Gas prices and fuel efficient cars

Aurel · Aurel's Garage

With the gas prices now over $3/gallon everywhere in the US, driving a 15 mpg gas guzzler for say 60 miles round trip to work will start to hurt on the long run. Unfortunately, there are very few models getting really good gas mileages (over 50 miles/gallon) in the US, and the HEV is presented as the only choice. Most European brands do not import their little, best efficient models such as the VW Lupo that gets 80 mpg, or the Ford fiesta diesel that gets 65 mpg. Peugeot has developed HDi diesel engines that are clean, and get over 55 mpg in most models.

Further, 100 mpg vehicles could be produced today by Toyota using diesel-hybrid technology instead of gasoline hybrid as explained here.

It is sad to see that the consensus amongst manufacturers and policy makers seems to milk the american cash cow till it gets dry, rather than offering options that already exist.

Are you happy about this?

Aurel

Dantilla · 09-12-2005, 08:23 PM

Life's too short to drive boring cars.

When I don't need to tow or haul anything, I leave the truck at home and get over 30 mpg in a used Miata.

It's like my own private roller coaster whenever I go anywhere.

And gas here is holding at about 2.79/gal for regular, about 2.99 for premium.

BlueSkyJaunte · 09-12-2005, 08:58 PM

I dunno. GM's put $10 bil so far into hydrogen research.

Of course that leaves them with no solution in the near term.

RickM · RickM's Garage

A Diesel Hybrid seems like the logical next step. But many say it's too expensive to produce. I say Bul$hit.

Would be interesting to mate a VW TDI engine to an existing hybrid. You'd definitely need a gear head to make the adapters, mounts, various custom fabrications etc and a computer nerd to make sense of all the electronics.

gaijindabe · 09-13-2005, 05:49 AM

The little turbo-diesel Fiats are amazing. Cool looking too.

Now this should be its own thread - but ponder this Batman. Everyone has complained about the price of gas and the spike in prices following the gulf hurricane. But guess what - the higher prices have driven down consumption (something like 6% over the labor day weekend alone), and this time we have had no gas lines..

304065 · 09-13-2005, 05:59 AM

Watch how quickly the market changes.

The real question is, what about GM. Can they successfully execute a U-turn with their Titanic organization and begin to chase compact utility, fuel efficiency and style simultaneously? The way Bill Gates was successfully able to turn the entire Microsoft organization in the direction of Internet Explorer circa 1995?

Unfortunately the historical precedent for that isn't common. The American manufacturers have been chasing the market, which for the last 15 years has been NOT in the direction of greater fuel efficiency, but in the direction of utility vehicles. Now with a single fillup costing over $70, the consumer is going to genuinely think twice about diverting a disproportinate share of their nondiscrectionary spending to gasoline.

So there's definitely a catalyst in the market if you'll pardon the pun. The real question is, who will step in to fill the vacuum? Will it be inexpensive Chinese cars?

Why can't I buy a BMW 1-series? Its consumption is a city/highway average of 7,5, or about 31MPG. The larger 318Ci gets 7,4.

Now, all is not lost. The Smart gets 60MPG. The Mini's 1.6 gets 28/36. The Honda Civic sedan, 32/38. Toyota Corolla, 32/41.

skipdup · 09-13-2005, 06:07 AM

I wonder what gas mileage could be obtained if Jeep put a diesel in a Wrangler Unlimited. I'd consider something like that...

osidak · 09-13-2005, 07:37 AM

00 VW Jetta TDI 143,000 miles ~52 mpg lifetime average

I am not complaining about my mileage. Still $45 to fill up the tank annoys me. But with the 15 gallon tank I can drive ~780 miles or about 1.5 weeks between fill ups. I have gone as far as 910 miles on one tank before.

craigster59 · craigster59's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by skipdup
I wonder what gas mileage could be obtained if Jeep put a diesel in a Wrangler Unlimited. I'd consider something like that...

