L.A. motorists downsizing to ease high cost of gas

Brett and Shawna Dalton of Northridge, Calif., have already sold their BMW 745 for a more economical Prius hybrid and have listed their GMC Denali truck for sale which they'll replace with another hybrid.

[l_a_ baby]

i totally want a hybrid

[Alejandro]

I got rid of my car altogether and started taking the bus. Now that's sticking it to the man.

[Scotty]

I unloaded my huge Ford F250 diesel last September 1 for a Honda Element. Thank goodness I did it before the bottom dropped out of the market like it has now. I too take the Blue Line to the Red Line every day. Love not driving and using gas!

[Charlie]

Wow - People like this actually still exist. I thought yuppies died out eons ago.

[Gene]

You don't need to get rid of your so-called big truck or car. Few things you can do like I did. I have a '06 GMC Sierra shortbed, regular cab. All along I had planned on customizing it, and now I'm glad I did, with the gas prices like they are. Its a 4.8L V8 5 speed. First thing I did was put an aftermarket Air Intake System on it, than I got a Flowmaster Exhaust, Next, I got it lowered at Traders Trucks in Santa Fe Springs, with air bags in the back. Next I got a Hypertech Power Programmer III. Before I put and did what I did to my truck I use to go 7 days on a tank of gas. Now after the add ons I get 10 1/2 days to a tank and my truck has power to spare plenty of low end torque and by it being lowered it handles like a sports car, I can take a corner witout getting off the gas, why? because its aerodynamic. All total you're talking about $3500.00 I put out, but trust me, its worth every penny nowadays, the biggest expense was getting it lowered 2500.00 but that pays for itself to, the exhaust, and the air intake alone would greatly improve power and gas mileage, I mean noticeably. My truck will outrun any of the other manufacturers truck any day of the week and beat them at the pump as well. Thats what you want that low end power and significantly better gas mileage. The power programmer is a must have too! It will keep your vehicle tuned at a high performance level, and it allows you to reset your factory computer settings, I increased my rpm by 200 raised the top end speed and rev limiter it can recalibrate your transmission shift points and speedometer, If you have those oversize tires like 20 inches and above you really need that power programmer, it compensates and make the adjustments to your engine and trannny to make sure those big wheels wont do significant damage to your engine and trans, big chrome wheels will do that over a period of time, I have aluminum wheels they only weigh 15 lbs each but are ten times stronger than chrome, chrome wheels can weigh as much as 85 lbs per wheel, thats gas sucked up right there, get aluminum they're the way to go, CenterLine makes the best aluminum wheels. So there you have it, keep your steed just improve on it.

[Gene]

I live in Los Angeles not Washington DC

[F---g Hilarious]

LA is like a big school of Idiot Fish. They TRENDY-Cause problems and then TRENDY-'Solve' them.

Anything to fit in or Look like they fit in, at the expense of anything and everything else.

Time to eat it, you bunch of self-loathing wannabe's. You never REALLY could afford it. You never REALLY were 'some big celebrity'.

[F---g Hilarious]

ARROGANCE and GREED ARROGANCE and GREED

ARROGANCE and GREED ARROGANCE and GREED

ARROGANCE and GREED ARROGANCE and GREED

Arrogance and Greed are now sitting in rusting heap in your Driveway / taking up 2 or 3 parking spots.

Jackass Dealers and Jackass BIG SUV Drivers -- NOW, do you get it??

[grow]

wow, should i turn my BMW in for a hybrid now??? Is it cool to drive a hybrid now, yaaaaa welcome to LA LA LA LA -- Land

[Gene]

Theres always one in every nook and cranny on this planet, to F--g Hilarious. People like you just don't get it, and you're very dangerous. I read on I think this news website we're on now, how this guy in Washington D.C. a suburb there upscale community, 2 story houses, manicured lawn and the whole bit. Anyways this guy in that neighborhood bought a Hummer paid cash for it, had been saving his money for two years cause that was his dream truck, he borught it home, overnite someone slashed all four tires broke out all the windows sliced up the upholstery, and then took a pick ax and chopped holes all over this guys truck. Comes to find out everyone in this neighborhood was like this a**h**e who wrote the email after mine, they all were on a mission to rid the planet of big gas guzzlers so-called and replace them with eco friendly cars, his HUmmer was out of place and line with their ideology, this kid was heart broken, when the reporters went to interview some of the neighbors a lot of them had t shirts with Hummers and a red cross out circle going thru it, they all said it was unfortunate it happened to him but we don't need those type vehicles on this planet, how phony and hung up can you get? Just like this clown who wrote that post they're worthless. Again I live in Los Angeles, if that had happened here it would have been some dead neighbors on that block.

[F---g Hilarious]

Gene,
Oh, so it's okay for YOU to be violent, but not the SUV-trashers.

When we tax our environment, Everyone loses.

And we did it because of weak egos, low esteem, trying to BUY ourselves better images.

These aren't Opinions, they're Facts.

[anne]

What haters...so people are turning in their BMW's for Hybrids. All you bad mouthing others for changing, are jealous that some are able to achieve what you can't. Don't hate on others for having options & making positive choices, for what ever their reason

[X-DEM]

What happens when gas hits $5 a gallon? Or worse,$6 a gallon. The Honda Civic NGV looks pretty good right now!

[anne]

Vespa....

[Really]

That's your big symbol of achievement, a large gas-guzzling vehicle?
That's EXACTLY what I mean, In Your World:
Low Self-Esteem + Big Vehicle (to fit in)= Achievement/Status
greeeaaattt... A world ravaged to leave for our kids. GREAT Achievement.

[Really]

Hope you don't get run over on your VESPA by an SUV.

[anne]

you will never be able to teach through insults. Share an opinion with less hate. Having the ability to chose what you want is the achievement...do you really think people feel they "fit" because of their car. There is positive change for whatever reason. If someone decides today they can make a better choice for their pocket book & the environment - great. You know, I would like to see some of you pick up six kids in a carpool; haul their gear, get to the market let alone costco and get all the other stuff into some of these smart cars. Some have these as second cars - for commuting purposes...but not all are realistic for all people. There are families that just need a big SUV & others that will be able to trade down. So does someone "fit in" of they drive a Big Giant Ford or is it that people buy BMW's that bother you so much.

[Bill]

Why not get a car that doesn't burn a drop of gasoline? A car that you still can get Clean Air stickers for? And, a car that pollutes less than a Prius?

Get a Honda Civic GX.

It runs on natural gas.

Bill

[John]

If you want to learn more about natural gas vehicles such at the Civic GX check out www.cngtalk.com .

[FlashF]

I don't care what ANYONE thinks about what I drive. Not only did I get off on driving an SUV, I really got off on driving an OLD SUV...one made before catalytic converters and running good on regular gas.