OT: how far we've come?, 35 years of non-progress Options

[lapuwali]

Hybrids are the buzzword now, and people marvel at how the latest Civic hybrid gets 50mpg.

Autoweek had a short article on the early Civics, which got 55mpg with a carb. 1.2L, 50hp, 1500lbs. Sure, they were slow, but they were described as still being fun to drive. The way most people drive modern Civics, I doubt they'd notice if they suddenly only had 50hp.

(yes, I know emissions are much better, it's quieter, it crashes better, yada, yada...)

[kart54]

I'm amazed at people that believe the mantra of the Japanese car companies and the hybrids. A recent news show went out and drove them in real life. Actual average increase in mileage was less than 5 miles per gallon over a gasoline vehicle of the same make and type. Average price paid over a like car was $15,000.00 for the hybrid. The individuals that bought these cars were really sold a bill of goods. I've got a bridge in San Francisco they might be interested in.
Neighbor of mine was thirlled by the gas mileage with his new prius. Of course he was, he went from a older Yukon XL with 33 inch tires to a prius. What a surprise that he would be thrilled.
I just bought the 2006 Yukon (not XL). On a recent trip to Mammoth I averaged 23 miles per gallon at 74 miles an hour. With all the bells and whistles, 4 family members, the dog and about 600 pounds of luggage. ( If any members of the Ventura, Lancaster, Rosamond or Bishop CHP are on this site, not really, it was actually just 65 miles an hour). I think that's great. It's close to what my BMW 528i got.
Hauling the race car, which, with the trailer I've got adds close to 4500 pounds plus almost 1200 pounds of spares and tools I got 17 miles per gallon on the last trip to Buttonwillow and 19 on the last trip to Willow.
My point: GM and Ford are doing better if your bothering to pay attention and not get pulled in by the hype. My real life mileage is better than any of the full size Honda, Nisssan or Toyota trucks.
As to why anyone would own something like the Yukon try fitting two kids, a dog, and 600 pounds of luggage in anything smaller. Doesn't work unless you tie the kids to the roof and I haven't figured out how to mount their car seats to the roof racks yet.
My twin turbo V-6 Volvo fits everybody for shorter trips and still gets over 30 on the highway and it goes like stink. 300+hp out of 2.8 liters. Beauty of that car is that CHP doesn't take a second look at a silver 4 door Volvo even with 18 inch rims and high perfomance tires. Can you say wolf in sheep's clothing?
Randy