[ausev] A Quandary

[Dustin]

Agreed if your are willing to except a hybrid, the Prius is a good choice 
because of it's upgrade path to a PHEV and it's size.

Though if you are just going to keep it a hybrid and you can deal with a 
small 2 seater then I would recommend the Honda Insight (2000 - 2006).  I 
purchased a 2002 used several years ago and still very happy with my 
decision.  Don't be fooled by EPA #'s, no car reaches theirs.  Though the 
insight is the best from the factory with around 45mpg real world driving in 
the city (better if your willing to follow all the gas mileage tips) and 60+ 
mpg on the highway.  These are the numbers I consistently get in mine and 
even with my somewhat lead foot.  My lifetime gas mileage is around 55 mpg 
(city/hwy combined) with 75k miles on the odometer.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Chris Robison" <chris at chrisrobison.org>
To: "AustinEV News Announcements and General Discussion" 
<ausev at austinev.org>
Sent: Thursday, March 20, 2008 12:04 AM
Subject: Re: [ausev] A Quandary


> Charlesvsi at aol.com wrote:
>
>>  If you want to change soon, However, I suggest a Honda Civic Hybrid  or
>> Toyota Prius, These are available new or even on the used car market, are 
>> dealer
>> maintained, and  According to Consumer Reports ( and our experience  with 
>> a
>> Honda Civic Hybrid) very reliable and cost effective. They get 36 to 45 
>> mpg in
>> mixed driving which is a great savings available immediately.
>
> If you decide to go with a Prius (and potentially in the future, the
> other vehicles on the market that are based on its drive system, e.g.
> the Ford Escape, etc) then you will have the option of converting to a
> "plug-in hybrid" (PHEV).
>
> The benefit is that you will have the ability to actually use power from
> the grid (or from a solar/wind system at home) to drive, which of course
> is not possible in a normal hybrid. This makes it effectively an
> electric car for a certain distance, beyond which it reverts to normal
> (and still highly efficient) hybrid gas/electric behavior. There are
> limits imposed by the mechanical design of the Prius drivetrain (the
> engine has to turn on above 34mph), but it's a huge step in the right
> direction.
>
>   --chris
>
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