Read the fine print...

Just got my new title and registration for the 93 Bronco I bought from my cousin. Yes, I finally found a 4x4 I can live with...well I hope so. My cousin, who owns his own shop out in Pungo, was gracious enough to sell it to me even though he wanted to drive it for a while. He is the type that gets autos and fixes them up while he drives them then sells it for profit. He rebuilt the tranny and went through the rest of the truck to make sure it would be some what reliable. The Bronco spent it's life mostly in Texas and California so the only rust on the truck are two small spots on the tailgate, which is typical for Broncos. This was the main draw to the vehicle and a fresh transmission all for $2500. That's a lot better than the rust buckets I have been shuffling through for the past 6 months!
Now for the interesting part of the transaction. Most people that have bought used cars have had a similar situation as this. I pay my cousin and he hands me a title...from Texas. This is pretty common with people that buy and sell a decent amount of vehicles. Why spend the time to title it when you are going to turn it over. So he got it from a guy on a trade that bought it from the title holder and none of them titled it. I am now 3 people removed from the name on the title. Technically this is illegal but that is because VA wants their money. You don't need to track a car that isn't on the road. There is a down side to the removed ownership purchase. That is if there is a discrepancy with the title. Wouldn't you know it there was, it was signed in the wrong spot.
The limited transaction DMV at the court house was my first stop. No line! This was a good start but short lived. The woman at the counter said "oh, he signed in the wrong spot. I can't help you, try the full service DMV." After I got off work I went to the full service and waited about 45 minutes just so the lady at the counter could tell me, "you have to get the seller to make an affidavit saying he signed in the wrong spot." Of course I ask, what if I cant get a hold of him? It has been a year since he sold the vehicle to the first buyer. So what your telling me is I have a vehicle I cannot register if I can't get this guy to send the affidavit? The response was less than helpful. Needless to say I went home pretty upset.
So I prayed after my awesome wife saved me from a breakdown and found the guys number on the Internet. He was still in the area, this was rare considering he is an officer in the Navy. God willing he was more than helpful and faxed me the paper work I needed. Third trip to DMV was a success and now it is officially my new ride. My wife can rest a little easier now that I am not out looking for the unicorn.

Jesus take the wheel...please!

A couple of years ago I noticed an ad for a Volvo that depicted a couple wanting to get somewhere before it closed. The jerk driving the car is not paying attention and just weaving through traffic, a lot like VB. Anyways long story short, his car tells him when he is about to rear end someone because he is driving too fast and not paying attention. He avoids the accident and they get their hotdogs in time. That is worth risking the lives of people who didn't get to choose whether you got a drivers license or not!

Well this seems to be a trend now and even Ford has sensors all over their cars to remind you that you are driving a few ton piece of metal down a road full of people at probably around 60 MPH! Oh, don't forget the cars that brake for you so as not to interrupt your text or shuffling through your playlist to find that sweet new driving song. Someone I work with told me when she is in her $60k Benz the wake up assistance always goes off when she is texting. This is due to the detection of swerving!

This is no new thing. There has been talk of cars that drive themselves for decades. Ever since autopilot the industry has been figuring out ways to remove the driver from the equation. Human error leads in car accidents, even if it was a mechanical failure it was probably due to poor maintenance practices. The busier our lives get the more we try and make up time in transit. But you wouldn't want the bus driver to be texting his girlfriend and eating a donut while you were on board. What makes this same person feel they have adequate training to drive and do these things without causing a wreck. Notice I did not call it an accident beacause it is NOT! Accidents just happen and could not have been avoided.

I feel that driving is a privilege and an experience but adding electronics to counter act the electronics we use to distract us is never good. There have been several advances in vehicle safety where electronicly controlled is the way to go such as ABS (anti-lock brakes), traction control, anti roll midigation, etc. Even a novice driver has a better chance at avoiding or at least reducing damage of a crash with these items in place. This beats the good old days of locking the brakes up and sliding 500 feet and hoping you could maneuver well enough to go around whatever you were about to hit without rolling over. I have driven both new and old. For driving experience I enjoy the old, for transporting my loved ones or commuting to work with all the distracted drivers I prefer as much safety as I can get.

