And the Winning Vehicle is....
posted by Annette Heist on Thursday, February 12. 2009
I still don't know.
In my last post I asked for your help in figuring out what kind of vehicle to buy. I want to support the big three automakers, but just haven't been happy with their vehicles in the past. A lot of you assured me that "American-made" cars are much better now, and that a Jeep or a Ford Escape would be the perfect vehicle for me. I was ready to make that patriotic leap when my co-worker Flora Lichtman sent this. According to the article, some of the cars we consider "foreign" actually have more of what is called "domestic content" than the cars the big three are turning out. Buying American is complicated business.
And that got me thinking--maybe I should just get a more recent version of my beloved Toyota Tacoma. It gets OK gas mileage, around 22 mpg, and with gas prices back down around $2 a gallon, those $4.00 a gallon days are quickly slipping from my memory. Mistake, I know, as gas prices will inevitably go back up.
The Ford Escape comes in a hybrid model that gets 34 city mpg. But at a starting MSRP of close to $30,000 for a new one, it's out of my wallet's range. There are federal tax incentives for buying a hybrid; but is it me or is it really confusing to figure out what the incentives are? (No, it's not just me. )
My state gives a tax incentive for buying a hybrid, but it almost seems like some sort of bureaucratic joke: "The rebate amount is $500 and will be offered throughout the calendar year as long as funds are available." Now THERE'S an incentive. To find out if your state offers something better (and lots do), you can check this site.
In the meantime, thanks for your comments. Keep them coming. Maybe by the time I decide what to buy banks will be loaning money again.
In my last post I asked for your help in figuring out what kind of vehicle to buy. I want to support the big three automakers, but just haven't been happy with their vehicles in the past. A lot of you assured me that "American-made" cars are much better now, and that a Jeep or a Ford Escape would be the perfect vehicle for me. I was ready to make that patriotic leap when my co-worker Flora Lichtman sent this. According to the article, some of the cars we consider "foreign" actually have more of what is called "domestic content" than the cars the big three are turning out. Buying American is complicated business.
And that got me thinking--maybe I should just get a more recent version of my beloved Toyota Tacoma. It gets OK gas mileage, around 22 mpg, and with gas prices back down around $2 a gallon, those $4.00 a gallon days are quickly slipping from my memory. Mistake, I know, as gas prices will inevitably go back up.
The Ford Escape comes in a hybrid model that gets 34 city mpg. But at a starting MSRP of close to $30,000 for a new one, it's out of my wallet's range. There are federal tax incentives for buying a hybrid; but is it me or is it really confusing to figure out what the incentives are? (No, it's not just me. )
My state gives a tax incentive for buying a hybrid, but it almost seems like some sort of bureaucratic joke: "The rebate amount is $500 and will be offered throughout the calendar year as long as funds are available." Now THERE'S an incentive. To find out if your state offers something better (and lots do), you can check this site.
In the meantime, thanks for your comments. Keep them coming. Maybe by the time I decide what to buy banks will be loaning money again.
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I'm in your same boat. Look into the Ford Fusion hybrid AWD (2010 model, ready this spring). I think it's a good solution to the need for mpg, style and handling in snow, which is what I'm looking for.
good luck!
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A hybrid makes sense if you do a lot of stop and go driving or city driving. Frankly cars are a waste of money (they lose value very quickly) your best bet is to buy used.
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Keep in mind that Jap cars are imports and even if they are assembled here, the corperate profits all go to Japan, helping them - hurting us (the trade deficit goes up). Toyata is the worst as 54% of their cars are still imported (built in Japan), including that god awful Prius.
Help save our jobs, our manufacturing base, and our pride in America, --buy and drive American
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My wife just traded in her Murano for a Jetta Sportswagen. I think most SUV's are unnecessary but crossovers are even worse. Think about it, the size and weight of a mini-van with the capacity of a mid sided wagon. We can carry as much stuff in the Jetta as the Murano.
Next year VW is opening a plant in TN. Honda is making a new hybrid available in 2010 that is prius sized. Ford used to make a focus wagon that had a larger cargo capacity of the Escape.
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Didn't know how to post answer to your original question, so anyways. Look at an Aptera type 1 or type 2. Minimum of 100 mpg space for two, plenty of storage. You can plug it into an outlet at home. Looks either strange or great depending on your tastes. Around $ 25,000. That's pretty expensive and I don't know about rebates.
Just check it out for yourself at aptera.com.
I don't work for aptera or get paid by them in any way. It just seems like one really good solution to oil global warming problem for us.
