http://gas2.org/2009/01/12/the-reality-of-rural-mountain-living-and-the-future-of-the-hybrid-car/ What is the future of fuel? What's new? What's next? Since 2007, Gas 2 has covered a rapidly changing world coming to terms with its oil addiction. Mon, 13 Feb 2012 00:40:40 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://gas2.org/2009/01/12/the-reality-of-rural-mountain-living-and-the-future-of-the-hybrid-car/#comment-8222 Amy S Fri, 30 Jan 2009 22:10:42 +0000 http://gas2.org/?p=1573#comment-8222 This is a very good post! It reminded of when I first moved to the mountains and I couldn't imagine why there were almost as many Subarus as there were people. I said I would never get one and now over 10 years later, I admit I wouldn't mind one. They really seem to fair best in the mountains from what I have seen. I had a small honda when I first moved and it was great to get around in but with no clearance, I was finished! Ended up with a Toyota Rav (because I got a good deal) and it has been great in the snow, gas mileage and clearance but horrible power (older model), difficult driving over mountain passes. See quite a few Prius' around ... in the summer! This is a very good post! It reminded of when I first moved to the mountains and I couldn’t imagine why there were almost as many Subarus as there were people. I said I would never get one and now over 10 years later, I admit I wouldn’t mind one. They really seem to fair best in the mountains from what I have seen. I had a small honda when I first moved and it was great to get around in but with no clearance, I was finished! Ended up with a Toyota Rav (because I got a good deal) and it has been great in the snow, gas mileage and clearance but horrible power (older model), difficult driving over mountain passes. See quite a few Prius’ around … in the summer!

]]> http://gas2.org/2009/01/12/the-reality-of-rural-mountain-living-and-the-future-of-the-hybrid-car/#comment-30349 Amy S Fri, 30 Jan 2009 22:10:00 +0000 http://gas2.org/?p=1573#comment-30349 This is a very good post! It reminded of when I first moved to the mountains and I couldn't imagine why there were almost as many Subarus as there were people. I said I would never get one and now over 10 years later, I admit I wouldn't mind one. They really seem to fair best in the mountains from what I have seen. I had a small honda when I first moved and it was great to get around in but with no clearance, I was finished! Ended up with a Toyota Rav (because I got a good deal) and it has been great in the snow, gas mileage and clearance but horrible power (older model), difficult driving over mountain passes. See quite a few Prius' around ... in the summer! This is a very good post! It reminded of when I first moved to the mountains and I couldn’t imagine why there were almost as many Subarus as there were people. I said I would never get one and now over 10 years later, I admit I wouldn’t mind one. They really seem to fair best in the mountains from what I have seen. I had a small honda when I first moved and it was great to get around in but with no clearance, I was finished! Ended up with a Toyota Rav (because I got a good deal) and it has been great in the snow, gas mileage and clearance but horrible power (older model), difficult driving over mountain passes. See quite a few Prius’ around … in the summer!

]]> http://gas2.org/2009/01/12/the-reality-of-rural-mountain-living-and-the-future-of-the-hybrid-car/#comment-8221 Obama Wed, 21 Jan 2009 06:40:58 +0000 http://gas2.org/?p=1573#comment-8221 I drive a 1989 Honda CRX. I have consistently got more than 50mpg. As per 2008-2009 EPA fuel economy standards the CRX gets better MPG than the toyota prius. I have driven this car through 5ft snow banks, and passed many 4wd trucks off-road. Although I must admit, if they knew how to drive, there would be no way I would be passing them. I would however recommend beefing up the drivetrain if you go off road a lot. I have broke a radius rod, but considering the hell I've put it through this is not bad at all. I drive a 1989 Honda CRX. I have consistently got more than 50mpg. As per 2008-2009 EPA fuel economy standards the CRX gets better MPG than the toyota prius. I have driven this car through 5ft snow banks, and passed many 4wd trucks off-road. Although I must admit, if they knew how to drive, there would be no way I would be passing them. I would however recommend beefing up the drivetrain if you go off road a lot. I have broke a radius rod, but considering the hell I’ve put it through this is not bad at all.

]]> http://gas2.org/2009/01/12/the-reality-of-rural-mountain-living-and-the-future-of-the-hybrid-car/#comment-30348 Obama Wed, 21 Jan 2009 06:40:00 +0000 http://gas2.org/?p=1573#comment-30348 I drive a 1989 Honda CRX. I have consistently got more than 50mpg. As per 2008-2009 EPA fuel economy standards the CRX gets better MPG than the toyota prius. I have driven this car through 5ft snow banks, and passed many 4wd trucks off-road. Although I must admit, if they knew how to drive, there would be no way I would be passing them. I would however recommend beefing up the drivetrain if you go off road a lot. I have broke a radius rod, but considering the hell I've put it through this is not bad at all. I drive a 1989 Honda CRX. I have consistently got more than 50mpg. As per 2008-2009 EPA fuel economy standards the CRX gets better MPG than the toyota prius. I have driven this car through 5ft snow banks, and passed many 4wd trucks off-road. Although I must admit, if they knew how to drive, there would be no way I would be passing them. I would however recommend beefing up the drivetrain if you go off road a lot. I have broke a radius rod, but considering the hell I’ve put it through this is not bad at all.

