Posted on 05/23/2009 1:04:17 PM PDT by T.L.Sink
Much has been written about the Insight, Honda's new low-priced hybrid. So far, though, you have not been told what it's like as a car; as a tool for moving you, your friends and your things from place to place. So here it comes. It's terrible. Biblically terrible. It doesn't work. Acceleration is poor. And the sound is worse. So you're sitting there with the engine screaming its head off, and your ears bleeding, and you're doing only 23 mph and you're thinking things can't get any worse, and then they do because you run over a small piece of grit. There's more. Normally, Hondas feel as though they've been screwed together by eye surgeons. This model, however, feels as if it's been made from steel so thin, you could read through it. And the seats, finished in pleblon, are designed specifically, it seems, to ruin your skeleton.
(Excerpt) Read more at timesonline.co.uk ...
The bottom line:
I ain’t dying because of for for Obama.
I thought this was about vehicles not presidential directives....
Hell, I’ll run over one of these environazi death traps in my Suburban and think it’s a speed bump. HEY, maybe there is a use for them afterall!
After the accident death rate goes out out sight, we will be forced into a “national speed limit”....say, 45mph should do it. Can’t be killing off those greenies, can we?
Just out of curiosity....I wonder what the insurance premiums are going to be on these death traps?
A lady in my church bought one of those blasted ‘Smart Cars’. It looks like an encased roller skate. The driver’s head is just more than a foot from the back. NO trunk. Unbelievable.
Depends on how much money you are willin g to spend. You can buy a "Tesla", for around $200,000,(and wait ten years for delivery) which gets a claimed 240 Km per charge, or shell out even more for some Europeon made all electric cars, with top speeds into the 340km range with 700hp electric motors.
Then there's a 2 cylinder "Nina" made in India for $2,500.00, which is what the CRAP GM, Crysler and Ford makes should sell for.
What's even more unbelievable is the price they want for 1/2 a car. $20,000 with a heater.
Yep. The good ol’ ‘Folk’s Wagon’.
Yep - but the Volkswagen wasn’t all that bad.
These new things? Bah! Humbug!
A couple of years ago I was at a gas station filling my car up and thought I heard what sounded like a lawn mower going down the street. Next thing I know “the sound” pulls up in a bay next to me to fill up also. It was a Yugo. To say it was a piece of crap is being charitable.
I was just watching highlights from the international auto show.
They do make some pretty good electrics and MPG cars, BUT, the prices are off the planet.
It's pretty clear that only the elite are going to be able to drive in the near future, which isn't suprizing. Why do you think rich holliwiedo's are all telling you to be "green" and conserve while they jet set and party?
It's so they can have more.
We are about to be introduced to a lot of junk like this.
I am told the Volt which is Chevy’s new hybrid needs a push to get over a hill. It isnt near ready for prodction, has to be plugged in, costs about $35,000 which is a tad more than most people want to spend o a vehicle that isnt proven when they can get a Prius for less and Toyota is probably way ahead on their second generation Prius.
Why is everybody being so mean?
That is one hellava golf cart if you ask me.
The volt is in production. And just wait till you get a load of it's little brother, the SPARK! HAHAHA! what a joke. It's in production as well, but only available in Europe this year.
The New 2010 CrapMobile
It’s a little hard to tell, but I’m thinking the writer didn’t particularly care for the Insight. /s
It’s hard to believe the car could be this bad. Sales would be nil if it were.
When you have to get every bit of aerodynamic drag wrestled out of the vehicle, that only leaves so many shapes, basically one.
“Why did auto manufacturers decide every car had to look alike ... or at least like 1st cousins?”
I wonder this myself at times. I think the hybrid technology is great, but some of the cars look like turds. I have a Ford Escape Hybrid and LOVE it. I have at times reached an average of 41 mpg average in the city and mid 30’s on the highway. Plus it looks like a real vehicle.
GM is also making a SUV hybrid and a light truck hybrid. They are all out this year (2010). They just reviewed them on driver TV today. (not very impressive)
I was cuttin’ the grass near the street today when a bright yellow “Smart Car” drove by. The driver, a fat-lookin’ guy with a Santa Claus beard, wearin’ a Grateful Dead kind of teeshirt, didn’t look too happy when I pointed at his prize possession and started guffawing!
