Whatever happened to the hybrid?

Jolly

That question was asked in this discussion...

jon-nyc

Anecdotally they seem to be everywhere. It used to be certain models were hybrids, with the Prius being the poster child. Now it seems most big models have a hybrid option.

George K · "Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... " - Mik, 6/14/08

I would consider a hybrid for my next vehicle. It's a proven technology that doesn't demand a huge shift in infrastructure.

Our town installed two charging stations in the parking lot of our local grocer about 8 months ago.

I've NEVER seen a car parked there.

Jolly

At this time, the hybrid makes a lot more sense. The engines can use a bit more work from some manufacturers and replacement batteries could be a bit cheaper, but they work. And are more affordable than EVs.

Mik

Hybrids make sense for someone like George who does a lot of city driving. For us not quite as much.

George K · "Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... " - Mik, 6/14/08

@Mik said in Whatever happened to the hybrid?:

Hybrids make sense for someone like George who does a lot of city driving.

And no access to charging facilities that are fast.

Doctor Phibes

We thought about this, but for a little run-around we figured it was cheaper to just by an affordable small car which gets pretty decent gas mileage anyway.

Jolly

@Doctor-Phibes said in Whatever happened to the hybrid?:

We thought about this, but for a little run-around we figured it was cheaper to just by an affordable small car which gets pretty decent gas mileage anyway.

With your commute, probably right. But for city dwellers or for guys in close-in suburbs? Might work really well.

Jolly

@Doctor-Phibes said in Whatever happened to the hybrid?:

We thought about this, but for a little run-around we figured it was cheaper to just by an affordable small car which gets pretty decent gas mileage anyway.

And...

Told you my son was going to give me one of these the other day, complete with 5-speed manual and ragtop...

alt text

Told him to keep his pregnant rollerskate...

Mik

Of all the cars in the world, the one I clearly cannot see you driving is a Fiat. Maybe a SmartCar too.

Jolly

Little bugger has a turbo on its washing machine motor. When you slap it from fifth to third and stomp it, and the turbo kicks, the torque steer would literally jack that little bugger to the right. Push it and it could be downright, go-kart scary.

Too old for that shit.

Kids know I'd like to have an old Miata, preferably British Racing Green...

Doctor Phibes

@Jolly said in Whatever happened to the hybrid?:

@Doctor-Phibes said in Whatever happened to the hybrid?:

We thought about this, but for a little run-around we figured it was cheaper to just by an affordable small car which gets pretty decent gas mileage anyway.

With your commute, probably right. But for city dwellers or for guys in close-in suburbs? Might work really well.

No, for my commute we bought a Subaru Impreza, not a tiny car, but not a gas guzzling monstrosity either. Mrs. Phibes got the little Hyundai.

Copper

You won't believe this, but I insist on a car made in the US.

At least mostly made here.

Cadillac XT5 models are manufactured at the Cadillac factory in Tennessee.

I don't drive it enough to care about mileage or efficiency, just birthplace.

Jolly

My problem is most stuff made in the U. S. today, sucks.

My 2011 GMC? Never been in the shop for repair. Ever. 128,000 miles. 4.8L small block, 4 speed automatic. Old skool stuff.

New ones with the base turbo four and ten speed won't make a 100,000 miles without something going BOING!

taiwan_girl

Do any US car makers make sedans anymore ?

The New Coffee Room

Whatever happened to the hybrid?