This forum will be very busy, if things at the Element forum are any indicator. So I will kick it off with a thought.

I noticed the new energy bill passed by the Senate and likely to become law, contains this little bombshell:

The car companies will have to achieve an industry-wide average 35 mile per gallon for cars, small trucks and SUVs over the next 13 years, an increase of 10 mpg over what the entire fleet averages today.

While in 12 years many new and improved technologies will be developed, and
I believe the auto industry can meet this goal, it may result in quite a different towing capacity for all vehicles, and perhaps only small fiberglass trailers will be ALL that can be towed.

Used pre-2020 vehicles will certainly become valuable (ala Cuba and the 1950s cars?), but will 40' 5th wheels become a fond memory?

I think what will happen is my 25MPG, assuming no improvements like a fiber frame, Odyssey will be priced at $75,000 and the 45MPG Prius at $30,000, forcing enough sales of those very small cars to equal the sales of the Odyssey, achieving the average needed. Better start saving now!

Something to ponder over the next decade.

I don't believe the towing capacity and mpg's when towing are used to determine the overall fleet mpg; just the city and highway mpg's.

If towing mpg's are used, Ford is screwed since they do a large volume of fleet work truck sales.

We have had our Odyssey since August. My wife drives it 99 % of the time, and she usually gets around 19 mpg. Highway trips we haven't seen over 22 yet. Just did the first oil change at 6,500 miles, using Mobil 5W-20, so we will see if this improves mpg at all.
In regard to the orignal thread title, I am wondering at what point they are going to start giving real-world mpg numbers for vehicles. There was some talk about a new procedure for determining mpg ratings for the stickers on new cars, but from what I have seen this hasn't happened. I wonder if anyone has started a web site where an independent group really drives different cars and report the mileage they see.

GM and Ford will just crank out their little electric cars again....produce a few and sell a few and that will get their MPG average to where it needs to be!!!

I don't believe the towing capacity and mpg's when towing are used to determine the overall fleet mpg; just the city and highway mpg's.
I have to agree with nevadagarth here - milage adjusted by a towed vehicle cannot be used in MPG calculation, simply because not everyone tows...
And if they do tow, what's to say that the trailer meets or exceeds recommended gross weights...

But again, as you've suggested BigFoot (hey how's it going!) in order to increase the MPG rating of their vehicles, the manufactures will have to reduce the weight of the vehicle, thereby reducing the amount of weight it can tow...you didn't think they would meet the new specs simply by improving the engine and drivetrain, did you?

Hey Tim, you just slumming over here or have you given up your Element for an Odyssey like some of us other poor slobs?

Hey Tim, you just slumming over here or have you given up your Element for an Odyssey like some of us other poor slobs?

He could be like some of us,,,,,,,lucky enough the have an Element and Odyssey!!!!!!!!!
:)

Now that would be living the high life!

Nah, unfortunately the Ody doesn't meet our needs - we're past the 'mini van' stage in our lives - all the kids have grown up - the Element is better suited to our current lifestyle... the Ridgeline would be great for the next stage, if I could figure out how to tow a 18,000 lb 5th wheel with one...:D

I'm just here to support the 'family'...;) :D :cool:

Nah, unfortunately the Ody doesn't meet our needs - we're past the 'mini van' stage in our lives - all the kids have grown up - the Element is better suited to our current lifestyle... the Ridgeline would be great for the next stage, if I could figure out how to tow a 18,000 lb 5th wheel with one...:D

I'm just here to support the 'family'...;) :D :cool:

And then there are grandkids!!!!!!! That's why we have ours.

We are getting 20 mpg around town and 25 mpg on the interstate with our Odyssey, which is about what we got with our Element, but now have twice the room for our traveling needs. Still wouldn't mind having both though.

I think once we get this country converted to run on Methane gas we can have any size vehicle we want. Now it's just getting the country to see it the way I see it.:cool: Drew:cool:

And then there are grandkids!!!!!!! That's why we have ours.
Our grandkids are 4 hours away, and they go home with their parents....
Besides - the Element still has 2 rear seats...;)
And can pull our tent trailer, which meets our traveling needs....
Sorry, but I'm just not a mini van guy....
I'm trying to convince the wife we need one of these to pull the retirement trailer...
(trailer has a 'garage' that the Element fits into :D )

T

Something to ponder over the next decade.

I don't have a decade left....can they speed it up, no pun intended.:p

jurn

He could be like some of us,,,,,,,lucky enough the have an Element and Odyssey!!!!!!!!!
:)

Me too, me too...

Just look at my sig.

I can't help but get another Honda...

Auto-Life is bliss.

I love the Ody for a long haul cruiser!!! We run to Las Vegas or to San Fransisco the Ody is the 'hands down' choice of transportation. I love my E and the CR-V is a fine little lady's SUV, but for high speed touring, one cannot beat the ODY!!!!!!!

Sold our Element (2003 EX - Sunset Pearl) in 2006 to purchase our 03 Ody. Not enough seat belts. Besides, I didn't like the ride (very choppy front to back), noisy, and the doors are a real pain in parking lots with 9x18 striping. ;)

BTW: I sold it for $11.5K and it had 72K on it. Purchased our 03 ODY with 35K on it for only $14K! Nothing like picking up a nicer vehicle (IMHO) with nearly 40K less miles and the same vintage for only 3 grand!!

Mobil 1 makes a far better motor oil vs. conventional oil, but AMSOIL is the best fully synthetic lubricant you can buy. Check out 3HT Synthetics, LLC - Independent AMSOIL Dealer - North Newton, Kansas (http://www.lubedealer.com/3htsynthetics) for AMSOIL 5W-20 XL (7,500 or 6 month) motor oil and 100% synthetic transmission fluid that exceeds the Honda ATF standard.