Hybrids - Love'em or hate'em

Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic

   I'm a hybrid owner who picks up people (but I have never had one complain when there's a long line of drivers and I can go w/o waiting for another person [:D]).  Enough of being smug!  I've noticed that a lot of former sluggers have opted to purchase a hybrid.  Why is that?  Could it be because we are becoming rude and intolerable?  When is it acceptable to engage in a long and drawn out private cell phone conversation in a public arena, like another person's car?  Think about it and get a grip and go back to Ms. Manners.

	When I purchased my hybrid I knew the exemption would end.  I did it for two things  A. it seemed to be cool at the time  B.  GAS!  (I fill up every OTHER week.)  But the hatred amongst everyone out there is AMAZING!  Hybrid owners aren't, using Bush's favorite word, evil.  They are simply taking advantage of something that is available at the present time to everyone and anyone.  It was a gimic to get people to start investing in new technology.  Or would you rather have Bush's tax break (which is significantly more than for the hybrid) for a H2?

	From my standpoint of having to commute into the fair city for at least 16 years, traffic overall has exploded!  People choose to drive into the city because public transportation is fairly expensive, but parking is cheap (and can be deducted pre-tax).  Also, public transportation takes forever and isn't equiped to handle the populace.

	So, quit being such a self-righteous bunch, keep writing your Congressmen and keep slugging!

	P.S.  Spongebob, yellow as you are, go back to the sea! [:)]

Author	Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic
VA4ver Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 09 Feb 2005 Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote VA4ver Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 09 Feb 2005 at 6:32am
	I'm a hybrid owner who picks up people (but I have never had one complain when there's a long line of drivers and I can go w/o waiting for another person [:D]). Enough of being smug! I've noticed that a lot of former sluggers have opted to purchase a hybrid. Why is that? Could it be because we are becoming rude and intolerable? When is it acceptable to engage in a long and drawn out private cell phone conversation in a public arena, like another person's car? Think about it and get a grip and go back to Ms. Manners. When I purchased my hybrid I knew the exemption would end. I did it for two things A. it seemed to be cool at the time B. GAS! (I fill up every OTHER week.) But the hatred amongst everyone out there is AMAZING! Hybrid owners aren't, using Bush's favorite word, evil. They are simply taking advantage of something that is available at the present time to everyone and anyone. It was a gimic to get people to start investing in new technology. Or would you rather have Bush's tax break (which is significantly more than for the hybrid) for a H2? From my standpoint of having to commute into the fair city for at least 16 years, traffic overall has exploded! People choose to drive into the city because public transportation is fairly expensive, but parking is cheap (and can be deducted pre-tax). Also, public transportation takes forever and isn't equiped to handle the populace. So, quit being such a self-righteous bunch, keep writing your Congressmen and keep slugging! P.S. Spongebob, yellow as you are, go back to the sea! [:)]

DC2RV Members Profile Find Members Posts Master Slug Joined: 28 Feb 2002 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 1014	Post Options Post Reply Quote DC2RV Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 08 Feb 2005 at 8:00pm
	Ok, in all the various threads this Hybrid issue is beaten to death. Regardless of my own personal opinion (pro cleaner emissions, anti exemption), one topic that's never discussed is the impact of all the additional vehicles on DC. The HOV lanes are only a thoroughfare. What's the impact on the final destination? Where do all these additional vehicles park? Are Colonial and other parking garage operators making a killing on daily/monthly fees? What's the effect on downtown where traffic already sucked before the emergence of hybrids?

Wagonman Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 05 Aug 2003 Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote Wagonman Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 08 Feb 2005 at 3:25pm
	quote: Originally posted by qorc [br]no I have a Prius Ok, your car is cleaner. But there are still regular cars that aren't that much different than yours in terms of emissions. But most of the other hybrids sold here are a joke in terms of "clean" emissions.

qorc Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 18 Mar 2004 Location: va Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote qorc Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 08 Feb 2005 at 8:23am
	no I have a Prius

Wagonman Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 05 Aug 2003 Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote Wagonman Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 Feb 2005 at 4:59pm
	quote: Originally posted by cthomas25 [br] I think there are way more hybrids in HOV lately and though they are good for the environment wouldn't it make sense for them to either pick up 2 more people or ride in regular traffic. Depends on what you mean by better for the environment...many hybrids have poor emissions. Qorc sounds like he has an Insight. His rating is only Tier 2 bin 9(depending on the year since the rating have changed as Tier 2 has been adopted) unless he bought his car in a CARB state and has the CA emissions package. This rating is below Tier 2 bin 5 which is considered the average or typical new vehicle emission rating. Sure, he uses less gas but he isn't helping our air pollution.

qorc Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 18 Mar 2004 Location: va Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote qorc Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 Feb 2005 at 7:16am
	no, mine gets worse driving in the city UNLESS I never have to stop for lights (eg, recently, I was circling national airport, waiting to pick someone up, and I got about 74 mpg for 15 minues). I usually run around 50-51 mpg on my highway commute, and 38-40 running around doing shopping.

cthomas25 Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 27 Oct 2004 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote cthomas25 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 18 Nov 2004 at 1:20pm
	I know we've talked about this before on the message board but this morning on my way to work on HOV I counted 18 hybrids from Potomac Mills to the Memorial Bridge exit. That was only in the 30 minutes that I'm on HOV. I think there are way more hybrids in HOV lately and though they are good for the environment wouldn't it make sense for them to either pick up 2 more people or ride in regular traffic. Don't they get better gas mileage in city traffic? Don't get me wrong I too would like to own a Hybrid to save on gas money but I would still pick up 2 passengers. If you're going that way anyways it would just make sense.