| perk |
| OK. Assuming Acura sells a hybrid X in 2005 or 2006 that gets 30+mpg, how many of you would trade your X in if the new hybrid costs no more than a normal 2005 or 2006 MDX? |
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| msu79gt82 |
| Voted no due to the specificity of the year. Just traded the '01 for an '04; the MDX is due for a major redesign in '06 (Odyssey due in '05). Thus year 2 of the redesign will be '07 and we may be ready then. |
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| laborlitigator |
quote:
Originally posted by msu79gt82
Voted no due to the specificity of the year. Just traded the '01 for an '04; the MDX is due for a major redesign in '06 (Odyssey due in '05). Thus year 2 of the redesign will be '07 and we may be ready then.
What he said. . . |
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| frostyra |
MPG, per se, is not that important to me. If the price were the same, or similar, and the performance were at least as good as my '01, then I might consider a hybrid X (but since I normally keep a vehicle for 8-12 years, it probably wouldn't happen before '09!)
edit: I'm not a fan of batteries, so it would take some other form of hybrid, such as hydrogen, to succeed in getting my $. |
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| dvilla |
One of the reasons why U.S. is the Middle East is because of oil. Just remember or ask your parents about the oil embargo of the 70's and you'll probably know why this commodity is so important. Even just a small fluctuation in the price of oil has a telling effect on our nation's economy. That's why as much as possible we should reduce our dependency on foreign oil (without giving up our X). And I would be lying if I'd say I don't care about the environment.
As of this moment Hybrid technology is the best bet in achieving both goals: reduce oil consumption and reduce pollution.
If I can afford it, I'll definitely trade my 01X for a Hybrid X. Hey, maybe I make the 12 hours drive to Disneyworld without having to fill up my tank!! |
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| mullysalt |
| The early numbers I read on the hybrid RX330 are intriguing so when Acura steps up to the plate I'm sure that those numbers will be similar. Of course I'm one of those who likes vehicle's to be out for a couple of years before I buy one so maybe an 08? |
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| X4ME |
| No way. This hybrid technology is still fairly new and the additional cost of the hybrid off sets any fuel saving cost you would incur. These vehicles will not be main stream for a very long time to come and thus will suffer a more rapid depreciation as the market for a used hybrid will be filled with uncertainty regarding the long term durability of these batteries/motors which by the way will cost alot to repair/replace should something go wrong. |
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| mdxxxx |
quote:
Originally posted by X4ME
No way. This hybrid technology is still fairly new and the additional cost of the hybrid off sets any fuel saving cost you would incur. These vehicles will not be main stream for a very long time to come and thus will suffer a more rapid depreciation as the market for a used hybrid will be filled with uncertainty regarding the long term durability of these batteries/motors which by the way will cost alot to repair/replace should something go wrong.
My thoughts exactly. :4: |
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| grumpygolfer |
quote:
Originally posted by X4ME
No way. This hybrid technology is still fairly new and the additional cost of the hybrid off sets any fuel saving cost you would incur. These vehicles will not be main stream for a very long time to come and thus will suffer a more rapid depreciation as the market for a used hybrid will be filled with uncertainty regarding the long term durability of these batteries/motors which by the way will cost alot to repair/replace should something go wrong.
These points have to be seriously considered, as does WHERE you would get one fixed.
Personally I would like to see the hydrogen fuel cell option developed over the electric hybrid.
Either way, change will be very slow and difficult. (But eventual)
:roadtrip: |
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| xcel |
Hi All:
___In a heartbeat … As long as Honda emphasized economy and even lower emissions and not a 400 + HP monster with similar mileage that we receive today. To bad it appears that Honda will be going after the latter … The new Accord w/ its 240 HP V6 will be augmented with 25 + HP of electrics for higher city fuel economy and a 3 cyl. fuel shutoff scheme for higher hwy mpg’s but they are emphasizing the performance side of the equation and not the economy against the 04 Prius onslaught. In other words, Civic type mileage. The relatively inexpensive mid-size 4 cyl. Accord w/ Automatic already receives a decent 26/34 on the city/hwy EPA loops in an SULEV/PZEV format vs. the Compact Civic’s decent but hardly noteworthy 29 - 38 mpg for the Automatic’s with an at best - ULEV rating. I say hardly noteworthy in comparison to the compact and smaller Hybrid’s available to us today.
