I resent that . Check the sig... I may be the only guy on the boards with both a X and 3 hybrids. Each has its purpose, and its place. The hybrids are great for several reasons
•Great fuel economy
•Says to automakers that there is an interest in new vehicle technology and may encourage them to come up with newer/better technology
•really safe for their size...
Granted they aren't perfect for everyone, but if you don't need to tow, they are great little cars. IMHO, any less use of foreign oil is always better. The solution with the middle east is NOT bombing the tar out of 'em (although thats second best ) but just not buying their oil. No oil money = no funds for their terrorists = no more us lives lost. They can sit on their oil and hate us all they want, but if we stop funding them, they won't be able to do anything.

**stepping off the soap box**

Also, I don't know how safe the X's really are. I mean mass counts for something, but there are also other important safety factors, like airbags, and A pillars that don't collapse in a rollover. I think most damage in accidents is caused by the passenger hitting the car he's in, not the car crushing him, and size won't help that much... I think the ultimate safe car would be big WITH lots of airbags, and the excursion is not that. Heck, over half the seats don't even have headrests (help reduce whiplash). Of my cars (see sig) I feel safest in my lexus actually. It has the best mix of airbags and sheer size, hell its a hybrid too

Just my $02

Isaac

 

That’s funny I have to deal with that all the time, I sell solar electric systems and allot of my customers drive little hybrids and often ask me how I can sell solar and drive a Excursion. I just ask them if they can get all the batteries, inverters, panels, and wirers in that little car with out a trailer?

 

haha agreed. I don't even thing those little hybrids are rated to tow at all lol. I think the ford escape or whatever can tow like 700 lbs, but I think thats about it. ... Actually I take that back, trains are diesel-electric 'hybrids' and they tow more prolly all the X's on this forum combined

 

Then I tell them I run bio diesel just to make them happy LOL! It works even though my truck has never had bio anything in it.

 

Actually, the majority of diesel-electric locomotives are not like hybrids. They have electric motors directly coupled to the generator on the back of the diesel prime mover. There has been an attempt over the past 3 years to develop a "green" locomotive for use in yard service that is a true hybrid with batteries. The theory is that a smaller diesel generator set replenishes the batteries which supply the reserve current for starting the train instead of having to torque up the diesel engine. So far, they've proven to be a failure and can't keep up with demand. Several of them have had serious battery fires which were difficult to extinguish and also made a real environmental mess.

The advantage of the Prius's hybrid technology only exists for in-town stop and go traffic where the battery supplies the starting torque for the vehicle. It's non-hybrid cousin, the Corolla, gets considerably better highway mileage.

I've not heard what the cost is to switch out the propulsion battery in a Prius but I think that will sure eat into any cost savings as well.

 

Steve,

You should visit us here in Lexington, KY. I take my 4wd Excursion and my E350 extended van through the car wash regularly. We've got a local car wash that does a great job and there's also a SuperAmerica that I take them through when I want to use my bonus points for a free wash.

 

And i take exceptions to above!!!! Like afreemand (See my sig!!), each of my vehicles have a purpose. Labelling a TDI driver as a nerd or tree hugger is no better than the lady shouting at VA for his X. I love my X for all the same reasons most people on here do. But i also love my TDI for it's reasons as well!!!

Cheers,

 

Only comments I've ever had at the pump was

1- Wow that's a big truck (it's not stock) Thats guys or women
2- what size tank do you have (this after sliding the creditcard for the second time)
3- Your husband lets you drive his truck? ( yeah right-I come back with "your wife let you drive that minivan?")
4- what kinda mileage do ya get ( 19 MPG, and then ask them to close their mouth )

oh and one guy asked me to marry him!! LOL"

Beth

 

That story reminds me of that song about a Yugo that Rush plays on the radio sometimes.

 

I do have to agree with gecko here...and I realize this is personal choice...

But if I didn't tug a 9000# TT all over the country...up and down moutain ranges...I know I wouldn't drive the Ex...sorry...with fuel prices going no where but UP...there are more fuel efficient choices...

