Okay, I'll consider a Fiesta, too. Looks cute. Any performance upgrades on that thing?

 

there should be an SVT fiesta judging by these pictures

 

The concerns about powerful batteries and accidents is actually pretty well known, at least by anyone that is in the automotive industry. Chevrolet has already been rolling out training to first responders across the United States so they know how to safely extricate people from electric automobile wrecks. You can learn more from this article:

http://www.automotive-fleet.com/News...interstitial=1

So if that particular EMS unit that arrives to "watch me die" declined to educate themselves, that is truly unfortunate for all involved and prohibits new technologies from growing and prospering. I'm not even in a critical type of job, and I am always trying to learn new things.

There are always challenges with alternative fuels, whether it's CNG, LPG, hybrids, hydrogen fuel cells, electrics, etc. But we need to find some way of lessening our dependence on foreign oil, and everyone should be a little more open-minded and not pooh pooh something just because it's not a gasoline V8 (coming from the person that has owned many of them) The more we deploy new technologies, the more focus will be placed on power, handling, style, etc.

 

What about a 304 hp V6 Mustang that gets 31MPG hwy ? Especially one with the 6 speed manual and the performance package. That seems to have "fun to drive" and fuel economy covered..

 

I have no problem with new technology but I do believe that it should be safe. I have no intentions of putting my faith that the ems guy that happens to come to my accident is trained with high voltage. These things are close to 20,000 volts. Let them figure out how make new cars efficient and safe. Is that really to much to ask?

Anyway I would not put my family in them while they are trying to work out the kinks. JMHO

And if you polled the current hybrid owners I bet more than half would not know about this issue. They should also educate the owners and potential buyers of these vehicles as well.

 

I agree.

 

That Fiesta looks like a cute litle hot rod.

 

Yes, it does, but I can get a Mini Cooper S and go faster for the same fuel economy. Thing is, the Cooper S is close to $28-30K with the options I want on it.

Decisions, decisions.

 

Also, there was a video showing the Volt sucking down gas at about 27 MPG. Here's an explaination.

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/08/26/w...leading-w-vid/

 

mini only gets 30 mpg...fiesta get 39 last i checked. that a big difference.

I would get the 2011 mustang v6 before a mini at that price point every day of the week

 

^ exactly what i was thinking

 

+2!!!

 

But the Mini is so much faster...

 

Alright alex. You have to decide what you want... then prioritze accordingly.


MPG? (all 30mpg+)
Volt
Fiesta
Fusion hybrid
Mustang
Mini

Speed?
Mustang
mini?
...and no idea how to rank the rest. does it matter?

Price?
Fiesta
Mustang
Mini-Fusion
Volt

Size?
Fusion
Volt
Mustang
Fiesta
Mini - (only 2 doors)


Bottom line. get what you want. whatever fits your needs. just trying help you out!

 

My problem is, I have so many cars that I like. Mustang, Fiesta, Volt, Mini, Fusion... hell, you can add the new Buick Regal to the list, it's growing on me, especially since I can order the turbo version with a 6-speed manual...

 

I predict the VOLT will make it two years .... the second year will just be so they can use up all the parts they had made to build the car ... it's gonna be a total flop ...$41K for a Nerd Mobile?

50 - 60 MPH Gas and Diesel powered cars are just around the corner ....

 

It's a nerd mobile that'll probably give GM enough CAFE wiggle room to keep making Camaros, Corvettes and CTS-V's for the foreseeable future.

 

You do know there is a $37,000,000 grant program to install 5,000 charging stations around the country, right? Nissan's plant in Smyrna, TN is ramping up SERIOUS production in the next couple of years. And that is just the beginning. Range anxiety is one of the biggest issues with selling electric cars aside from the price. Both of those issues are being addressed.

It's expensive right now to buy a "nerd mobile" because it's new technology. How much was an LCD 4 years ago? How much is it today? 300+ mile range batteries are also just around the corner.

All I can say is thank goodness for early adopters with an open mind! The secret to alternative fuels is not just electric, or LPG, or CNG, or gasoline...it's about having options with supported infrastructure.

 

... and on the note of price, there's a price war between Panasonic and Samsung that may lower battery prices as much as 19 percent this year.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-0...lysts-say.html

And on the issue of how long they last, an engineer at Hyundai brags that the battery in the Sonata Hybrid may be good for up to 300K miles. The Sonata Hybrid uses batteries from LG Chem, the same supplier for the Volt.

http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4812

And finally, let's take out the "batteries can't be that good for the environment" excuse with this retort.

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2010...ctric-cars.php

And if we stay nice with Bolivia, then lithium shortages won't be a problem, as they have about one-third of the world's lithium reserves.

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009...ctric-cars.php

Now, I gotta start thinking about refitting the house for solar... and finding a good 240V charger that can withstand outdoor applications...

 

something I do not understand about the Volt...the car is going to sticker at 43k- 7500 of our grandchildrens collective tax dollars...its still WAY overpriced compared to competition...what I do NOT understand:we are tooling up at work to machine the wheels for this car- a very nice forged/spun piece, that is exceptionally lightweight...but historically true forged aluminum wheels due to price of both the forging and machining have been only justifiable for heavy duty trucks or ultra high performance applications...unless they found a way to cut costs of forging/spinning/machining to near cast wheel levels (possible???) I cant for the life of me see how they can justify the likely costs just to save a pound or three...
the shelby/aston-martin/ferarri/porsche/SRT8 mopars/others- well those come at a premium that justifies the amount of work put into the wheels- and they are nice wheels...but the little malibu looking/already overpriced Volt? I hope the thing makes it, I really do- we're kinda counting on it, but I still cant see the cost/weight justification...BTW, the little Cruze is also getting forged.

most folks see aluminum wheels and dont realize there is more than a huge difference...if they would advertise the strength of forged everyone would insist on them...weve ran cast years ago, and if a machine crashes the wheel is in pieces...heck Ive seen some roll off a table and break. a forged wheel will bend like a pretzel without cracking...cast wheels can shatter/leave the vehicle if someone bumps a curb/pothole at speed, forged are solid as a old steel copcar wheel- you might bend it all to hell, but it wont detach...but they cost a LOT to produce. In these days of junk chinese castings(yes I have cast chinese AR TT wheels on my mustang too) I hope the forged wheels do go mainstream...maybe someday a nice forged torq-thrust looking wheel will make it to aftermarket, but I wouldnt hold my breath...
funny story- we did some wheels for another company back in 03 or so- it was a nice forged wheel, till I saw a finished one- with a friggin chrome plastic hubcap glued onto it...they call those aluminum 'clad' wheels...the ones we ran went on a jeep (guessing forged for strength/'clad' for styling), Ive seen some on the new chargers too- wether they are cast underneath or forged I dunno, but the jeep wheel was a beautiful 6 spoke 6061 alloy cold forged wheel with a chrome plated plastic hubcab glued on...when that plastic starts to peel those folks are gonna be upset- bet 99% dont realize their pretty aluminum wheel has a chromed plastic hubcap