My Calculations On Low Cost High Mileage Cars

[BobDiaz]

I first generated these charts for a Smart Car Forum, but decided to share it here in the "off topic" area. I took information I gathered from the LA Auto Show and entered it into a spreadsheet. Now that gas has hit $4 per gallon, and could go a lot higher, I decided to see which car has the lowest cost as far as the base price and cost of gas.

Now, let me point out there are a lot of other important variables missing from these numbers, so this is NOT the final word, just a rough calculation as to expected costs.

In order to make the charts a bit more readable, I color coded them:

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f103/KQ6WQ/Color_Codes.png

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f103/KQ6WQ/MPG-4.png

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f103/KQ6WQ/MPG-6.png

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f103/KQ6WQ/MPG-8.png

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f103/KQ6WQ/MPG-10.png

The big shocker was that I expected the Prius to offer real savings over other cars when gas goes above $4 a gallon, but it's not as much as I'd expect. Not that the Prius is a bad car. My wife and I own one.

Keep in mind that the chart is looking on high millage low cost cars, so while some cars may look bad, like the Cooper Mini, it does very well compared to many other cars. If you look at the bottom of each chart, you'll see the Hummer H3 appears for comparison.


Bob Diaz

[Barry_Green]

Depends on how you drive the Prius. If you drive it like a regular car, then yeah, you'll get 46mpg. If you embrace the hybridness and drive it like it's meant to be, it's hard to get much below 54mpg, and I frequently get 75.

[ConspiracyPenguin]

I just couldn't ever bring myself to purchasing a Prius. In fact, not to step on toes or anything, but everytime I pass one when driving my nice comfortable 7 seater SUV I cringe a little.

[Barry_Green]

I just couldn't ever bring myself to purchasing a Prius. In fact, not to step on toes or anything, but everytime I pass one when driving my nice comfortable 7 seater SUV I cringe a little.
Sooner or later this is going to veer into a political thing, so let's not. If someone wants to buy and drive a Prius, that's their choice and let's let 'em. If someone wants to drive a big SUV, that's their choice and let's let 'em.

(and Penguin, if you're saying that because you mean it, that's one thing, but if you're saying it just to be controversial and to spark a reaction, that'd be trolling so let's not do that.)

[Zander]

Depends on how you drive the Prius. If you drive it like a regular car, then yeah, you'll get 46mpg. If you embrace the hybridness and drive it like it's meant to be, it's hard to get much below 54mpg, and I frequently get 75.
We used to drive our Prius like a normal car and our mpg's were usually between 42-45. However we've recently stopped that and now lock the cruise control at 55mph. The other night I got 49.1mpg over a 200 mile trip.

[Barry_Green]

And that one change just resulted in (effectively) your price of gas dropping about 75 cents a gallon (comparing 49 to 42). Changing your driving style makes a *massive* improvement in your MPG. I regularly get 29mpg out of a Honda Element, a vehicle that the EPA rates at 20MPG. I think a lot of people may not realize that cars don't "get" a "fixed" number of miles per gallon, it's all determined by how you drive.

The greatest thing for modifying your driving behavior is to get an instantaneous fuel economy gauge. Some cars come with 'em, but almost any car can use the ScanGauge II (http://scangauge.com/). That device has helped me refine my driving to the point where I'm getting over 40% better gas mileage than the EPA says I should (which means, compared to a conventional driver, my $4.00 gas is actually costing me about $2.40). The ScanGauge is awesome if you're a technogeek who wants to understand the hows and whys. It's amazing how some slight behavior modifications can result in huge MPG improvements.

However, if you just want to know when you're being wasteful (so you can stop being wasteful) then maybe something like this would be interesting:
http://gmy.news.yahoo.com/v/8159382

In there they talk about a gadget that sits on your dash and has lights from green to yellow to red, and the more wasteful you're being, the redder the gauge gets, and when you're really wasteful it beeps at you. They say people using something like that have been able to improve their mileage by something like 10 to 20%.

[ugafan]

The big shocker was that I expected the Prius to offer real savings over other cars when gas goes above $4 a gallon, but it's not as much as I'd expect. Not that the Prius is a bad car. My wife and I own one.



it's not all that surprising to me, the prius costs thousands more than other cars on your list, such as the yaris or aveo. if you go 125,000 or 150,000 then things even out. you must also consider that the prius is a nicer vehicle with more interior cabin space.

[ConspiracyPenguin]

Sooner or later this is going to veer into a political thing, so let's not. If someone wants to buy and drive a Prius, that's their choice and let's let 'em. If someone wants to drive a big SUV, that's their choice and let's let 'em.

