Poll: Fuel economy big car-buying factor
05-29-11, 09:51 AM
#31
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05-29-11, 03:26 PM
#32
Lexus Champion
he said its all about $$$$$$ - so the X5d is way out of line price-wise....$52000 versus $47k for the X5 35i.
05-30-11, 08:05 AM
#33
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But if you can afford a BMW, you probably won't qualify for the tax credit. I can never remember the name of this tax, but if you make something like $80k a year or more, you have to pay this dated tax and this disqualifies you from the federal government's tax rebates for buying eco friendly cars. Thus, if you can afford a Volt, it is unlikely that you would qualify for the $7500 rebate as well.
05-30-11, 08:17 AM
#34
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Oh, they're still offering that? Makes the 335d more appealing, though I don't know why you wouldn't simply price your vehicles lower (for the sake of marketing!!) if you were going to offer a constant discount...or is that the marketing trick?
05-30-11, 08:29 AM
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With $3500 off, I'd take a 335d. If it only it weren't auto only...thus BMW should bring over the 330d.
05-30-11, 08:36 AM
#37
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Yes, a reasonable comparison. I am certainly no engineer, but I recall that Hyundai was experimenting with some kind of exhaust turbine to aid in replineshing the traction battery. Seems like it could aid hybrids in the area of highway fuel economy.
I realize this isn't the be all, end all, but on my most recent trip down I-81 I was in stop and go traffic for half an hour due to an accident. I would have certainly enjoyed the benefits of a hybrid then.
I realize this isn't the be all, end all, but on my most recent trip down I-81 I was in stop and go traffic for half an hour due to an accident. I would have certainly enjoyed the benefits of a hybrid then.
05-30-11, 08:37 AM
#38
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The RXh seems to be doing VERY well in my area of Southern Maine. We have 1 Lexus dealer in the state and they almost never have RX hybrids to keep in stock. They're always gone. I was lucky enough to find one and take it out when I was in the market. Looking at the MPG gains, it's very stupid that some people are buying the RX350 over the h when you could actually be saving money. 
05-30-11, 10:35 AM
#39
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05-30-11, 10:38 AM
#40
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05-30-11, 01:13 PM
#41
05-30-11, 01:26 PM
#42
Lexus Fanatic
People with Suburbans, Expeditions, Escalades, etc....., if they let their tanks get down low, are already spending $100 and up for refills, and not just at CA stations. So, of course, do those few owners who still drive old full-sized American cars from the 60s and early 70s....(I know a few of them myself). Those massive cars have 25-gallon tanks like today's big SUVs do.
05-30-11, 01:38 PM
#43
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05-30-11, 02:01 PM
#44
Lexus Fanatic
I've heard (but can't verify) that gas is over $10 (in American-dollar/gallon-equivalent) in London. And England, of course, gets North Sea oil right offshore. I wouldn't be surprised if it was more expensive than that in countries like Italy and Spain that don't have any significant oil-production of their own.
05-30-11, 02:15 PM
#45
Lexus Fanatic
Tied in with the OT, but on a slightly-different slant, I'm surprised that there hasn't been more mention of image and styling as a major factor in auto-purchases. To me, automotive image and stereotypes are a bunch of B.S. and not worthy of attention, but, with many buyers, that clearly is not the case. I have worked with many buyers who, after coming to me for advice, just couldn't bring themselves to buy a certain vehicle because it was called a "Chick Car", "Gay/Lesbian Car", "Old Man's Car", "Librarian's Car", "Schoolteacher's Car", "Macho Car", "Soccer-Mom Vehicle", etc....
They may agree that it is the best vehicle for them and their needs, but let some auto-pundit in a magazine make a snide remark about it, or one of their friends make fun of it (or even Internet-chat like ours), and then suddenly it is off the table, no matter how good a vehicle it is. It's a real shame that so many people let themselves be swayed so easily like that.
They may agree that it is the best vehicle for them and their needs, but let some auto-pundit in a magazine make a snide remark about it, or one of their friends make fun of it (or even Internet-chat like ours), and then suddenly it is off the table, no matter how good a vehicle it is. It's a real shame that so many people let themselves be swayed so easily like that.
Last edited by mmarshall; 05-30-11 at 02:21 PM.