BajaNomad - Green Republican

Green Republican

CortezBlue - 2-19-2016 at 08:42 PM

Well after getting my Real Estate Lic and driving around Fenix with my F150 Platinum that I drag my trailer with, I thought, enough is enough. Even with gas at 1.39 a gallon here in AZ, I though it is time to buy a solution.

I bought a used 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid. Now, not to burst any progressives bubble, I didn't do it to save the planet, but to save money.

But what a great ride. It is like driving a video game. It allows the driver to see when you are using gas or electricity.

It is not a Toyota Prius, which gets about a zillion miles per gallon, but a half zillion is great.
I have average about 36 mpg on mixed freeway and street driving.

The next time we travel down to San Felipe, I am going to drive it. I think I can make it with 10 gallons or about 15 bucks. Woo Who

bajadogs - 2-19-2016 at 09:13 PM

Quote: Originally posted by CortezBlue

I didn't do it to save the planet, but to save money.

That's how we progressives will change the world. For me personally, I care more about the planet than I do about money.

Enjoy the ride.

bajacamper - 2-19-2016 at 09:26 PM

I have owned two prius's. Great cars for the gas mileage. Lots of waves and smiles from other prius drivers, until they spotted my NRA sticker on the window. Now that was funny. I did, however, get tired of the pickup's and suv's giving me the finger while honking their collective horns. Traded the last one for a Jeep Grand Cherokee. No more intimidation on the road. Oh yeah, I moved the NRA sticker to the Jeep.

Hook - 2-20-2016 at 07:00 AM

Quote: Originally posted by bajadogs

Quote: Originally posted by CortezBlue

I didn't do it to save the planet, but to save money.

That's how we progressives will change the world. For me personally, I care more about the planet than I do about money.

Enjoy the ride.

But the planet will never be "saved" until there is a monetary incentive to do it. Just human nature, now. Dont think for a minute that the vast majority of hybrid owners havent gone over for personal monetary reasons.

I'm not saying there arent people out there with altruism towards the planet. Just that they will never been a large enough component to effect the kind of change the planet needs, WITHOUT A MONETARY INCENTIVE.

bajaguy - 2-20-2016 at 07:54 AM

Speaking of monetary incentive, it's all fun and games with a hybrid until you have to replace the batteries

23S52N - 2-20-2016 at 08:11 AM

Quote: Originally posted by bajaguy

Speaking of monetary incentive, it's all fun and games with a hybrid until you have to replace the batteries

Yup, and has anyone ever asked where all these old batteries go? Are they recycled or dumped in a landfill? Dunno.

I have been passed by more speeding Prius's than I can count, so much for fuel conservation. And ya, I just don't like them.

Regards,
Keith

CortezBlue - 2-20-2016 at 08:23 AM

Well the good news is, it has air bags. So provided my batteries are still good, when the oceans rise I will be able to float on by.

monoloco - 2-20-2016 at 08:43 AM

Quote: Originally posted by bajaguy

Speaking of monetary incentive, it's all fun and games with a hybrid until you have to replace the batteries

The batteries have quite a long life 2-300,000 miles, and cost less than an engine overhaul to replace.

pauldavidmena - 2-20-2016 at 08:58 AM

SFandH - 2-20-2016 at 09:04 AM

Quote: Originally posted by 23S52N

Quote: Originally posted by bajaguy

Speaking of monetary incentive, it's all fun and games with a hybrid until you have to replace the batteries

Yup, and has anyone ever asked where all these old batteries go? Are they recycled or dumped in a landfill? Dunno.

And ya, I just don't like them.

Regards,
Keith

I didn't know either so I spent 1/2 minute finding out:

"..........expired battery packs aren’t wasted, thanks to a battery recycling program Toyota launched in 2010.

After being removed, the battery pack is sent to specialist recycling firm Kinsbursky Brothers in Anaheim, California -- the same firm responsible for recycling used lithium-ion battery packs from Tesla.

On arrival at the specialized facility, battery packs are broken down into their constituent parts, with nickel being smelted down for stainless steel used in making refrigerator doors, while rare-earth elements, plastic casings and electrolyte are all recycled into appropriate industries.

More importantly perhaps, not a single traction battery pack ends up in landfill, proving that batteries -- no matter what their chemistry -- are still the most recycled consumer product."

http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1071391_life-after-death...
--------------------------------------

"And ya, I just don't like them."

Why not?

Cliffy - 2-20-2016 at 09:15 AM

Just a question that I don't have the answer to-
You save gas driving you get double my mileage in my 2006 F150
but what is the total carbon footprint from first fire in the smelter for the steel to build it (including all the energy that goes into building the batteries) and all the energy that it takes to re-compost it so to speak when it dies?
Are you ahead or behind carbon wise, with the gas you save over its life?
Really, just thinking, I don't have the answer. I just need a new car.

