They're not more expensive to produce? Fact is, it's the cheapest hybrid on the market. Period.

 

I don't care if they cost more to produce - you compare a car to its competition, and there's no reason to separate a hybrid that gets worse mpg than some other cars just because its a hybrid. You're grasping at straws man.

 

You started the thread, so close it or stop posting in it if you don't want to hear popular opinion. Do us a favor and quit posting already.

 

The CR-Z is stupid ugly.

Is anyone really frustrated with Hybrids? It sucks that eventually everything might become a Hybrid. I want fast cars that guzzle gas. I am all about increasing my carbon footprint.

 

I opened the thread to see if anyone else was planning on purchasing one, not to have people tell me I should buy something else. I know what I want.

 

Then you should have started a poll.

 

Sorry if I'm addressing anything that's already been pointed out in the thread, I didn't read through the whole thing.

I don't know anything about the cost or process of converting a CR-Z into a fully electric vehicle, so I'll completely ignore that aspect of the question. (Except to say I'd be very surprised if you could stuff enough batteries in there to get a 100 mile range on only electric. Do you have any real-world range numbers for such a conversion to suggest it'd be enough for your commute? The Chevy Volt, for example, only goes 40 miles on a full charge.)

First - having driven a '91 CRX Si, which is supposedly lighter, faster, and only slightly less gas mileage (28/33 vs 31/37) I can't imagine replacing one, assuming it's in good condition, with a CR-Z.

Second - why not just use your CRX as your commute car, instead of the S2000?

Third - at 100 miles per day, you're probably around 25,000 miles per year. At 24mpg average and $2.75/gal for gas, the S2000 is costing you about $2864 per year in gasoline. At, say, 34mpg average and $2.75/gal for gas, the CR-Z would cost you $2022 per year in gasoline. That's a a savings of $842/year. With a base MSRP of $19,200, it'll take you twenty-two years before you see a cost savings by getting the CR-Z. So get the CR-Z because you like it, but don't fool yourself that you'll be saving any money with it. (Update - just read you plan on replacing the S2000 with the CR-Z. Assuming you get $9000 for the S, it'll take you "only" twelve years to realize any savings.)

Fourth - from what I've read, the environmental impact of a 20+ year old car like your CRX is far less than a new hybrid.

Fifth - somebody recently converted their S2000 into an electric vehicle. He's been thinking about offering it for sale. http://s2kev.blogspot.com/ Maybe you can do your own conversion. It'll get you that EV you seem to want, and might even be cheaper than purchasing a new CR-Z and modifying it. The CR-Z electric motor is only good for 11 hp. (A golf cart has up to about 9 hp!) At 2670 pounds, it'll probably have a top speed of 30 mph and it'll take forever to get there. The Volt's electric motor, for comparison, is rated at 161 hp.

Sixth - an electric motor doesn't work like a gasoline engine. With gas engines, you're used to the torque curve being (relatively) flat. Maybe a 20% variation through the rev range? Whereas with an electric motor, it's the power curve that's flat. 78 lb-ft of torque at 1000 rpm is 14 hp. But it's still 14 hp if you're at 5000 rpm, meaning only 14.7 lb-ft of torque. The battery pack supplies the power it supplies, unlike a gasoline engine that dispenses more fuel as the engine speed goes up. Don't fool yourself into thinking that an electric motor supplying 78 lb-ft at 1000rpm is the same thing as a gasoline engine supplying 78 lb-ft at 1000rpm.

So to conclude - get a CR-Z because you think it's cool or good looking or comfortable or whatever other subjective criteria you use (which is fine, many people purchased the S2000 for subjective reasons rather than objective performance numbers) but don't fool yourself that you'll be saving money (either in purchase price or running cost) compared to your existing cars, or many other similarly priced cars. (Including cheaper ones, and more practical ones, and faster ones.)

 

https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=798289

 

Thank you Elistan!

 

The Prius is a nice car, and for it's purpose - does well. I'd rather have an Insight EX and pocket the savings. But the Prius is about as interesting as a toaster.

And elistan is correct, don't buy a hybrid because it will save you money. Buy it because you like it. I'm getting one 'cuz it's going to lease CHEAP, and I inexplicably like it. I'm tired of beating on my S2000 everyday, and it's 100 deg. in Texas so the Bike as a commuter is out.