Consumer Reports: Special 'eco' car models don't pay off

[50 mpg by 2012]

Originally Posted by MaxxMPG

What CR should do is test these three models alongside their non-eco equivalents (Cruze LT, Civic LX, etc), driving them as though an inch of snow had fallen.

I like your snow analogy!

I should have remembered it after 16 years upstate NY. I guess the following 18 years in TX dimmed the memory ... but hopefully not the habit. I guess the practice is still there ... the missus keeps asking me why I am holding up all the traffic when approaching (or leaving) a red light. It is almost a running joke.

[50 mpg by 2012]

My issue with Det3 since 2004 is SMALL annual "evolutionary" incremental increases in fuel economy at increasing cost premiums deminishing potential economic justification for purchasing a NEW vehicle.

Even almost 5 years after breaking $4/gallon there are

only 9 ICE powered vehicles EPA rated ≥40 mpg(US) combined with none from the Det3 (maybe a 44 mpg Hybrid Fusion pending)

≥35 <40 mpg(US) combined there are 13 vehicles including 3 Det3 offerings, the Volt, hybrid Fusion, and MKZ

≥30 <35 mpg(US) combined has seen a significant change with 97 vehicles including 20 from the Det3

In 2007 there were only 11 ICE powered vehicles rated ≥30 mpg, including 1 Det3 offerring, the 30 mpg Escape Hybrid.

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/powerSearch.jsp

Det3 is now providing almost 20X more vehicles in the 30~40 mpg range compared to 2007.

However, the "foreign" OEMs are providing about 10X more vehicles in the ≥35 mpg range compared to 2007.

[waltermlee]

LOL The funny thing is that things that are suppose to have a return on investment, like my IRAs and bank's saving account haven't been doing so well either. I also read that CR panned the Prius c. It seems to me that CR has downgraded its testing/criteria for fuel efficiency and carbon emission and upgraded its criteria wrt ride and creature comforts. A silverlining is that the lower CR rating - is likely to translate to cheaper final price for Prius c at the dealership. Those high CR rating come with a higher sticker price at the dealership. So thankyou CR for making the Prius c cheaper... :-)


I'd have to say that the scangaugeII takes hypermiling to a new level and was worth the extra $$. I'd say that the scangaugeII helps a hypermiler make the jump from about a 10% increase in fuel efficiency to about 20% to 40% increase. I doubt that I could get +65mpg on a 2010 Prius without the scangaugeII and the tips here on cleanmpg.com.

[WriConsult]

Originally Posted by waltermlee

It seems to me that CR has downgraded its testing/criteria for fuel efficiency and carbon emission and upgraded its criteria wrt ride and creature comforts.

When I was a kid in the 70s, reading CR you could still feel it was a magazine for the frugal to get the best value for their money, and avoid throwing it away on overhyped junk. They started in the Depression when that was desperately needed by millions, and that ethic still pervaded the magazine. And if a car was offered with an MT, you'd be guaranteed they WOULD test that version because that's what a lot of frugal people would buy.

Now they test lots of luxury cars, upscale trims of economy cars, and often skip the MT versions. I don't know who their prime target demographic is anymore, but it isn't the frugal.

[herm]

Originally Posted by WriConsult

Now they test lots of luxury cars, upscale trims of economy cars, and often skip the MT versions. I don't know who their prime target demographic is anymore, but it isn't the frugal.

Things change, using an inflation calculator today's $30k is $5k back in 1970.. what could you buy for that money in 1979?.. the budget cars were around $2k

[phoebeisis]

Herm-In 1969 my dad bought a new 1969 Toyota Corolla SW for $1700- it was the cheapest car you could buy
In 1980 my wife to be(in 4 years) bought a Chevette-not Waynes stripper Scooter model- but one with nice fabric interior-AC radio- but with a MT. It was $4900 before TTL
Same time 1980- I bought a full on stripper Dodge D-100 long bed-NO AC no radio-vinyl seats-no rear bumper-MT- but it did have the V-8 318 not the 225 six which was still around.
It was $5400 total out the door-regular cab-just about everything was regular cab back then.
So in 1980 you could buy a decent base Big 3 vehicle for about $5000.
A stripper Big 3 Chevette maybe $4200 or so
Japanese cars-were usually $2000 more- Civic or Corolla vs Chevette-price premium becase of the gasoline price spike 1979-and because they were very reliable-

So in just 10 years a budget car-1970 to 1980- doubled in cost-We had terrible inflation in the 70's-15% per year and more- bank CDs paid 15% and more-tax free bonds paid 13% interest
Yeah inflation was high- but the economy was better than it is now in respect to unimployment!
Charlie