[mos6507]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('MiamiRob', '
')I really do not want a Prius. I want another Mercedes.

[Mesuge]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('MiamiRob', '
')I really do not want a Prius. I want another Mercedes.

[Ludi]

"Just because I'm drivin' a Rolls Royce doesn't mean I got any money." - Marty Krofft

[MiamiRob]

LOL. You guys are one rough room.

Reverse Engineer, I understand that many on this board would like to have a house on twenty acres in North Carolina. However, if the zombie hoards scenario does come to pass, I now realize that the last place that I want to be is in a house in the NC countryside waiting with my shotgun for the inevitable looters to arrive. Long-term, a farming environment will be essential for food production. However, I think that in a zombie hoards scenario, a farm will be a dangerous place to be in the short-term (two or three years.) I should have kept the land in North Carolina free of any visible structures. Building that house was a mistake.

Perhaps you think that because I am not a poor guy that I make decisions flippantly and do not base my actions on sufficient knowledge or investigation. That is not the case. I have spent years of time and a lot of money trying to prepare for the impact of PO. In many ways, I feel that I have done a good job. In other ways, I feel that I have made mistakes. For me, it is a learning process. If you ever come to Miami, I would like to invite you to lunch. I would like to hear what you have to say. (I extend that same initiation to all posting on this board.)

Mesuge, Thanks for the suggestion to do a full EV conversion on a 190. I will look into that.

[mos6507]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('MiamiRob', '
')I think that in a zombie hoards scenario, a farm will be a dangerous place to be in the short-term (two or three years.) I should have kept the land in North Carolina free of any visible structures. Building that house was a mistake.

[ki11ercane]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('MiamiRob', 'I') should have added that I am also concerned about being able to travel to visit my elderly parents in central Florida. With the Hymotion module installed, the Prius can make the trip on about two gallons of gas. My current car uses almost ten gallons for that drive. My concern is that gas might not be available. What do you think is the possibility of major gas shortages over the next year or so?

If I never had to drive more than the five miles to work, I would completely agree with you that a bike would be the best backup plan. Actually, I have a bike and I ride it often. However, I don't ride the bike to work because there is no place where I can take a shower when I get to the office and I have to wear a suit.

Rob

[jamest]

I suggest that you check how many days of gas shortages there have been because of hurricanes over the last several years. I daresay that there weren't enough to justify buying a $43,000 car that you don't really want.

If you're that worried about gasoline availability during hurricane season, simply keep your present car filled, along with a couple of 5 gallon cans that you store safely.

[ReverseEngineer]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('MiamiRob', 'L')OL. You guys are one rough room.

Reverse Engineer, I understand that many on this board would like to have a house on twenty acres in North Carolina. However, if the zombie hoards scenario does come to pass, I now realize that the last place that I want to be is in a house in the NC countryside waiting with my shotgun for the inevitable looters to arrive. Long-term, a farming environment will be essential for food production. However, I think that in a zombie hoards scenario, a farm will be a dangerous place to be in the short-term (two or three years.) I should have kept the land in North Carolina free of any visible structures. Building that house was a mistake.

[VMarcHart]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('mgibbons19', 'B')uy an old corolla and a bike, and save 30k. On days there's no gas, take the bike.

[JJ]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('ReverseEngineer', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('mattduke', '[')img]http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb196/mbayrob/shaun_of_the_dead_zombies.gif[/img]
You aren't paranoid enough.

[Frank]

Best of both worlds: buy a used '04 Prius (for what, $5-8K?) spend the $10K on the plug-in package and use the rest towards an asset that will better serve you in the future.

[drew]

yeah, but it wouldn't be new!!


Drew

[The_Virginian]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('pstarr', 'M')iamiRob you live in Miami and wear a suit. With gasoline shortages your commute will be the least of your problems?

In a world starved for energy do you really believe your white-collar job will exist? Or that the electric grid will supply you with air conditioning?

Do yourself a favor and forgo the toys. Buy some land in Vermont.

[MiamiRob]

Virginian,

What size parcel do you consider "small?"

Thanks,
Rob

[The_Virginian]

To me, anything under 20 acre is small.

That being said, 5 acres would be the minimum, assuming as Pstar notes, you buy wood in a northern climate...or you live in central to N. FL where you will only need heat sporadically.

If you worry about gas because of Hurricanes, get 3 five gallon containers for benzine and put some Sta-bil (or other gas stabilizer avail. at auto shops).

[Oerdin]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Hermes', 'H')i Rob:

My opinion is... within the next few years there will be little gasoline for you to gas up your car with. You will probably be laid off, and will neither be able to make payments on the car nor will you need the car to get to your work anymore.

Electricity will become spotty shortly with brownouts turning to rolling blackouts turning to rolling on periods which become shorter and shorter (e.g. power is on from 10:15pm to 3:30am each day).

[ki11ercane]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Oerdin', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Hermes', 'H')i Rob:

My opinion is... within the next few years there will be little gasoline for you to gas up your car with. You will probably be laid off, and will neither be able to make payments on the car nor will you need the car to get to your work anymore.

Electricity will become spotty shortly with brownouts turning to rolling blackouts turning to rolling on periods which become shorter and shorter (e.g. power is on from 10:15pm to 3:30am each day).

[Auntie_Cipation]

Okay, here's the thing -- let's say you get the beater car (or keep the Benz, or whatever other non-Prius options you're considering) and the bicycle, as was suggested.

And then along come gasoline shortages, where it's either unavailable or really expensive.

What do you do? You ride the bike, right? If your beater car is a Geo Metro, perhaps you can squeak by continuing to drive on some days, since you're using so little gas.

And what if this continues on for weeks, maybe into bad weather even. With or without the electric outages.

Do you think at that point you'd regret not having the Prius?

No, you wouldn't.

Why?

Because you don't live in a societal vacuum -- imagine what everyone around you will be going through when gas is unavailable or $25/gal. They will be panicking, their wallets will be empty, they'll be taking up THEIR bicycles in droves. And none too pleased about it.

Do you really want to be the only one driving around in a spiffy plug-in hybrid in that situation? I sure wouldn't! Talk about a sitting duck target!

I definitely vote for the Geo Metro, the bicycle, and/or the 'lectric scooter. Maybe even one of those motorized assist bicycles, so you don't have to sweat into your three-piece suit. You could even get two bikes to hedge your bets about which shortage will occur, one with electric motor assist and one with the little gasoline engine that holds a quart of gas and gets 250 miles/gallon, and still come out way ahead from your $43k.

Heck, some of us could build a whole house with that much moolah!