Well said! they are all world cars now and parts such as transmissions, engines, AC units, steering systems abs brakes ,stab control etc are used by multiple lines. Who ever would have thought that BMW Ford GM and Chrysler would be using the same Hybrid drive technology.
I agree with you Frank, what we were comfortable in at home does not fit, park or work efficiently in " The Villages" Many folks do not consider or understand that stop and go, idling and the on off slow speed of Village traffic is very abrasive on brakes transmissions engine parts and the degration of motor oils. Letting a corvette or any other vehicle sit or putt around under 40 is the worst thing we can do to any vehicle. Like us they must be moved.
So as you say lets get back on the track. What is best? Well lets have folks consider another VERY VERY important topic. Many of our incomes will now be reduced. Look at the vehicle warranty and buy from the back of the dealership not the front. Meet the technicians the service manager because they are going to take care of you not who sells the vehicle. Also consider the facrory extended warranty on all electrical and computer components.
Test drive the vehicle for a full day! On all types of roads. Thats right they will give it to you or rent one. Your Back Butt Arms etc cannot appreciate a car until you use it for a few miles. not just around the block while a saleperson talks to you about the radio!
Frank you and I drive a Prius. We will never change our brakes while living in the village with normal maintenance. In syracuse only barke maintenance is rotor replacement from the
salt.
A Hybrid owner never uses the brake except under 10 mph or stopped. Its a fake feel to make us comfortable. The service brakes are for holding at a stop sign hill and to burn off the morning rust. Also as a fail safe back up. The electric regen system is our brakes.
Our synthetic Oil maintenance is 10k miles or once a year and that is performed free at the dealership. The enigne will never wear out. It does not have to stress and work as hard. Electric motors will never wear out in our lifetime. The transmission is a sealed system and has no parts to fail.
Toyota has never in 10 + years had a battery failure and if they do they want it back will give you a new one so they can find out why. I will never have to buy another vehicle unless I wreck it or get bored with it.
So folks I'm saying within all car lines reasonable priced Hybrids are here or coming. Test drive them and consider their value.
That goes for Golf Carts also. Times and technology are changing.
So a small Hybrid will now be in my Village home. When I need a larger vehicle for the grandkids and family I will rent it and beat it up in a Disney parking lot then turn it back in.
I so want to do a Automotive talk show on the village radio station. Anyone got any connections or pull!
One more thought The Village Garage. At one designer upgraded open house I listened to a visitor say wow golf car garage. Will fit my three cars! Much to the dislike of the sales tech. I opened the garage drove my Prius in while many watched. They gasped at how this midsize car did not fit well.
My wife said Ok you win, Let's stretch the garage the max 4 feet that we can. The visitor said" thank you I did not believe you when you said these garages are smaller than you think! Now the wife wants her own Smart Car convertible. LOL
Herv- CarGuys