Would you buy a car that runs on natural gas? (place, free)

[greg42]

Originally Posted by SteelCityRising

Do hybrids and/or electric vehicles have a certain maximum speed that they can't exceed? I'm just curious since I was following a Chevy Volt yesterday that was doing literally 20 miles per hour from Shadyside all the way to Highland Park from Bellefonte Street to Ellsworth Avenue and then up Negley. Similarly, whenever I'm stuck behind a line of traffic in the left-hand lane on the Parkway it's usually a Prius driver causing the delay. If these alternative fuel vehicles can't keep up with the pace of traffic due to poor design, then why would anyone want to pay a premium to endanger themselves?

No, it's probably the driver trying to, well, no, not in a Volt, that is always electric up until the battery goes dead and the engine comes on (around 40 mile range without engine). I guess they could be hoping to not have to use any gas and keep the entire trip electric. Slow speed in a Prius I would think they are trying to keep the engine from firing up which it does pretty much no matter what after you exceed about 20-25 mph. I know because I have a current 2013 model as a rental right now. I just drove it several hundred miles on a highway. And I hope everyone went WTF when a Prius blew by them or kept up with them going 85 at times or whatever else. Seriously, I never felt it was underpowered for acceleration and I averaged at least 44-45 mpg (on board computer is telling me 48) with a lead foot. It was helped by some slowdowns but still, impressive. Normally with the same sort of driving I get about 30 mpg in a similar sized car.

Maybe used Prius is what I want to buy next time. Got to give it a better test on a few twisty roads though. It doesn't have to handle like a sports car, just has to handle well enough.

[baconlegs]

Originally Posted by Q-tip motha

Wife and I aren't specifically in the market for a second vehicle yet, but my 2000 pontiac isn't getting any younger. We have an opportunity to get one of the following new at around 13k (half of the listed price) with the intention of strictly using it as day to day around town vehicle. There are a few filling stations around the area (one located directly across the river in the strip district from where we live in Troy Hill) so finding fuel shouldn't be too difficult. Was wondering what the board thought of potentially owning one of these before we make a decision.

2012 Honda Civic Natural Gas: New Car Review - AutoTrader.com

I drive a CNG car from time to time. There's no noticeable difference in performance from gasoline. My understanding is the engines are not really that different, just the fuel injection changes. Still, I'm sure the limited expertise of mechanics would make these vehicles more expensive to repair. Sounds like a pretty good deal if the car is new. It is a little unnerving with the lack of infrastructure to refill, but that problem is currently being remedied. I'd say go for it but keep it local or plan your refuel route carefully.

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by Bong477

At half price and as a second vehicle with a reasonably nearby filling station, sure.

I wouldn't even think of touching it at around list price though, at least in 2013.

Originally Posted by WhoIsStanwix?

As for the OPs question, I would def buy one at 13k brand new, but only if I were sufficiently confident that maintenance and repairs would be possible and not prohibitively expensive. An at home fueling solution would make it even more viable, assuming the price of that system was under $5k.

This is all presuming a second vehicle. I would personally not own one as my primary at this time due to refueling limitations.

I'll echo these statements. Only at half price and only as a second vehicle. The repair costs would be too high for it to be a main vehicle. It wouldn't be practical for a main vehicle since there are few places to refuel and I like going on road trips.

I'm not worried about it from a technology standpoint. Equitable Gas's trucks all run on natural gas.

[snorpus]

Originally Posted by greg42

No, it's probably the driver trying to, well, no, not in a Volt, that is always electric up until the battery goes dead and the engine comes on (around 40 mile range without engine). I guess they could be hoping to not have to use any gas and keep the entire trip electric.

The Volt is always electric. The gas motor comes on only to recharge the battery; there's no direct mechanical connection from the gas motor to the drive wheels. The gas motor recharges the battery, which powers the electric motor.

Still and all, it could have been a driver trying to see how much range s/he could get before the battery ran down and the gas motor kicked in.

[Aqua Teen Carl]

I would buy a natural gas car so I could cover it in OBX and Sunoco stickers and then make left turns cutting people off at intersections.

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by Aqua Teen Carl

I would buy a natural gas car so I could cover it in OBX and Sunoco stickers and then make left turns cutting people off at intersections.

Don't forget the little stick figure family stickers on the rear windshield!

[sherry7]

Originally Posted by SteelCityRising

Do hybrids and/or electric vehicles have a certain maximum speed that they can't exceed? I'm just curious since I was following a Chevy Volt yesterday that was doing literally 20 miles per hour from Shadyside all the way to Highland Park from Bellefonte Street to Ellsworth Avenue and then up Negley. Similarly, whenever I'm stuck behind a line of traffic in the left-hand lane on the Parkway it's usually a Prius driver causing the delay. If these alternative fuel vehicles can't keep up with the pace of traffic due to poor design, then why would anyone want to pay a premium to endanger themselves?

I just bought a Prius last week, and caught myself unknowingly going 84 MPH on the way to work this morning. (I confess, I have a lead foot. I drive a Prius the same way I drive a supercharged sports car, ha ha.) So, it's definitely not a car issue. I think a lot of Prius drivers just try to eek out every little extra MPG that they can by driving extra conservatively.

On the subject of natural gas cars, I would have definitely considered one since I have a long commute for work, but I've never seen a natural gas pump in my area of Westmoreland county.

[I_Like_Spam]

You'd have to take a natural gas vehicle to the dealer for any service, I can't see these local guys being able to handle it yet because its so novel.

That really cuts down on both the economy as well as convenience of this car.

[Q-tip motha]

Originally Posted by Aqua Teen Carl

I would buy a natural gas car so I could cover it in OBX and Sunoco stickers and then make left turns cutting people off at intersections.

Yeah what's the deal with the Sunoco stickers? Have never understood the presence of those.

[tclifton]

Originally Posted by Q-tip motha

Yeah what's the deal with the Sunoco stickers? Have never understood the presence of those.

I think there was (is?) a contest that Sunoco had where you had a chance to win free gas for a year or something if you were spotted with one of those and you were picked.