BeachSkin Posted March 23, 2011 Share Posted March 23, 2011 Test drove the Nissan Leaf and really liked it. I might make the purchase. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teller Posted March 23, 2011 Share Posted March 23, 2011 I have a problem giving Car of the Year to anything that 90% of the population can't afford.I would think the Tesla Roadster, as awesome as it is, isn't affordable for the majority. I'm kind of torn on that. Do you just eliminate the Bugatti Veyron from consideration because people can't afford it? Do you eliminate all luxury manufacterers? Technology, and especially new technology, is expensive. Do you not reward innovation because of that? (Being rhetorical here, not trying to be aggressive or accusatory.) If it were me, I wouldn't consider cost. Or I'd have "division winners" based on price. I think the most progressive automakers deserve to be rewarded for their effort and vision, even if it's initially too pricey for most consumers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan T. Posted March 23, 2011 Share Posted March 23, 2011 .Yes, gasoline, but oil? No. I'm pretty sure electricity doesn't just appear out of thin air. Forty miles in a Volt costs 48 cents to $1.34 in electricity, depending on where you live. And 50% of U.S. electricity is coal generated: A non-renewable, but mostly domestic, fuel. Unlike oil. http://gm-volt.com/chevy-volt-reasons-for-use-and-cost-of-operation/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NavyDave Posted March 23, 2011 Share Posted March 23, 2011 Plug-in cars are an instant fail to me. Why not promote cars that run on Natural Gas since we have so much that it rivals Saudi Arabia oil fields at their peak? Then make Natural Gas powered Escolades and Navigators. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teller Posted March 23, 2011 Share Posted March 23, 2011 Plug-in cars are an instant fail to me. Why? You don't like torque? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Fried Posted March 23, 2011 Share Posted March 23, 2011 Make it go away!!! Please!!! Take it away!!! . . . . . . . . . . . Oh, that's better. ---------- Post added March-23rd-2011 at 11:07 AM ---------- Forty miles in a Volt costs 48 cents to $1.34 in electricity, depending on where you live. And 50% of U.S. electricity is coal generated: A non-renewable, but mostly domestic, fuel. Unlike oil. http://gm-volt.com/chevy-volt-reasons-for-use-and-cost-of-operation/ Still uses fossil fuels. I'm no geo chemist, but it sounds like apples to oranges to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homercles82 Posted March 23, 2011 Share Posted March 23, 2011 I'm kind of torn on that. Do you just eliminate the Bugatti Veyron from consideration because people can't afford it? Do you eliminate all luxury manufacterers? Technology, and especially new technology, is expensive. Do you not reward innovation because of that? (Being rhetorical here, not trying to be aggressive or accusatory.)If it were me, I wouldn't consider cost. Or I'd have "division winners" based on price. I think the most progressive automakers deserve to be rewarded for their effort and vision, even if it's initially too pricey for most consumers. I have not read a Motor Trend magazine in a long time but they do(did) have division winners. COTY is for what they find to be the best overall car taking into account all facets. I still think it is an odd choice that they may have been paid to do. Plug-in cars are an instant fail to me. Why not promote cars that run on Natural Gas since we have so much that it rivals Saudi Arabia oil fields at their peak?Then make Natural Gas powered Escolades and Navigators. I believe we are not allowed to tap the natural gas in many places much like our own oil. ---------- Post added March-23rd-2011 at 11:09 AM ---------- Still uses fossil fuels. I'm no geo chemist, but it sounds like apples to oranges to me. Yes. Until we start building more nuclear power plants or wind actually becomes viable without needed to scavenge thousands of acres to create large enough windfields, we are still relying on fossil fuels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teller Posted March 23, 2011 Share Posted March 23, 2011 That Raptor is a ridiculous machine. Eleven inches of give in the rear shocks, and nine in the front, if I'm not mistaken. I watched a test of it on one of the shows on Speed, and they were flying across open fields at nearly 100 MPH. They had cameras in the wheel wells showing how hard the shocks were working, while the cab remained absolutely level. It hardly transfered any of the beating to the interior at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homercles82 Posted March 23, 2011 Share Posted March 23, 2011 Still uses fossil fuels. I'm no geo chemist, but it sounds like apples to oranges to me. Yes. Until we start building more nuclear power plants or wind actually becomes viable without needed to scavenge thousands of acres to create large enough windfields, we are still relying on fossil fuels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NavyDave