I know we all make mistakes, I have made more than a few. I really try and pay attention to driving and driving alone. Driving is the most dangerous thing we do unless you swim with sharks in fish underwear. So why do so many take it lightly, at least til it's too late? I witness the same people speed past my daughter and I every morning at the bus stop. My little girl told me of how a driver tried to go around the bus stop sign and her friends mom yelled at the driver. Too bad there isn't a braking system to stop cars when that stop sign comes out. I know you say "how could they not see it or just disobey it" but what is the difference between that stop or the one that we all roll through every day? We think its clear from our precise judgment? Fact is, the quick look doesn't always see. People respond to consequences just like children. If you drive to work running lights, speeding, etc. You will most likely do it until you get a good ticket or are in a crash. I am guilty of some of these violations as well. I say we need to get up a little earlier and drop some extracurricular stuff so we don't have to rush so much.

As far as the car electronics go I say more power to them! People are going to not pay attention and drive like jerks anyway so maybe these nuances will give me a fighting chance. If they aren't going to see my daughter crossing the road maybe their sensor will and stop the vehicle in time. Although this is still dependent on the electronic sensor telling the computer which tells the brake controller which applies the brakes which slow the rotation of the tires which contact the ground.

Lets just hope the maintenance was preformed on this vehicle!

Good luck out there, a lot of airbags wouldn't be a bad idea either!



Calc you later!

Y'all know by now that I have been looking for a new 4X4 and you know it is taking me forever (it's been about 6 months). I went to look at an 82 Bronco yesterday in Hampton. The owner was cordial enough to meet me half way from Gloucester. Well, needless to say I am still looking. The price started at $3500. I talked him down on the phone to $3k. From our conversation, text, and pictures it looked like a prospect. It appeared to only have about 3 rust spots and ran like a champ. He said it was low mileage according to the title. Lets talk about that real quick. The odometers on a lot of old vehicles only display 5 digits, after 99,999 miles it rolls back to 00000. The title is supposed to say the actual mileage but vehicles become exempt from this LAW at a certain age. So old boy didn't have to know or divulge the actual mileage. With low mileage, little rust, it was only lifted 4" with a mild tire, and everything else looked stock (how it came from the manufacture). This vehicle is what a lot of guys call uncut, because for some reason people that typically buy these rides chop the fenders and whatever else to throw big tires on it. This usually leads to a life of abuse. I would give you this little snippet of advice, if the add for a vehicle says BAD ASS, I would stray away from that.

This is an example of what the typical prospect looks like. I would like to say this person did divulge what was wrong with it probably due to the fact that he just bought it, got took, and didn't feel right making someone else feel as bad as he did! This was I am sure, a great looking, fair priced Jeep. I am sure the conversation was "I have too many projects or I need a truck or I need something better on gas" and "this is my baby and I hate to sell her." Even though the guy has only owned it a few months. These are the most typical excuses. I guess no one wants to say I can't afford to fix all that is wrong with it!

This is the FRAME of said Jeep! This is completely UNDRIVABLE!

