San Antonio

I hated FWD when it showed up. Then I went back to Michigan for a Thanksgiving, and Christmas or two! It's a different foot feel, but actually, it's all the same. You have to feel what they are doing and when.!

 

Ick

 

if you disable all these extra features this car is actually kind of hard to drive put it in sport mode and disable traction control and stability and you see the TSC light flashing the whole time

 

It's all about feel and just the right amount of steering and throttle. I used to have a Saab 900 that was unstabl unstoppable in the snow. I drove through several whiteouts in the Appalachian passes with no issues while everyone else was on full apocalypse mode lol

 

I know. I rented one.

 

well, I put in my yellow fogs for Christmas, so I guess I am good! I actually probably will put some lights in the bed for travel needs, but not like OFF FREKING ROAD work lights! The other things I have gone through have just been part of a long term "back to life" upgrade - the extra 2" lift was accidental! I swear. But I do like it.

 

don't hate on the Prius this is probably one of the best fuel economic vehicles ever built

 

Ditch lights are actually super handy. It helps with seeing things just outside of your headlights and has kept me from driving over sharp stumps, branches and rocks on relatively wary trails. I try to pick the easy and smooth lines to reduce wear on my truck; it helps if I can see obstacles on the side. That only thing I would add is more intense forward lighting if you drive alone or in the front of a group, but I've noticed it's not necessary if you're going slow.

 

I think you might be mostly right, but I really liked that CRX replacement hybrid car (can't remember what it was called), even though it got worse mileage than the Prius.

 

The Insight and Clarity. Decent, but could never compete with Prius - no one has actually knocked down that door, in that class. I'd have one if not for an asshole sales manager. I have a NIRO, and it is comparable to a Prius 3 Touring, but not quite as big.
If you want to be really amazed, you have to see what the Germans are cooking up, albeit at $70K pluss! Electricity and torque are the future dudes!
Want to make an E/H - Taco and sell it to Toyota, Josh?

 

Not particularly, I don't have an engineering background and I only have a slightly above basic understanding of battery technology. At this point, I'm a highly trained, slightly lazy automotive service and repair technician with some experience lol

Edit: if you want me to close with and destroy the enemies of America in close combat, I'm your man lol

 

The beauty of electric motors to me, is instant torque! DC and batteries are straight forward, not complex like IC engine management. But outfit a truck with torque for work, then IC for drive and cruise, and it comes back to what - engine management! Same problem, new parameters, and you already got a handle on it! Just for you, think about that....

 

Well, I am politically and by TW rules unable to address your edit!

 

Now Ford been cooking up something with f150 they already disclosed it and 2020 Ford supposed to release all electric f150

 

Secret out - they all are. Two reasons - TORQUE and needed MPG if rules come back to CAFE, or gas prices rise.
BUT - no one has a home brew!

 

True, but battery technology isn't where it should be for hybrids. I think the future lies in a modified form of LiPo batteries, without the inherent memory they develop. As far as charging and switching/combining gas engines and electric motors, it's pretty solid right now.

I want to see more fiber optic technology in wiring harnesses, like Volvo used to use, to reduce amperage draw. Constantly converting 12v up and down on reference circuits is the magneto to our distributor these days, in my opinion.

 

If I remember correctly, manufacturers need an overall balance in mpg performance, so hybrids allow them to build the badass 12 mpg race cars and off-road trucks.

 

It's a reference to the soldier's creed in the army lol

 

Do you think these auto manufacturers are capable of making a 100 mpg vechile it's just the oil industry won't allow it there has a be a balance so eberybody makes money

 

True on Batteries - there was a start up in San Marcos three or four years ago - the answer to everything - was empty after a year. MFG are spending a ton on battery tech, but it is hard to make chemicals and mineral do what you want! Remember "transistors"? Of course you don't you are young. Turning "sand" or silicon into an electronic device has taken decades! It's way cool. I sent son #1 to WyoTech years back (and yes he got that high paying job and quit - don't bring that up), but I didn't see anything about training in "emerging tech".

I don't know where I remember it from, but Fiber didn't work in cars - back when I read trade pubs - but it might just be as simple as Ford bought Volvo for a while.

And now, I don't remember what else....