Save Energy, Buy a Used Car

Don't feel guilty about driving a gasoline powered car. It uses energy to manufacture automobiles, and of course hybrids fall into that category. This appeal is not to keep anyone from buying a hybrid or electric car. Of course eventually they will dominate the market when our current vehicles finally wear out. Just don't buy one out of obligation.

Go Green ? Buy a Used Car. It?s Better Than a Hybrid | Autopia | Wired.com

This is great!!! But don't buy a Pinto. My cousin had a yellow Chevette and I was so jealous:shock:

Don't feel guilty about driving a gasoline powered car. It uses energy to manufacture automobiles, and of course hybrids fall into that category. This appeal is not to keep anyone from buying a hybrid or electric car. Of course eventually they will dominate the market when our current vehicles finally wear out. Just don't buy one out of obligation.

Go Green ? Buy a Used Car. It?s Better Than a Hybrid | Autopia | Wired.com

I'm going one better. I'm still driving my 1998 model with > 200,000 miles on it. Talk about saving energy....

This is a very valid argument.

If one looks at the total energy used -- to not only send that vehicle down the road for 200,000 miles, but also what's needed to manufacture it & dispose of it or recycle it -- the thing to do may not be to go out & buy a new Prius, but rather to buy about a 3- or 4-yr-old Honda Civic or the like.

Check out the research report at: http://www.cnwmr.com/nss-folder/automotiveenergy/

I'm going one better. I'm still driving my 1998 model with > 200,000 miles on it. Talk about saving energy....

I'm still driving my 93 with 170,000 on it I had no idea I was so green

Great article and one with sense. I do miss the Honda I drove in college, rarely had issues and fabulous mileage! If I hit a bump, the radio would shut off, then I would have to go out of my way to hit another bump for music. Those were the days!

Not just for cars - buying used or secondhand instead of new really adds up for furniture, homes, clothes, you name it!

As does buying quality so it can be reused instead of cheap crap that fills up the dumps.

I'm going to buy one of these and cut out any purchased air travel!!

Don't buy used hazmat suits, especially the ones made in China.

As does buying quality so it can be reused instead of cheap crap that fills up the dumps.

That's why I only shop Walmart. :funn:

Don't feel guilty about driving a gasoline powered car. It uses energy to manufacture automobiles, and of course hybrids fall into that category. This appeal is not to keep anyone from buying a hybrid or electric car. Of course eventually they will dominate the market when our current vehicles finally wear out. Just don't buy one out of obligation.

Go Green ? Buy a Used Car. It?s Better Than a Hybrid | Autopia | Wired.com

If this is such a great idea, why did the Obama administration pay people to trash their used cars and buy new ones a year ago?

If this is such a great idea, why did the Obama administration pay people to trash their used cars and buy new ones a year ago?

If this is such a great idea, why did the Obama administration pay people to trash their used cars and buy new ones a year ago?

If I remember correctly, not everyone thought that was such a great idea.

If I remember correctly, not everyone thought that was such a great idea.

I don't think it was such a great idea either. It helps the "economy" whatever the hell that is, but it also helps me as in individual to not buy stuff I don't need. Some used cars are indeed nearing their end of life and should be trashed. There is no easy answer.

In my opinion, we need some well heeled people to buy new technology cars now in order to spur demand and give incentive to increase production capacity. That could drive down cost. There is a need for early adopters, guinea pigs, beta testers, whatever you want to call them. I'm just trying to point out that there is no hypocrisy in keeping your gasoline powered car for a few years, and it may in fact be beneficial.

I agree Lue. I didn't want a new car payment that came with that trade in deal

This makes me feel a little better about our 1989, 1992, 1995 vehicles. They aren't up-to-date, cool cars but they drive and they get us there.

This makes me feel a little better about our 1989, 1992, 1995 vehicles.

Now I feel even better about my nearly new 1998 model.

Now I feel even better about my nearly new 1998 model.

Man, i'd love to have a 98. I can dream.