Comments on: The Search for the Perfect Eco-Car http://www.green-talk.com/2007/12/10/the-search-for-the-perfect-eco-car/ Turning the Planet Green, One Conversation at a Time Thu, 18 Mar 2010 03:22:53 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Green Talk http://www.green-talk.com/2007/12/10/the-search-for-the-perfect-eco-car/comment-page-1/#comment-3640 Green Talk Tue, 03 Feb 2009 03:21:56 +0000 http://www.green-talk.com/2007/12/10/the-search-for-the-perfect-eco-car/#comment-3640 Motor Mouth, thanks for the support. I have to agree with what you said about buying an older car makes more environmental sense except in the case when it is a major exhaust polluter. My car is only four years old and runs like a young kitten. Plus, I can fit my brood in it. Anna Motor Mouth, thanks for the support. I have to agree with what you said about buying an older car makes more environmental sense except in the case when it is a major exhaust polluter. My car is only four years old and runs like a young kitten. Plus, I can fit my brood in it. Anna

]]> By: Motor Mouth http://www.green-talk.com/2007/12/10/the-search-for-the-perfect-eco-car/comment-page-1/#comment-3625 Motor Mouth Mon, 02 Feb 2009 09:47:45 +0000 http://www.green-talk.com/2007/12/10/the-search-for-the-perfect-eco-car/#comment-3625 There is a strong argument that staying with an older, less green, vehicle is kinder to the environment than buying a new 'greener' vehicle. Or even buying s secondhand 'less-green' vehicle for that matter. As I understand it, the argument is based on the fact that by decreasing the number of older vehicles that are scrapped and reducing the number of new vehicles that are made, we have less impact on the environment. I am not sure if any of this is true or not, but it is a validation of you decision to buy out your current vehicle. <abbr><em>Motor Mouths last blog post..<a href="http://thecarlink.co.uk/items/223"></a></abbr></em> There is a strong argument that staying with an older, less green, vehicle is kinder to the environment than buying a new ‘greener’ vehicle. Or even buying s secondhand ‘less-green’ vehicle for that matter.

As I understand it, the argument is based on the fact that by decreasing the number of older vehicles that are scrapped and reducing the number of new vehicles that are made, we have less impact on the environment.

I am not sure if any of this is true or not, but it is a validation of you decision to buy out your current vehicle.

Motor Mouths last blog post..

]]> By: Green Talk http://www.green-talk.com/2007/12/10/the-search-for-the-perfect-eco-car/comment-page-1/#comment-1693 Green Talk Sun, 10 Feb 2008 20:11:01 +0000 http://www.green-talk.com/2007/12/10/the-search-for-the-perfect-eco-car/#comment-1693 This is good information since I did not test drive this hybrid. Actually I bought my car out of its lease since it had such low milage on it. Right now with four kids it is hard to buy anything but another minivan. I just don't get why all the mini van companies have not produced a hybrid. If anyone out there who is technical about cars can explain this, please do. Thanks for sharing with us about your experiences. I agree with you. I have to wait and see what comes down the pike. Anna This is good information since I did not test drive this hybrid. Actually I bought my car out of its lease since it had such low milage on it. Right now with four kids it is hard to buy anything but another minivan. I just don’t get why all the mini van companies have not produced a hybrid. If anyone out there who is technical about cars can explain this, please do. Thanks for sharing with us about your experiences. I agree with you. I have to wait and see what comes down the pike. Anna

]]> By: N. & J. http://www.green-talk.com/2007/12/10/the-search-for-the-perfect-eco-car/comment-page-1/#comment-1690 N. & J. Sun, 10 Feb 2008 16:29:15 +0000 http://www.green-talk.com/2007/12/10/the-search-for-the-perfect-eco-car/#comment-1690 I own a Ford Escape Hybrid and love it! I cannot explain how much I love it! I used to own a Chevy Cavalier so it was a bit of a change to be sitting up so high but parking is a breeze, the ride is very smooth and I love having the hybrid engine. The back it pretty roomy although I have to admit I wasn't buying it with teenagers in mind. I was getting almost 32 mpg in the summer. In the winter I've dropped to about 30 mpg but that's still better or equivalent to what you were looking at. The hybrid version of the Escape is a "bit" more than the regular version but it does still qualify for the tax credit. Since you bought a new ride already you can take advantage of the time to either let hybrid technology advance and maybe they will come out with a minivan or in a couple years you will probably be able to start finding hybrid vehicles on used car lots as those people trade up. <em>N. & J.'s last blog post..<a href='http://badhuman.wordpress.com/2008/02/09/cimg1250/' rel="nofollow">Prescription bottle? I think not….</a></em> I own a Ford Escape Hybrid and love it! I cannot explain how much I love it! I used to own a Chevy Cavalier so it was a bit of a change to be sitting up so high but parking is a breeze, the ride is very smooth and I love having the hybrid engine. The back it pretty roomy although I have to admit I wasn’t buying it with teenagers in mind. I was getting almost 32 mpg in the summer. In the winter I’ve dropped to about 30 mpg but that’s still better or equivalent to what you were looking at. The hybrid version of the Escape is a “bit” more than the regular version but it does still qualify for the tax credit. Since you bought a new ride already you can take advantage of the time to either let hybrid technology advance and maybe they will come out with a minivan or in a couple years you will probably be able to start finding hybrid vehicles on used car lots as those people trade up.

