Some Automotive Things to Think About

There's a debate that's raging not only in the automotive world, but also in the "green" world. It is this: should you buy a hybrid or a standard model?

This may seem like a no-brainer, but let's look at the state of current technology before we jump to conclusions. Today's hybrid is a gas/electric vehicle. It is powered by a pack of Nickel Hydride cells that's about 240 volts and does add to not only the cost of the vehicle, but also its complexity (it also may pose an environmental hazard about 100,000 miles from now, but no one is speaking to that, yet). It is also powered by a small four- or six-cylinder engine and uses "regenerative" or engine braking to recharge the battery system.

Now, if you do a lot of stop-and-go driving or around-town driving, the hybrid makes sense because you are making full use of the battery management system and regenerative braking to keep the vehicle mostly on battery power. (It's weird being at a light and having your car just stop and start when you touch the accelerator, but it does happen in a fully charged hybrid).

On the highway, the difference is not so much! The reason is that you are running both your battery motor and your standard engine to keep the car up with other vehicles running at the speed limit. At a time like this, there's no real advantage to the hybrid, as the same model car with a gas engine only will likely get the same or better gas mileage than the hybrid.

Around town, the hybrid wins; on the highway, right now, anyway, the gas engine still competes well

Electric refueling

Just a thought, but with Chevrolet planning the Volt, all-electric next year, where will you plug in to charge? If it's at home, will you require and adapter? No news yet on this, at least here. Could it be like the old gag from a few years ago about the electric? It went something like this: The car only costs $4.98. The extension costs $5,000.

Buying an orphan makes some sense

With the demise of automakers like Pontiac, Saturn, Hummer, you wonder whether it makes sense to buy one now. They are being given away at very nice "fire-sale" prices.

Believe it or not, the answer could be yes. Imagine owning a 2009 Pontiac G6 or Hummer H2 from the last year of production. In only a few years time, these cars will actually start to appreciate in price. It's a matter of supply and demand.

For instance, about 30 years ago you could pickup a nice 1932 Ford Model A for about $6,000 in good, clean shape. That price is now at least four times as much or more, if the A is in good shape.