Hybrids - can't hear 'em coming
09-28-06, 05:33 PM
#27
Speed Demon *roll eyes*
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I think the complexity of the toyota system vs the honda system is a good argument in favour of the honda. I am not sure about parts costs on the honda, but I do know that for some of the parts on the prius, replacement cost is so ridiculous that I would never consider it (1400 dollars for the front exhaust pipe, for example..... and aftermarket is not an option.) Mileage is the same for both cars.... plus, the honda cannot sneak up on you in a parking lot. Regarding tires, one of the things that bothers me about low rolling resistance tires is they tend to compromise on grip. I am not talking about "extreme handling" grip here, I am talking about being able to dodge around something or stop fast if the roads are wet kind of grip. If you live in an area with a lot of rain or slushy snow and cannot afford to run snow tires, a good rain tire is the way to go. (as an aside, NO tire I have ever heard makes as much noise on asphault as the competition gravel rally tires I had on my old subaru: they gripped gravel like a slick does dry asphalt, but sounded like 4 trucks with mud tires all at once...)
09-28-06, 05:58 PM
#28
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Originally Posted by Helmet Head
Oh yeah? What about at night when their lights are off??? (inside joke for those following the logging road thread)
09-28-06, 07:25 PM
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Originally Posted by mechBgon
Then you just look for the light from your (current-generation, daytime-visible) blinkies bouncing back from their front license plates
When riding next to mechBgon you can hear the cars driving off the road into the ditch.
Once in a while if you listen carefully you can hear the driver saying .......................
" My eyes ! My eyes ! I can't see".
09-28-06, 07:43 PM
#30
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Originally Posted by Helmet Head
Much of the noise made by cars is from the tires, not the engines, especially if they're going 25 mph or faster. Also, there is a considerable noise from air resistance.
But yeah, at slow speeds, like in parking lots, they can be virtually silent.
But yeah, at slow speeds, like in parking lots, they can be virtually silent.
Not a lot of hybrid cars around here for some reason, so I'm just guessing.
mark
09-28-06, 10:21 PM
#31
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Originally Posted by 2manybikes
When riding next to mechBgon you can hear the cars driving off the road into the ditch.
Once in a while if you listen carefully you can hear the driver saying .......................
" My eyes ! My eyes ! I can't see".
Once in a while if you listen carefully you can hear the driver saying .......................
" My eyes ! My eyes ! I can't see".
09-28-06, 10:26 PM
#32
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Originally Posted by 2manybikes
When riding next to mechBgon you can hear the cars driving off the road into the ditch.
Once in a while if you listen carefully you can hear the driver saying .......................
" My eyes ! My eyes ! I can't see".
Once in a while if you listen carefully you can hear the driver saying .......................
" My eyes ! My eyes ! I can't see".
09-29-06, 07:26 AM
#33
-=Barry=-
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Originally Posted by Helmet Head
Much of the noise made by cars is from the tires, not the engines, especially if they're going 25 mph or faster. Also, there is a considerable noise from air resistance.
09-29-06, 09:58 AM
#34
Enjoy
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Originally Posted by markf
The low rolling resistance of the OEM tires on a lot of hybrids probably makes the tires quieter, too. The extremely aerodynamic shape of the Prius probably reduces the noise of the car even more. So it doesn't surprise me that they're so quiet.
Not a lot of hybrid cars around here for some reason, so I'm just guessing.
Not a lot of hybrid cars around here for some reason, so I'm just guessing.
It'd be great if they had some noise maker that could only be heard from say...50' away ... rather than .25 miles away....Around here, there's so much car noise, sometimes you can't even hear the birds.
Last edited by vrkelley; 09-29-06 at 10:17 AM.
09-29-06, 10:53 AM
#35
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Originally Posted by fenester
I think all hybrid/electric cars should be required to have an external speaker which makes the Jetsons car sound. It's relatively innocuous and will make it feel like we're finally living in the future.
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