And it turns out that the EPA now has a new, less nutty methodology. For example, the 2007 V6 Toyota Camry (with the 6 speed automatic) used to be rated at 22 city, 31 highway, but is now rated by the EPA at 19 and 28. That's better, but it still sounds like what the more careful than average driver gets, not what the typical lead-footed American achieves.Your mileage may vary -- and how!
It's time to revise the federal gas mileage rating methodology. Have you noticed how the official gas mileage ratings on cars are absurdly optimistic? ... This outdated test means that vehicle buyers don't realize how expensive unaerodynamic and heavy SUVs will turn out to be. ... Considering as well the non-monetary costs of oil consumption for the environment and foreign policy, is it too much to ask that the government tell us the straight story on mpg ratings?
A reader writes:
1) Look at safety first. The safercars.gov and iihs.org sites are where to start. The US DOT tests more car-car crashes. The IIHS tests more of how a car will do it hit by an SUV. So they don't always agree on top ratings. Note that Ford, Audi, and Subaru do really well on the top picks list of IIHS. Note as well that a top small car pick is NOT as safe as a top big car pick.Car companies competing on horsepower as if your normal commute is across the Bonneville Salt Flats at 140 mph everyday reminds me of house shopping. You go to an open house where the sales lady says that the seller knocked out lots of interior walls converting an eight room house into a five room house with one vast central room, and everybody oohs and aahs about how great it would be for parties. And I'm oohing and aahing too, but in the back of my mind, a little voice is yapping, "Hey, you don't hold parties, and what you really want is your own little room where you can shut the door and think without hearing the damn TV." Similarly, the last time I drove over 80 mph was on a deserted flat, straight back road to Monterey that Jerry Pournelle assured me was never visited by the cops. I got a $400 speeding ticket for going 86.
2) You can look at fuel efficiency on fueleconomy.gov. Note that the EPA just tightened their way to test fuel efficiency. Some cars (especially bigger ones) suffered only small losses under the new testing regime. But the Prius's mileage dropped 25%. On that site you can look at each car with both the old and new ratings systems.
3) The main fuel economy value of hybrids comes from capturing energy with regenerative braking. Watch how much you hit the brakes on commutes.
4) Ford and GM have come a long way on quality. Granted, Toyota still has a lead. But their lead isn't so big as it used to be.
5) I believe oil prices will keep going up because, near as I can tell, we really are using up all the oil. But ask yourself how many miles you'll drive per year and what gas will cost you per year at various prices per gallon and mpg. My commute will be so short that I'm insensitive to $5/gallon gas or even $6/gallon gas. I drive a big Cadillac for safety and want to move up to a newer Town Car for even better crash ratings.
6) I find the autotrader.com site the best for looking for used cars. But there are cars that only show up on one of the other sites.
7) The Germans are bringing back diesels. Even Honda says they will come out with a diesel but not this year or probably not next either. The lowering of allowable sulfur in diesel fuel has allowed fancier filtering systems and therefore 50 state diesel is making a come back. There's a diesel VW Jetta coming out this fall that'll cost maybe $24k. Probably last a long time and beat a lot of hybrids on the highway.
8) Fords are nice and underpowered. Yes, the overpowering is ridiculous. Reviewers complain the Town Car has only 239 hp whereas a 1990 Town Car had like 199 hp. The Cad DTS has 300 hp and for what exactly? My mom's supposedly underpowered 2000 Grand Marquis seems to accelerate fast to me. Yet the car mags complain about Fords not being as peppy as Lexuses and Beemers. What the hell?
My published articles are archived at iSteve.com -- Steve Sailer
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13 comments:
The wonderful modern diesel engines are popular across Europe and have been for a few years now. If we weren't so green - we're sticking with our 13 year old vehicle - we'd buy one.
It's amazing how great mileage a small turbodiesel can get these days. I VW Lupo with a 1.2 l TDI achieves 3.0l/100km = 79 mpg.
The lesson here is, clearly, never trust Jerry Pournelle.
I enjoy my 400 hp Ferrari which cannot even carry two well fed Americans (load limit 400 pounds) and is epa rated at 10 mpg. Many of the other parents at my kids school enjoy an outdoor pool and heat the 10000 gallons of water to 79 degrees even though it can't take them anywhere.
I don'tsee how it is any one else's business whether I heat a pool or go for a Sunday drive.
And it turns out that the EPA now has a new, less nutty methodology.
The old methodology wasn't nutty -- from the manufacturors' p.o.v. :0]
The wonderful modern diesel engines are popular across Europe and have been for a few years now.
Diesel engines may ultimately fail because they may not be able to meet really stringent emissions standards. Current emissions standards in the EU aren't all that tough.
I own one of those VW Jetta diesels, and it returns between 36-40 mpg in suburban/urban driving. I seldom have occasion to drive on the interstates, but I've no doubt that it would achieve at least 45-47 over the highway. The best part is, that five years from now, when I still have fewer than 100,000 miles on the car, I won't have to replace battery packs at a cost of $5000-7000.