(and Penguin, if you're saying that because you mean it, that's one thing, but if you're saying it just to be controversial and to spark a reaction, that'd be trolling so let's not do that.)

Sorry, Barry :embarasse. I would never say something in an attempt to spark debate, in fact I would normally try to prevent it (hence my custom user title) I was simply making a true statement in a slightly over exaggerated/attempted funny form. When I said "not to step on any toes" I meant it. Basically I was saying what you said, everyone can do what they want. I would never troll, it's not like I said any controversal things in the post anyway, just my opinion about a car not a political policy, etc...

I can see where it could get out of hand, but I would not have participated in that and in fact would have put my best effort forth in stopping it. Next time I will be more careful/clear.

-----------------------------------

QUOTE BREAKDOWN:


I just couldn't ever bring myself to purchasing a Prius(1). In fact, not to step on toes or anything(2), but everytime I pass one when driving my nice comfortable 7 seater SUV I cringe a little.(3)

1) True
2) My attempt at saying: every has a right to do as they please, so don't be angry with me
3) 7 seater SUV = true; cringing = true; over exaggeration = attempt at lightening the mood with humor, please don't confuse this with trolling

[rafikiwilliams]

hey barry, thanks for your input, i remembered seeing that scanguage a while back, but had since forgot about it, its a nifty little thing!

[Postmaster]

Here are some (sometimes ....err "exotic") answers.

http://www.mpgresearch.com/forum/

Frank

[Sad Max]

Can we do bikes next...?

[mcgeedigital]

Also, keeping a good handle on your tire pressure will also have a MAJOR impact on your MPG.

[mcgeedigital]

Can we do bikes next...?

Damn, I will lose that one....a V6 1500 CC motorcycle kind of negates the normal gas savings you usually get with cycles.

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w305/mcgeedigital/six-banger.jpg

[David Jimerson]

Well, one thing I determined on my last trip . . .

With gas around $4/gallon, I could fill up with regular for about $48 or premium for about $52. With premium, I pulled about 4-5 more MPG. Per mile, premium was cheaper.

[Anhar Miah]

couple of money saving tips:

(1) Check your tire pressure, this has an effect on fuel

(2) Drive in higher gears (not sure, its what I've been told)

(3) Brake gently, guage things ahead of time, so the car comes to rest "naturally" and not sharply

(4) Pull away gently think "Glide" as if some is trying to shoot a film hand held, no jerky movements

(5) Get rid of un needed weight, car racks etc (when your not using them)

Walk/Cycle for journeys less than 1~2 miles :D

[BobDiaz]

Can we do bikes next...?

The people in the Scooter Forum where I also post messages did ask me for that so here's the chart with the Honda BR (Big Ruckus) and the Honda LR (Little Ruckus).

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f103/KQ6WQ/LRBR-4.png

The BR has a 249cc engine and the LR has a 49cc engine and both get really good gas millage. The bigger bikes, which have a lot more power and are far better for real trips, won't get as good a millage. A 249cc will work on a freeway, but that is pushing what the engine can do. Many feel that 350cc to 500cc is a minimum for a bike on the freeway. I think that the Honda Silverwing 500cc gets about 50 MPG.


PRIUS:

A chart of raw numbers can be a bit misleading. After having driven the Prius for thousands of road trip miles, to me it's a wonderful car. City millage seems to hover around 40 MPG, but short trips seem to provide lower millage. On long trips, the Prius seems to get about 52 MPG.

I've driven the car on really long trips, where we would drive for about 11 hours each day. The comfort of the car is wonderful, a fact that my chart can't show.


Still, the chart can be helpful to a point, because I'm reading that gas may hit $6 per gallon in 1 or 2 years. While cars change every year, it's nice to see which cars offer the best MPG and low cost at the same time.


Bob Diaz

[ConspiracyPenguin]

Excellent work, Bob. When I saw that new chart I was instantly amazed, thought you did it just now. Turns out you're hat is full of useful info.

[William_Robinette]

Barry, care to share any of these driving tips that are getting you all that extra gas mileage? Or are they the standard stuff recommended over and over again (don't bolt out of stops, etc) that you just put into practice.

I have tried driving with all those things in mind and I never notice a difference in how many miles I get per tank. Then again, my car is horrible: 94 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Check it out, 13mpg City/18mpg Highway if I am lucky. Oh, and a 21 gallon gas tank.

