New car or not
Nov 22nd 2013, 3:47 pm
#1
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Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2011
Location: WA state
Posts: 3,062
New car or not
My current car may be getting beyond the point of the repairs being worth the cost. Rather than just buy another like it, I thought I would explore the possibilities of a car just for my commute. I drive 30 miles each way to work, and being able to use the carpool lane on my own would be great, but given the places I'll be driving I want something more visible and weatherproof than a motorbike (plus I don't have a license for one). I recall seeing a few three-wheeled cars that are allowed to use the carpool lane, but that's a bugger to google (other than the Elio, which won't be out until late next year) and I expect they probably cost more than an old Accord.
My top need is fuel efficiency, so electric would be fine if I could guarantee that it will make the return trip okay - are they getting more than 80 miles per charge now? Even that is a bit lower than I would like.
My top need is fuel efficiency, so electric would be fine if I could guarantee that it will make the return trip okay - are they getting more than 80 miles per charge now? Even that is a bit lower than I would like.
Nov 22nd 2013, 3:58 pm
#2
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,446
Re: New car or not
Are you concerned about fuel efficiency, or lowest cost/mile? 
Electrics and even hybrids are still priced well above the point where they make purely economic sense. I've seen projections that show that gas needs to be priced consistently at various figures in the $5-$10 a gallon range before various electric and hybrid vehicles will pay their way. The projections also seem to presume that if the price of oil drives the price of gas to twice it's current level, that the price of electricity will stay constant.
Moves by a number of states to levy various taxes on the ownership (/year taxes) and operation (/mile taxes) on electric vehicles because they are not paying their share through gasoline and diesel taxes will further disadvantage electric vehicles while the price of gas and diesel remains relatively low.
I believe that for the foreseeable future (at least five years), a small conventional gasoline powered car capable of 35-40 mpg is going to continue to be the cheapest method of commuting on four wheels.
Electrics and even hybrids are still priced well above the point where they make purely economic sense. I've seen projections that show that gas needs to be priced consistently at various figures in the $5-$10 a gallon range before various electric and hybrid vehicles will pay their way. The projections also seem to presume that if the price of oil drives the price of gas to twice it's current level, that the price of electricity will stay constant.
Moves by a number of states to levy various taxes on the ownership (/year taxes) and operation (/mile taxes) on electric vehicles because they are not paying their share through gasoline and diesel taxes will further disadvantage electric vehicles while the price of gas and diesel remains relatively low.
I believe that for the foreseeable future (at least five years), a small conventional gasoline powered car capable of 35-40 mpg is going to continue to be the cheapest method of commuting on four wheels.
Last edited by Pulaski; Nov 22nd 2013 at 4:09 pm.
Nov 22nd 2013, 4:08 pm
#3
I have a comma problem
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Fox Lake, IL (from Carrickfergus NI)
Posts: 49,598
Re: New car or not
Luckily, there are a good few decent options to pick from. Especially from Japanese brands beginning with H or T
Nov 22nd 2013, 4:14 pm
#4
Rootbeeraholic
Joined: Aug 2009
Location: Houston, Tx
Posts: 2,280
Re: New car or not
Reading between the lines I think Anian may also be looking to try and use the carpool lanes for free (which I'm assuming you can with electric) otherwise I'd too suggest a small petrol engine.
I've started using my wife's Elantra to commute in - 35-40 mpg (except on days like today when it's pissing down and a small car doesn't sound that much fun).
I've started using my wife's Elantra to commute in - 35-40 mpg (except on days like today when it's pissing down and a small car doesn't sound that much fun).
Nov 22nd 2013, 4:24 pm
#6
BE Site Lead
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 92,170
Re: New car or not
Get a scooter and not need a license?
Might be a bit scary mind...
Might be a bit scary mind...
A BIT scary?! 
Nov 22nd 2013, 4:50 pm
#10
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Joined: Aug 2004
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 92,170
Re: New car or not
Nov 22nd 2013, 5:55 pm
#12
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,446
Re: New car or not
. ..... However there were no carpool lanes on our commute! 
I'm now making up for all that eco-friendly, fuel saving by doing the morning school run and onward alone to the park and ride, in my F250.
Last edited by Pulaski; Nov 22nd 2013 at 5:58 pm.
Nov 22nd 2013, 6:27 pm
#13
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Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2011
Location: WA state
Posts: 3,062
Re: New car or not
Are you concerned about fuel efficiency, or lowest cost/mile?
Electrics and even hybrids are still priced well above the point where they make purely economic sense. I've seen projections that show that gas needs to be priced consistently at various figures in the $5-$10 a gallon range before various electric and hybrid vehicles will pay their way. The projections also seem to presume that if the price of oil drives the price of gas to twice it's current level, that the price of electricity will stay constant.
Moves by a number of states to levy various taxes on the ownership (/year taxes) and operation (/mile taxes) on electric vehicles because they are not paying their share through gasoline and diesel taxes will further disadvantage electric vehicles while the price of gas and diesel remains relatively low.
I believe that for the foreseeable future (at least five years), a small conventional gasoline powered car capable of 35-40 mpg is going to continue to be the cheapest method of commuting on four wheels.
Electrics and even hybrids are still priced well above the point where they make purely economic sense. I've seen projections that show that gas needs to be priced consistently at various figures in the $5-$10 a gallon range before various electric and hybrid vehicles will pay their way. The projections also seem to presume that if the price of oil drives the price of gas to twice it's current level, that the price of electricity will stay constant.
Moves by a number of states to levy various taxes on the ownership (/year taxes) and operation (/mile taxes) on electric vehicles because they are not paying their share through gasoline and diesel taxes will further disadvantage electric vehicles while the price of gas and diesel remains relatively low.
I believe that for the foreseeable future (at least five years), a small conventional gasoline powered car capable of 35-40 mpg is going to continue to be the cheapest method of commuting on four wheels.
Even brand new mopeds are cheap, so while they are very attractive in that respect, I fear for my life with the aggressive drivers (they are rare, but very aggressive). Do mopeds accelerate well?
Really, I'm just after the cheapest option to commute without being killed, but the traffic I have been stuck in over the last month is seriously making me consider anything that will get me into the carpool lane without needing another passenger. I nearly always forget something obvious, so I'm hoping someone will point it out before I start trawling the used car lots.
Nov 22nd 2013, 6:31 pm
#14
Rootbeeraholic
Joined: Aug 2009
Location: Houston, Tx
Posts: 2,280
Re: New car or not
That was what I was afraid of. I priced up hybrids a few years ago and I calculated it would take almost ten years to pay off the difference in price from a regular gas car, even with my long commute and the higher gas prices back then.
Even brand new mopeds are cheap, so while they are very attractive in that respect, I fear for my life with the aggressive drivers (they are rare, but very aggressive). Do mopeds accelerate well?
Really, I'm just after the cheapest option to commute without being killed, but the traffic I have been stuck in over the last month is seriously making me consider anything that will get me into the carpool lane without needing another passenger. I nearly always forget something obvious, so I'm hoping someone will point it out before I start trawling the used car lots.
Even brand new mopeds are cheap, so while they are very attractive in that respect, I fear for my life with the aggressive drivers (they are rare, but very aggressive). Do mopeds accelerate well?
Really, I'm just after the cheapest option to commute without being killed, but the traffic I have been stuck in over the last month is seriously making me consider anything that will get me into the carpool lane without needing another passenger. I nearly always forget something obvious, so I'm hoping someone will point it out before I start trawling the used car lots.