The American Spectator

Reader Mail

(Page 7 of 13)

Big base-load generating stations, be they coal or nuclear, are very expensive to build. However, if you can run them 24 hours a day, month after month, the savings in operating expense makes them a good buy because cost per Kwh gets driven down with uninterrupted operation. On the other hand, combustion turbine generators have a relatively low capital expense, but they consume a lot of fuel. Because of the fuel penalty, their cost per Kwh is high and constant operation would overcome their advantage in capital cost. Consequently, these units are operated during heat waves and other times when peak electrical demand occurs.

p>Of course, that good feeling of "helping" the environment may overcome the poor economics of a hybrid purchase. I suppose that's why I see so many Kerry stickers on the bumpers of hybrids. br> -- W.L. Roughton br> Fairfax Station, Virginia /p>

Lawrence Henry's perspective on the cost of driving provides an excellent analysis of how to drive on the cheap, but is not very helpful for those considering the purchase of a new car. I'm sure that if he compared the cost of his used Caddy with the cost of buying a new Honda Civic, he would still come out ahead. For a more equitable analysis, perhaps he ought to compare the cost of a new Cadillac with that of a new Prius, or a two-year-old Caddy with a two-year-old Prius. Then, maybe, the discussion would move closer to comparing an apple to an apple.

p>Besides, for me, buying a Prius is not just about saving what's in my wallet. It's also about saving what's on the planet. br> -- George Linzer br> Arlington, Virginia /p>

I have liked your math for many years. I own a 90 and 94 Cadillac (Devilles). I do my own maintenance so I own one as a back up. The 2001 Cad should be your next target as it doesn't require premium.

The bottom line, take a ride in a new Prius, then sit in your Cad. No comparison. And you save money on top of it. But you shouldn't have put out the word. It's only going to drive up the price of used cars for the rest of us. :)

p>As to paying $275 for a new door handle?

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