Harry, I couldn't agree with you more! The Taurus station wagon was a wonderfully practical vehicle, especially for packing the clan around. Where are these practical vehicles today? Where are the station wagons? They're still here. They are called SUVs and minivans (sad, but true).

 

Uh, no. Here's what your brother meant --

The FEH's ICE goes off/stays off at lights/stops/low speeds with the A/C on... the only times it does not is if you are using MAX. A/C (marked red on the climate control dials) or defrost (same); if the vehicle's catalytic convertor isn't yet up to temp (right at startup from a cold start overnight, etc.); or the battery's SOC (State of Charge) is sufficiently low enough to tell the system to use the ICE to charge the battery.

I'm not familiar enough with the HiHy to say if its capable of running its A/C compressor on EV-only, but if that is the case that would be the only distinction between the two vehicle's "stealth capabilities".

I would also posit that it's easier to keep/put a FEH into EV-only mode, if only because it is a smaller, lighter vehicle with a smaller engine. The HiHy has more mass and weight to haul around (loaded or not), and I haven't read any factual data to support that it is somehow engineered to prefer EV-only mode compared to the FEH system.

Buy the vehicle that works for you, but do so with the right factual data going in... there are absolutely valid reasons for someone to prefer a HiHy over a FEH, but let's make it based on facts and needs, not mistakes.

 

Hold on a minute...I feel you misunderstood my post.

Under Point #1, I meant to place the gratitude to those that drive trucks for what they have contributed to the nation. The majority of "hard industry" emplyes those that use and drive trucks everyday. This "hard industry" includes Construction, Toolmakers, Die Makers, Mold Makers etc. If not for them, we wouldnt have a fraction of what we use daily. As for post Katrina events, those that have been re-building the destroyed areas are also those that drive trucks on a daily basis. These people migrated south for the work, to be able to afford the luxeries that most people take for granted.

To answer you question of these trucks causing Katrina...I think that is a great stretch.

And to call me a Troll?? Please show me where I have called you a name or bashed any of your thoughts.

 

Just to let you know, the work truck of old, the 6 cylinder truck you are mentioning, didn't fare well on MPG's My Dad's truck had the 300ci inline 6 and only got 10 mpg.

You can still get a great work truck for under $20k, but you'd have to take last years left over models. They would have creature comforts and still be able to perform nicely.

 

That sounds like a pretty big inline 6 (Dodge, Ford, Nissan?). But if it got only 10 MPG, it was either in too-heavy a truck, or was geared for stump-pulling - not regular transportation.
MY dad had several Chevy inline 6 trucks over the years (50s, 60s, and 70s). The 1953 full-size had a 216ci. We replaced that engine with a 235ci inline 6, when restoring it in the mid 70s. With a 3-speed column shift manual, it got around 20 MPG putzing around town. I learned how to drive with THIS truck!
I don't remember the engine-size or the MPG on the 1960s truck (I was too young).
The 1971 full-size Chevy truck was a 250ci, 3-speed column shift manual tranny too. It got 18 MPG, with a camper shell on the back.
Technology HAS improved since the 70s. So a full-size truck (not to mention a mini-truck) should be able to get over 18 MPG (35 years later), easily.

P.S. to whoever made the Leather longevity comment... Wouldn't vinyl be more long-wearing even than Leather? Bad things happen to leather (and its stitching) when it gets wet. Ask me how I know

 

It was a Ford F-250 4X4 with the 300 straight 6 carburated. It achieved the 10 MPG full, empty, towing, with camper, without camper, it didn't matter. Transmission was a 3speed with granny gear.

Ok, you piqued my interest...How do you know about leather stitching when it gets wet?? LOL

 

I'm speaking rhetorically and in general.

That's not the only way to attack a forum...lot's of things can be done to disrupt the normal activities of a board...this is GreenHybrid - intutively it's a place to promote hybrids and green/eco issues. Of course there is occasonal skepticism, but it's much more often than that for over a week now.

In real life, white supreamists don't attend a NAACP convention - police assist if necessary to protect African-Americans freedom to associate from those that wish to abuse free speech. There are many people who think such harassment of associations on the internet is unlimited and protected free speech{sigh} It's a fallacy to do on the net what you should not do in person.

msanto's concern is an unusally high number of people over the last week challenging hybrids and fuel efficiency - core forum values. It seems like they work in shifts. Thursday afternoon, one person got evicted four times, declaring he would always return. His last avitar was a burning offshore oil rig.

Sorry if some of us are a bit parnaoid, but it definitely seems like this hybrid sanctuary has had a hunting season declared on it. As in real life, the civilized and reasonable thing to do is to live and let live with those you differ with - not infiltrate.

 

Ok, break it down in laymens terms...why attack me?? Are you calling me a White Supremasist??

And what does this have to do with the Freedom of Speech? Has there been a law broken lately?

 

The i4 Tacoma sounds like a good truck for me!

 

F250 4x4 is a truck definitely meant to be off-road more than on, and is NOT built with fuel economy in mind. MANY F150 2-wheel-drive pickups will do better than 10 MPG, city or highway.

Wet leather - left the top down on the Benz (twice) during a workday, while it raned on it some before I could get to it and put the top back on. The drivers' side seat stitching frayed and broke, just after those incidents. Coincidence - I think not. The water weakens the stitching. Now the leather on the Benz is SO treated (it's not even soft) that it did not suffer much damage, other than stripping where the stitches go. It's just enough that I'll have to replace the whole leather seating rather than being able to repair it.