Could you imagine if this broke? I guess you could put it in 4 wheel drive to pull the front half down the road!
This is an extreme example of how you can get stuck with a POS that is basically NOT worth fixing for the amount it would cost in repairs. The signs are not usually this obvious. I know I wrote about what to look for in another blog but it is something weighing on me. I hate it when people are dishonest or when someone who doesn't know any better gets the shaft of a basket case vehicle.
When I went to look at that Bronco yesterday here are the things I noticed that the owner may not have been aware of, he seemed sincerely naive. There of course was more rust than he disclosed but I do use a super bright light and know where these vehicles are prone to rot. The rust started on the inside and had not made it out like the spots he told me about. The squeak he said was the interior was actually the rear end squealing. The "LOW mileage" motor knocked like the police in P-town, and the transfer case (the thing that makes it 4 wheel drive) made a clunking noise. The interior was crap too. So all in all it needed everything! After identifying all of that to him he lowered the price to $2k, remember he started at $3500! My calculator was working the whole time I was looking at the Bronco. I am familiar with how much certain parts and repairs cost BEFORE I go look, $1500 in body work, $3500 for drive train, $1500 for interior, etc. This was not worth the trouble but if I didn't take a thorough look at it I could have been stuck with a money pit. Don't let your yearning for this dream machine impair your judgment. There will be another one, just be patient.
I have a 91 Mustang that I bought a few years ago. I feel I made a good purchase. It did not need any major mechanical work, no rust, and I drove it home. I know parts are cheap for this model and fairly easy to replace. I knew that a certain level of investment into the Mustang would yield a profit if I decided to sell it later. I also have a fun car to drive!

Yeah, its about a 20 footer but it gets me where I need to go, it's fun, and I only have about $3k invested.
If your local and you need help discerning which ride to put in your drive way, let me know. I love weeding out the scammers! Let them be stuck with it...NOT YOU!!!

What should it be?