So often I have thought about selling it and picking up something else but I hate giving up the space (I carry big stuff often enough) and I always think of how much gas I could buy with the money I would use paying off a new (used) car. Rock and a hard place. Luckily I can bike 90% of the time when I need to commute, the advantage of a small city!

[ConspiracyPenguin]

...So often I have thought about selling it and picking up something else but I hate giving up the space (I carry big stuff often enough) and I always think of how much gas I could buy with the money I would use paying off a new (used) car. Rock and a hard place...

I am 100% with you. The 16 MPG of my SUV has gotten me to the point of considering trading for a Ford Fusion or Focus even, but I just can't get rid of all the space. I mean seating for 7, I've had a treadmill in there, a patio set, etc, etc...endless uses. I just won't give it up, also there is no payment now so that's cool. '03 Chevy TrailBlazer LT EXT.

[Barry_Green]

Barry, care to share any of these driving tips that are getting you all that extra gas mileage? Or are they the standard stuff recommended over and over again (don't bolt out of stops, etc) that you just put into practice.
It's all about preservation of momentum. Getting up to speed is expensive, coasting is free. Pulse 'n' Glide, and if you ever transition from the gas pedal to the brake, you've just thrown away a ton of money. Basically, drive it like a hybrid.

If you want to learn about momentum, go to the grocery store and shove a heavy shopping cart around for a while. It takes enormous effort to get it moving, but once it's moving it takes relatively little effort to keep it going at a constant speed. You'll learn very quickly when it's your legs doing the work. Well, the same work gets done by your engine, which costs gas. Move that car like you'd move the shopping cart and you'll find your mileage skyrocketing.

I don't cotton to the idea of crawling away from a stop sign or stoplight; get up to speed promptly and then stay there. Changing speed and especially gradual acceleration are very wasteful. You're much better off to promptly (but reasonably) get up to speed and then glide, than you are to continually stay on the gas, speeding up, closing gaps, having to brake, then having to speed up again, over and over.

The easiest thing to do is allow a decent-sized gap in front of you and then just use your cruise control when it's safe to do so. Maintaining speed is a lot less expensive than speeding up/slowing down.

And take it easy on the air conditioner. On the Element the air conditioner costs about 20% MPG. Pushing that button causes MPG to drop from 35 down to 28; that's like having your $3.20 gas shoot up to $4.00. So only use it when it's really worth it.

[ConspiracyPenguin]

And take it easy on the air conditioner. On the Element the air conditioner costs about 20% MPG. Pushing that button causes MPG to drop from 35 down to 28; that's like having your $3.20 gas shoot up to $4.00. So only use it when it's really worth it.

Wow, I knew it made a difference, but didn't realize it was that drastic. I try to use the outside air as much as possible but on the highway I end up getting depressed and start thinking I should cut my hair :grin:.

[MiniMan13]

Damn the Honda BR looks nice after seeing the MPG.

[wabbit]

I was in the market for a new car back in 2004 when the waiting list for a Prius was over 8 months so sadly I bought a "regular" car. You could bride your way up the list for something like $35,000 fully stocked but at the time the math just wasn't worth it. I knew gas prices were going to be rising sharply over the next 10 years but I didn't see it going this fast.

Ok so here is what I would like to see on your list is this vehicles: http://www.teslamotors.com/

Granted with a sticker price of $100,000 gas would probably have to hit like $20 a gallon to see a savings in less then 100,000 miles but it would be fun to see how it stacks up. ;) There is the unknown variable of maintence cost but from what I heard of the EV1, fully electric vehichles have significantly cheaper maintence costs as there are less parts subject to wear (no exhaust system, no internal combustion, etc).

Cheers

[ullanta]

And take it easy on the air conditioner. On the Element the air conditioner costs about 20% MPG. Pushing that button causes MPG to drop from 35 down to 28; that's like having your $3.20 gas shoot up to $4.00. So only use it when it's really worth it.

Have you related this to speed? It's often said that at some point, increased wind resistance of open windows trumps the power drain of air conditioning... have you done this kind of analysis?

[Evan S]

I live in vegas. I think you have too Barry.
I would much rather have the A/C on than die in in 100+ degree weather
For reference I drive a hyundai accent. I'm not sure of my gas mileage, I spend about 30 dollars on gas every 1.5 to 2 weeks. so about 60 dollars a month. (so I'm doing okay)

[David Jimerson]

Have you related this to speed? It's often said that at some point, increased wind resistance of open windows trumps the power drain of air conditioning... have you done this kind of analysis?

