Is it not true that second hand vehicles tend to emit far more emissions and use more gas than the EPA rated? That's what I always thought anyway.

 

And How Stuff Works' hybrid page, as well.

But since this is one of no less than three posts posing the same question from the same user, I'm confused as to whether the goal really is to learn more about hybrids...?

 

I think you two are engaged in a bit of circular logic. I still like Bob's solution: Install a trailer hitch & buy a small utility trailer!

 

So trade in all my vehicles every two years to be on the bleeding edge of emissions? Using a second hand pickup truck a few times a year is not going to make that big an eco footprint.

Didn't you way you were researching the Toyota Camery Hybrid and Ford Escape Hybrid? Lots of people over the last ten days have been researching and been diverted. Best of luck on getting your new FEH.

 

I think we are all too quick to apply "city folk" logic to the entire nation. I would wager that there are many people in suburban and rural areas who drive a full-sized truck or SUV as a primary vehicle, with no financial provisions for a second, more fuel efficient car.

 

Yeah, I was. I decided, after researching this forum as well as others, that the FEH is gong to suit me better. Besides, I can make it look like a mans' truck with little mods. LOL Just a gentle rib there GeekGal

 

Hey, don't poke me in the ribs right now, I'm about to burst as it is (baby's due April 1, no foolin'!)

No harm done, though my FEH is actually rollin' with more geek cred than girl power (see my vehicle's pics in the "Share" section), at present; however, I suspect once I have to toss a carseat, baby mirror, diaper bag and such in there, my days of being a "stealth" gal on the road are over. C'est la vie... My husband still ribs me that I should've gotten my FEH in black, since his last two cars have been black (and black IS sexy when it's clean), but living in Texas I personally have vouched that I'll never have a black vehicle as my daily driver... I sit too much in traffic to want to be a big solar collector.

I suppose you've modded vehicles before, but if not do your research if you're going to be changing out things like tires, rims, etc. There are some users in the FEH forum here who've done extensive mods (at least one is an offroader with solar panels on the roof and aggressive/mud terrain tires {apologies to that member, as I am bad at remembering usernames}), another works at a car dealership and has added things like a new GPS Nav system and DVD in-roof dropdown system; and still another has modded everything from the tires/rims to, if I recall correctly, the suspension and exhaust system.)

So, it's totally doable and I think all the users I'm referring to even log some of their tanks here on GH.com so you can compare any MPG "hit" they may be taking with said mods against the average of the rest of us with more stock vehicles.

I still have plans to add a tow hitch, though in my case it's less for towing and more so I can throw my road or mountain bike(s) on the back. I've been waffling about doing this for awhile, but ever since getting pregnant it's bumped the priority since I don't want to keep having to remove the baby's carseat to put the back seats down and carry bikes in the cargo area.

So, have fun, and you'd BETTER post pics as you get your vehicle and start modding it out. I may not be a modder of vehicles, but I definitely like seeing what CAN be done tastefully/well on my current favorite vehicle (FEH).

 

Thanks for the info

 

?? ??

 

According to > http://www.demographia.com/db-usrur1800.htm , the urban population of the US in 2000 was 79%. If the urbanization of people moving to communities of 50,000 and greater is continuing, it's over 80% by now. That would suggest it's highly likely 4 out of five could rent/borrow a hauler for occasional use easily.

The bottom line of Detroit reflects a reduced demand for trucks/SUVs. Daimler/Chrsyler is offering up to $7K to reduce their truck inventory because they waited too long to cut production. Ford will operate at a loss for at least two more years - in part because they depend on truck sales as a percentage more than any other automaker. Of the top six automakers (DCX, GM, Ford, Toyota, Nissan, Honda), light truck/luxury sales is over 50% of the mix for Detroit - under 50% for the Japanese automakers (although Toyota will be truck-heavy in a few years). It is clear that Americans are slowly cutting back on trucks for financial reasons.

The truck/car ration in 1980 favored the cars far more than today. In 1980, people were less urban, less well-off, had less vehicles per capita.

The suggestion a second fuel efficient commuter car is a financial burden flies in the face of the financial condition of Detroit, the demographics, and what people drove up until the past 15-20 years.