I know I have broached this subject before but it is still weighing heavy on all aspects of my being. My wife and kids are sick of daddy taking time to research and look for an SUV to buy. Also the financial situation, reliability issues, gas mileage, practicality, etc. You would think given the opportunity to buy what I want would be a blessing and it has been, but it is still stressful. When buying a used auto there are so many areas to consider and then no matter how informed you think your decision is you never know the true history or condition of the vehicle until you buy it.
First I am still trying to figure out what will be most suited for my purposes. I need something large enough to fit the family and some gear. I have owned a Jeep Wrangler and as much as it is bad ass off road it is small. That is one reason it is so capable on the trail but most of our time is not spent on a trail. So don't short yourself for that once in awhile use. There are plenty of vehicles with similar capabilities and more cargo space. Not to mention Wranglers have the highest resale value which means you pay a premium for a POS, trust me I have gone and looked at them.
If you are buying used and plan to fix it up you need to get a vehicle with cheap aftermarket parts, especially if you want to modify your ride. Not all cars have a big aftermarket selection which drives the price up do to supply and demand also making it more difficult to find certain components. Those are for the true gear head who likes a challenge and waiting for one to pop up in the salvage yard to get what you need. Domestic cars usually have cheaper parts as well. Try finding a suspension lift for a Mitsubishi Montero, trust me I had one.
So if you can find the parts and afford them, how easy is it to install them. Some vehicles require heavy fabrication to install simple things. I don't own a welder nor do I know how to use one. This skill set is expensive to hire so look for a bolt on market where you don't have to get the plasma cutter out to change the air filter!
What sort of mileage will be sufficient for your wallet. I live close to work and have another car so I can get a big gas guzzler and not suffer to much. The short drive also makes me be able to modify them a little more and sacrifice some ride quality. You do not want a 30 minute commute on a set of Bogger tires, "what did you say? I am deaf but my tires look tuff!"
How old of a car should you get? I have been tossing this around for a while. I used to think the newer the better but after looking for 7 months, as my wife reminded me today, I beg to differ. I have inspected and driven rides that are over 20 and under 4 years old. The main difference is rust. If it is out of warranty it is out of warranty. You will definitely pay more for newer car parts because they usually involve some form of computer control or electric sensor. Also dumping a bunch of money into something there are a lot of on the road or an undesirable is only worth it if you plan to drive it for a long time. You will NOT get your money out of a newer vehicles mods or repairs unless you got a killer deal and did all the work yourself. The closer you get to 100K miles the more you can expect to need repairs. I have seen several cars with only 40K need major component replacements costing from $600 to $2000 and they were totally separate types and brands of cars. Less electrical components are a plus when it comes to reliability. If you are looking at a 10 year old car you will probably be replacing several switches in the near future. I don't know how many of y'all have replaced a power window switch before but I can assure you it is not worth the convenience. I will crank my windows up for the rest of eternity.
I would say the only modern conveniences worth trying to get may be fuel injection and some safety features. Like I said the shelf life on electronics is much shorter than mechanical action. So I have settled on fixing up an old mechanical ride with less electronics than most people have in their pockets. New carburetor, $300; new fuel injection around $1000. Yes some times they run a little smoother or the electronics are nice to play with but don't whine about it when you are charged $600 to replace a throttle body because they charge labor to reprogram the computer and take hours to dig through the engine to get to the part. You can sit under the hood of mos old cars and you can see the components to trouble shoot them. It takes me forever just to find a part on my wife's car considering the motor is shoe horned in there.
I urge you to go to a car show open to all years and compare what I am saying. Look at a 60's model, an engine with wheels. Then look at a 90's, fuel injected but still able to repair cheaply and easily, you can still see all of the motor. Then there are the 00's era cars, great performance but open the hood and what do you see? A big piece of plastic, remove that and the motor is crammed in there like me trying to fit into my jeans from 10 years ago, you ever seen a button as a projectile? There are pros and cons to all rides but you need to way them against your budget and ability. Don't think that a car with only 50K miles on it won't break down the minute you drive away.
Last point in my car buying sermon is discernment. This is hard because people are trying to get as much for their car as possible. Why would they disclose everything to you and drive there price down? There are a lot of honest sellers out there but some of them don't know what is wrong with their ride or what that weird noise is. So when you first start dealing with someone I recommend talking instead of text. You can tell a lot by someones demeanor, this is hard to detect in text. Ask them why they are selling and how long they have owned it. I ask these questions a couple of times. I have noticed that between talking on the phone, text, and at the test drive these stories may change. This is a good indicator that you should walk away. Also be prepared for the up sale. Don't take their word for it, check everything! I have been on a test drive when advertised was a new clutch, as I drove with the owner in the passenger seat I asked "does it always grind going into 2nd?" If they say it has a new anything, it doesn't unless there is a receipt! Be familiar with how much some repairs cost so you can estimate on the spot how much you will need to get the vehicle how you want it. This is also a great negotiating tool, "I know your asking $5000 but it needs a new clutch so that will cost me $400 and the tires are worn, I'll give you $3800."
Build up your shopping tool box and you should be more equipped than most sellers. Don't be afraid, most people are not intentional in ripping you off. If someone knows their vehicle they will most likely disclose anything major. It is up to you to find any discrepancies, whether there are 40k or 190k miles on it. If it is sold as is/no warranty you are at the mercy of your discernment. Please if you don't know what your are looking for ask someone to go with you or drive it to a mechanic you trust and pay a few bucks. It's worth it in the long run. Please don't buy from those shady little car dealers, you know the ones that have all the sporty cars and trucks and finance military "no money down." You will more than likely get a better deal and product buying from a private party seller.
So get out there and make the best of it and leave the impulses at home! Don't take as long as me though, it will just aggravate this joyful occasion of finding that perfect new ride!

American Made...