Posted March 23, 2011 Share Posted March 23, 2011 Why? You don't like torque? Hmm overnight refueling vs seconds at the pump. Plug-ins in some places have to deal with rolling blackouts during those hot summer months when AC usage picks up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homercles82 Posted March 23, 2011 Share Posted March 23, 2011 On 64W before the 295 interchange there is a recently renovated Rest Area that has a plugin station for electric cars that was donated and powered by Dominion Power. I laughed thinking of how there are no other recharging stations until you basically are home. Hmm overnight refueling vs seconds at the pump.Plug-ins in some places have to deal with rolling blackouts during those hot summer months when AC usage picks up. From what I understand Dave is that the Volt's batteries don't need to charge overnight to completely recharge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teller Posted March 23, 2011 Share Posted March 23, 2011 Hmm overnight refueling vs seconds at the pump.Plug-ins in some places have to deal with rolling blackouts during those hot summer months when AC usage picks up. So your problem isn't with electric vehicles per se, but with their practicality right now? I'd agree with that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stadium-Armory Posted March 23, 2011 Share Posted March 23, 2011 Despite some of the less than ideal attributes of the Volt, it is undoubtedly a small step in the long road to energy independence. Of course its not perfect, its the first of many steps in the right direction, and should be supported by everyone as such. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Fried Posted March 23, 2011 Share Posted March 23, 2011 That Raptor is a ridiculous machine. Eleven inches of give in the rear shocks, and nine in the front, if I'm not mistaken. I watched a test of it on one of the shows on Speed, and they were flying across open fields at nearly 100 MPH. They had cameras in the wheel wells showing how hard the shocks were working, while the cab remained absolutely level. It hardly transfered any of the beating to the interior at all. It's so awesome. Have you seen the Chevy Silverado zr2? It apparently has such a powerful engine that it will never be made. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homercles82 Posted March 23, 2011 Share Posted March 23, 2011 So your problem isn't with electric vehicles per se, but with their practicality right now? I'd agree with that. I think that is most people's problems. There needs to be longer mileage on batteries to truly alleviate the use of fossil fuels. The Consumer Reports test drive reported that their model for review was giving them less than 30 miles to EMPTY on the battery in traffic and in cold weather. At one point I think his mileage remaining dropped to 14 miles left when he was stuck in traffic. He said he was seriously worried about making it to work on battery alone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teller Posted March 23, 2011 Share Posted March 23, 2011 It's so awesome. Have you seen the Chevy Silverado zr2? It apparently has such a powerful engine that it will never be made. Nope, but thanks for the heads up. Google is about to be my friend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NavyDave Posted March 23, 2011 Share Posted March 23, 2011 I believe we are not allowed to tap the natural gas in many places much like our own oil. BINGO!!! Instead of giving billions to help a Drill Brazil Drill stimulus, we should allow the Drill Baby Drill in the Gulf where thousands of jobs are lost and in Alaska where we would be energy independent after can Tap the Natural Gas reserves. But I think that won't happen until 2016 when Team elephant's 1st Female President displays the cajones and backbone to Ram thru an energy independence Bill and tells their DOJ to ignore tree hugger lawsuits aimed at slowing drilling in Anwar and other places. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lombardi's_kid_brother Posted March 23, 2011 Share Posted March 23, 2011 I haven't driven a Volt yet, but I will say this about the Leaf: It's a car. By that I mean, when you are inside it, it feels like you are driving a car and not some plastic GI Joe toy. That seems to be the great step forward here: You are getting better range on the batteries with cars that actually weigh what cars are supposed to weigh. My wife would buy one immediately, but I'm not quite ready to make that commitment yet. Though apparently Houston and a few other Sun Belt cities are committed to building the infrastructure for them. The Volt also has an upgrade that allows you to fully charge the battery in less than 1/2 hour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrong Direction Posted March 23, 2011 Share Posted March 23, 2011 I've been hearing about plug-in cars for years. Is the volt really a new technology? I'm seriously asking. It would be nice to get all cars off of gas, for sure. I do wonder about battery technology though. That isn't analagous to