Mythbusters tested it. I believe their conclusion was that it was better to have the windows down.

[brianluce]

I just couldn't ever bring myself to purchasing a Prius. In fact, not to step on toes or anything, but everytime I pass one when driving my nice comfortable 7 seater SUV I cringe a little..

I cringe when I see seven seat behemoths rambling down the highway. Those things have carbon footprints the size of Godzilla.

[Spartacus]

Try to turn off the engine when stopping at a red light. (Well, only if you´ll have to wait through the whole red phase...)

And get a good roadbike, a waterproof backpack and load Queen´s "Bicycle Race" on your iPod for "just getting a sixpack of soda at the store"... ;o)

[Barry_Green]

Have you related this to speed? It's often said that at some point, increased wind resistance of open windows trumps the power drain of air conditioning... have you done this kind of analysis?
In an Element? The element *is* wind resistance... it's like driving a brick. :)

So, no... in another car it would make more sense, but in an element there's pretty much nothing you could do that would increase wind resistance.

[Barry_Green]

Try to turn off the engine when stopping at a red light. (Well, only if you´ll have to wait through the whole red phase...)
Yep, do that too. When you get a ScanGauge, it's amazing to watch your MPG plummet as you're sitting there waiting for a red light. It'll teach you real quick where the big waste is.

[Sad Max]

Just rode round-trip from Los Angeles to Slab City, CA, 458 miles by my odometer, burned slightly under 7 gallons of fuel, for +/- 65 mpg.

Considering that I was riding aggressively, and not for economy, I can live with that.

[GenJerDan]

There is the unknown variable of maintence cost but from what I heard of the EV1, fully electric vehichles have significantly cheaper maintence costs as there are less parts subject to wear (no exhaust system, no internal combustion, etc).


And it all depends on what sort of cost you're looking at. Just your cost? Or total lifecycle cost (meaning up through disposal). How long will the vehicle last, etc. (Will the SUV last 20 years, and the eco only 10? That sort of thing.)

Me...my 2002 6 cyl Sebring convertible gets 25-ish mpg, mixed. Hovers around 35 if I do nothing but long stretches of highway. Drops down to 22 if I spend most of the time around town with those annoyign stop lights.

[ConspiracyPenguin]

Where I live we have a lot of hills, so when going down I push it into neutral because I heard it helps. Not sure if it does, I always forget to click the "MPG" button on the steering wheel. I should start...

[ullanta]

In an Element? The element *is* wind resistance... it's like driving a brick. :)

So, no... in another car it would make more sense, but in an element there's pretty much nothing you could do that would increase wind resistance.


Is that emprical, or just a feeling?

I know the feeling (especially with lateral wind!), but my Element is designed such that having windows open at any speed causes enough wind INSIDE that even heavy objects seem to blow all over the place (at least, the stuff that isn't bungied down).

Anyway, I'm a little confused by mileage "plummeting" when stopped at a light. Exactly what kind of hysterysis does this thing have? Instantaneously, one gets exactly 0 MPG while stopped. On even moderate trips, the trip average MPG should decline pretty slowly at a stop. What's the window the thing uses where it would plummet like that?

I'm not being doubtful... I'm actually tempted to get one of these things, but want to know a bit more about how it works.

The web site led me to believe that there are some things that some engines do that the device doesn't quite understand (cylinder and fuel feed shutdowns in certain situations, etc). Does anyone know exactly what it's able to sense (e.g., fuel flow vs. throttle position vs. fuel level vs. ...?)?

[BobDiaz]

Where I live we have a lot of hills, so when going down I push it into neutral because I heard it helps. Not sure if it does, I always forget to click the "MPG" button on the steering wheel. I should start...

Putting the car into neutral may or may not help, but even if it did, you loose the degree of control when you do. Yes, if someone cuts you off, you can hit the brake, but what if the only way to avoid something is to speed up? Not a very likely event, but it can happen.

The only thing worse to do is to put the car in neutral and coast downhill. Many people do it, but there's a loss of power steering and power brakes.

A hybrid does take advantage of going downhill. Any press of the "brake" is really turning the motor into a generator and drawing energy from the wheels. I've talked to mechanics who work on the Prius, they said that replacing brake pads on a Prius is a rare thing.


Bob Diaz

[Anhar Miah]

Is that emprical, or just a feeling?


Some aerodynamic drag could be introduced if both car doors was opened wide (@ 90 degree angle)

Did some "Back of fag packet calculations" :

Drags Calculations:

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e320/Anhar/drAG_Calcs.jpg

As you can see, it does have a impact.

