Well the one I as going to look at sold an hour before I gto a chance to look at it! Lol

I will be motoring for a while longer seeng how hybrids are going 2-4k above kbb and thi one was the only one in california not sold at that inflated pice. I am enjoying these new performance tires on my coop quiet a bit though

Thanks again for all the input, I'm leaning towards keeping the coop more now (or looking at an alternative someone above mentioned)

 

Actually there is already a pretty compelling theory on traffic jams that is almost the opposite of that. Keeping traffic moving at a sustainable pace is what would eliminate traffic jams. An interesting read:

http://amasci.com/amateur/traffic/trafexp.html

 

Funny, that's how drive in traffic, keeps mpg from droppin like crazy lol

 

Yes it does and saves wear and tear on the brakes too. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love driving the MINI hard. That engine growl and supercharger whine makes this a very visceral car but I like to have some room to stretch my legs a little when I play.

 

My wife and I are constantly complaining about these damn Prius drivers. We thought it was a "holier-than-thou" attitude, or just plain stupidity. It's not *all* Prius drivers of course, but I agree it feels like the vast majority.

The other day I actually sat in my co-worker's Prius and I finally figured out why they drive like they do. There's this dashboard display that shows all sorts of info, and I think a lot of drivers like to treat it like a video game. They don't care who's behind them, as long as they can keep the "eco" bar in the optimum area they feel like they're winning.

Cutting them off helps with stress relief but it sucks that they are so oblivious that they just keep puttering around in the fast lane.

 

Prius drivers are the worst. I live in a lovely seaside city full of retired old people, so there are a ton of slow hybrid drivers, who I need to blast past on the right constantly. I get a few dirty looks, but hey, get the f*** out of the fast lane if you're doing 5 under.

 

That Seattle traffic guru needs to spend some time down in some real traffic jams down here in Socal. I read his report and the whole thing is taken from a limited perspective. Slow down to leave a gap to let the jam clear is the basic premise but it doesn't take into account that more cars are entering the freeway behind you and at some point you become the source of the jam (like a Prius in the fast lane). Also he never really commented on if by going slower was he moving faster overall or was he going the same speed overall just with less drama. Also this is just the perspective of the road he is on, what is happening to the on and off ramps and streets that feed in as the traffic slows down. It's tough to make a real difference overall by yourself, everyone needs to work together but still at some point the road is simply full no matter what kind of space you leave. Welcome to LA.

Back on topic, I would keep the Mini. If you baby a mini and drive it like a hybrid, run stop signs, cut the motor at traffic lights, be a nuisance in the fast lane you will nearly get 40 MPG. The insight might get 10 more. Because you are starting from a Mini and not an SUV that is not that large of a difference. SO every tank you would gain maybe 100 miles. In a Mini that is like buying roughly 3 extra gallons a tank. So that is about $12.00 every 2 weeks or so. maybe $25.00 a month in savings. What is the price difference since the hybrids are inflated? It's used so will it fall apart before the savings are realized?

I think you should find a cheaper source of parts and a less expensive mechanic and keep the Mini going, especially if it is paid for.

 

I dont' care if people do that, but do it in the right lane. No need to stay in the left when traffic is bumper to bumper and people leave a huge gap in front so that the next lane keeps zooming in front of you and people behind you can't even get out of the lane cause of that.

 

Driving in Miami rush hour is pretty much the same as LA rush hour. Leaving a gap in front of you is absolutely and completely impossible. First, any time you leave more than a 2 car gap here, the people behind you will start honking furiously at you. Second, leave any gap at all and the people in the next lane will jump over in front of you and that's the end of the gap and you're stuck at a dead stop all over again.