Re: Efficient cars (was Worrying about the long term (was Global Warming (NUCLEAR)))

["Shapiro, Mark" <mshapiro@EXCHANGE.FULLERTON.EDU>]

The Honda Insight is a hybrid that gets better mileage than the Prius, but
it is only a 2-seater.  I've heard good things about both the Insight and
the Prius (KPFK Car Show, which had been very critical of electrics in the
past), and their costs are not that high - in the low $20K range, which is
pretty typical for a new car these days.

Certain models of the Honda Civic are about the most fuel efficient and
lowest emission gasoline powered cars on the market (they also scored well
in the recent round of crash tests).

Mark Shapiro
http://www.IrascibleProfessor.com

-----Original Message-----
From: Greg Puskar [mailto:gpuskar@WVU.EDU]
Sent: Thursday, April 05, 2001 7:36 AM
To: PHYS-L@lists.nau.edu
Subject: Re: Efficient cars (was Worrying about the long term (was
Global Warming (NUCLEAR)))


At 09:23 AM 04/05/2001 -0500, you wrote:
> Interesting comment regarding Accords vs Civics, particularly as I'm
> considering getting a Civic.
>
> Your comment actually brings up another point.
>
> One problem with better gas mileage cars, like the metro, and you are
> alluding to the civic, is that they aren't made as well or as attractively
> as other gas guzzlers.
>
> Maybe I'm an oddity, but I'd pay extra for a fuel efficient car made to the
> standards and with some of the bell's and whistles of the higher end cars.
>
> I realize that fuel efficient cars are marketed as cheap cars and therefore
> to folks with little money to spend . . .
>
> (I'm not talking about the recent hybrids that have come on the market
> lately that are not cheap)

Speaking of hybrids, I have been considering a Toyota Prius. The mileage
ratings seem somewhat disappointing (compared to the Mazda hybrid) but the
design and 4 doors are more suitable (for me).  Does anyone have any
experience with these?   Thanks.

Greg
*************************************************************
Gregory Puskar                      gpuskar@wvu.edu
Academic Laboratory Manager                  (304)293-3422 x 1455
Physics Department                           (304)293-5732 (fax)
West Virginia University
PO Box 6315
Morgantown, WV 26506
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