Then there’s a 2 cylinder “Nina” made in India for $2,500.00, which is what the CRAP GM, Crysler and Ford makes should sell for.
Another micro car from India that’s scheduled to be sold in the UK next year and possibly here after that, something called the “Tata”. The name’s quite appropriate! If you’re about to get in an accident in one of those death traps, put you’re head between your legs and tell your sorry butt, “TATA”.
Now that’s a shape I could get behind. I’d still prefer to be out front of it. Way out front of it...
As I understand it, they had to sacrifice brakes in order to keep the weight down. On the bright side, the car doesn’t go any faster than a dragging foot can handle for quick stops.
There’s a rumor going round, that the International Fellowship of Siamese Twins have named this car of the decade.
/s
Cars with real engines got that mileage in the 70's, until the government mandated higher bumper standards which added an extra 1000 lbs to them. Then emission standards further reduced gas mileage.
Consumer demand and the manufacturers’ scramble to serve it can be seen in the sales numbers. Auto sales in the U.S. fell 18% year-to-year in June, mostly due to sparse sales of once popular light trucks, which include pickup trucks and SUVs. Those light trucks represented 55% of all U.S. vehicle sales in 2005. In the first half of 2008, their share was down to 47%. In May, General Motors announced it would close four truck and SUV plants and roll out more fuel-efficient vehicles.Story from 2008, even more true today, I think Honda as been working on this thing a lot loner than obamma has been president!!Link to story:http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article.cfm?articleid=2012
I’ve checked the price of “economical Green cars”. The ten grand or so extra they cost will buy a lot of gasoline. Until they get to where they’re economical and hold more than husband, wife and only two (very little) kids I’ll leave them alone. What if the family wants to go shopping?
I'm told, you either know something are you don't where the link!!! Has FR been reduced to a rumor mill??
Volt spects, if you can belive GM
Power (kW / hp): 111 / 150
Torque (lb-ft / Nm): 273 / 370
http://gm-volt.com/full-specifications/
Lightning GT - Standard Features * Anti lock braking system * Traction control * Regenerative braking * Electronic door entry * Programmable external engine sound generator * Central door locking * Alarm and immobilizer * Electric windows * Acoustic information and entertainment system * Part leather/alcantara sports seats * Forged alloy wheels * Tinted windows * Home based charging system (EVCS) with integral safety features * Hella focused beam halogen headlamps * LED taillights, front, rear and side-mounted lights Colours * Available in Electric Lightning Blue, black and silver as standard (as shown) Options & accessories * Air conditioning * Tyre pressure and temperature monitoring system * Satellite navigation system * Non standard colour / metallic paint * Full leather trim * Mobile charging system * Car cover
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Electric Lightning GT: 0-60mph- 4.0 Secs; 700+ bhp
“we will be forced into a “national speed limit”....say, 45mph should do it. Can’t be killing off those greenies, can we?”
Raise it to 100 and wipe out the greenies!
Hell, then you'll be arrested.
Its actually the same care and its called the Tata Nana.
Tata Motors is marketing it to Indians and other 3rd world people who now don’t have any cars at all.
It certainly would be a huge step backwards if they brought it here, but it still may be better than walking and cleaner to the environment than riding a horse.
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LOL...
“Government-mandated automobiles - ‘The People’s Car’ - have happened in Socialist nations before...”
Excellent, excellent point, Old Sarge!
GM already sells the Spark in China, South Africa and Singapore as Chevrolet spark and in Europe under the badge Chevrolet matiz.(8L and 1.0 l engine cranking out 38 and 48.8 KW)
Batteries not included...
The India car, the Tata-Nina looks better, and is a better bargain. $2,500 vs $17,000 for the Sparky.
What is the Ford Escape price tag these days? It’s a nice looking vehicle. Why do you like it?
Since the massive auto bailouts WITH OUR MONEY, Husband and I are going to replace our current vehicles with Fords when they die...if Ford keeps it’s nose clean!
