Hi there - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

namyzarc · 02-20-2008, 11:10 AM

Hey everyone,
Just dropping in to say hi. I've been a long time lurker. I'm from the NW Indiana area & work in downtown Chicago as a computer programmer.
My current car:
2003 Acura RSX (not planning any eco-mods to this one - just performance mods!)
My previous car: 1990 Ford Probe. If I had a 2 car garage I'd buy another one of these and try an electric conversion to it. Alas, I just don't have the space!
I guess you could call me one of those rare-case car guys that love performance but believe that it can be accomplished without throwing fuel economy out the window. This probably explains my preference for the generally lighter and higher hp per litre japanese cars vs. heavy american gas-guzzlers.
I also believe style should not be disregarded in our quest for lowering a cars cd. This is why I like the Tesla and the Zap-x and hate those 3 wheeled electric thingamajobs that some electric car manufacturers make that pass for automobiles (the Zap Alias would look soooo much better with 1 more wheel!) . I also dislike the way the prius and insight look (no offense to any owners here!), yet like the underlying technology.
There - now you know who I am and what my philosophy is. I'd love to meet the rest of the community!

H4MM3R · 02-20-2008, 11:28 AM

Welcome to the community.

SVOboy · 02-20-2008, 12:42 PM

Welcome to the site!

Daox · 02-20-2008, 02:04 PM

Welcome to the site!

I too came from the performance arena of automobiles. It taught me a lot about engines and how they work. The more I learned, the more I found that an overabundance of power is absolutely useless 99% or more of the time, and that I was modifying my car to increase the 1% of time I spent having fun. Meanwhile, in the 95% of time I spent just driving, I was loosing effeciency and money, polluting more, and compromising national security. Then, tack on a 75 mile round trip to the new job I got. So, I added up the numbers and now I'm on this boat. It feels better and I know I'm doing the right thing for everyone, not just me. Don't get me wrong, I still love racing and high powered vehicles. I just think there is a time and place for them, and its not with your daily commuter.

namyzarc · 02-20-2008, 04:19 PM

I agree. In fact I also love motorcycles and if I have the time and inclination this coming spring/summer, I may try to do an e-conversion to a motorcycle that I could use as a daily commuter for the warmer months.

MetroMPG · 02-20-2008, 11:24 PM

Hi, namyzarc - welcome.

Quote:

Originally Posted by namyzarc

I also believe style should not be disregarded in our quest for lowering a cars cd.

Since what passes for "style" is something we've been conditioned to accept as appealing, I don't share that point of view. The more I've learned about aerodynamics, the more I appreciate the aesthetics of function over form.

Daox · 02-21-2008, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Since what passes for "style" is something we've been conditioned to accept as appealing, I don't share that point of view. The more I've learned about aerodynamics, the more I appreciate the aesthetics of function over form.

Well said Metro, very well said.

namyzarc · 02-21-2008, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Hi, namyzarc - welcome.

Since what passes for "style" is something we've been conditioned to accept as appealing, I don't share that point of view. The more I've learned about aerodynamics, the more I appreciate the aesthetics of function over form.

Oh, I'm not implying that all cars that have been designed with a low cd in mind are unappealing. Far from it. Just a few examples seem unappealing to me. And I agree that style is something that is certainly subjective.
Hey some guys like skinny women and some guys like the fat chicks... who am I to judge?

Hmm... I wonder which type of woman would be more aerodynamic? The reduced frontal area of a skinny one or the more aerodynamic form created by the rounded edges of the fatter one?