All my driving experience is in Europe; I can't understand the problem America has with diesels--is it environmental laws? According to Autocar magazine, an equivalent turbodiesel car would match a Toyota Prius for both economy and effect on the environment.
I'm suspicious of all claims made for hybrids; I suspect nobody would buy them but for the financial inducements that are available in almost every country for driving them.For instance, they are exempt from the five-pound congestion charge to be paid every time you drive into central London.
Let's face it, regenerative braking and coasting are'nt going to provide all that much extra power, especially when you offset it against the weight of that massive battery and the generator.
The Audi A8 diesel will do 0-60 in 5 seconds; the BMW 530d will do it in 6.5. Cheaper makes of diesels are fast catching up with these figures.
>>4) Ford and GM have come a long way on quality. Granted, Toyota still has a lead. But their lead isn't so big as it used to be.<<
I would say the notion that GM and Ford are anywhere near to Toyota is wide of the mark.
As a victim of Ford's overtly racist anti-"just worked my butt off to become supremely qualified white guy" hiring practices, and a past close observer of the auto industry, I can attest that Ford is possibly doomed. Quite simply Ford and GM are not looking for talent in the general management and strategy ranks. Instead they are filling these crucial incubator positions with easy finds (read: unispiring yet somewhat ambitious individuals) from good schools along with whatever best qualified AA candidates they can find. The result of their narrow and easy to execute hiring strategy is a safe and steady short and middle-term, but a difficult future, because very few of their hires has "greatness within." As such, it is no surprise that Ford's current offerings are close to Toyota's: for current success is coming at the expense of future models. While Ford and GM are able to match Toyota on existing models, they have little hope on future models. Companies like Toyota have already maximized efficiencies on existing technologies and their "best and brightest" are working on future models and processes. It is not a proud moment for GM and Ford to match what Toyota has already mastered and laid level. In fact, it's pathetic.
Toyota can command the very best talent in homogenous Japan, but Ford and GM cannot claim the same in the USA. To watch those two American icons suffer under the guise of multiculturalism and laws like Sarbanes Oxley that push financiers into management positions, hits me in the heart everyday. For anyone that has ever worked in or near the auto industry, or for anyone that has locomotion within his/her heart, Ford and GM symbolize what the rest of the readers of this blog and VDare see on the national level: the slow decline and destruction of everything that there ever was to love about America.
Justin
Proud Expedition Owner
Ford and GM have come a long way on quality. Granted, Toyota still has a lead. But their lead isn't so big as it used to be.
In what universe is this happening?
My 2002 Ford Focus is the worst car I have ever driven, and by a wide margin. With less than 70,000 miles on it, the brake *rotors* have failed three times, despite bringing it in as soon as the telltale noises appear. That's several hundred dollars a pop, which Ford refuses to cover under their warranty. No, it's not the way I drive; I've never once had this happen on any other car, even clunkers with 150K miles on them. Ford apparently made the brake surface area larger in later model Foci, but those of us with the 2002 model can just pay out the nose as far as they're concerned.
Worse, the air conditioner routinely leaks water into the passenger compartment. This is apparently due to an evaporator case, which the Ford dealerships conveniently didn't discover until after the warranty on those parts had expired. They want $1,600 to fix it; I doubt the car itself is worth that. Of course, Ford, as always, refuses to stand by the product, even though this issue is documented in their TSBs (along with the brake issue).
I've heard of other Focus owners with even worse horror stories: cars bursting into flame, transmissions breaking down every year, you name it.
Never again will I purchase a Ford. My next vehicle is going to be a Honda Civic hybrid.
Search after gas milage if you want. I lived in New Haven during the last gas crunch and the professors were paying one thousand dollars over list for VW diesel rabbits, while lecturing we unwashed that hydocarbons were a limited resource and we would never pay less for gas than we paid that day.
In a year their diesel Rabbit was worth less than a gas one and petrol was cheap - I have been through all this before. I press on the gas of my Ferrari and the gas tank goes down one eighth as quick as I write this. Its great.
Rather than becoming more dependent on info from the feds, why not drive in a more reasonable manner? I routinely get MPG at or above EPA levels by driving Carefully. Sure, I don't win the temporary admiration of some teenager one lane over, but I manage to survive anyway.
FoMoCo is responsible for turning Dearborn into the most Muslim city in the US.
... The revenge of his limo lieberal descendents on Henry I.
.... Agaim, re diesels: they may not meet tough 21st century emissions standards. Too many particulates, casuing cancer the same way inhaling asbestos does.
Big trucks and buses have had a big loophole on this.
David Davenport said...
FoMoCo is responsible for turning Dearborn into the most Muslim city in the US.
I am confused about this. Is the Ford Motor Company the same as the Ford Foundation - assuming this is what you're talking about?
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