Quote:
Originally Posted by nimblemotors
I suggest the prius because seeing your car, it isn't a clapped out metro or such, it is a car that is similiar in value to a Prius. I know their prices have gone back up again, have you priced one lately? I bought one of mine for $3,000, the second for $1500, and the third for $1,000. All had something wrong of course, but easily fixed, easier than adding a hybrid system to an existing car! And btw, I have built a dual-powered hybrid, by adding an electric motor to the rear wheel of a Ford Aspire (sorry can't find the pics easily), it was a LOT of work. But it did allow all-electric driving of the car, no gas at all for local driving.
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Thanks for the idea
Well I'm actually holding out on the idea of switching cars because my uncle has offered me his Honda Civic hybrid for £900 when he comes to sell it. That could be a fair while away though...
Hybrid cars are not very common over here, certainly not for that money. Also my car is not worth as much unfortunately, if I were to sell it I might get perhaps £500 for it but not really much more... I like the idea of using it as my project car even if it costs me because I love the cars and know them inside and out, having had 3 of them. (2 diesels and this petrol).
I can get 57mpg out of my car now, which is not all that bad. If I could see 65-70 out of it I'd probably be happy, so this is my goal.
None of the smaller engines (there's 1.1, 1.4, 1.6 and 1.8 versions) offer much higher efficiency, only Rover's VVC engine which is a little like a honda vtec, offering variable valve control. Even if I fitted this I wouldn't see a huge improvement as the book states mine at 48.4mpg, and the VVC version is around 49.3.
Currently I'm wanting to try aerodynamic changes, hot air intake, higher tyre pressures and power steering delete. I'd really love to try the electric assist idea as even if it just makes a little difference it would be worth testing
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