Thinking About a Hybrid

[KJRGT]

That was great Nielda :lol:lol:lol BTW I will go look at the Lexus GS. I'll also check out the Ford Escape. Bought my daughter a Ford Edge about 8 months ago and it is a great all around vehicle.
Is SoCal the only market where diesel has been more expensive than gas for what seems a couple years? I want to check out diesel cars, but the price per gallon has me shaking my head.
The LS460H is out, prices start at $100K plus and I don't want to spend that kind of money on an everyday driver I pound on the freeway day after day.

 

[Mark O]

Mark
I agree with you on the diesels. I've been driving F-250 diesels for 13 years now. I love the power and the fuel mileage is much better than the gas motors. Trouble is, for the last year or two, Diesel is MUCH more expensive than Gas.

I'm not a chemist, or a refiner, but common sense tells me that Diesel fuel would be less costly to make.

I think the stigma attached to diesels from the poor attempt at them in the 70s still has people turned off. When people see 20 -30 cents per gallon more for diesel, along with the added upkeep and maintenance, that 30 mpg Focus looks mighty good.

IMHO

Diesel fuel is more expensive at the moment, but it does go down in the warmer months. I have three Sprinter vans for work which get between 21-24 mpg. My old Ford vans (which I've had from 1984-2004) would get 16 mpg at best. At 40,000 miles per year, per vehicle, my fuel costs are significantly lower than with gasoline powered vans.

To compete in the Euro market, the Big Three all sell diesel powered versions of their cars they sell here, but their diesel powered vehicles are not offered here at all. The onlyb diesel passenger cars available here are from MB & VW. Today's technology makes them quieter & cleaner than they've ever been. Why not offer more of them?

 

[GT Tech]

I'm in NW Arizona, and it's been much higher in the 6 months I've lived here.
I think Michigan has about the same price disparity.

I live 18 miles out of town, so I've been driving my wifes ZX2. 32-34 mpg. Not as eco-friendly as a hybrid, not as luxurious as a Lexus, but it's paid for. :biggrin

 

[Spirit's Son]

comparing the Lexus LS600h (there is no such thing as an LS460h) and the GS450h with any other hybrid is comparing apples to oranges. People dont buy any of the 3 Lexus hybrids for the gas mileage advantage. It is not much higher and you will pay much more. People buy them to say they drive a hybrid, and own a Lexus. Sounds nice at the country club. If you want a good efficient hybrid that is still comfortable get a loaded hybrid Camry. The Toyota/Lexus HSD system is the best system on the market, although Ford and GM's hybrids are just about there now. So good, Nissan is using a Toyota HSD in its new Altima hybrid. Ive driven the hybrid Mariner. Although I am impressed by its listed gas mileage, I was unimpressed by its near constant use of the gas engine.

I agree with the Diesel comments. I know many people that get over 40mpg in their diesel VDubs on the highway, better than just about all hybrids.

Bottom line, if you want the luxury Lexus car, but get the gas mileage then you have the 2 Lexus hybrids and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Blutec. After that you are into cheaper commuter hybrids/diesels.

 

[PILOTJPW1]

Euro diesels here?

I read this before but am blanking out on it now.

I believe there fuel or our emissions are the problem. Most Euro diesels have had major sqawks in there first years over in the promise land.

 

[AJB]

Remember...IF YOU WANT ANY FORD MOTOR CO products, send me a PM and I can do a ''Friends and Family Discount'' ...may save you some $$

andy
AJB