[goodcents]

I love our car (an Honda element) for many reasons (can hose it out, big storage for moving things, low emission vehicle), but fuel economy and my conscience have me thinking of alternative cars.

What have your experiences been with hybrid cars? Do they really save on gas? What about safety ratings - I am big on those (one reason I love our present car)

What about biodiesel? Hwo do you deal if you have to drive really far? What are your sources of fuel?

 

[Ravin]

where do you live? You may want to look into flex-fuel.

 

[goodcents]

I live in the Hudson Valley about 40 minutes north of nyc.

 

[ladywolf]

We run biodiesel in our 2002 2500 crew cab Chevrolet pickup. We get about 25 miles to the gallon with this Duramax engine. Depending on the biodiesel, you may see similar mileage, better mileage, or a decrease up to 15% in mileage. It is dependent on the oils used and the processing.

A hybrid has to make a rate of return within 5 years because there is not enough data to tell what the repair costs will be after that. Most auto people believe the repair costs after 5 years will be extremely steep. Remember, there are also small gasoline cars (engines) that are getting better gas mileage then the current hybrids with out the risk of not knowing what will happen in five years.

Chevy has 2 models that have been flex vehicles since 1999, one is a mini-van and I cannot remember what. The problem is finding fuel.

Now, if your Honda Element is paid for, the most sustainable and good thing to do for the environment, is to run it until it dies and then think about alternative fuels or a hybrid or what fits your life best.

 

[Mynn]

I second sticking with the Element until it goes - we've been doing that for the last few cars until we had one die when more data on hybrids were available, then made the best choice for us at the time.

Hybrids for now are my preferred choice - though I'm not sure I'm in the mood to hack one with extra batteries to get 250mpg (and void the warranty, I'm sure) it's nice to know I can

.

Who knows how long they'll be manufactured, though, with the gov't preferring to further subsidize sellable fuel options, such as bio-deisel and flex-fuel. Ford has already stated or intimated they'd be going away from hybrids because there isn't enough government money coming their way to build those as there is to work on bio- and flex- options.

 

[Earth Angel]

I heard a rumor that Toyota was going to be bringing out a diesel hybrid

To me, if that ever happens, that would be the best option, a hybrid running off of biodiesel!!!!

We run biodiesel in our 2000 Ford F250. We get btwn 20 ad 25 mpg and it runs so much smoother on the biodiesel. When you travel, you just need to look up on line where there is biodiesel (biodiesel.org is a pretty good resource)....call the suppliers ahead of time to make sure they are still in business and see what it would take to get a fill up. We came cross country in April and had a difficult time (southwest to east coast) but when we traveled around the south west and into CO it was easy. There were suppliers in some parts of the midwest but they either made like 2% biodiesel blends or were way too far off of our route to make it feasible. There are more and more people getting into making biodiesel though so it will get easier and easier to travel on total biodiesel.

 

[Ravin]

The nice thing about flex-fuel is that it can be added to many vehicles with an adapter kit that may cost as little as a few hundred dollars. If the fuel is available in your area, it would totally be worth it. Heck it would actually pay for itself in the difference in fuel cost before long. I do sometimes wonder about the insanity of turning so much cropland to grow corn for biodiesel and flex fuel, though. Sure, it's renewable, but is it the best use of the land?

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