processor speed for example (doubles something like every 1-2 years). Battery technology is old and I'm not convinced there's a lot more near-term potential, but I could be totally wrong. I actually won a bet years ago against my then girlfriend (now wife) who said in 5 years we'd have cell-phones that played live TV. That was 11 years ago. We still don't as far as I'm aware, though videos and internet are a major step forward. The only reason is because of battery power, I believe. I could totally be proven wrong though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NavyDave Posted March 23, 2011 Share Posted March 23, 2011 Despite some of the less than ideal attributes of the Volt, it is undoubtedly a small step in the long road to energy independence. Of course its not perfect, its the first of many steps in the right direction, and should be supported by everyone as such. Translation: Yeah it sucks but look at the Good Intentions, instead of the results. Show your support by wasting your money on the BetaMax of Automobiles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lombardi's_kid_brother Posted March 23, 2011 Share Posted March 23, 2011 BINGO!!! Instead of giving billions to help a Drill Brazil Drill stimulus, we should allow the Drill Baby Drill in the Gulf where thousands of jobs are lost and in Alaska where we would be energy independent after can Tap the Natural Gas reserves. Do you ever post anything that is true? I mean this in all seriousness: Do you just post what you think is true and then just assume that no one will call you out on it? Natural gas drilling is like the Wild Wild West Right now. In Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia, every other person has a well in their backyard. It's insane and there are apparently no restrictions. http://www.theintelligencer.net/page/content.detail/id/553285/Drilling-Growth-Rapid.html?nav=515 If anything, there is now a movement in state houses to actually start monitoring this. Ohio wants to shut off state parks to drilling. Arkansas wants to create an agency to monitor the wells since again, apparently all that is required is some land and a drill. http://ozarksfirst.com/fulltext?nxd_id=427016 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan T. Posted March 23, 2011 Share Posted March 23, 2011 I assume the Volt is intended as a commuter car right now, or other limited types of driving. You're not going to road trip across country in it. It does have a small gas tank powering an internal combustion generator that kicks in when the electric power gets low. From the link above: "After the first 40 miles, the combustion engine generator will kick in. This will keep the battery at a 30% state of charge. This 3-cylinder 1L engine will get 50 mpg fuel efficiency. To calculate the fuel efficiency for drives longer than 40 miles use the following formula: Total MPG = 55*M/(M-40)." http://gm-volt.com/chevy-volt-reasons-for-use-and-cost-of-operation/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lombardi's_kid_brother Posted March 23, 2011 Share Posted March 23, 2011 Translation: Yeah it sucks but look at the Good Intentions, instead of the results. Show your support by wasting your money on the BetaMax of Automobiles A. Betamax was awesome. B. Are you saying that no one should have bought a VCR in 1979 because they were clunky, expensive, and there was nothing to watch on them? Is your argument that 8 millimeter was good enough? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrong Direction Posted March 23, 2011 Share Posted March 23, 2011 BINGO!!! Instead of giving billions to help a Drill Brazil Drill stimulus, we should allow the Drill Baby Drill in the Gulf where thousands of jobs are lost and in Alaska where we would be energy independent after can Tap the Natural Gas reserves. But I think that won't happen until 2016 when Team elephant's 1st Female President displays the cajones and backbone to Ram thru an energy independence Bill and tells their DOJ to ignore tree hugger lawsuits aimed at slowing drilling in Anwar and other places. Can we please tap the reserves w/o her as the president? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Evil Genius Posted March 23, 2011 Share Posted March 23, 2011 I actually won a bet years ago against my then girlfriend (now wife) who said in 5 years we'd have cell-phones that played live TV. That was 11 years ago. We still don't as far as I'm aware, though videos and internet are a major step forward. The only reason is because of battery power, I believe. I could totally be proven wrong though. Of topic - but Verizon's VCast lets you watch live sporting events on your phone. http://products.verizonwireless.com/index.aspx?id=fnd_video Watch your favorite television shows while on the go. See live college football, college basketball and NHL Hockey. Get the latest local and national news. Watch great family shows like Disney Channel's Hannah Montana and SpongeBob SquarePants on Nickelodeon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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