[ConspiracyPenguin]

Putting the car into neutral may or may not help, but even if it did, you loose the degree of control when you do. Yes, if someone cuts you off, you can hit the brake, but what if the only way to avoid something is to speed up? Not a very likely event, but it can happen.

The only thing worse to do is to put the car in neutral and coast downhill. Many people do it, but there's a loss of power steering and power brakes.

A hybrid does take advantage of going downhill. Any press of the "brake" is really turning the motor into a generator and drawing energy from the wheels. I've talked to mechanics who work on the Prius, they said that replacing brake pads on a Prius is a rare thing.


Bob Diaz

Hm...I guess. The thing is, I am talking pretty big hills, and although I do worry about the safety, I am still able to use the wheel and the brake and I doubt I would need to speed up going down hill to avoid something. Especially up here where there are lots of turns and doing so would probably send me off the edge and into the valley below. And if I did need to all it takes is a quick smack of the shifter to put me back into drive, the worse case scenario there would be that I would hit the gas before the tranny had time to switch over. Good points, though.

[Sad Max]

The only thing worse to do is to put the car in neutral and coast downhill. Many people do it, but there's a loss of power steering and power brakes.

The power steering and brakes in my car do not appear to be affected by placing the transmission in 'neutral...'

[matt s.]

I dropped the transmission out of my '83 civic when i was a teen from coasting down a large long hill and then dumb mindedly put it in reverse rather than drive. :)

I saw a small spot on tv about a guy who was turning his engine off on the highway and coasting to boost mpg. the technique has a name but i thought it was about the dumbest most dangerous thing you could do. you would definitely lose all power option doing so as far as power steering / braking etc.

[ConspiracyPenguin]

My power steering and brakes seem to work fine when in neutral and my shifter has a lock so it is impossible to bump it out of neutral to anything other than drive without holding the button. I would never turn the car off, though!

[GenJerDan]

There's not a whole lotta difference between putting it in neutral and just taking your foot off the gas when going downhill.

Well, maybe there is, but my meter just goes up to 99 mpg, and both ways hit that pretty quickly. :)

[David Jimerson]

It's better on your brakes if you keep the gear engaged.

[ConspiracyPenguin]

Okay, okay, point taken. Car stays in drive.

[brianluce]

Some aerodynamic drag could be introduced if both car doors was opened wide (@ 90 degree angle)

Did some "Back of fag packet calculations" :
.

I don't think this kind of discussion is appropriate here. School kids peruse these forums afterall. I don't know how this got by the mods. I'm shocked.

[ugafan]

I saw a small spot on tv about a guy who was turning his engine off on the highway and coasting to boost mpg. the technique has a name but i thought it was about the dumbest most dangerous thing you could do. you would definitely lose all power option doing so as far as power steering / braking etc.

it's called hypermiling. only trained professionals such as barry green should even think of attempting those type of maneuvers. :thumbsup:

[MiniMan13]

it's called hypermiling. only trained professionals such as barry green should even think of attempting those type of maneuvers. :thumbsup:
Damn, Barry is pro at everything!
:thumbsup:

[dory_breaux]

Changing your driving style makes a *massive* improvement in your MPG.

so, i SHOULDN'T be accelerating through turns and TRYING to brake loose on the highway?

[Anhar Miah]

it's called hypermiling.

what?! it actually has a name!!

[BobDiaz]

The only thing worse to do is to put the car in neutral and coast downhill. Many people do it, but there's a loss of power steering and power brakes.


The power steering and brakes in my car do not appear to be affected by placing the transmission in 'neutral...'



Sorry, but I didn't say it correctly, what I intended to say was:

The only thing worse to do is to put the car in neutral, turn off the engine, and coast downhill. Many people do it, but there's a loss of power steering and power brakes.

I was thinking it, but somehow I just didn't write it...

:Drogar-Smoke(DBG): <- Could it be because I'm somking that "funny stuff"? :)


Bob Diaz

[Sad Max]

oof...

...yeah, that turning-off-the-engine part puts a whole new complexion on it...

...and quit smoking the funny stuff.

Unless you're going to share.

[ugafan]

as gas prices rise it becomes more and more evident that the flintstones had it right all along. now if only my feet weren't so soft and asphalt so abrasive...

[Barry_Green]

There's driving sensibly to increase mileage, and then there's stupid idiocy (like turning your engine off and thus giving up your power steering and power brakes, all in a quest for a few % increased MPG). I do the rational stuff, never go near the stupid stuff.