Bob and Susan - 2-20-2016 at 09:55 AM

I too bought a small car for traveling 4 years ago...
a little Nissan versa

it costs me $53 usa or 900 pesos to get to the border...
I get 42mpg normally...

it now has 70k on the clock and the brakes pads are more than half
I even imported a stove and brought it down...the thing is big inside

they just make newer cars better

still I figure it cost me about a grand a year to own

Santiago - 2-20-2016 at 10:10 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Bob and Susan

I too bought a small car for traveling 4 years ago...
a little Nissan versa

You got the Note and not the sedan, right? I've been looking a them.

Kencito - 2-20-2016 at 10:33 AM

I bought a used Prius a few years ago for NOB driving. The battery conked out at 104,000 miles. So I go on line and see that the battery is guaranteed for 100k miles unless it is a California car in which case it is under warranty for 150k miles. Whew. So I took it in to the dealer and got a brand new battery. Very reliable, great mileage.

23S52N - 2-20-2016 at 10:34 AM

Why don't I like them.....hmmm, I guess in some ways it's like asking why I don't like cauliflower...I just don't. But I was raised in the 50s and 60s when cars were big enough to live in and I guess it got into my dna. I think the Prius, as well as a lot of those little eco jobs look like a rabbit that got bred by a rhino, the styling sucks, (author's opinion).

One advantage is if you are ever in a serious crash, you save money on a casket, just dump the whole unit in the ground. Of course I'm being a bit facetious but in my experience, i have never seen one of those little puddle jumpers, or the occupants, come out the winner in a crash with anything, I like lots of metal around me, I drive a pickup....and no I've never flipped the bird at a prius driver....yet, lol.

Regards,
Keith

mtgoat666 - 2-20-2016 at 10:36 AM

Quote: Originally posted by pauldavidmena

Among the developed (I.e. first world) nations, The USA has one of the highest per capita gun violence rates, and highest per capita energy use,....
One wonders if gun ownership is directly related to energy waste, eh?
Maybe if our joe six pack culture defined manhood based on other factors than guns and horse power, we would live more peacefully in a cooler world, eh?

Real men don't define their manhood using guns and horse power, but guys with small johnsons do.

mtgoat666 - 2-20-2016 at 10:38 AM

Local driving (short commutes) is pretty cheap if you got solar pv with net metering and drive an electric car.

Be GREEN all you want to BE................

MrBillM - 2-20-2016 at 10:45 AM

Free to decide based upon the competitive Market.

Free from Government Mandate.

BTW, "inappropriate" Gun-use "seems" to be concentrated NOT in the many states (such as Arizona) where the possession/carry laws are more favorable and legal "per-capita" ownership is significant, BUT in Inner-City areas located in States where the laws are more restrictive.

IF a correlation is indicated, "perhaps" it has more to do with the quality of THOSE inhabitants and THEIR activiities.

Ya Think ?

Cliffy - 2-20-2016 at 11:18 AM

If the top 4 gun violence cities were dropped from the stats (all of them Democrat controlled for decades but that's getting into an area I wish to avoid) then the USA drops from near the top of the list to about 4 from the bottom in the World!
BTW, those 4 cities have the most stringent gun laws on the books
.
One of my guns has been sitting ready for use, in the same drawer, for years, but it has never moved an inch on its own.

Now back to the regular programing- I've been looking at Versa's also.
The hatchback has lots of room even up front.

23S52N - 2-20-2016 at 11:20 AM

ATTENTION, HIJACK IN PROGRESS......

Bob and Susan - 2-20-2016 at 12:22 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Santiago

Quote: Originally posted by Bob and Susan

I too bought a small car for traveling 4 years ago...
a little Nissan versa

You got the Note and not the sedan, right? I've been looking a them.

I got a 2011 versa hatchback...the "note" came later...

the thing is a little "tinnie" but it's really roomy inside and
gets great mileage
tires are CHEAP compared to the truck though

and I cant go on that cut-off road across baja if I go east
too many BIG rocks

i paid $9000usa out the door...put a set of tires on it and drove home...it was one year old
i figure its worth about $5000usa today...so its costing me a grand a year
it started as a hertz rental.

tripledigitken - 2-20-2016 at 12:31 PM

I wish Udo would chime in on his experience regarding Prius batt life. Awhile back he said he put over 400,000 miles on one.

[Edited on 2-20-2016 by tripledigitken]

Bob and Susan - 2-20-2016 at 01:01 PM

Quote: Originally posted by tripledigitken

I wish Udo would chime in on his experience regarding Prius batt life. Awhile back he said he put over 400,000 miles on one.

wow!!!

pauldavidmena - 2-20-2016 at 01:03 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Cliffy

If the top 4 gun violence cities were dropped from the stats (all of them Democrat controlled for decades but that's getting into an area I wish to avoid) then the USA drops from near the top of the list to about 4 from the bottom in the World!
BTW, those 4 cities have the most stringent gun laws on the books

Since this thread has already been hijacked...