N. & J.’s last blog post..Prescription bottle? I think not….

]]> By: Green Talk http://www.green-talk.com/2007/12/10/the-search-for-the-perfect-eco-car/comment-page-1/#comment-1668 Green Talk Sun, 03 Feb 2008 03:28:45 +0000 http://www.green-talk.com/2007/12/10/the-search-for-the-perfect-eco-car/#comment-1668 Jillian-I can't agree with you more! This is exactly what I was looking for. Can anyone explain why it is so hard to produce a hybrid minivan? Anna Jillian-I can’t agree with you more! This is exactly what I was looking for. Can anyone explain why it is so hard to produce a hybrid minivan? Anna

]]> By: jillian http://www.green-talk.com/2007/12/10/the-search-for-the-perfect-eco-car/comment-page-1/#comment-1667 jillian Sun, 03 Feb 2008 00:17:00 +0000 http://www.green-talk.com/2007/12/10/the-search-for-the-perfect-eco-car/#comment-1667 I wish the auto companies would come out with a hybrid minivan. I really want to buy a minivan in 2008, however I have my heart set on a hybrid. Hello? Honda, Toyota, Chrysler . . . are you listening to your market? I wish the auto companies would come out with a hybrid minivan. I really want to buy a minivan in 2008, however I have my heart set on a hybrid. Hello? Honda, Toyota, Chrysler . . . are you listening to your market?

]]> By: Dallas Real Estate Blog http://www.green-talk.com/2007/12/10/the-search-for-the-perfect-eco-car/comment-page-1/#comment-1452 Dallas Real Estate Blog Sat, 29 Dec 2007 02:08:36 +0000 http://www.green-talk.com/2007/12/10/the-search-for-the-perfect-eco-car/#comment-1452 Wow, this cars get pretty pricey. Its still worth it though. <em>Dallas Real Estate Blog's last blog post..<a href='http://www.viprealtyinfo.com/blog/2007/12/dallas-home-buyers-purchase-real-estate-with-an-ira/' rel="nofollow">Dallas Home Buyers - Purchase Real Estate with an IRA</a></em> Wow, this cars get pretty pricey. Its still worth it though.

Dallas Real Estate Blog’s last blog post..Dallas Home Buyers – Purchase Real Estate with an IRA

]]> By: J. Carey http://www.green-talk.com/2007/12/10/the-search-for-the-perfect-eco-car/comment-page-1/#comment-1294 J. Carey Mon, 17 Dec 2007 00:26:38 +0000 http://www.green-talk.com/2007/12/10/the-search-for-the-perfect-eco-car/#comment-1294 Anna, Given the size of your family, and the fact that the cars you drove were not as comfortable as your minivan, I think you made the right decision. Unfortunately, while there have been hints of a hybrid minivan coming to the U.S. for several years, there aren't any solid reports of that happening any time soon. I have links to the most recent reports from October, 2007 at hybridminivan.org. (Toyota has been selling a hybrid minivan in Japan since 2001 - the Estima...more info at usedhybridminivans.com). Most of my research is on hybrid suv's (hybridsuv.com), and there are 6 models available today...with several larger ones coming in 2008 and 2009. Of the green suv options that might work for you, I'd agree with the previous comment from Brave New Leaf...that the 2008 hybrid Escape might be worth a drive/look. Gary Grant at thegarageblog.com has a good, two-part review that includes some nice photos...so just search that site if you're interested. When I have any good news on a hybrid minivan coming our way...I'll write you! Jeff Anna,
Given the size of your family, and the fact that the cars you drove were not as comfortable as your minivan, I think you made the right decision. Unfortunately, while there have been hints of a hybrid minivan coming to the U.S. for several years, there aren’t any solid reports of that happening any time soon. I have links to the most recent reports from October, 2007 at hybridminivan.org. (Toyota has been selling a hybrid minivan in Japan since 2001 – the Estima…more info at usedhybridminivans.com).

Most of my research is on hybrid suv’s (hybridsuv.com), and there are 6 models available today…with several larger ones coming in 2008 and 2009. Of the green suv options that might work for you, I’d agree with the previous comment from Brave New Leaf…that the 2008 hybrid Escape might be worth a drive/look. Gary Grant at thegarageblog.com has a good, two-part review that includes some nice photos…so just search that site if you’re interested. When I have any good news on a hybrid minivan coming our way…I’ll write you!
Jeff

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