Who thinks Toyota should make...

x174Million ontop of that

 

+1

 

BUT...the cost of diesel fuel is higher than reg gas thus negating the cost effectivess of its higher mpg. That is why alot of automakers have not pushed diesel technology like they have hybrid technology. Summer 2008 was a prime example of what happens when gas prices rise...diesel prices rise even higher.

I agree that hybrid technology is expensive and will take a long time for the buyer to recoupe the upfront costs...but I believe that diesel has the potential to cost more per gallon based on higher diesel prices.

Regardless the buyer is screwed until either fuel prices drop (gas & diesel) or the cost of hybrid technology deminishes. Unfortunately, I don't see either happening in the near future.

I would consider a hybrid Tacoma if, and only if, the price was right (which it will not be right now)

...I have probably said too much

 

Hybrid seem expensive to me. Will it good for 4X4? I notice there is hybrid with all wheel drive only. I like part time 4X4. I don't like diesel because it cost more than reg gas. Also I don't like the smell and give me headache.

 

Summer 08 diesel prices were high more based on poor conversion to low-sulfur refining than actual market forces. That's why the price is now almost equivalent -- refining capacity is now at equilibrium with demand.

A diesel would make sense for a car that tows and needs torque. Plus, the engine would be much cheaper to make than a hybrid...

 

diesel prices are still higher today

http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/oog/info/gdu/gasdiesel.asp

Remember...there was a time when diesel fuel was cheaper than regualer gas.

I'm not saying a hybrid is better than a diesel in terms of hp or torque...just in reference to cost per gallon

 

But how long would it take for the cost per gallon to make the cost difference of the hybrid. I figured once that cost of a hybrid model of the same vehicle offered as a gas-only model could take up to 12 years to break even.

Plus with hybrid technology, there's a greater risk of obsolecense than there would be with a diesel engine. Mechanical components don't go obsolete as quickly as electronics components. A well maintained diesel can go for 300,000 miles easily.

 

Ditto on the diesel......

 

I can only imagine what diesel prices would be....300,000 miles from now

 

Not necessarily more eco friendly. In terms of emmissions, perhaps. But the rare earth materials needed to make hybrids and their batteries means much more mining is necessary.

There's also a trade-off between power and MPG. Cars like the Lexus use the hybrid technology to boost power but the MPG ratings fall dramatically; if you're using the energy stored in the battery to boost power, there'll be less available for low speed driving. Even the numbers they advertise as the MPG rating fall quite a bit based on real world use (about 34% drop for the Lexus).

 

It'd be cheap because everyone else will be driving hybrids.

 

You'd think...but using that theory wouldn't explain why diesel prices are already higher than gas prices right now...its not because of demand

 

its the way of the future.its only a matter of time

 

Actually it does.
http://marketplace.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/05/16/diesel/

 

You're correct...world wide demand is increasing...and yes, we are affected as a result. But put a bunch of diesels on the streets of the US and see how high those diesel prices continue to rise. I bet that would be real fun at the pump.

Good info here:
http://www.eia.doe.gov/bookshelf/brochures/diesel/

 

btw...I'm playing devils advocate right now. This is a great way to get different point of views on various subjects!

 

With current tech... turbo diesel no question. However, a pure electric tacoma 4x4 would be extremely sick off-road... presuming it was solar and could get enough power on it's own somehow. That'd make the torque output on the diesel look pathetic.

 

Nice idea, but you really can't make a car like the Geo anymore. The Metro was a tin can; get in any sort of serious accident in that and you're pretty much dead. Most consumers are not willing to give up safety for economy and you just can't make a car anymore that's lightweight, inexpensive, and safe.

A Metro weighed about 1800 lbs. Modern cars, of the same physical size, now weigh 2600-3000 lbs, and are seemingly getting heavier every year. Even something smaller, like a Yaris, Aveo, or Fiat 500, is 2300+ lbs. Smart Cars have a 1600 lb curb weight, but the things are so damn small that they're not practical.

Now, for the topic at hand, I don't really like the idea of a hybrid truck, unless (maybe) it's a series hybrid (which Toyota doesn't have yet.) However, once we have a big power storage breakthrough, a full electric truck would be a great option. Electric motors would be absolutely great for towing.

 

It looks like a damn Honda Ridgeline... maybe not quite that bad

 

I'd rather have a turbo diesel Tacoma.[/quote]


x48 1/2 million!!!!!