[Sad Max]

There can't really be that many people, who actually kill the engine routinely while driving...

...can there...?

[Barry_Green]

Among the hardcore hypermilers, the technique is discussed. I think it's insane, but they do discuss it.

A hybrid does it for you, of course, but a hybrid is designed to maintain power steering/power brakes so that's a non-issue.

[ConspiracyPenguin]

The only problem I have with hybrids is the money. They cost quite a bit more than their normal counter-parts which leaves me wondering if, in our disposable society, it is even worth it.

[Sad Max]

What happens to the batteries, at the end of their service life?

[ConspiracyPenguin]

What happens to the batteries, at the end of their service life?

Thank you. When I posted above you I had forgotten about the batteries. They don't last incredibly long (for example, a good Chevrolet will reach 300,000 miles no problem. Some have been known to get to 1 million, but hybrids typically top out at 100,000...hardly anything by todays standards. In fact, I just hit that in my SUV after only 5 years.) and when they do go out it is terribly hard to dispose of them.

I just don't know if they are worth the investment.

[MarcusX]

It's so funny watching americans discussing about mpgs and hybrids. Come to germany and pay 8.8 $ a gallon, then we'll talk ;)

[Sad Max]

It's so funny watching americans discussing about mpgs and hybrids. Come to germany and pay 8.8 $ a gallon, then we'll talk ;)

If I'm visiting Germany, I won't be paying for gas, at all. I'll be using the well-developed public transit and commuter rail network, since you actually happen to have them, there...

[Barry_Green]

The only problem I have with hybrids is the money. They cost quite a bit more than their normal counter-parts which leaves me wondering if, in our disposable society, it is even worth it.
A little math will answer that one pretty quickly.

http://green.yahoo.com/blog/amorylovins/43/rethinking-the-cost-of-hybrid-cars.html

That chart shows a Prius costing about $2,000 more than an Accord, and almost $6,000 more than a Civic. But factor in the cost of gas (at $4/gallon) and resale value after three years, and you'll end up with $5,000 more in your pocket if you bought the Prius over the Accord. And almost $2,000 more in your pocket than if you'd bought the Civic. If you're a typical American who trades in your car every three years, it's a no-brainer, the hybrid is far less expensive. And as gas costs continue to rise, the hybrid will become even less expensive (due to lower fuel costs and higher resale values).

[BobDiaz]

It's starting to appear that gas may hit $5 per gallon this summer. :violent5:


While many hold onto a car for a few years and dump it for a new car, it's best to get a high millage car, like a hybrid, and drive it to its death.

I've heard that the batteries may give out after 7 years and the cost should be around $3,000 to replace. If true, the cost savings for gas for the next 7 years would more than cover the cost of replacing the battery.


Bob Diaz

[Barry_Green]

Well, the Prius has been on the market for nearly 11 years; it was launched in Japan on Dec. 1997. So there should be some manner of empirical data about battery life and battery replacements already out there. According to Toyota:

Q: Do the high-voltage batteries ever need to be checked or serviced by the owner or by a dealer?

GS: No, there is no scheduled maintenance for the batteries.

Q: How long do the high-voltage batteries last?

GS: We designed them to last for the life of the vehicle. We're aware of owners who have racked up a quarter-million miles without replacing the batteries.

Q: What would it cost to replace a complete battery pack?

GS: Less than $3000, plus labor.

Q: How long is the warranty?

GS: The high-voltage batteries are warranted for eight years or 100,000 miles, and under California regulations the battery warranty extends to 10 years or 150,000 miles.

(bold/underline emphasis added)

[Tom Marshall]

Rumor has it gas will hit about $6 / gallon in a year or two.

These gas prices finally drove me to buy a motorcycle, which I ride all the time lately. It gets about 35 - 40 mpg city, 55 - 60 highway. My Mustang gets, probably, 16 mpg city, 21 hwy... but that's just a guestimate.

[JasonFox]

Do not coast along in neutral. It's dangerous in case you have to make an emergency maneuver, and it's usually illegal. Besides, as someone already said, keeping your car in a higher gear will let the engine coast well enough.

[Tom Marshall]

And for those of you who ride a motorcycle, coasting in neutral is actually bad for the transmission. I has something to do with the fact that the transmission isn't being lubricated with any oil when the clutch is disengaged... or something... I'm yet to really start learning about bikes in general. Cars I know. I could tear a Mustang down to the last nut and bolt and put it back together, but a bike? Now that's something completely different... sort of...