The Zing! (Custom-built prototype hybrid tadpole trike)

[Ken Fry]

Originally Posted by euromodder

But coasting means failing the exam.

It is probably still the case here (in the US) that coasting in neutral is illegal in most states.

Cops: "Hypermiling" Often Risky, Illegal - CBS News

[Frank Lee]

Saw this Toyota hybrid race car and thought of you Ken.

[pete c]

alert* thread hijack in process.

I really would like to slap the Ct state trooper in that interview.

Rolling a stop sign is 100% safe, given good site lines. In fact, there are situations where it is the safe thing to do. I refer to a stop that is not 4 way where you are entering an intersection with a somewhat restricted view and the traffic that does not have to stop may be moving at high speeds. In such a situation the best bet is to approach at maybe 15 mph in second gear. If traffic appears at the last moment, you stop...easily. If it doesn't you hit the throttle and get up to speed before that state trooper comes around the bend at 20 over the limit, as they generally do.

As a general rule, I roll stops lugging a bit in second, maybe 10 mph. I find that cops will generally let that fly. Any more and you are asking to be bagged.

I did get ticketed once for rolling one in such a manner. I went to court and explained how it was 11 at night, sight lines were virtually unlimited and it wasn't even remotely unsafe. They let me off with a warning with the understanding that if I was caught runnign another stop sign in a year, I'd pay both fines. i was a little extra dilligent that year.

I guess the cop has to spout the company line since the truth (revenue operation) is not PC.

we now return you to your regularly scheduled thread.

[pete c]

Wonder if we'll ever see front end airbags? The tricky part would be such a system with a smart enough prox sensor to disregard suicidal squirrels and opposums. I wouldn't want to fork out cash for every one of them I mow down.

[infinitalus]

this is pretty cool

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

Saw this Toyota hybrid race car and thought of you Ken.

I think there is a model of that on a shelf in the backdrop/background of the PBS TV program Autoline Detroit. I've always wondered what it was, thanks for posting.

http://www.hybridcarblog.com/mainstr...uto-race-fans/

[Nerys]

"Build a car so people can't hardly help but get good mileage. Prius is successful for a reason."

except I could care less about mileage technically.

What I care about is SAVING CASH. ie CPM. and the CPM on TRC for a Prius is INSANELY HIGH. in fact the only 2 cars (of the ones I checked) more expensive than a Prius are the Smaet 4/2 and the VOLT.

We have to teach people to figure out their TRC (Total Real Cost) and get THAT as low as possible.

basically it goes like this.

C$ + 50%* + ((Ym x Yk) / MPG) x 4** = TRC


C$ = Cost of Car
Ym = Yearly Mileage
Yk = years car kept
* Interest etc..
** Use 5 for premium
TRC= Total Real Cost

Here are some examples using 12k a year and 10 years

$63,500 - Nissan Sentra
$59,095 - hyundai Elantra
$59,095 - Ford Fiesta
$78,606 - Smart 4/2
$53,095 - 1 year old New Elantra or Fiesta
$68,000 - Toyota Prius

Those numbers speak volumes :-) you would have to do your own math for your intended lifespan and yearly mileage.

I did the VOLT too. $98,500 !! OUCH now granted this is for MY commute style (the volt is partial true electric so it will change the TRC dramatically from person to person)

but not enough to get it that much closer to most of the other cars on the list.

[Frank Lee]

Hmmm.. free car (well, OK, $10 for beer), 0% interest, <10000miles/year, 35mpg, not wasting oil on stupid 3000 mile changes, all maint + repair in the driveway- sometimes with used parts = negligible, dirt cheapest insurance, 12 years so far....

[Nerys]

You can not really compare a used car with a new car frank. New car loses almost every single time. Very few exceptions.

its why I don't buy new cars :-)

ALTHOUGH a viable $14-$15k electric car "CAN" be cheaper than your car over time.

at 10k a year your spending what? $2100 a year for the F150 if you drive that to to as low as $600 driving your coupe (pretty tough to beat that)

5 years of the F150 and the EV starts to save you cash and maintenance costs.

nothing will save you money over the 92 Tempo :-)

[Frank Lee]

I know- I think I spend more on bicycle parts than Tempo parts! (kidding... but still)

Re: electrics: I feel like with them vs gas it's "pay now or pay later"; like with my electric scooter, cost to recharge is virtually nothing, but when the battery pack needs replacement suddenly there's an expense of several hundred dollars.