OT: Gas mileage vs. emissions, tree hugger alert Options

[yeahmag]

OK. I admit it... I dig green technology. Well I dig all technology, but I digress...

I'm curious how emissions vs. gas mileage balance out. For example:

My '88 FJ62 gets about 12 MPG on a good day, but has F.I., Catalytic Converters, and all that good stuff. My 914 gets over 2X that, but has no emissions equipment at all. I'm curious at where the tipping point is:

2 stroke scooter vs. compact car
4 stroke scooter vs. compact car
etc...

I'm even considering trying to build a junkyard/STF electric motorcycle. I'm poor, but have plenty of time and creativity!

Comments?

-Aaron

[effutuo101]

Green. I get it. But, I am confused.
I don't understand why hybrids get about 50mpg or less at this point in time.

The new Subaru diesel Legacy claims 60+ mpg in Europe trim.
My aunts car (skoda) gets about 45 mpg on diesel and I think it is 10 years old.
If I put a suby diesel in a 914, it should see about 70mpg with an effective range of almost 1000 miles per tank or at $4 a gallon for Diesel, .07 a mile.

[r_towle]

Green. I get it. But, I am confused.
I don't understand why hybrids get about 50mpg or less at this point in time.

The new Subaru diesel Legacy claims 60+ mpg in Europe trim.
My aunts car (skoda) gets about 45 mpg on diesel and I think it is 10 years old.
If I put a suby diesel in a 914, it should see about 70mpg with an effective range of almost 1000 miles per tank or at $4 a gallon for Diesel, .07 a mile.

While it may be true that you could possibly get 70 mpg from a subaru diesel in a 914, your math is wrong.

Factor in the cost of the motor (10k at least) and the conversion (another 5k) and your price per mile is not so attractive.

Go get a VW diesel golf/jetta/beetle.
They all get 45 mpg and they currently (used) cost less that the subaru motor would cost.

Rich