I think I read somewhere that they were going to produce a diesel Liberty

osidak · 09-13-2005, 08:30 AM

They do produce a Liberty CRD. Think is a $7,000 premium and you get something like 27 mpg.

I love diesel cars but that just isn't worth it

Jims5543 · 09-13-2005, 09:16 AM

I needed to buy a new fleet vehicle about 6 months ago. I would have loved to buy a diesel 4cyl Toyota or Isuzu. They used to make them but no more.

Last week I needed a vehicle for a supervisor to drive around in. We ende dup getting a used Honda Element. I am pretty sure he will get 25-27 MPG with it. Our Toyota trucks get 18 MPG. We looked into the Ford Escape Hybred but they want 35K for them I paid 15K out the door for the Honda. The Escape is not worht that kind of money.

I would drive a purely electric car is one was available for my Daily driving duties. I drive about 20-30 miles a day. Save the fun cars and gas for the weekends.

skipdup · 09-13-2005, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by osidak
They do produce a Liberty CRD. Think is a $7,000 premium and you get something like 27 mpg.

I love diesel cars but that just isn't worth it

Ouch! That's a raping.

Dixie · Dixie's Garage

Quote:

Most European brands do not import their little, best efficient models

Just a hunch, but I suspect it's because they won't pass U.S. safety regulations without adding 800 lbs of steel to each of them...

FrayAdjacent911 · 09-13-2005, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jim Cesiro
We looked into the Ford Escape Hybred but they want 35K for them

That's funny, the suggested retail is like $25-28k on the Escape Hybrid... I think someone was trying to rip you.

Icemaster · Icemaster's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by FrayAdjacent911
That's funny, the suggested retail is like $25-28k on the Escape Hybrid... I think someone was trying to rip you.

Actually, no.

Hours away from buying one about a month ago.

The AWD package with the quality message center/nav system etc was right in the 35K range. You can get one that cheap, base model 2WD.

They might have just thought he was cute.

FrayAdjacent911 · 09-13-2005, 04:01 PM

Nah, you were getting ripped:

Quote:

Quick Facts about the 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid 4WD:

Invoice Price:
$26,478

MSRP:
$28,525

http://autos.yahoo.com/newcars/ford_escapehybrid_4wd_2006/16908/style_overview.html

Icemaster · Icemaster's Garage

MSRP - 28525.00
Destination - 615.00
Package 18M - 3995.00

Looks like $33135.00 to me.

2WD

Invoice MSRP
U95/300A 2WD Sport Utility 4D (Auto) 24,999.00 26,900.00
Destination Charge 615.00 615.00
BASE MODEL PRICE WITH DESTINATION CHARGE
(Mfr's Effective Date 8-1-05 Revised) 25,614.00 27,515.00

Jims5543 · 09-13-2005, 04:16 PM

Bow add the fact that this car is becoming a hot ticket.

I knew it was a rip off price. Same goes for the TDI VW's right now, prices are premium new and used.

That is why I went with the Element. Great gas milage at 1/2 the price. I would have prefered a diesel or a hybrid but what can you do? The manufactorers are not supplying the demand. Or maybe I am the only one that wants a 4cyl diesel pickup.

Icemaster · Icemaster's Garage

Agreed. The only reason we even considered the Ford was I get A plan thanks to the sister in law. Even then the it's still north of 30K.

TDI's are going for sticker, but at 5K less and better mileage, I'd be less fragged with that.

pwd72s · 09-13-2005, 04:57 PM

Aurel, and the French are doing what???? Geeze I get tired of your "hate America" act...while living here making (probably) over 6 figures as a professor...busily indoctrinating brains full of mush with socialistic babble. Guys, sorry for the rant. Cindy just said she wants to go somewhere expensive tonight. I think I'll take her with me when I fill up the old Powerwagon. It likes premium, and total fuel capacity is 40 gallons.