I own a Honda Civic hybrid, and my experience is about identical to Manatee’s. I like the feeling of a higher-powered car, but let’s face it, 95% of my driving time is just commuting back and forth to my job. We have no problem fitting everything we need into the trunk and the back seat, and this includes suitcases for a weekend trip for me and Mr. brown. Mr. brown used to ride a motorcycle to work for the savings in gas, but he sold it because the hybrid got almost as good mileage and was a lot safer.
And we get about 45 mpg, more if Mr. brown drives because I have a lead foot. Gas price in San Jose this week: $2.65 for regular.
It’s not a micropenis thing or a Neanderthal thing. If anything, it’s a reaction to all the do-gooders and know-it-alls out there who DEMAND that everyone cave in and sheepishly obey every politically correct, or supposedly “environmental” infringement on peoples private personal business. It’s a reaction against the insults and jibes that these “gooder than you” people like to use… examples are in this very thread.
If someone likes SUVs or supercharged 426 Hemis or bobtail trucks, it’s nobody else’s business. They do serve a purpose, and they are fun.
Maybe some people don’t like or trust hybrids yet. Have the bugs and kinks been worked out? Are they too slow to keep up with traffic or to get away from a tailgater? I don’t know. Will they carry the wife, kids, relatives and stuff? Are they less comfortable than a full sized land barge? I don’t know. Who cares? People work for a living and spend their money on what they need or want. They get annoyed when some nosybody gets in their shit and tells them what to do.
I use public mass transit. I also used to prefer V-8 engines when I did drive. If I decide to get another car, it will be what I want, not what some insult flinging busybody decides I am “allowed” to have.
Freeways, as noted in the link, give good milage to hybrids. Note also that electric cars have VERY good acceleration, as they have full torque from a standing start.
Again, if it weren’t for the fact that I need a wagon-class vehicle, which my car is (Holds more than most wagons and some SUVs), I’d drive a somewhat smaller and more efficient car myself. Like a slightly tuned Mini, or a SVT Focus with a turbo stuffed in it. (Both cars chosen for suspension) I figure I’d be able to outrun anything short of a Vette, while still getting 28+ MPG.
Motorcycles are also possible, except for rain and snow issues.