Kindly yours,
jeff koch
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Buy as vw tdi(diesel) station wagon. Rated at 40mpg. I own a 2003 tdi station wagon and it gets up to 50mpg. I have a life time avg of 45mpg. The car currently has 117000 on it. Also I can burn biodiesel which can be made from used veg. oil. No mods necessary. But in winter time it can't be used at 100%.
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For simplicity: Buy a small diesel from a reliable company. It will get you maximum range with a tried and true design.
For the satisfaction of recovering energy while braking, you need a hybrid. I trust Toyota technology the most. Whether it is truly efficient depends a great deal on the replacement cost of the battery to you and the heavy metal recovery of the battery to the environment.
We are still in new terrain.
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I ask:
The VW Golf and BMW Mini are both available here in gasoline powered versions. In Europe, the same vehicles are available with diesel engines and they get 70+ mpg!
Why isn't 70 mpg better than Prius' 45 mpg?
Why can we not buy those diesel vehicles here?
Vehicle frame crash safety is not an issue since the gas ones are O.K.
Is there something really wrong with bio-diesel?
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Hi Curmudgeon,
A VW diesel IS available in the U.S., at least in Chicago. Just talked about it with my dealer the other day when I was explaining to him that I did not want to trade in my 2001 VW Passat until VW had more efficient cars.
But note that I can get 34.5 on the highway with this passat -- as long as I don't speed! I don't rev the engine, slow down before stopping, etc., so that makes a big difference.
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Basically gm/ford/crysler killed diesel's in america about 2 gas crisis's(sp) ago. They did this by making very bad diesels. But these diesels(europe) are coming to usa in about 2010.
Biodiesel unlike corn ethanol doesnt require a large quantity of petro oil to be used in the growing/manufacture of it. The only problem with biodiesel is that it gets poor yields per acre. I dont have the numbers available at the moment but soy diesel is like 50g/acre and rape seed(canola) is like 90g/acre. But using oil from fryalators is a win/win. About 90 billion gallons of oil is thrown away in usa per year. This could all be used to make biodiesel.
Of course the same way we are GOING to be making celluosic(sp) ethanol we can make celluosic biodiesel(not same process). These new technologies will enable much greater yields per acre and also yields from food crop waste. (i.e. corn stalks).
bob
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Toyota Camrys are made in Kentucky and Indiana, so if you want something assembled in America, that's an option.
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Just say no to banks - if you can't pay cash - keep the Tacoma as long as she's safe.
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I love my Honda Element for all kinds of uses. the dogs love it, the kids love it. my friend was so impressed she got one too! check it out.
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New cars are a waste of money. Get a slightly used Ford Focus that's still under manufacture warranty. The gas mileage is great, low maintenance, plenty of room. Generally buying used is a good idea if you have a mechanic you trust to look it over and take her for a spin.
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Keep your Tacoma it will run at least to 200,000 miles
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Hi,
Why do you want to suport the big 3? The reason why I ask is that there are many smaller start-ups these days that hopefully will make the larger auto makers make "greener" vehicles. I would suggest thinking globally and looking other options.
Based on your requrements; a four wheel drive (all wheel drive being is similar but still different, a four cylinder vehicle, or something that gets decent gas mileage (at least 20 mpg), and a manual transmission (preferred) I would suggest a hybrid, or diesel vehicle. Currently I have an older Chevy Suburban diesel that gets 18 mpg in town and 20 mpg on the highway.
Other options: 1. a Subaru, 2. a Toyota hybrid (RAV4-EV, Highlander hybrid) 3. honda Hybrid, 4. the Ford Escape hybrid
Here's a link to look at: http://www.hybridcars.com/hybrid-suv
BTW: Here's some things that might reduce your potions and help you make a decision:
Is price an option?
Is this for short of long trips?
How often does it snow, can you use alternate trasportation during the worst weather?
What is its main purpose/use (transport just you/passengers/cargo)?
Can you buy borrow a vehicle during bad weather?
Happy hunting!! =0)
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I'd have to recommend a used Ford Escape. I'm not sure how much buying a used car helps with the Big 3, but I think it's the best value for all the points you mentioned in your previous post.
I just looked up 2005 Escapes in my region (Pacific Northwest) and they are listed around $10k. If you go for a Rav4 or CRV, you're going to pay way more than that. They get great mileage- I have owned a Ford Focus (20-25 MPG) as well and the Escape (about 29MPG) performed better in that department, believe it or not.
They have plenty of room. I made an interstate move using an Escape and I was able to fit most of my belongings and strapped a futon to the top. I also used it to cart around music equipment for my band, a drum set in cases, a bass rig, guitar rig, plus guitars.
