TonyB wrote:
Ford Prefect wrote:

Ted B. wrote:


"(PeteCresswell)" wrote in message
...


Per Ted B.:


your best bet for a car that will last a long time would be any
gasoline (only)

Why only gas-powered?


A number of reasons, the main one being that gas (only) designs have
been refined over many years to the point where even the worst of
the bunch are pretty darned reliable. Diesel (only) designs are
pretty close, in terms of reliability, but not QUITE up to par with
the gas (only) vehicles yet.

Diesel engines are far more reliable than gas engines, that's why they
are used for things like emergency generators and heavy equipment.
Cars with diesel engines often clapped right out before the engine
fails.

Again, there are exceptions, but if you want to play the odds on a
car that will last a long time, gas (only) is your best bet right
now and Japanese makes are also your best bet.

There are a number of other options including gas/electric hybrids
and even natural gas production vehicles. They all have major
disadvantages over gas (only) designs, though. Hybrids are VERY
complex, using extra parts that have limited lifespans and are VERY
expensive to replace. (read: batteries)


The batteries have warranties for 100,000 miles


And many of the frugal keep them for longer than that.

Very few people, even frugal ones keeps cars longer than 10 years.
It wouldn't be frugal to keep a vehicle when it gets to the point when
repairs begin to exceed the replacement of a comparable car in good
working order. For years I purchased 4-6 year old cars for peanuts and
drove them until a major repair raised it's ugly head, usually within
2-3 years ( transmission, engine) then it was on to the next one.


In theory at least, any natural gas vehicle SHOULD be just as

reliable as a gasoline powered vehicle is. The problem with a
natural gas vehicle will be availability of fuel. Owner
satisfaction plays a DIRECT role in the long-term reliability of any
vehicle. Simply stated, if you like your car, you will take better
care of it. I don't see how any owner of a natural gas powered
vehicle could be real satisfied with a car that has limited
infrastructure support. Most hybrid owners seem to be ecstatically
happy with their vehicles, for now. That will change fast when the
hybrids are old enough to need their batteries replaced, though.


Long after they have already sold the car


Irrelevant to what the frugal do.

Evasion of real world facts noted


And if we are

talking about a vehicle to drive for ~20 years or longer, then
multiple rounds of battery replacements WILL be an issue for hybrid
owners. All things considered, gas (only) is the best bet, right now (2005).
-Dave

The average American does not keep their car anywhere near 20 years,
so battery packs with a warranty of 100,000 miles is not an issue.
The U.S. Department of Transportation reports "Surveys have shown
that, on the average, a person trades in or sells a car when it is
only 4 1/2 years old with just 41,000 miles on it".


Irrelevant to what the frugal do.

Evasion of real world facts noted