 450 HP, though. That wouldn't be particularly fun with front wheel drive. Although that's an automatic deal killer for me.
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The only thing wrong with my Saturn is that it is wrong wheel drive. No more chassis flex, no more overly compliant bushings, proper shocks and springs, "sufficient" power...


RUINED by FWD
 
Sorry, Scottd - this is interesting stuff.

Apparently electric vehicles aren't exactly environmentally friendly:

A 2012 comprehensive life-cycle analysis in Journal of Industrial Ecology shows that almost half the lifetime carbon-dioxide emissions from an electric car come from the energy used to produce the car, especially the battery. The mining of lithium, for instance, is a less than green activity. By contrast, the manufacture of a gas-powered car accounts for 17% of its lifetime carbon-dioxide emissions. When an electric car rolls off the production line, it has already been responsible for 30,000 pounds of carbon-dioxide emission. The amount for making a conventional car: 14,000 pounds.
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http://online.wsj.com/article/SB100...8346913994914472.html?mod=WSJ_Opinion_LEADTop
 
Ted DuPuis said:
The Type S/R Hondas/Acuras are definitely more enjoyable to drive. If you find it fun, that's what matters. :)

My daily driver has 450 HP, though. That wouldn't be particularly fun with front wheel drive. Although that's an automatic deal killer for me.
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That sounds pretty fun. This is my first FWD car. Usually a show stopper for me as well but MPG and MSRP were the driving factors for this purchase.
 
nddons said:
I think physics would disagree.
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IIRC crash ratings are based on like sized vehicles, there is no way in heck a 2000 lb Smart car (t) is safer in a crash with a full size pickup than an Explorer or other mid-size SUV. Some of these small cars do earn 5 star ratings, but they aren't the same 5 stars that a 4000 lb vehicle gets! :D
 
One thing being overlooked here is.....................

What do you do with the old battery ???:dunno::dunno:..
It is clearly hazardous waste and the related shipping charges to get rid of it will be HUGE....:eek:
 
N801BH said:
One thing being overlooked here is.....................

What do you do with the old battery ???:dunno::dunno:..
It is clearly hazardous waste and the related shipping charges to get rid of it will be HUGE....:eek:
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Throw it in somebody else's dumpster!:nono::nono: That's what people around here do with old mattresses and refrigerators!! :mad2:
 
N747JB said:
IIRC crash ratings are based on like sized vehicles, there is no way in heck a 2000 lb Smart car (t) is safer in a crash with a full size pickup than an Explorer or other mid-size SUV. Some of these small cars do earn 5 star ratings, but they aren't the same 5 stars that a 4000 lb vehicle gets! :D
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Exactly.

The idea of Smart Cars running into Smart Cars reminds me of Gomez Adams' train set.
 
N747JB said:
Throw it in somebody else's dumpster!:nono::nono: That's what people around here do with old mattresses and refrigerators!! :mad2:
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Yup.......... That happens out here too.... Altho the dumpster natzies have actually started to "dumpster dive" and recover any and all serial numbers on old computers, batteries, and all the other stuff that is illegal to throw in the trash...... One side of my head says.......... Those friggin idiots... The other side says " yippie".... Burn the a&&holes that threw that stuff away.. ..:rolleyes:
 
N747JB said:
IIRC crash ratings are based on like sized vehicles, there is no way in heck a 2000 lb Smart car (t) is safer in a crash with a full size pickup than an Explorer or other mid-size SUV. Some of these small cars do earn 5 star ratings, but they aren't the same 5 stars that a 4000 lb vehicle gets! :D
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I'm not sure you can call the explorer safer solely off its extra weight. That weight may not be in a place where it's useful and if the explorer ends up inverted all bets are off.

These small cars have better crumple zones and stronger bodies vs an explorer's weak passenger compartment held to a comparatively heavy chassis with a few bolts.
 
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