Which would you buy?

[tdcoly]

First off, I am a tree-hugging lib.  There, I said it.

But, I've wondered about the overall efficiency of hybrid cars.  Now I've found a study :

http://clubs.ccsu.edu/rec...orial_item.asp?NewsID=188

[worst_golfer_ever]

That's sort of a loaded article.
- The author compares the mpg of a Prius by 2008 standards to the mpg of a Chevy Aveo by earlier standards
- He/She discusses in great detail the environmental damage of a battery/nickel plant, but does not discuss environmental damage from oil wells, refineries, etc.  (Think of the tear-jerking tales that could have been told of oil well fires in the middle east or evacuations of small children from local refineries.)
- The production cost of a Prius is compared to the production cost of a Hummer in a very strange way.  First, it doesn't take into account the economies of scale, and second, the 100K versus 300K mileage lifetimes seem specious to me.
- The author says that you would need 5 years to make up the consumer cost 'premium' for a hybrid in gas money.  The article implies that the Prius is being compared to a Hummer here, but, the statement would only stand if the Prius were compared to a similar sedan. 
(The Hummer's MSRP is ~$140K, compared to the Prius at $22K makes it pretty silly to try and compare consumer cost.)

Of course, if you were a real tree-hugger, you'd just use one of these:

[tdcoly]

Yeah, I know it's loaded.  We just bought an '06 Forester that should get mid-20's, so I feel pretty good, and know that the wife will get around no matter what the weather and without the luggage of a big SUV.

But, I still wonder about the hybrid batteries, both the real life expectancy and how to dispose of the old ones.

[Aske]

the study , as presented, is pure BS

[Spanky]

Guess I don't feel so bad driving a Suburban.

[stroh]

Tree hugging hippee lib. here too.  I like the idea of a hybrid.  My escape does pretty good.  23-29 depending.......  The big plan, however, is I'm really hoping we sell our house soon, and we want to move within about 3 minutes of work for both of us.  I plan to walk, or ride my electric scooter. 

Plus, if I start doin' meth, I can drink my own urine.  So, I got that goin' for me.

[stegerman]

Plus, if I start doin' meth, I can drink my own urine.  So, I got that goin' for me.

http://www.leaflady.org/urine_therapy.htm

Too healthy, dude.

[APTech]

Tree hugging hippee lib. here too.  I like the idea of a hybrid.  My escape does pretty good.  23-29 depending.......  The big plan, however, is I'm really hoping we sell our house soon, and we want to move within about 3 minutes of work for both of us.  I plan to walk, or ride my electric scooter. 

Plus, if I start doin' meth, I can drink my own urine.  So, I got that goin' for me.

Mike, are ya lookin' to move to Blaine or Coon Rapids?

[E-A-G-L-E!]

which would I rather buy?  A new bike.  Of course, I really don't need one - the one I have works fine.  Besides that, it matches my golf clubs.

[stroh]

Tree hugging hippee lib. here too.  I like the idea of a hybrid.  My escape does pretty good.  23-29 depending.......  The big plan, however, is I'm really hoping we sell our house soon, and we want to move within about 3 minutes of work for both of us.  I plan to walk, or ride my electric scooter. 

Plus, if I start doin' meth, I can drink my own urine.  So, I got that goin' for me.

Mike, are ya lookin' to move to Blaine or Coon Rapids?

Blaine!  Most likely Club West.  We'll see.  If not there, then Spring Lake Park.  We came from there.  Never should have left.

[tdcoly]

the study , as presented, is pure BS

Yeah, I agree.  But, the real world battery life and the problems with disposal are still valid considerations.  So are resale values of hybrids with big mileage.