I know that people love driving their Prius to the starbucks for their decaf nonfat lattes, but lets face reality. I know that everybody is supposed to love hybrid cars, since it makes everyone think you're smart, and environmentally responsible- but what the hell??

Anybody remember the geo metro? a 3cyl. GASOLINE engine that got 52mpg....Toyota prius? 47mpg. Image is everything I suppose.

...oh yeah, GM has a hybrid SUV coming out that gets 16mpg!!! People are freakin' idiots.

 

SUV get that already waste of money

 

all it takes is a hybrid badge people think its the greatest thing ever.

 

id hate to see the NON HYBRID model! v

 

i have a 1992 chevy 4x4 that gets 16 mpg. it's carbureted...

way to push the envelope there, GM.

 

Don't the new GM full-size hybrids get like 21/22?

I COMPLETELY disagree with the size of these vehicles, but that is fantastic mileage. They have an EVT and cylinder deactivation. the V8 is programmed to use 4 cylinders more often than 8. I hate this size of vehicle, but no one is going to change the soccer moms' perception that it is necessary. Rumor has it that GM is going to take a bath on these vehicles to improve its' image and to send lots and lots of them out the door. It ain't right, but this is a step in the right direction.

What is fairly impressive is that the Hybrids weigh the same as their old school counterparts. GM made the hood and liftgate out of aluminum and lightened the seats, etc to save weight.

Again, I HATE these vehicles, but they are a step in the right direction.

 

The beauty of the Prius is that it has room for 4 adults, comfortably, and it doesn't feel like a tin can. You get all the standard modern amenities, and sacrifice little.

Keep in mind, it was California's air laws that essentially banned diesels keeping Toyota from releasing the Prius they really wanted to market: a Prius that got >90mpg.

The best stop gap solution that we could implement within two years are plug in diesel hybrids. We're talking 300 mpg and more.

 

i had a geo metro.. thing was unreal. had 150k miles on it and still was averaging 49 mpg

 

Or you can be a hypermiler and get like 60 mpg in a ford ranger.

 

the prius DEFINATELY does feel like a tin can.

 

I have to disagree. I owned a 2005 xB RS2 for two years and I've ridden in a Prius. The Prius felt more solid than the box. As a matter of fact, the main reason we sold the box was because it always felt hollow and "cheap".
As for the original topic; I really don't like the way hybrid technology is being used. Instead of making smaller, ultra-efficient cars, they are using it to make SUVs that get somewhat "respectable" mileage. If we could get away from the mindset that we need huge vehicles, we could make some real progress in fuel savings and pollution control. And no...I'm not some tree hugging hippy. I'm definitely more right-wing. But I do see the advantage and importance to conservation.

 

The Chevette got better than 40mpg in the early 80's. As for hybrids, I'd never drive enough to break even in gas with the extra cost of the vehicle, compared to it's gas equivalent.

People might feel good about driving a hybrid, but I like my boat sized V-8 cars too much. I like the sound of them, the way they float, the butter soft power steering... everything. The box is as close to good fuel economy as I'd ever willingly go, and on the highway it maybe gets a couple miles more per gallon than my big car.

At the end of the day, I hop into my car and use it to drive to work, or pick stuff up for the house. The Starbucks crowd get in their car, wearing turtlenecks in too warm weather, and drive 10 miles to pay $4 for a cup of coffee, probably picked by some third world worker making pennies a day.