]]> http://gas2.org/2009/01/12/the-reality-of-rural-mountain-living-and-the-future-of-the-hybrid-car/#comment-8220 Jon Tue, 20 Jan 2009 20:02:06 +0000 http://gas2.org/?p=1573#comment-8220 This is an issue with many Prius owners here in the Pacific Northwest. If you're going to stay on road, the Prius is fine. If you have even a MILDLY rugged driveway, the Prius is no good. My friend's lowered 1987 VW GTi handles dirt roads here better than my friend's Prius. I'm not hating on the Prius, though. It's a great car in the hands of the right people. This is an issue with many Prius owners here in the Pacific Northwest. If you’re going to stay on road, the Prius is fine. If you have even a MILDLY rugged driveway, the Prius is no good. My friend’s lowered 1987 VW GTi handles dirt roads here better than my friend’s Prius. I’m not hating on the Prius, though. It’s a great car in the hands of the right people.

]]> http://gas2.org/2009/01/12/the-reality-of-rural-mountain-living-and-the-future-of-the-hybrid-car/#comment-30347 Jon Tue, 20 Jan 2009 20:02:00 +0000 http://gas2.org/?p=1573#comment-30347 This is an issue with many Prius owners here in the Pacific Northwest. If you're going to stay on road, the Prius is fine. If you have even a MILDLY rugged driveway, the Prius is no good. My friend's lowered 1987 VW GTi handles dirt roads here better than my friend's Prius. I'm not hating on the Prius, though. It's a great car in the hands of the right people. This is an issue with many Prius owners here in the Pacific Northwest. If you’re going to stay on road, the Prius is fine. If you have even a MILDLY rugged driveway, the Prius is no good. My friend’s lowered 1987 VW GTi handles dirt roads here better than my friend’s Prius. I’m not hating on the Prius, though. It’s a great car in the hands of the right people.

]]> http://gas2.org/2009/01/12/the-reality-of-rural-mountain-living-and-the-future-of-the-hybrid-car/#comment-8219 Carl Inglin Fri, 16 Jan 2009 18:50:03 +0000 http://gas2.org/?p=1573#comment-8219 Seems to me there would be a market here if somebody came up with a reasonably priced, reliable hybrid conversion for existing SUV's and pickups. I've heard of a few small operations that do it, but since they're essentially custom jobs the cost is exorbitant. To be successful, it would have to be done by a company large enough to bring the cost down and provide servicing. Since the auto companies want to sell new vehicles I don't see it happening. But it sure would be nice if it did. Seems to me there would be a market here if somebody came up with a reasonably priced, reliable hybrid conversion for existing SUV’s and pickups. I’ve heard of a few small operations that do it, but since they’re essentially custom jobs the cost is exorbitant. To be successful, it would have to be done by a company large enough to bring the cost down and provide servicing. Since the auto companies want to sell new vehicles I don’t see it happening. But it sure would be nice if it did.

]]> http://gas2.org/2009/01/12/the-reality-of-rural-mountain-living-and-the-future-of-the-hybrid-car/#comment-30346 Carl Inglin Fri, 16 Jan 2009 18:50:00 +0000 http://gas2.org/?p=1573#comment-30346 Seems to me there would be a market here if somebody came up with a reasonably priced, reliable hybrid conversion for existing SUV's and pickups. I've heard of a few small operations that do it, but since they're essentially custom jobs the cost is exorbitant. To be successful, it would have to be done by a company large enough to bring the cost down and provide servicing. Since the auto companies want to sell new vehicles I don't see it happening. But it sure would be nice if it did. Seems to me there would be a market here if somebody came up with a reasonably priced, reliable hybrid conversion for existing SUV’s and pickups. I’ve heard of a few small operations that do it, but since they’re essentially custom jobs the cost is exorbitant. To be successful, it would have to be done by a company large enough to bring the cost down and provide servicing. Since the auto companies want to sell new vehicles I don’t see it happening. But it sure would be nice if it did.

]]> http://gas2.org/2009/01/12/the-reality-of-rural-mountain-living-and-the-future-of-the-hybrid-car/#comment-8218 Electric Cars Thu, 15 Jan 2009 03:57:46 +0000 http://gas2.org/?p=1573#comment-8218 Jennifer, you're so right on about the need for higher ground clearance. I used to spend a lot of my time on country roads and there's no way a Prius would have survived. So I got an FJ Cruiser instead. I really hope they release a hybrid model in 2010 so I can trade up :) Jennifer, you’re so right on about the need for higher ground clearance. I used to spend a lot of my time on country roads and there’s no way a Prius would have survived. So I got an FJ Cruiser instead. I really hope they release a hybrid model in 2010 so I can trade up

]]> http://gas2.org/2009/01/12/the-reality-of-rural-mountain-living-and-the-future-of-the-hybrid-car/#comment-30345 Electric Cars Thu, 15 Jan 2009 03:57:00 +0000 http://gas2.org/?p=1573#comment-30345 Jennifer, you're so right on about the need for higher ground clearance. I used to spend a lot of my time on country roads and there's no way a Prius would have survived. So I got an FJ Cruiser instead. I really hope they release a hybrid model in 2010 so I can trade up :) Jennifer, you’re so right on about the need for higher ground clearance. I used to spend a lot of my time on country roads and there’s no way a Prius would have survived. So I got an FJ Cruiser instead. I really hope they release a hybrid model in 2010 so I can trade up

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