I know this is a touchy or at least a very opinionated topic. Most likely if you are reading this you live in America and everybody knows about the controversy of owing our economic soul to China. There are very few things made in America or where the profits go to Americans. So your Toyota pickup is made in Alabama, the plant employees and dealers profit but bottom line your money is going to buy some Japanese CEO a new private jet. So what do I think we should do?
I try and by American when at all possible but bottom line is the all mighty dollar. Most people know that a big reason American goods are sometimes more pricey is the laborer that you pay for but American cars are generally less expensive. I do feel that one of the most expensive purchases you will make in your life should be as home grown as possible. I have only owned one foreign vehicle, while living in the US, and one semi-foreign which is a re badged Nissan to Mercury.
This isn't to say I don't enjoy or appreciate the "other" autos but why not give as much back to our country? I know there are CEO's for the big 3 that are abusing the money they make and taking government bail outs. Not to mention closing plants and taking there fat pensions but don't think this isn't going on in other countries. Here are a couple more reasons for my redarick.
From 1973 to about the 1990's America was at it's worst in automobile power and most of all reliability. The gas and emission crunch is to thank for that. The past several years has been a high point for the home grown autos but the stigma of "I had this Ford and it broke down a lot and I'll never buy American again", is still on the brain. This is also passed down generations. Well I beg you give America another chance. They are more than able to keep pace with their foreign competitors in performance and reliability. Usually you will pay less for the US equivalent ride and if there are repairs to be made, parts and labor usually run a lot lower.
From my experience if you perform regular maintenance on your car it will last. If you wait till something breaks you have probably worn another component out which will fail soon after. I have seen Jeep pickups with over 200k miles from the 80's that have not had major repairs. I lived in Germany for over 3 years and let me drop some knowledge on y'all, there are junk yards full of BMW's and Benz. The cars that are supposedly built for the autobahn were broke down on the side of it. The Japanese have had a ton of problems too, like the Toyota recall a few years ago.
So if you are going off of the stigma or what your parents say about American brand, form your own educated opinion, compare and drive. Give America another chance. I have done a lot of shopping around for cars lately and when the other guys start making a comparable auto for less I will consider it because I do have to look out for my wallet, I have kids to put through college.
I am proud to be American and I prefer the style of our automobiles. Everyone loved American cars before 1973 even the foreigners, so hopefully America will regain it's confidence.

Songs to Drive by

So what is it about that certain song that makes you want to lean on that go pedal a little more? The right song can take you back to that summer cruise time with the windows down and the radio up. I like music as much as I like cars. I feel that they have been an inspiration to each other. They put radios in cars for a reason! Bands have written music about autos and driving for years. Some better than others but covering all genres of music. From British invaders to 80's rockers to Ridin Dirty. The love affair with the automobile spans all people. Well, I made a list. The songs on my list are what drive me to lay some rubber down or just ride slow and loud. Sometimes I feel I am too old for this type of behavior but who gives a crap. I am sure the guy in his 7 series beemer is mocking me as I try and flaunt my old faded paint, hole in the muffler, no heat having mustang but I roll loud and proud! So here is the list. I hope y'all will let me know what songs make you put your phone down and really drive.
No particular order because it depends on my mood and what I am driving as to what I want to here.

Sweet Emotion (Aerosmith) This song has the cruzin part and the get up and go!
Running Down A Dream (Tom Petty) Open interstate with miles to go.
Mean Street (Van Halen) This makes me want to burn the fricking tires off my car!! Try it!
Appetite For Destruction (G&R) YES THE WHOLE DANG ALBUM!!!
Man In The Box (Alice N Chains) Good twisty road song.
Run To The Hills (Iron Maiden) Bass line that never slows down. Beat that steering wheel up!
Legs (ZZ Top) The band of car enthusiast, need I say more?
Dirt Road Anthem (Jason Aldean) I like this for those slower country drives and in a 4X4.
Back Road (Rodney Atkins) It really does make me want to take a back road, which I recommend.
International Harvester (Craig Morgan) Suck it city boys!
Interstate Love Song (STP) Another long drive song.
Train Train (Blackfoot) You will try and race everyone while this is on, well I do.
Long Tall Sally (Little Richard) Get those pipes rumbling!
Call Me The Breeze (Lynyrd Skynyrd) I am out of here! Good get away song, if you need one.
Black Betty (Ram Jam) Zippy!
Low Rider (War) Cruise, you wont go the speed limit.
Ramble On (Led Zeppelin) Again, I gots to go!
No Particular Place To Go (Chuck Berry) Let roll and get some shakes!
Paranoid (Black Sabbath) You know, too many songs like this and you'll be buying new tires.
Bohemian Rhapsody (Queen) Bang your head and sing along. Good stop light singalong!

