walt peifer

"Lynn McGuire" <nospam@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:11t27obeo4imjb3@corp.supernews.com...
>> Two comments: First, don't even try to compare your Prius to an S10 or
>> ANY kind of pickup. That's like saying "My S10 hauls 500 lbs of dirt
>> and my Prius doesn't". If you want to compare your Prius to something,
>> compare it to another car.
>
> It is not my Prius. I drive a Ford Expedition with the 3 valve 5.4L. I
> am
> just quoting the website posting. I do highly admire the Prius
> technology.
> It seems to be well thought out, especially the electric air conditioning.
>
> I have been seriously considering purchasing a Mustang GT convertible
> as a third car. However, the potential availability of gasoline in the
> coming months is beginning to concern me.
>
>> Bottom line: Except for the welfare check that the government gives you
>> to buy it, your purchase woundn't pay for itself.
>
> If you tell me the future price of gasoline, I will tell you if the Prius
> will pay
> for itself. For instance, we were paying 27 cents per gallon in 1972
> before the Arab oil embargo. In 1973 that jumped to 50 cents per gallon
> and then to $1.00 per gallon in 1979.
>
> I suspect that if the USA or Israel bombs Iran in March, the price of
> gasoline may hit $10 per gallon in April here in Texas. That is, if you
> can get gasoline. Hurricane Rita was a very sobering experience
> here in Houston (we did not have gasoline generally available for over
> a week after the hurricane). A lot of stations did have diesel if you
> were willing to pay $3.50 per gallon.
>
> BTW, the Prius has a $2,000 price over MSRP plus a six month waiting
> list here in Houston. Kind of like the GT convertible.
>
> Lynn
>
>
yes if gas prices go up the hybrid's pay off comes quicker. Remember however
you'll still be buying $10.00 a gallon gasoline with the rest of, just not
as much.
what happens if the big car makers do put the tech and research into regular
gas powered cars? could we expect a 50 MPG mustang or a 35 MPG F-150? as was
discussed months ago on this board gas mileage has been static while
Emission (law driven) safety (law driven) and drivability (less warranty
work driven) have improved steadily. Gasoline prices have not kept up with
the economy in terms of inflation, therefore gas was relatively cheap,
meaning MPG has not been a driving factor in auto research,. That may change
shortly. if the MPG or the average vehicle doubles it will push hybrids back
into the background again until the next crisis. instead of opening up the
Alaskan preserve for more drilling the USGOV should actually fund bigger
incentives for both the purchase and manufacturer of alternative/hybrid
cars.
When we switched from leaded to unleaded fuels, the transition was
relatively quick and painless. We could do the same now, tax breaks for gas
stations that put in hydrogen or charging stations, mandate all new vehicles
either get big MPG or use alternative fuel.