Thread: 20000 IGNORANTS calling for ban 4WDs

Originally Posted by isuzurover

.........

I would like to see some proof for the second statement above??? There are certainly more efficient cars in the same size class, but only marginally.

My niece works for GWAHS in Western NSW. Their fleet of cars includes both Prius and Corolla, and many of their staff average 500+ km/day - her position for example covers about 1/3 of NSW - result of health organisations covering huge areas. According to her the Corollas do significantly better than the Prius in fuel consumption except in town, which, when you think about it is exactly what you would expect for driving long distances at constant speed on flat ground (almost certainly much of it above the speed limit of 110!) - the hybrid has no advantages, and the disadvantage of substantial extra mass.

This highlights a factor you need to keep in mind, that as car design gets more single minded for fuel economy, they become more and more designed to get the best fuel economy for the specified cycle of use rather than for real circumstances.

John

Originally Posted by isuzurover

... ... ... ..
... .. .. ..

I would like to see some proof for the second statement above??? There are certainly more efficient cars in the same size class, but only marginally.

As John has said, once you get out on the highway at a constant high speed, the Prius is at a disadvantage.

Remember the episode of Top Gear where they drove a Prius flat out around the track and followed it with a BMW (a V8, I think)? They used less fuel in the BMW.

I think there are more important items on the agenda to worry about like banning call centres going to Mumbai! Keep jobs in Oz and at least have someone to understand what ever they are saying!
Also
Let's ban Mobiles, they are a bigger threat, I have had many close calls in my 4WD nearly being hit by sedan drivers too busy on mobiles.

The only way is to vote them out

Originally Posted by vnx205

As John has said, once you get out on the highway at a constant high speed, the Prius is at a disadvantage.

Remember the episode of Top Gear where they drove a Prius flat out around the track and followed it with a BMW (a V8, I think)? They used less fuel in the BMW.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKTOyiKLARk"]YouTube - Prius More Enviromentally Damaging Than BMW M3[/ame]

l-email from fiona simpson... thankyou for contacting my office regarding news reports about a petition i tabled in the parliament on behalf of a constituent regarding their views on four-wheel drives being banned in certain areas and the way registration is assessed. Unfortunately it has been wrongly reported. I was as suprised as u were when i heard the radio and saw the newspaper reports as i have not commented upon the principle petitioners views expressed in his petition, let alone endorsed these views. mp's routinely table petitions written by constituents who are presenting contentious points of debate which are not necessarily held by the MP's. I have allways believed it was a citizens tight to have petitions tabled. I do not support bans upon four wheel drives nor do i support these proposals regarding registration. Yours sincerely Fiona Simpson mp shadow minister for transport and main roads decent of her to reply so quickly with a different view on the subject

then why did she table it?
smells abit fishy to me, some one has an ulterior motive i think

Hay Ewe

Originally Posted by Hay Ewe

then why did she table it?
smells abit fishy to me, some one has an ulterior motive i think

Hay Ewe

She has no choice. If a constituent wants to lodge a petition, and it is all properly done, then as a local member she is obliged to table it. She doesn't have to agree with it, but she has to table it.

We need to remember this and not bag out the pollie - the impression I get is that she is quite opposed to the sentiment of the petition.

Willem

Originally Posted by Chucaro

For some people small cars are not comfortable or practical.
I cannot have a car were I have to bend over to seat or have to do an effort to get out of it because my spine.
If I cannot have a 4WD for my pleasure and comfort then my next will be a Ford f100

I have used my Mazda T3500 motor home as the only vehicle for more than 2 years and pick up my granddaughter from the school several times on a very narrow road and I never have an issue with that.

That's true for me too. I used to drive Jags, but because of my gammy leg and me being a fairly big feller it was just too hard to get in and out of the low car. That's when I got my first Rangie. It was high enough off the ground for me to be able to get in and out without stress.

But that's not the main reason I drive a Rangie. I drive it because I like it. And why should someone else persecute me because I like to drive a certain style of car?

If you really start to think about it the issue is not really that of environment. I reckon its a quasi religious mind set (tho I think you could just about leave the quasi bit out!), where you have to be opposed to 'evil' And for them 'evil' is a four wheel drive! They are owned and used by the 'enemy', so that's what they need to hate. That's why you get that irrational hatred of four wheel drives. It has everything to do with the green religion, and not much to do with the environment.

Willem

Originally Posted by p38arover

YouTube - Prius More Enviromentally Damaging Than BMW M3

Thanks Ron, buut I am sure everyone would agree that was a pretty unrealistic test - where the BMW was drafting the Prius the whole way. Things might be more even if the Prius was drafting the BMW.

Here is a more realistic test:
Toyota Prius proves a gas guzzler in a race with the BMW 520d review | Used Car Reviews | Driving - Times Online
The same (highway) journey in a Prius and a 2L diesel BMW. The Prius achiieved marginally worse fuel efficiency.

The Prius isn't all that efficient when there is no stop-start driving. But it has made car companies think diifferently. e.g. the new (non-hybrid) Mini shuts its engine down automatically at traffic lights, and starts up again when you press the accelerator.

I was in Cairns recently. Almost the entire taxi fleet are Priuses. A driver told me they save $2000/ month over the running costs of the camrys they were using previously.