7 myths about Detroit automakers

[Rsv1000R]

Originally Posted by Particle Man

and people are ooooh'ing and ahhh'ing over the damn thing. I just don't get it.

It goes from getting ~15 mpg city to getting ~20 mpg, and because of that it's one of the few hybrids that you can pay for the added cost of the hybrid drive in fuel savings in say under 150,000 miles of driving.

A prius would need almost twice as many miles.

And at $1.50 a gal, they'll probably be in the landfill before they do.

[Homeslice]

I give it a year before gas is back up to $3.50 or so....

[pickle.of.doom]

Originally Posted by Homeslice

I give it a year before gas is back up to $3.50 or so....

Then I give it a year and a half before it is legal to take out a hunting license on gas price speculators

[Homeslice]

Originally Posted by pickle.of.doom

Then I give it a year and a half before it is legal to take out a hunting license on gas price speculators

Better take out a hunting license on government, since all their bailouts are going to drive up inflation sooner or later

[Particle Man]

Originally Posted by Rsv1000R

It goes from getting ~15 mpg city to getting ~20 mpg, and because of that it's one of the few hybrids that you can pay for the added cost of the hybrid drive in fuel savings in say under 150,000 miles of driving.

So it's a 30%+ increase, big deal. Put chrome on a turd, it's still a turd. Besides, the Prius is a joke anyhow... the mileage gain is crap compared to what it should be. I'm sorry, but there's no reason why cars (even the size of Escalades) can't get significantly better mileage than 20 mpg.

[Rsv1000R]

Originally Posted by Particle Man

So it's a 30%+ increase, big deal. Put chrome on a turd, it's still a turd. Besides, the Prius is a joke anyhow... the mileage gain is crap compared to what it should be. I'm sorry, but there's no reason why cars (even the size of Escalades) can't get significantly better mileage than 20 mpg.

Ok, How?

Are you implying you know how, or just think they already know how, but because they are making money hand over fist, they're holding that back till they need it?

[Particle Man]

Originally Posted by Rsv1000R

Ok, How?

Are you implying you know how, or just think they already know how, but because they are making money hand over fist, they're holding that back till they need it?

I'm implying that despite everything that's been said, we've known for years how to 1) make cars run on something other than petroleum products, 2) produce products that get significantly higher mileage even using petroleum products

GM is a great example: they would rather focus on producing gas hog SUV's and trucks rather than focus on smaller vehicles because it would cost too much to go the other way (and they're paying dearly for it). Point out one American car company that has had something other than a concept car come out that gets 50+ mpg or that has over half of it's production line get in the high 30's at least for gas mileage? I'm saying that there's no reason for it other than the all mighty dollar.

[Rsv1000R]

Originally Posted by Particle Man

I'm implying that despite everything that's been said, we've known for years how to 1) make cars run on something other than petroleum products, 2) produce products that get significantly higher mileage even using petroleum products

GM is a great example: they would rather focus on producing gas hog SUV's and trucks rather than focus on smaller vehicles because it would cost too much to go the other way (and they're paying dearly for it). Point out one American car company that has had something other than a concept car come out that gets 50+ mpg or that has over half of it's production line get in the high 30's at least for gas mileage? I'm saying that there's no reason for it other than the all mighty dollar.

The market for the kind of car that'll actually get 50 mpg in the US IMO is limited, well it is unless gas is $4/gal. But even then companies that do make eco-shitboxes didn't make anywhere near enough to supply demand, and now there's no demand at all.

Maybe your idea of a car is a Fit, but it isn't mine. 50 mpg requires a small engine, and a very light car, Now I'm all for a CF vette, but they still cost to much, the manufacturing technology to do it cheap just doesn't exist yet. It'll probably have to be a manual, most people don't buy manuals. It'd have to very slow, not what I like to drive. Like Corey mentions you can increase torque, but that makes for engines that don't rev. They are doing variable valve timing which can widen the torque range, but it's not cheap.

[unknownroad]

Originally Posted by Particle Man

Point out one American car company that has had something other than a concept car come out that gets 50+ mpg or that has over half of it's production line get in the high 30's at least for gas mileage?

Crosley.

[Particle Man]

Originally Posted by unknownroad

Crosley.

I'll run right down to the local dealership and... oh wait