In two weeks...
...I'll have a new ride:
posted by Bill at 3/27/2006 04:53:00 PM
Monday, March 27, 2006
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8 Comments:
Not to be overly-critical of my darling cousin, but two words immediately spring to mind when I saw this posting "environmental terrorist". Isn't now the time to be considering more fuel-efficient vehicles or alternative-fuel vehicles? The FJCruiser doesn't even get 20 mpg and it requires 91 octane gas. That's a whole lotta cash to be burning in the tank. I know it's a fun vehicle and will be great for off-roading, but I know there are some other choices out there that are much more friendly. After all, if you're off-roading, you're trying to enjoy nature: Not destroy it.
Andrea
...says the cousin that commutes all over D.C. in a Wrangler! I will be getting a TerraPass, so will actually be taking emissions out of the air. I don't think you can say that :)
Been there. Done that. And I am in the process of buying a Hybrid car so that I can retire the Jeep (which I've already been phasing out over the last year since I moved closer to public transportation). You do make a good point, but I bought the Jeep when I was in Seattle going snowboarding all the time and there WERE no alternatives. Plus, I've consistently modified the Jeep to improve the gas mileage. My point is that, now that there ARE alternatives, shouldn't you give some thought to them when you reach the point of buying a brand new car? Although a TerraPass is a good place to start.....
Andrea
OK, what are my alternatives?
You can check out five SUV hybrid models at http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/hybrid_sbs_SUVs.shtml
Other links on this website will also show vehicles that are available with alternative-fuel tanks including, ethanol, diesel, and natural gas or propane tanks.
Thanks for having this dialouge in a open forum like this. Hopefully, more of our family will buy terrapasses this year!
Andrea
Of the five SUV's shown there, three are the same (Ford, Mazda, Mercury). I did consider the Escape for a while, and followed it through its introduction. Hybrids, however, only do their best in stop and go traffic. I don't really see much of that. So, would I buy Ford's first generation hybrid with little to gain? No.
The Toyota products are OK, but are full soccer mom vehicles based on car platforms that are not meant for the mountain.
Diesel I would certainly go for. If Toyota had that as an option on the FJ, I would have got it in a heartbeat. The only current credible SUV with a diesel is the Jeep Liberty CRD. My friend Josh Fleming has one of these and likes it. This, in my mind, is the only real alternative I have. I just didn't want a Jeep.
So, I gave two TerraPasses as gifts for Christmas and will be getting one for the FJ. What have you done?
Those are certainly good reasons. And you don't really fit into that category I see everyday on the road that makes me so nuts: The business people sitting in stop-and-go traffic with their giant SUVs that have NEVER seen the dirty side of life (leather interiors? Who wants that when they've been riding through three inches of mud all day and now have to sit on the seats?).
I'm glad you got the terrapass. I've had it for two years now (bought one last year when I did my taxes and again this year. Found out about it through http://www.coopamerica.org/). I hadn't thought to give them out as gifts, but I think it's a great idea. My usage requires me to buy three Utility passes for the Jeep and two for Rob's car. Since I get major bucks back in tax deductions for my mileage usage (self-employment, ya know), I figured it was only fair to give some of that back for the damage caused to the environment. I also recycle household products, ink cartridges, and electronics (visit the National Recycling Coalition at http://www.nrc-recycle.org/resources/electronics/policy.htm to find a place in your state to send old electronics). I also plant at least one tree every year and have moved my business to nearly 100% soft-copy format for recordkeeping purposes. I also patronize a local grocery store that buys solely from local producers, thereby cutting down the costs to transport and store those goods (which takes even more emissions out of the air).
None of these required major lifestyle changes, but they help a lot in all those little ways that count. I'm always looking for more alternatives that I can incorporate into my everyday life, so I welcome more suggestions!
I apologize for impugning your eco-honor. Again, thanks for having this discussion here where we have an opportunity to talk about these new, exciting alternatives that are available today. I repeat your challenge to everyone reading this, "What have YOU done lately?"
Andrea
Just be sure and stay away from the FUD. You sound like a Republican when you do that...
Another thing you need to keep a CLOSE eye on is a new bill in congress that will let you get the same deduction on hybrids as you can get on huge (3 ton plus) rigs for business. Right now, you can get a Suburban and take an instant $25,000 deduction. If the bill passes, then you can do that for hybrids...
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