RoR: Forum

New poster, just starting out on my Objectivist journey. I drive a hybrid, does that mean I can't be an Objectivist? I don't drive it for environmental purposes. I drive it because I have a heck of a commute, and the higher mpg leaves more of my paycheck in my pocket.

Post 1

Thursday, August 17, 2006 - 3:38pm

HAHA no Ms. Delancey but you wasted your money if you ask me, there a plenty of non-hybrid cars with as good or better MPG...

Post 2

Thursday, August 17, 2006 - 3:52pm

Funny news story. I love it when reality smacks smug people in the face. Of course for the lefties, it's always appearances that matter more than the facts. Anyone see the South Park episode about hybrids?

No, nothing wrong for buying a hybrid to save money. With the government kickbacks on such vehicles, I can understand why one would be attractive for that purpose.

Post 3

Thursday, August 17, 2006 - 4:40pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PujB8J6vyO8

Post 4

Friday, August 18, 2006 - 12:48am

Jeff wrote:

No, nothing wrong for buying a hybrid to save money.

Actually Jeff considering how much more expensive hybrids are to your average priced car, I think it doesn't save you any money but is rather quite costly. Gas is still the cheapest expense to owning a car. The most expensive cost is the debt payment or price of the car, followed by maintenance or taxes, then gas. If you did a benefit-cost analysis you'd see hybrid cars are a complete waste of money and you wouldn't be saving any money at all. Perhaps in the future when the sticker price goes down then it may be worth looking at. But right now it's just hype.

Post 5

Friday, August 18, 2006 - 4:51am

Anyone see the South Park episode about hybrids?

Watch out for smug!

Post 6

Friday, August 18, 2006 - 6:54am

I dont think the claim that there are plenty of cars that get better mileage than hybrids is accurate. What does the prius get, 50 - 60 mpg? I cant think of any car that gets near that.

Any car, converted to a hybrid, can get some 25% - 50% better milage. As John rightly points out, hybrids can have a higher up front cost. If you buy your car outright, no loan or anything, it could easily be worth it. But since hardly anyone does that, the extra money you pay on the loan will probably exceed the gas savings.

If you want a decent car that gets good mileage look into the Volkswagen Jetta TDI's. This is a diesel car that gets 43 mpg (and diesel gas is cheaper right now) Older models get even better mileage (but have less power) The new volkswagen bodies used since 06 models are the first to pass side impact tests with a good to excellent rating. They are normal, sturdy, *safe* cars, but get mileage comparable to hybrids.

I am still eager to see a diesel hybrid, damn thing would get 80 - 90mpg, come on volkswagen!

Post 7

Friday, August 18, 2006 - 7:15am

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PujB8J6vyO8

Excellent clip, those South Park guys are great. And here I thought I was the only person who really disliked San Francisco.

Post 8

Friday, August 18, 2006 - 9:28am

My Camry gets 28-33. Not too bad.

Post 9

Friday, August 18, 2006 - 9:57am

I drive a 1988 Honda CRX HF. I kept track of my mileage on a recent trip, and I got about 44 mpg highway, 40 mpg city. Not bad for an 18-year-old car, huh.

Post 10

Friday, August 18, 2006 - 11:43am

I hope we can have a discussion of various fuels and new technologies. I am currently driving a 1995 Tercel with over 252,000 miles. Since it almost definitely needs an engine rebuild, I am consdiering a new car. But I am wondering what is best to get.

Another possible expense with a hybrid could eventually be a new battery. I am looking into a flexfuel vehicle, but Toyota has been way behind on them.

GM is leading the way with flexfuel apparently, but I loathe GM.

Post 11

Friday, August 18, 2006 - 1:38pm

What's wrong with plain old gasoline? It's extremely efficient, very low polluting, and very cheap. The search for alternate energy is one giant red herring.

As Objectivists, we should be concerned with reality - what is true. Research these issues. We have plenty of oil in the world. The known reserves will last for another half-century. With new technologies, however, I've seen reports of the oil supply lasting another 100 years. In any event, if oil becomes scarce, the price will start to increase and then newer cheaper sources of energy will come to market. How about pollution? The Earth is becoming less polluted (in the first world at least) not more. I am so sick to death of the irrational Eco-religion in our culture. Buy whatever car your heart desires. Do not feel even a tinge of guilt.

Post 12

Saturday, August 19, 2006 - 8:12am

Wanted: A hybrid with all wheel drive, a 9,000 lbs towing rating, with at least 300 hp.

Oh, and that it look good on twankies :)

Post 13

Saturday, August 19, 2006 - 10:43am

Oil will last forever. It just may start to get expensive after a while. Read Julian Simon.

Post 14

Saturday, August 19, 2006 - 11:26am