BUT I fully understand everyones RIGHT to drive whatever they WANT...no one should label an Excursion owner as anything other than someone who made a choice DIFFERENT than you did (the lady at the pump in this case). Personally the Prius would have to be driven many many miles to 'recoup' the initial outlay...but it isn't MY money so it isn't MY business.

For someone to get arrogant at the pump because I CHOOSE to drive the Ex...without ever KNOWING WHY I drive the Ex...well...I'd like to see their fuel effecient vehicle hitched up to my 9000# TT and tug it to the top of Eisenhower pass in the Rockies!...not gonna happen...so as someone else posted...

"Judge not lest ye be judged."

Jumping to 'conclusions' is usually how mis-information is born...

Kinda like seeing a blonde at the fuel pump fueling up an Excursion...jumping to the conclusion that it is her HUSBANDs ride would result in the abuse you DESERVE from Beth!

As I said...given a choice...my Ex is my Snow and Tow ride...I've got other vehicles to drive when not needing one of those tasks accomplished...but I have NO PROBLEM with others using it as their daily driver...suggesting that the Ex is not a commuter...is kind of like saying that someone really does NOT need a $90,000 Mercedes S class as their daily driver?...who are WE to police what people drive and PAY FOR with their OWN money???...

Gotta love crazy folks...huh!

 

I should have clarified. This person was wearing stereotypical nerdy thick-rimmed glasses with a shirt that looked like it ought to have a pocket protector, and I think may have had some nerdy suspenders to go with it.

My comment was regarding the way the guy himself was dressed, not saying he was a nerd for driving a TDI. Sorry for not clarifying.

 

Lol, that's good stuff. I am a relatively new excursion owner and am in the process of installing a frybrid fuel system to run it on WVO. I do alot of work for GM & AM General and in turn have several hummer including a couple of H1's. People seem to think that you need to listen to them when they feel the need to share their normally uninformed opinion. I hear them out as long as I am standing there anyway doing whatever it is i am and then when i am done or they are just look at them and thank them for their opinion. Normally leaves them standing there with a totally bewildered look.

 

My response:
I drive a diesel Excursion and burn only biodiesel. I get 21 miles to the gallon on the highway and get better gas milage than I did with my smaller SUV. I support American Farmers by driving my Excursion, I feel safer with my family, I get better gas milage and I can tow my trailer on my monthly trips for work. My diesel Excursion also gives off very little emissions due to the new low emissions diesel fuel. My Excursion is a certified Low emission vehicle. It emits 50 percent fewer smog-forming hydrocarbon emissions than allowed by the U.S. Govt. The Excursion is 83 % recyclable by weight and it is manufactured with extensive use of recycled material.

 

And I'm going to be driving an X very soon. Gotta luv it. my response is how can you justify paying another country to make all these great hybreeds vehicles and not justify supporting the north American economy by buying something made in America?

 

VASHERRIFF,

Way to represent! I especially liked your take on driving being a life and death activity!! I have been involved in 5 auto accidents, none of which I was ever at fault. I wore my seat belt in all 5 accidents and walked away from every one! I especially remeber being in a 1987 Suburban 2500 4x4 in the passenger seat when an F-250 towing a trailer blew through a red light and hit my door. Ripped the Sub of the frame , pushed it through the intersection where it rested on the curb. I hit my head on the side window, actually broke the window, after I realized what happened I slid out the driver side and walked away alive! Had I been in any car I wouldn't be typing in this thread right now! Driving trucks is the only way to go! It's not a matter of if you will ever be involved in a car accident, it's just a matter of when. Just hope you all are in your Excursions when that day comes! Would you rather be in your Ex or a VW or Prius when some drunk blows through a red light or stop sign? I only drive trucks now, I would drive my 16-18mpg Ex whether I tow or not! Life is short why make it shorter by taking uneccesary chances driving in tiny little coffin cars?? I do not think any less of anyone that drive small cars. I just think that those people are saving a few bucks but putting themselves at a higher risk of fatal injuries in an accident? How much saved money is worth you or your families lives??