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http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/16/opinion/16kitman.html?ex=1302840000&en=eb4aa18b1c661d61&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss&pagewanted=all

Opinions?

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/16/opinion/16kitman.html?ex=1302840000&en=eb4aa18b1c661d61&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss&pagewanted=all

Opinions?

Well I guess that person will not be Purchasing a Hybrid any time soon, HUH?

I don't think the author is anti-hybrid at all. At "the other place", I've also been saying getting a hybrid automatically makes you green...
And yet like fat-free desserts, which sound healthy but can still make you fat, the hybrid car can make people feel as if they're doing something good, even when they're doing nothing special at all.

She also says it's better to get a trim non-hybrid sedan than a hybrid Lexus 400h SUV (I said hybrid Escalade and Durango...).

Saving energy and pollution is a lifestyle change. At "the other place", a number of members seem admant driving a hybrid yet retaining poor driving habits. They resent the observation they are marginalizing whatever environmental good they may be doing. The speed limit is above 55 and it's just too slow and unreasonable! :rolleyes:

When I got my 5-speed Insight in September 2000, I was getting in the low 50mpg. Morning work commutes are generally 75, and got 85mpg without even trying for a record!

I can't really comment on Toyota's HSD. Would love to rent one for a couple of weeks to compare it with the Insight. I'm certain that my mostly highway traveling would accentuate it's weaknesses.

Yeah. The current generation of HSD isn't realy equiped to thrive on the highway. It does okay, but not like a leanburn IMA . Of course the leanburn ima's tend to polute more.

Yeah. The current generation of HSD isn't realy equiped to thrive on the highway. It does okay, but not like a leanburn IMA. Of course the leanburn ima's tend to polute more.
On the other hand, both the 1st gen lean-burn capable Civic and the 2nd gen non-lean burn Civic are rated about the same highway fuel economy as the Prius anyway.

Buying a car, SUV or truck in my opinion, is like picking a tool for the job. It didn't take xcel / Dan long to choose a car for the Tour Del Sol. They picked a winner for the speed and distance needed to finish on time. Add putting the best team in the world in that car, you get a record that will be hard to break till a new vehicle comes along. My guess is, this same team will be on top of the situation for the next record.

In a way, I think the author of this article knows this, but lacks the skills or knowledge to bring the best out of any given vehicle. Most buyers have the same problem. The only reason I would buy the Highlander hybrid is for towing my boat. If I got a highlander or Lexus hybrid given to me, I bet I'd drive it to make use of it's advantages. The fact is, car maker's should use (Pay) people like Wayne Gerdes, who have a proven record in FE to advertise. Wayne has help me push a vehicle he has driven a few times, to twice the EPA rating on short trips. There is no doubt, Wayne could get a life time average much better than myself in any vehicle, just thankful for the savings at the pump with his and everyone's help.

GaryG

i guess to this guy pollution doesn't mean squat to him. I see rush hour traffic everyday and if all of those were hybrids, think of the possbiles of our air.

He lives in the UK... the last time I was there it was dirty as @#!$@# sorry British... that additute won't save your air now...

cept for your high gasoline tax. Hybrids are good for getting good mileage without effort, a normal car can get good mileage with some effort they were created for the sole purpose of CLEANER air, yet people keep talking about miles per gallon and what garbage. Truly missing the entire point why they exsits in the first place.