grinch2k

Has anyone ever heard of this... i was joking around with a friend about wanting to convert my car into a hybird during this high gas price era and he thought i was serious.

he sent me this link... and it looks interesting.

http://www.sigmaautomotive.com/elect...trocharger.php

Im just looking to find out if anyone has ever consitered converting this fine automobile into a hybird, and would this be a viable plan.

i look foward to being flamed for even sugesting this... but $3+ a gallon for regular gas is killing me... i drive 500+ miles a week and am unfortunatley consitering getting rid of my 19 mpg rx8 for a 40+mpg hybird... so this may be a good alternitive...

beachdog

Didn't read the link but it doesn't matter what it says. I would never buy any of today's factory-built hybrids nor would I retro a car to become a hybrid.

As to hybrids getting good mileage, it is a joke. They score well on the contrived EPA test and do poorly in the real world. Real world drivers with lead feet do not get within 40% of the EPA ratings. That's why there are class action lawsuits against Honda and Toyota.

If you know how to drive gently, you can get 40mpg with a Corolla, Civic or Golf and save the $5k+ premium that the hybrids cost. If you can wait, get a direct injection diesel.

zoom44

dude it is Hybrid you spelled it Hybird each time

beachdog

I was just circling back because of that. I especially wouldn't buy a hybird.

T.T.

LOL, my mom always says hybird. Is hybrid really that hard to remember?

LycosV

I have to agree with beachdog, hybrids are a load of marketing crap. If you need good mileage, buy a car that gets great mileage on pure gas. I think some of them can get 40+ MPG on gas alone.

IMHO there is going to be a big revolution against hybrids in a few years. Once the batteries loose their lifespan they'll all have to be replaced. The cost and environmental impact of this will cause people to finally realize that hybrids are NOT the way of the future. Alternative fuels and more effiecient gasoline engines are the future, not hauling around heavy batteries.

BlueFrenzy

You have to drive quite a lot before you get your money's worth out of a hybrid. I know it sucks to pay for gas but I say eat out less, stop drinking coffee/soda, stop the doughnuts, or stop smoking ... then you'll have money for gas (plus it's better for your health).

Sheep

I was just thinking getting a Toyota Prius before buying my RX-8. My deciding factor against the prius is that it is too special for shops to deal with. Besides battery replacement costs are going to be high down the road once the cells start dying. Besides, insurance quote for a Prius is about the same of the RX-8 if not higher in my area. All these factors totally killed your gas savings.

psbjames1970

What is a hybird. I found a pic...


Certainly wouldn't buy that...

Don't even like drugs

grinch2k

First of all... i never have and never will say that i can spell...

Also... thanks for you input... i never liked the Prius.

I am always looking for alternatives to my future of 2-3 $40 fillups a week... And as all of you other rx8 owners know... not driving is not an option...

psbjames1970

Cant spell either ... just teasing bud... :D

Rhawb

Yeah man, don't let stuff on this board bother you or you'll hate this place. We rib eachother constantly, it's nothing personal

BaronVonBigmeat

On another forum, there was a guy who did an excell spreadsheet showing that when you're looking at the full costs of ownership, the hybrid cars don't do very well against gas-powered econoboxes, much less diesels. Yeah it allows a gas engine to run at one RPM for peak efficiency, but then you lose efficiency by converting mechanical power to chemical (battery) power, then to electric power, then back to mechanical power again. I think the only way a hybrid would be cheaper is if you modified it so that it could plug into your house current at night. Then if your average day's commute is less than the battery capacity, you end up not burning any gas at all.

But even then, the amount saved by switching your gas bill to an electric bill isn't THAT much. Get a diesel and then brew your own biodiesel for 70 cents a gallon.

Fanman

There was an article in the LA Times about a month ago about Hybrids, and how the truly ingenius & dedicated have turned the Prius from a hybrid, to an electric vehicle/hybrid, where you can juice up the battery and run on battery, but also use the hybrid function of the Prius. Car got about 100+ miles to the gallon. Said it is more available in Asia & europe vs. the US. Also has a firm using Lithium Ion vs. Nickel Metal Hydride. Supposedly holds the charge better, and more efficient, but unfortunately the cost is around $10-$12K.

zoom44

you have apparently somehow not read alot of my posts or you would understand the humour in the irony of my earlier post. besides you invited flames in your first post when you said " i look forward.."

DARKMAZ8

so did you end up getting this hybird?