They drive like a car and are more sturdy feeling that a Blazer or Explorer because of a lower center of gravity. I remember hearing that they actually use the same chassis as an Escort.
Also, if you get a manual transmission, you'll save at least $1k. I think that the manual transmission models are 4 cylinder so you'll probably get even better mileage than I did (mostly highway). That's my $.02!
If I were to get back into a car (I went car-free last year), I'd definitely get a lightly used Ford Escape.
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We have a 2007 Prius (after also owning a 2005 Prius). We keep waiting for a PHEV pickup or Prius. A colleague is currently driving an all electric Chinese Flybo (30 mi each way commute) that has 12 standard batteries under the floor boards. This all keeps changing. PHEVs are an incentive because you can totally bypass fueling station and recharge at home and work.
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34 MPG I am jealous. I drive a gas hog, A Toyota Sequoia and it's only for my son and I. lol It's paid for in full so not much I can do about it until it kicks the bucket. knocks on wood
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I just bought a Toyota Tacoma for the same reasons. I am not sure what people are seeing but American cars still have a long way to go.
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Buy a Prius, American car makers are rotten at the top buying "American" is not really helping anyone in the long run. For the long overdue transformation of the industry to take place we need to keep the pressure on and get rid of this get rich quick management and promote sustainable business practices and cars.
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My recommendation is a hybrid in itself. I propose you do what I did this past fall--buy a used Toyota Prius, and then have an AMERICAN-MADE booster battery (lithium-ion Hymotion L5 Module by A123 Systems) installed for the combined cost of less than a new Prius, fully-loaded, brand new!!!! The used Prius was around $16,950, and the booster battery (installed) came in just under $11,000. Now, with the bank bailout bill (in effect 1/1/09), you can get $1,000 tax credit on your purchase. We financed this "hybrid Hybrid" by getting a discounted loan from our credit union (1% discount on interest rate for hybrids) and a home equity loan (lower interest rate). We could have just as easily taken advantage of a combined loan from the credit union for the whole package, but we saved a bit on the home equity loan, so.... In any event, if you think about the OPERATING COSTS of any of your less fuel-efficient options versus a PLUG-IN Prius, you'll see that you'll save the cost difference through cheaper operating costs per month, and have a buffer against increased fuel costs if gasoline prices go up. I drove my Prius for 27 miles today and averaged 98.5 miles per gallon, at an electric fuel cost equivalent of $.30/gallon for my system. However, on colder days, or on trips exceeding 40 miles, the mileage starts to approach the factory prius (unless you re-charge it during the trip, like at work before heading home again). Good Luck!!!
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Hi Annette,
I would learn to ecodrive and modify your current vehicle, to get better mileage (www.ecomodder.com), and then I would buy an Aptera (www.aptera.com). It is made in CA, and it gets the equivalent of 200+mpg.
Sincerely Neil,
http://neilblanchard.vox.com/library/posts/
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The Aptera is available yet. You can reserve on though for $500 (according to their website).
https://www.aptera.com/reserve.php
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I would stick with the Tacoma!
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Odd (or unbelievable) as this sounds, I received a flyer from my auto ins. co a while back that listed, as having the BEST, GREATEST fuel economy, an American classic...
(be seated)
The Chevrolet Corvette. I kid you not.
I did a double take, even sent an email (unanswered) to the flyer's publisher askikng, "is this a typo" (well, askikng is, but I meant the Corvette).
I suppose that because the engine is only pushing the engine (the rest of the vehicle is made of cardboard, or Bondo, or fiberglass, methinks...).
You'd want to get stick shift, a limited-slip differential, and of course add a Citroen pneumatic "lift kit" to raise the oil sump and the rest of the undercarriage when traveling over rutted, one-lane roads with a high hump. As I recall from days of sports car rallies in the countryside, inevitably an Austin Healy would be sidelined with a cracked oil sump, or sumpthin' else, because the driver got excited about following the rally instructions/ reconciling the TSD (time/ speed/ distance) factors. It had a road clearance of four (4) inches. Double-plus ungood for a country lane or a farmer's high-speed cowpath.
bw
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I have a patent pending for a pollution/fosil free engine design and if you can wait to buy your car, you may choose any vehicle using this engine
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Check for fuels that support better fuel efficiency. That is what will help you in long term.
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In the near term only electric cars make sense (sadly, I love my Toyota Tacoma too). The question was where we would get vast amounts of electricity? Now that the IFR is coming out of wraps there appears to be a solution. It uses the nuclear waste we have to make all the electricity we need. It is safe, economical, and being built in China, India and others. Let's not get behind. It makes the dirty nuclear waste into a 71 trillion dollar asset.
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