___On the negative side, depreciation will definitely be a concern. After 150,000 miles, an ICE based X will still command a decent price on the used car market. A Hybrid simply won’t as there isn’t a way to test ones pack or accessories driven from it (A/C, Steering, Starter, Alternator, Balance shaft substitute, Regenerative Braking, and whatever else the Honda or Toyota wizards come up with …) for longevity at any particular point in time. Not to mention the fact that these items are extremely expensive to replace no matter the BS being spewed from both Honda and Toyota in regards to costs coming down over such and such a period. The US spec 01- 03 Prius has an ~ $4,000 Ni-MH battery pack yet the pack itself has been in production and use since 1997 with Japan’s own first production Prius’ from way back then. The packs cost ~ the same after 7 + years! So much for a cheaper, longer term replacement costs. It is after all a relatively simple and small Ni-MH battery stacked on top of one another in a specially designed pack to create the 144 – 201 + V you are seeing in today’s Hybrid’s. The technological capabilities and costs of the Cell’s themselves have improved tremendously over those 7 years for everything else that uses similar Ni-MH’s so why not the Hybrid pack’s?
___In only a few cases can the mileage increase offset the excess costs (I am currently seeing $1.75 - $1.95 for a gallon of fuel as of this morning and much higher prices are expected by summer). Any repair will more then likely not be done by your local neighborhood auto mechanic until they are more prevalent. With the cost savings being a moot point for many unless we really do see $3.00 +/gallon fuel, what you will receive is the knowledge that your automobile purchase will make a dent in this countries dependence on foreign oil. That and the fact you will never look at your driving habits in the same way ever again. From my understanding, it takes more energy to build a new car then the car itself will use in a lifetime. What does that tell you?
___As for all of our driving habits, why does the X not Auto-stop while waiting at a light and Auto start at an exact RPM when the light changes and you step on the gas or shift into gear? Why when you hit the brakes does all of that energy get wasted as heat? Why when coasting down a hill does the X not regen some of that excess energy for later use? Why does the X suck so much fuel to get up to hwy speeds and/or maintain or accelerate up hills? Why do you actually need a hugely overpowered 3.5 L ICE for a slow and short traffic light to traffic light distance? When you drive a Hybrid, some of these questions are answered the first time you come to a stop. Afterwards, you quickly realize as to your life long excesses.
___Good Luck
___Wayne R. Gerdes
___Hunt Club Farms Landscaping Ltd.
___Waynegerdes@earthlink.net |
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| mullysalt |
| How is your new unit treating you? I ask because here in the "rust belt" and land of the domestic beasts I don't know anyone with a hybrid. I have concerns over using the X on a daily basis when there are better alternatives for the environment out there. I would like my X to fill a more recreational/liesure type roll than one of a daily driver. Thanks for your post on this subject I had a feeling you'd shed some light on this one. |
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| perk |
Looks like lots of folks would do the trade-in. The poll is 2 to 1 in favor.
I would absolutely trade my X in if I get same or more HP and much increased MPG for about the same price. This poses an interesting question because I'm not sure if Acura will take same lead as Toyota. Toyota has decided to sell hybrids at much lower cost to get a strong foothold in that niche. Acura really, really needs to do the same here or they will be left behind (as I predict virtually all domestic manuf will be once again). Toyota has excellent long-term strategy I believe because my crystal ball says that hybrids will be the norm in only five years. Seems outrageous to make such a statement, and I wouldn't have just one year ago, but now that Toyota has shown the way with Prius, I think the writing is on the wall. My prediction is that wife and I will own a 2005 or 2006 MDX hybrid that will have 300 HP, get 33 MPG, and cost about $45k.
If no such device is available from Acura, I GUARANTEE that we will have hybrid RX330 instead. |
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| robrecht |
quote:
Originally posted by xcel
Hi All:
___In a heartbeat … As long as Honda emphasized economy and even lower emissions and not a 400 + HP monster with similar mileage that we receive today. To bad it appears that Honda will be going after the latter …
Thanks, Wayne, always enjoy your posts. Are you basing your perception of Honda's future MDX hybrid direction on the concept hybrid sports car they showed a while ago (400 hp & 42 mpg)? Or is there additional info out there regarding a hybrid MDX???
It occurs to me that this issue presents an excellent way for Honda to better differentiate the MDX & Pilot, ie, make the MDX more high performance and make the Pilot more fuel economical. I don't think Honda will do that (greater development costs), but it would be interesting (that Cayenne is really popular). |
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