Verde:
It’s not a responsibility of the manufacturer to pour money into maintaining used cars. It’s not the government’s responsibility to mandate that, either. That is walking a very fine line between economic security and environmental protection. In my opinion, the threats to the environment posed by man are merely hype. Our contributions are miniscule in comparison to even one massive volcanic eruption. There are many, albeit a minority, who do keep cars for ten years, sometimes more, and who maintain those cars. By the way, market conditions already exist that determine the lifetime of used vehicles. In fact, a vast majority (I don’t know a percentage) of vehicles are used.

i read all the same site you guys do. it doesn’t make me an expert on anything.

Comment by leozug, posted on July17 at 11:55 am

Yes, because I’m running around claiming to be an expert on the subject. I also get information from automotive media and science media

Just imagine all the resources used in designing, testing, and manufacturing a new car. Not just the manufacturer, but their suppliers, and all the raw resources that must be refined.

Sure cars wear out, and older ones are less efficient than some of the newer ones, but at what point does that efficiency overcome all the pollution used in creating a new car?

Buying more stuff for the sake of having something new isn’t the solution. Consumer brainwashing. A bit like slapping a bandaid on a gunshot wound.

good point what MPG do the Yaris and Aveo get?

Nerf: I call straw man. How many peopl drive H1s?

The best bet is serial hybrids. They leave the power options very open.

Comment by RobCali, posted on July16 at 4:56 pm

Toyota has recently stated that hybrids will be offered on nearly all of their models, and they believe hybrids are the future of all vehicles. Toyota has also stated that they don’t see diesel as a viable power source for North America, and they don’t have a clear diesel strategy at all. Toyota has not mentioned any other alternative power sources (fuel cell, ethanol, natural gas, plug-in electric, etc.) that they are working on. I call that putting all their eggs in one basket.

You also ignored all of the Lexus hybrid models Toyota is currently selling. So it’s way more than just 3. GS hybrid, LS hybrid, and soon IS hybrid and a hybrid sports car. No diesel, no E85, no electric – all hybrids.

Studies show that even all your electric power provided by dirty coal is still much cleaner than gas, studies also show that the “Battery issue” of being a serious pollution problem is not true. If you read the fine print they speak of lead acid. No lead acid batts are used in electric cars anymore. NiMHi, Lithium ion and gel pack batts are used that are extremely recyclable due to the materials used and are not a threat to the environment.

Furthermore we all need to start thinking about use of fuel vs price. Im talking about those of you who do the math and say “well the added expense of this car here getting better millage but costing more, so i’ll have to wait 4 years to get my monies worth back” is the wrong equation. Your paying a premium to do your part in saving the environment and thats what matters most. Not how much you spent compared to how much you save.

And no waiting for hydrogen either. Thats a ploy started by the Oil industry. Its just another way to make sure they dont get cut out of the loop. It also makes it look like something better is just above the horizon. The reality is its15-20 years away, its incredibly inefficient compared to pure electric, and they know this. Open up your eyes guys.

VW has its GTI running at 24/31 with a 0-60 in the low six seconds and will be releasing incredibly efficient and fast TDI models next year *think 40+*. BMW will have a 50ish mpg turbo diesel M class and is expecting to expand its fuel efficient models; Mercedes is expected to soon follow… European cars, gotta love em

I’d rather go with diesel as well. Something about hybrid drivetrains scares me; too new, too many things to go wrong. Most car manufacturers (like VW) can’t even get the base electrical systems right, how am I supposed to rely on hybrid drive?

Mythbusters did a test a while back as to what it took to run a diesel car off of various types of oil. And the changes that needed to be made to the car, none. If the diesel technology is already there, proven to be reliable, and is easily adaptable to a “Greener” version of itself. I don’t see why people would insist on a new technology which at face value is A) More expensive to produce (fiscally & economically) B) More expensive to maintain (battery replacement) and C) More dangerous once it’s out of service (batteries again). I don’t care what kind of gas mileage it gets, it’s simply not worth the cost in the long run, which sadly, people don’t seem to consider (enough).

I would love to see a hybrid diesel though, that would probably get them passed silly emission tests and increase economy even more, the benefit of all. Lot’s of torque from electric and diesel, great economy, what else?

Yes, and I also have friends that have driven around the Honda Insight, Toyota Camry Hybrid and Toyota Prius… they’ve been getting around 10 to 20 miles to the gallon less than promised.

And tell me again, what’s the cause for gas price flux’s on the brink of summer, 80 cents and up in the matter of one week? lmho, It’ll just keep creeping up and up…

The hybrid fad is not going away – totals being sold are still going up, now over 2% of all cars sold are hybrids (I think last month it was 2.4%). I got a car with a lot of bells and whistles for $23K, the fact that the hybrid option will pay me back in 4 years plus add to its resale value is just icing on the cake. Plus I have the satisfaction of knowing I am funding as few terrorists as possible and reducing pollution at the same time that I am saving money. It is not patriotic for Americans to waste fuel.

Hopefully the Chevy Volt will be developed soon, that is even a better solution. Electric cars are coming too (Tesla, Zap, NMG, etc.), they will start as a niche market in the next 3 years but will grow, since unless there’s a major change in geopolitical forces, oil prices will continue to be above $70/barrel, then $100/barrel. I don’t see anybody predicting $35/barrel for this year like some were saying a year ago.

RobCali: There was a post last week that seems to prove that Toyota is, in fact, putting a lot of their eggs in one basket. I don’t think it’s all but it’s a lot.
http://www.leftlanenews.com/toyota-everything-will-be-hybrid.html

Toyota Motor Company seems to be one of the most responsible in gauging consumer interest (hence why the Hino-deveoloped super-duty Tundra was never released due to gas prices, the FJ Cruiser went from pure concept to production, and why the Lexus LF-A has gone through two redesigns and years of testing before production). Let’s also not forget the other car companies that have also jumped on the hybrid bandwagon. If hybrids lose popularity in the future it would be interesting to see which car company still responds to public demand.