(You can FreepMail me if you want...)
Right - and Hitler was a prime sponsor of what became the VW “beetle.”
I personally heard from an Allstate actuary that the insurance rates will increase enormously. This is because a whole series of scientifically conducted crash tests have demonstrated what physicists have known since Newton - that WEIGHT is a built-in safety factor.
Thank you I have been looking for a picture like this for months.
$23,500. with all the options.
Re Chevy VOLT. -—> Michigan to Receive a $1.7 Billion Jumpstart
Four major manufacturers of batteries for hybrid and electric cars are investing more than $1.7 billion to build new manufacturing plants in Michigan.
The companies — A123Systems, Johnson Controls, LG Chem-Compact Power and KD Advanced Battery Group — secured the tax credits to build the facilities, which could create 6,700 jobs for a state economy that is intertwined with the fortunes of the struggling American automakers.
As those companies focus on producing more fuel-efficient vehicles, Michigan is positioning itself to become the “advanced battery capital of the world,” Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm said in a statement on Tuesday.
“Today marks a defining moment for Michigan’s future as we see a new industry begin to take root and grow new jobs,” she said.
Gov. Granholm signed legislation in January for $335 million in refundable tax credits to bring battery developers to Michigan. Last week, she boosted those incentives up to $555 million, putting Michigan in contention for up to $2 billion in federal advanced-battery development grants, according to a statement issued by the governor’s office.
Based on the recommendations of the Michigan Economic Development Corp. (MEDC), the Michigan Economic Growth Authority (MEGA) approved a total of $543.5 million in tax credits for the battery companies’ expansions.
A123Systems has secured $125.2 million in tax breaks in order to open a new production plant in Livonia, MI. The Massachusetts-based developer of lithium-ion batteries is investing $600 million in the new facility, which is expected to create more than 5,000 new jobs.
“We expect that our planned new facilities in Michigan will serve as a global product center, powering a new generation of cleaner, more fuel efficient cars and trucks,” said David Vieau, president and chief executive officer of A123.
The company recently partnered with Chrysler to supply battery cells and systems for the car manufacturer’s forthcoming ENVI line of electric cars. A123 has also been commissioned to produce battery cells for Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp. (SAIC), the maker of China’s first hybrid electric vehicle.
A123 already received $10 million from the state in November, for the purpose of creating a research and development center focused on batteries for the automobile, defense and alternative energy industries. The R&D institution will be based in the new Livonia facility, performing research projects with the University of Michigan and Michigan State University.
Milwaukee-based Johnson Controls - Saft Advanced Power Solutions (JCS) plans to invest $220 million to construct its first U.S. cell manufacturing facility for lithium-ion batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles, potentially creating 498 new jobs. The battery supplier intends to build on one of its existing sites in Holland, MI.
JCS will receive $148.5 million from MEGA. The company said in a press release that it also plans to apply for a grant through the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (AARA) next month.
JCS has been contracted to produce lithium-ion batteries for Ford’s first plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, due to debut in 2012. JCS is also developing batteries for BMW’s and Azure Dynamics’ hybrid lines, which will each be available in 2010.
Korean chemical company LG Chem, in partnership with its U.S. subsidiary Compact Power and General Motors (GM), plans to invest $200 million in a new manufacturing facility, creating a projected 300 new jobs. The company is receiving $125.2 million from the state.
LGC-CPI is the battery supplier for GM’s Chevrolet Volt, which aims to be the first mass-produced extended-range electric vehicle. The Volt is scheduled to make its debut in 2010.
KD Advanced Battery Group (KD), a composite of The Dow Chemical Co., Kokam America Inc. and Townsend Ventures LLC, is making the largest capital investment, with a $665 million, 800,000-square-foot manufacturing plant. The joint venture formed for the sole purpose of building and operating the facility, which will produce its patented Superior Lithium Polymer Battery and would likely employ about 885 people.
KD was approved for $144.6 million in tax credits by MEGA.
http://www.costar.com/News/Article.aspx?id=B7F34F063835EBD28A47DA19E66308F9
oops $20,435 - $33,725 for 2009’s
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