Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Richards
IMO, by buying these "primitive" hybrid vehicles, the early adopters are helping the manufacturers stay interested in developing the truly energy efficient, reasonable performing, and economically viable cars of tomorrow. I'll give their smug a pass because I know we'll see better cars because of it.
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I agree with that. Who knows what the future holds, but it doesn't seem likely that in 50 years new cars will be straight gasoline internal combustion engines like we have today. And, to get where ever it is we are going to go, you have to have people/companies trying different things, i.e., taking the first steps.
With the Prius, I was just surprised by how it drove. My expectations were different than the reality. Part of it is because of how smooth and "space age" the Prius looks - IMO the driving experience doesn't match the looks. The other part is it's been a while since I've driven a 4 cylinder. Maybe the Prius doesn't drive that different than a Corolla or Camry 4 cylinder.
I wasn't expecting it to be an AMG Mercedes, but it was more coarse and underpowered than I thought it would be. But then again, the owner describes it as having "a lot of power," to her it does. I couldn't really agree, as I had my foot to the floorboard going up a slight incline.
As far as diesels, I don't know about them in the US. I also drove a ML320CDI last week (I'm looking for a car for my dad, he puts on a lot of miles golfing in Cal. 6 days a week and wants high mileage). I know some here swear the new diesels are as smooth and quiet as gas engines, but having driven 2 CDIs now, I just can't agree.
Yeah, they aren't like an 80s Mercedes. They certainly don't smoke or smell. But there is no doubt it is a diesel, from the second you turn the key.
My prediction after trying them out myself: Americans won't buy the BMW and Mercedes diesels that are now coming to the US, not in any large numbers. I know they sell well in Europe, but Europeans have always had different expectations in their cars than Americans, and Americans as a whole won't take to the diesels.