ITH Poker Forum

[Damien]

I'm looking into any sort of car that can save me some cash since my family's second highest expense, after the mortgage, is on gasoline. We currently have 2 cars, both getting about 30 mpg... but both my wife and I have a 60 mile round trip drive to work 4 days a week. I'm looking to replace one of the cars at least, here's what I need:

* Car has to be able to go 65 mph, as its pretty much all highway
* Car has to be able to accomodate a carseat

Hmmm... that's all I can really think of, I don't need any frills. Anybody have any first-hand knowledge of electrics or hybrids that I should start with? I'm just beginning to do the research, and its a little overwhelming. I haven't even heard of a lot of these models, other than Prius, Volt, and Leaf. I may just be screwed anyway since they all seem pretty expensive and it will defeat the purpose (in the short run) if I have to pick up a car payment that increases my monthly expenses even with the gas savings. We're living paycheck to paycheck and I'm trying to lower the monthly expenses any way that I can. Any insight into this topic would be helpful.

[darvon]

60 mile round trip is close to max on most plug-in-hybrids.

EDIT: WRONG. "Toyota said the Prius PHV can travel 26.4 km (16.4 miles) using only the electric motor, making a short commute possible on zero emissions. "



Flat or mountainous?

I think your best bet might be a diesel with a moderate, but not tiny, engine. If you go too small, you will work it too hard and get lousy mileage.

If you stay all electric, the cost is about $.04 per mile. About 2 miles per KWH, IIRC.

I think an electric or plug in hybrid will have a MSRP too high.

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/PowerSearch.do?action=noform&year1=2011&year2=2012&vfuel=Diesel&mclass=Small+Cars,Family+Sedans,Large+Sedans,Upscale+Sedans,Luxury+Sedans,Hatchbacks,Coupes,Convertibles,Sports/Sporty+Cars,Station+Wagons&srchtyp=newDslCars

You can get about 42-45 with a diesel. check your diesel prices locally. Hyper fill your tires. Perhaps a large magnet in front bumper for your commute.

[Damien]

One thing that is nice is that a co-worker of mine previously drove a smart-car to work and an outside outlet was added at the base of one of our big outside lights, so if I went electric, its certainly conceivable that I could recharge at work, meaning that I would only need to make it 30-35 miles. Not to mention that I wouldn't be paying for the electricity.

I live in "The Green Mountain State", so you might think mountainous, but 90% of the drive is Interstate, so its really pretty standard (flat).

Diesel is a great suggestion. I think that the big issue is going to be the initial investment required to purchase one.

[darvon]

An electric smart car?

Ask him what his costs are.

[the_hawk]

I may just be screwed anyway since they all seem pretty expensive and it will defeat the purpose (in the short run) if I have to pick up a car payment that increases my monthly expenses even with the gas savings. We're living paycheck to paycheck and I'm trying to lower the monthly expenses any way that I can. Any insight into this topic would be helpful.

Even if you could service the car payment, it's going to be false economy if (as seems likely) the likely depreciation on the capital investment is going to more than wipe out any fuel savings. This is what's going to get you if you want to get all $EV about the problem, even in the short term.

[Damien]

An electric smart car?

Ask him what his costs are.

The model that he had would be impractical for me as it had a top speed of 40 mph and had no back seat. It was more like a golf cart, but he planned a route with a max speed limit of 40 mph. He annoyed a lot of people when there was no passing lane, but it worked for a little while. He has since upgraded. I think that the real solution to my problem would be to find work closer to where I live with the same salary, but that proving to be a fantasy.

[Damien]

Does anybody know if there is an infant friendly 3-cylinder car out there (one that has a back seat)?