Re: [Paddlewise] Insight/hybrids

From: "Mel Grindol" <grindol_at_my-deja.com>

> For those who can wait a year or two before buying a new car Honda intends to add the hybrid engine 
> to the Civic lineup.  That way you can get a great little hybrid motor in a larger more useful 
> vehicle (not that I'm knocking the Insight, it is a great proof of concept vehicle).  The mileage 
> will undoubtedly not be as great in a Civic (due to weight and aerodynamics) but the vehicle will 
> be a little more practical.

Given the loss in fuel economy, I wonder if the Civic hybrid will be any better than the 
discontinued VTech version (which I own)?  I looked at the Insight and felt it's just 
too small - the Civic hatchback is a much better size for two people plus gear.  

I also wonder whether the hybrid is a worthwhile technology in the long run compared to the
coming fuel-cell electrics.  Could be another Honda gee-whiz concept without a serious future.
Hybrids were demoed in the early seventies when I was in university - it took this long to 
get to production (battery tech improvements helped).

> The rack rubs the metal where it grips the car.  My biggest complaint is that the extender 
> (had to use it on the short two door roofline) works its way backwards on long trips.  
> I have started attaching straps from the front fixed bar to the back bar just to keep it 
> from shifting backwards.  Plus a trailer would let me get a much larger spread between the bars.

I haven't had such a problem on my Civic with the short roofline adapter.  Have you been tightening
it enough?  I haven't been shy of cranking it down as hard as I can without resorting to tools.
The extender bar is slightly bent is use on mine.

Mike

PS - Too much attention is paid to big vans/cars.  Even the Outback gets poor fuel economy
to my tastes.  You breath what comes out the back end of your vehicle.  We've only got so 
much atmosphere and our kids don't want to inherit a polluted desert.  If you don't pee
in your water, don't pollute the air.


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