totally off topic

This is totally off topic, but some of you seemed interested in biodiesel at the Elk tournament.

There is a short and sweet biodiesel article in Smithsonian Magazine that mentions of yours truly.  Check out the September issue on page 30 or at:
http://www.smithsonianmag.si.edu/smithsonian/issues05/sep05/phenomena.html

Cheers,
Sean

I am in the market for a new car and I want to either get a hybrid or a diesel to run biodiesel though. The problem I am having is finding decent yakfishing vehicles in either hybrid or diesel.  Like why can't I get a diesel 4 runner or a diesel subaru?

Sean are there any web sites you would recommend for finding out more about processing your own biodiesel?

200 miles per gallon

 

I am in the market for a new car and I want to either get a hybrid or a diesel to run biodiesel though. The problem I am having is finding decent yakfishing vehicles in either hybrid or diesel.  Like why can't I get a diesel 4 runner or a diesel subaru?

Sean are there any web sites you would recommend for finding out more about processing your own biodiesel?

There are big tax credits for 2006 for Hybrid vehicles.  The max credit is $3500, but it is based on the MPG improvement vs its non-hybrid counter part and buying earlier in the year vs later.  One of the examples the article gave was $3100 for a Toyota Highlander.  I believe the MSRP is $31k.  This is a big improvement over the tax deduction of ~$2000 for 2005 for buying a hybrid.

Keep in mind, even with these tax credits the break even point is several years.  This needs to be more than a financial decision.

For sure but I see the break even point getting closer as the gas prices keep going up.

Thanks for that info I did not know about the tax breaks.

Our company has a Ford Escape hybrid that might be ok for hauling yaks around. It's about the size of a subaru. And knowing us it's prolly pretty cheap.

Bill,
try the following sites for info on BD production.  The first site has a bunch of recipes and general info.  The second site is a discussion forum where you can search old questions and ask new ones (like this wonderful forum!).  I would be happy to show you the ropes if you get into it.

http://www.journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html
http://biodiesel.infopop.cc

Regarding vehicles: yes, it is too bad we can not get a Subaru or 4-runner diesel in the US (I cream my pants when I go to Europe and see all the diesel options).  I have a VW Jetta, which hauls around two kayaks just fine (and get high 30's in mileage when I do this).  However, this is far from a quality off-road vehicle.  I also have a Blazer diesel for snow excursions or 4wd excursions, but my wife and I use the Jetta 90% of the time, even when hauling kayaks.  I think it is a misconception that one needs a "truck" to haul a kayak.  Just depends on where you are hauling your kayak to.

Later, Sean

Toyota makes the Tacoma in a diesel, but they don't sell it in the US.  At http://www.toyotadiesel.com they frequently harass Toyota about importing them.  I would buy one in a second.  The ultimate "man van" the Dodge Sprinter does come in a diesel, and they get great mpg for their size.

I read an article where a fellow EE added a bunch of batteries to an insight and charged them from the wall.  The car then got over 80mpg because it ran mostly on battery power - but the upgrade costed 3k.

If you want to save money, just buy a used car.  Just driving a car off the lot costs more than any tax credit you could ever get.  Call that recycling and it's good for the environment too.  

The ultimate "man van" the Dodge Sprinter does come in a diesel, and they get great mpg for their size.

This should be called the ultimate "single man" van as no married man is going to be allow to buy that ugly beast...  

Yeah the plugable hybrids are very interesting as well. I drive short distances during the week so I could easily see not burning any gas during those drives . Add a few solar panels to your house and you are doing pretty well.

What I have heard about hybrids is that they are a $10K car priced at $20K.
They are in high demand and Toyota has a hard time keeping them in stock.

I like the idea of buying a used car, but the Interest rates for a new one is so low.  Mine is at 4.5%.   The discounts you can get now on a new vehicle is outrageous.

Add solar panels to the hood and roof and it'll recharge in the lot while you're working too.