I could keep going, there are so many great songs that are about driving or make us want to. So...the weekend is coming and summer will be here before you know it. I recommend driving for pleasure once in a while. This will make you appreciate the luxury almost all of us enjoy as Americans. Crank it up but be careful, you don't want to involuntarily contribute to the police retirement fund.

"I wanna go fast..."

I finally finished installing the fender well Cold Air Intake (CAI) on my Mustang. Now those that know me realize I am a cheapskate. This CAI that should have taken an hour to install lasted a few days while I hunted down hardware that it didn't come with and figured out the proper fitment because there were no directions. All those headaches were worth it, I only paid $50 for the whole setup with a filter. Average price being about $150 on up.
So should you modify your vehicle or keep it original (stock)? How much and what mods should you make? Does it depreciate your ride or make it less reliable? Well that is a matter of opinion and since it's my blog you are gonna get mine. I like a fairly stock looking ride, tastefully modified for improved performance, and reliability.
With restoration of vehicles the end result is what will determine the amount, if any, of modification. Generally speaking an antique restored to absolute original specifications (specs) fetches the most money but may not perform as well. We have come a long way in technology in the aftermarket world. Most people haven't rode in a 50's car with Bias ply tires, 3 on the tree, drum brakes without ABS, and heaven forbid NO traction control and pretty much no safety features. This can lead to an exciting and nostalgic ride. For some it brings back the exact spot they were 50 years ago and for others an experience of what it must have been like.
I am restoring my ride while also modifying it. I have chosen inconspicuous parts, similar shape and finish as the original. Many aftermarket parts are made sturdier and the performance benefits are much better. Many times these mod parts can make your ride more reliable and even improve mileage. For instance my CAI allows more cool air into the motor more easily. Being less restrictive has improved my fuel mileage. Opening up the exhaust a bit will increase power and mileage as well. It's like taking your jeans off after Thanksgiving dinner to put on sweats, less restrictive. The more air in the fuel mixture the better. So forced induction, superchargers and turbo as well as nitrous, will get you more air in the combustion chamber and BOOM more power.
There is always an extreme side to anything. If you put an 800 CFM, 4 barrel carb on a slightly modified car you will not only suck gas down like me with a shake from Sonic, but it will run like crap. There is always a balance to everything. Now if you are pushing 800 horse power then you will need that much fuel in the mix. So it all depends on what you want in a vehicle. Do you want a nostalgic cruiser that you go get shakes with on perfect days? A tire smoking straight line beast? A street light sleeper?
As far as depreciation goes, yes, your brand spankin new car that is under warranty will depreciate if you add performance mods. I am not sure if it is the connotation that it was beat on or the fact that you never know who did the mods and if it was done right. They sell factory modded vehicles with a warranty but you will pay for it. There are whole companies that build existing auto platforms up and you pay the premium at the dealer such as Saleen, Calloway, and Roush. Just know that for the most part, unless you build a race car, you will not get the money you paid for the mods out of the sale price of the vehicle. If your tires are awesome and cost $300 each you usually will not get $1200 on top of what the car is worth. You will however be able to say it has new tires and get the price of the condition of the vehicle, the better shape its in increases the value.
I like performance and I like to make my vehicle a little different, custom. I enjoy driving and build with the idea of how I want my ride to perform. Faster, safer, and more reliable. The customization of vehicles started a whole new culture that caught on fire after WWII. They even let Hot Rods in the Concourse, now that's cool!
Built not bought! get out there and have some headaches and hopefully fun!

Classic, Antique, or otherwise...

