View Single Post
  #106   Report Post  
Old April 16th 04, 02:15 PM
Watson A.Name - \Watt Sun, the Dark Remover\
 
Posts: n/a
Default


"Anthony Matonak" wrote in message
...
Watson A.Name \"Watt Sun - the Dark Remover\" wrote:
Anthony Matonak wrote:
While I'm all for using more renewable resources, and especially
ones that are environmentally friendly, it doesn't make sense to
cause yourself financial pain doing so. It makes sense to buy the
must fuel efficient vehicle that fits your needs but not to

overspend
simply because it's a little better on the gas mileage.


It's not a "little" better, it more than double - 50+ MPG compared

to 25!

The definition of "little" can vary.
Would you consider 5 MPG a "little" ?


http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bestworst.shtml
Shows the Prius at 60/51 mpg with a couple of VW's in the 38/46 range.
This is only 1.6/1.1 times and not double, especially when considering
highway driving instead of city driving. This means you can purchase
a vehicle with good fuel efficiency without buying a Prius or even
a hybrid.


Most people have a passenger car typical of a Toyota Camry, typically a
6Cyl auto trans that gets mileage in the mid 20s. (you can select yours
here http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/findacar.htm)

But the percentage of people driving passenger cars is dwindling, more
and more are driving SUVs and trucks. Those get even worse mileage.
One of my coworkers bought a new Toyota Highlander 4WD which is based on
the Camry and it gets even less (she says less than 20) than her 2 year
old 2WD highlander. Another coworker gets less than 20 MPG on a Chevy
Tahoe SUV.

So the Prius gets even _better_ than double the average vehicle MPG.
The Honda hybrids do even better.

Looking at the difference between the hybrids and SUVs, it's more like 3
to 1 better mileage, and that's mothing to sneeze at!

[snip]

You could chose to eliminate chicken as well as beef, eggs and dairy.
I'm no expert in either nutrition or food prices but I think you could

[snip]

The price penalty becomes even greater when you purchase food products
that eliminate meat such as silk and soy bean and tofu meat substitutes.
It's a matter of supply and demand; most people don't buy these things,
so the prices are higher.

[snip]

Anthony