I knew those MPG's on hybrid cars are just too low to beleive. If the hybrids look like a normal car I might buy one, but it is the speed of the vehicle that makes it unattractive to get.

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gino

 

I'm guess I'm stupid for driving a hybrid car, but I really enjoy blowing by thousands of cars in the morning in the carpool lane in my Prius. Legally.

And I average 52mpg in the winter and 54-55mpg in the summer. I drive about 65 average in morning traffic, which is traffic speed in the carpool lane on 680S. 70-75mph mileage drops to about 48-50mpg *OMG*. I can get 65mpg if i cruise at 55. I got 63 average mpg from san jose to SF when I was doing about 60. Thats 3x the mileage I get commuting with my STi. That and I get free bridge toll during carpool hours and carpool lane access wherever, regardless of 3 person or 2 person requirements.

Hybrids FTW!!11

 

I drive a 2005 HCH and Cruise through the carpool lanes too. I also know when to get out of the way when people (mostly cheaters) are doing 75-80 in that lane. Anyways, my best tank yeilded 54.8MPG. Have not come close to beating that number. I'm averaging about 49.9-50mpg these days.

 

I thought you still need to pay for the bridge toll. You're suppose to have a special fastrak pass along with the clean access sticker. I don't know how accurate that article is about hybrids because it just depends on your driving style. When I drove a rental Prius my sister rented when she was up in the bay, it just took a lot of patience if you want to save gas...key was to go slow. In city or stop and go traffic, have a light foot, car will just run off of the eletric motor without starting the gas motor unless the battery was really low, but on the highway it's unavoidable, the electric motor ain't gonna do much for you on the saving gas part. But the 1.3 liter motor is just a big gas saver. The crusing speed makes a big difference, in my jeep I get 20mpg crusing 60ish when I get up to 80mph, I only get around 14mpg.(shameful I know)

Damn politics, I wish we had more diesel cars, they are much more efficient and environmentally friendly(now a days), even more so than hybrids; no batteries to dump in a landfill in the future.

 

Kind of. I did a calculation and it was going to take like 12 years of my driving to overcome the cost of buying, insuring, and repairing a hybrid car

Its only cost effective if its your ONLY car

However for your case, I dont think cost is such an issue.

 

If you cross a bridge everyday in your commute your saving $60 a month $120 a month if it's two bridges. Gas mileage is somewhere near 50MPG so that saves $2.40 a gallon all depends on how far you commute. The travel time is the real bonus save an hour or two a day Can't go wrong with buying one even if our lovely GOV. Is lying about the MPG

 

You do need to order a specific fastrak transponder (basically the same transponder as everyone else except it's registered to your qualifying hybrid vehicle), then you apply to DMV for the clean air decal with proof of transponder, copy of your registration and 8 bucks.
For some reason tho, through the right hand carpool flyover lane from Berkely, the transponder dosen't always register, thus not showing up on the statment.

 

well its dependent on your financial situation

Its not ideal to buy one just to save money

but if you drive in traffic a lot and you can afford it, its a good car to buy simply to be allowed to use carpool lanes and get free toll

 

Reduced emmissions plays a big part in their popularity also.

 

Well yah, I barely cross bridges, my one way commute is 4 miles, and when I do drive a lot its on weekends

 

Sure, hybrids have some advantages over 'regular' cars, but a motorcycle is the real ultimate commuter:

-Can use HOV lanes
-Don't pay tolls during HOV hours
-50-70mpg
-Cheaper than a regular car
-You can park damn-near anywhere
-Cut to the front of the line at stoplights
-More performance than a 'regular' car, not less

And, the number one advantage of a motorcycle over a hybrid.....

GETTING LAID! Try that you hybrid nerds!!!

Well, that's what I heard at least. So far, it doesn't seem to be working. Not sure why.

 

that is true, but the reason why there's so many of us in cars over bikes is that:

1) a lot of drivers already dont check their blind spots for CARs, what makes you think they'll see you in a BIKE.
2)driving around more than 1 passenger
3)safety issues...

then there are other issues such as weather conditions and such that i'm sure majority of us would rather be in a vehicle vs a bike.

 

LOL

 

1. The simple answer to that is I never trust anyone ever. Not when I'm riding, not when I'm driving. If you are relying on others for your safety, you are an accident waiting to happen.

2. You can take your whole family on one of these here things. I've seen it done....in Vietnam.

3. Safety? See item 1.

And dude? GETTING LAID! Hello? Did you miss that part? Geez. Some people.

 

+1 depending on your situation...i never have to pass any bridges, never need to use carpool lanes, for me it would be ghey to own one..but if you have to cross 2-3 bridges, drive a big distance to get to work, and want to pass up everyone in the carpool lane legally, then it is great. but the fact that its slow as hell deters me from EVER buying one...ill just settle to get a crx or some old civic thats easier to repair and gets the same gas lol