I was driving my classic today wishing it was an antique so I could get a break on a few things. I have 4 more years until I can register my Mustang as an antique. This enables benefits such as NO MORE INSPECTIONS!!! Cut rate, cool looking tags, and lower insurance. Depending on how old you are and your taste, what you consider classic (20 years) or antique (25 years) will vary. I would think most people enjoy the 60-72 era American muscle made popular by reality shows and cool guy movies. Those cars are way beyond antique but when someone mentions a classic car the first thing that might pop into ones head... a 57 Chevy, 69 Camaro SS, etc. Probably not the 87 Honda Accord EX but by definition it is an antique vehicle and can be registered as such.
So is a Classic or Antique really age, popularity, performance, all of the above? This is left up to opinion. I feel that if your car is 25 then you should be able to register it as an antique. Please don't let not needing an inspection let your ride become a death trap. Just know that if your car wasn't desirable when it was new it probably will not be when it's a classic but to each their own. I am all about preserving autos no matter what they are. Look at all the Corvair clubs. Those cars were like the Chevy Cavalier of the 60's but now pretty popular. Never thought I would see so many 85 Caprice Classics, Dirty South style!
You can usually check the aftermarket for what is going to be considered by the mainstream as classic. Who wants to be mainstream? If you have the budget and the skills pick something cool but obscure and it could be a better investment. That's right, I said it. Your ride can be an investment especially when we are talking about an antique. Just do some market research before you go and dump a few grand into a car you can't sell for $2500.
So what do you think is classic? Gull Wing Mercedes, 64 1/2 Mustang, 1987 Buick GNX? They all are to somebody. It's all about supply and demand and what someone is willing to pay for it. If you can't find but a hundred 1985 Honda Accords on the market, if someone wants to buy it then I guess it's worth something. No matter what you drive, as long as you enjoy it, who cares! Have fun and preserve those old rides. You might be rollin in a future Barrett Jackson top seller!
Let me know what you consider a classic ride.

Green or Not?

Back home now and I have been contemplating this. I spend a decent amount of time driving and I enjoy observing the different types of vehicles zooming around me. I guess one of the biggest things going now is the Green automobile.
What makes a car green? Fewer emissions, improved fuel mileage, or both? I see the proud people of the world feeling good about themselves while driving their Green autos saving the ice caps and more importantly cute baby seals. Well I have a thought on this Green car madness.
Lets start with the all mighty Hybrid which uses batteries and an engine. We'll start by realizing the price of a Hybrid verses a normal car. You can expect to pay several thousand more for that option but we are talking Earth Green not pocket green. Have you ever thought about where the batteries come from? How about Ni cad which are made from nickle mined somewhere with heavy equipment tearing up the Earth. Then the nickle is shipped to somewhere else on a huge diesel ship for manufacture and then shipped again to the auto plant on the same type of giant transport. I am not to sure of the life of one of these batteries but the average Hybrid has several and when it no longer maintains a charge you can start this whole process over again. Plus they only get about 40 to 50 MPG. That may sound good but the 3 cylinder Geo Metro got about the same and cost a lot less.
How about those new electric cars? I have yet to see a plug in car that cost less than $35k, that's a little steep for me. These cars require slight modification to the electrical system in your house to charge. The inconvenience of charge time and driving range is another drawback. The MPG still not immensely impressive because most still use a motor to charge the batteries to increase range and to not leave you stranded.
Diesel is more friendly when you are looking for increase in MPG but still maintain performance and a wide variety of vehicles. Too bad the US has not caught on to the diesel craze like Europe. Yes the emission footprint isn't much different than gas motors but the savings in fuel consumption is important for our countries economic future and import dependency.
I am not opposed to the for mentioned autos but I am not convinced this is the salvation of the world or it's the right path to go down. While "cash for clunkers" promoted complete fiscal irresponsibility by encouraging people who drove a payed off old car to go in debt for a new over priced Green car it also destroyed valuable parts that could have been reutilized or "recycled". You can get comparable mileage in many older vehicles with regular fuel motors. One of the best ways to reduce fuel consumption is to curtail your driving habits and keep up with the proper maintenance on your ride. Driving habits can turn a Prius into a gas hog. Try accelerating slower and doing the speed limit. Trust me it will make a difference. Good air and spark will keep your engine burning fuel most efficiently.
I guess my point is that Green cars of today pollute in their own special ways and if you average the car payment verse the fuel mileage you are probably better off keeping your old car or not paying the difference for the Hybrid.