I've seen this "statistic" before, and while it sounds meaningful, it's really disingenuous. Of course eliminating the outliers would change the outcome for the U.S. violence versus other countries, but you can't do this sort of data manipulation for one country and not the others. To compare apples to apples, eliminate the 4 violence hot spots for all countries in this study, and then see where the U.S. ends up.

It's like saying that if it wasn't for the Yankees, Cardinals, Dodgers and A's, the Red Sox would be the baseball team with the most World Series championships. Wait - I kind of like the sound of that...

mtgoat666 - 2-20-2016 at 01:28 PM

No such thing as a green republican. If you vote republican, you vote for the party that takes a stance against any and all things green

The Process of Elimination Salvation

MrBillM - 2-20-2016 at 01:41 PM

IF we were to Eliminate or (at least) Incarcerate, the principal component of the population causing the problem in those four cities, the "Stats" and our security would take a BIG leap for the better.

Outside the Urban Swamps in places like I live, the majority of Gun-Use incidents that make the local news are Victims using those guns to fend off an attack with Deadly-Force. Usually a Home-Invasion.

Try convincing ANY of them that they'd have been better off without a Firearm.

[Edited on 2-20-2016 by MrBillM]

David K - 2-20-2016 at 01:46 PM

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666

No such thing as a green republican. If you vote republican, you vote for the party that takes a stance against any and all things green

Emotional rants over facts, again Mr. Goat?

mtgoat666 - 2-20-2016 at 02:16 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666

No such thing as a green republican. If you vote republican, you vote for the party that takes a stance against any and all things green

Emotional rants over facts, again Mr. Goat?

Just the facts, ma'am.

Cliffy - 2-20-2016 at 02:45 PM

I drove a Versa HB for a few days (rental) and really liked the inside room, the quiet road noise and the spirited handling and I'm a big car type person. I like to drive submarines like old Caddies and Lincolns. They kind of float along the road. Even Buick RoadMasters! But the Versa got my attention.

bajacamper - 2-20-2016 at 02:50 PM

Nope! I refuse to rise to the bait Mr Goat...

bezzell - 2-20-2016 at 03:41 PM

The Prius has come a long way.
Hats off to Toyota !! wow

( just how clueless do you have to be to comment on styling etc, when these are major functions of it's success ....
'function before form' )

sheez

bezzell - 2-20-2016 at 03:43 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Cliffy

Just a question that I don't have the answer to-
You save gas driving you get double my mileage in my 2006 F150
but what is the total carbon footprint from first fire in the smelter for the steel to build it (including all the energy that goes into building the batteries) and all the energy that it takes to re-compost it so to speak when it dies?
Are you ahead or behind carbon wise, with the gas you save over its life?
Really, just thinking, I don't have the answer. I just need a new car.

don't have full answer (but shouldn't take too much research) but I'd put money on current versions getting closer to 3x that F150 gas mileage (?) ) just fyi
Quizzing Prius drivers ... I'm surprised at the real-world mileage they're touting!

ps how about all that room in the back with rear seats down!!? That's Costco-run material

[Edited on 2-20-2016 by bezzell]

[Edited on 2-20-2016 by bezzell]

grizzlyfsh95 - 2-21-2016 at 03:25 PM

Are Pious owners really superior, or do they just act that way? Mmmm Goat?

mtgoat666 - 2-21-2016 at 07:02 PM

Quote: Originally posted by grizzlyfsh95

Are Pious owners really superior, or do they just act that way? Mmmm Goat?

If I own piousness, then I must be superior, eh?

Feel the bern!

Pious about Prius

MrBillM - 2-21-2016 at 07:21 PM

Often renting cars, the one time I ended up with a (non-hybrid) Prius, I found the seats less comfortable than other Brand/Models.

monoloco - 2-21-2016 at 08:25 PM

Quote: Originally posted by MrBillM

Often renting cars, the one time I ended up with a (non-hybrid) Prius, I found the seats less comfortable than other Brand/Models.

The only non-hybrid Prius was a phony one that was announced as an April fools joke.

mtgoat666 - 2-21-2016 at 08:46 PM

Quote: Originally posted by monoloco

Quote: Originally posted by MrBillM

Often renting cars, the one time I ended up with a (non-hybrid) Prius, I found the seats less comfortable than other Brand/Models.

The only non-hybrid Prius was a phony one that was announced as an April fools joke.

Mr bile is full of chit, as usual

You're RIGHT

MrBillM - 2-21-2016 at 08:49 PM

Looking it up, it was a Ford Focus.

After awhile and so many, the rentals tend to blend together.

My wife once said that we should make a note of which cars had features that we didn't like, but I noted that, at Enterprise (in YV), you just end up with whatever is available.

I ordered a "Compact" a couple of weeks back for a run to Palm Springs and ended up with a Hyundai Santa Fe but, at least, you only pay for whichever "class" you reserved.

SO, anyway, the Ford Focus has uncomfortable seats, for whatever that's worth.