here's my story

[kieran2230]

I worked for the Clovis school district driving CNG powered buses back in the early 90's. We had
John Deere powered 6cyl
pusher buses. Most of the bosses and police drove Crown Victorias. I believe the Crown Vics were 1995. We also had a few ford Full size vans that had the back seats removed and the tanks were there. I got to drive all these vehicles. I always thought it would be neat to own one too that i could drive to work.

Now I live in Texas. I drive 30 mins to work from Frisco, TX to Irving, Tx. I work right across the street from the CNG filling station. Im wondering if its even practical to think about getting a CNG vehicle for strictly commuting to work? I can never home fuel since my house is all electric. I like the coolness factor too, but whats it gonna save vs cost me?

[kirkbenge]

Re: here's my story

Well, according to CNGPRICES.com the NG in Irving hovers around $2.50 per gallon right now. Assuming that the difference between NG and gasoline doesn't fluctuate much (a big if), lets assume that you will save $1.00 per gallon used. Now if we assume that you get about 20 mpg, and your round-trip commute is 20 miles, you are only going to save about $1 per day ( and maybe we tack on another $3 per week for other driving) So you are saving $10 per week, or about $500 dollars each year in gasoline. Now times that value by the life of the car... what do you come up with? Granted, this is a VERY rough guess, and makes a lot of assumptions....

[flmgrip]

Re: here's my story

don't buy it for saving money, buy it to save the world. if you need a new car you might as well get an NGV, but it won't save you any money, not enought to justify a new purchase just because for that.

[kieran2230]

Re: here's my story

Is it going to be a problem finding a shop to work on a Civic GX or one of the Fords? I was looking around and found a Ford e-350 cargo van for $10k at some fleet sales outfit. Wondering if there is going to be anything for under $5k and still have some usable life?
I got a couple other questions too. Do you think i could get to San Antonio from Dallas? I go there now and then. Any vehicles to avoid? Think I'd find something at a GSA auction or maybe the City of Irving might auction something off? Im assuming the city uses the pump, but i've never seen a vehicle there.

[ajgiorgi]

Re: here's my story

Your a little late. I don't think you will find anything under 5k. Last year you could of found a bi-fuel cavalier for that price, but now words getting out about NGV's and the demand is high. Cavaliers are going for at least twice that now. Maybe you could find a van for that price on ebay. I think the vans are the cheapest to buy.

[Curtis]

Re: here's my story

Natural gas vehicles in Texas are still reasonable if they can be found local to you. Texas is in the process of re committing to cng as a fuel source, according to your governor. American made ngv's have had a bit of an issue with some dealers no longer servicing them, as they are no longer sold through their oem's.

Here are the Honda dealers in your neck of the woods that actively service the GX.
1
Lute Riley Honda
1331 N Central Expy
Richardson, TX 75080
(972)238-1700



2
Eskridge Honda
1030 I-240 Access Road
Oklahoma City, OK 73139
(405)631-4444



3
Howdy Honda
5519 E Ben White Blvd
Austin, TX 78741
(512)443-4300





4
Joe Marina Honda
9124 S Memorial Dr
Tulsa, OK 74133
(918)496-7833

5
Goodson Honda West

10250 Old Katy Rd
Houston, TX 77043
(713)464-7482

[smirch9]

Re: here's my story

You can still find a decent reasonably priced ngv or bi fuel vehicle if you look and be patient. The savings are huge and your helping the enviroment to boot. I purchased my bifuel GMC 2500 with 51k miles three months ago and only paid 5200 for it. The truck still looks brand new, and drives it to.

[kieran2230]

Re: here's my story

Yeah, I saw some Fort Worth city truck that was CNG powered the other day. I don't know what their trade in cycle is. When I worked for the Clovis Unified Schools they would run their vehicles into the ground and then auction them off at their annual equipment auction at the end of the school year. THey typically were 20 years old or older.

I'm kinda wondering if I were to buy a GX brand new, could my dad get all the California tax breaks and maybe drive it for a year or whatever time limit is required and then ship me the car? Seems like a waste to not get all the incenctives? He lives in California still. I saw they ran out of money in California for that $3000 deal, but maybe it will come back again? Just an idea, not trying to scam the government.

[Devo]

Re: here's my story

Yeah, I saw some Fort Worth city truck that was CNG powered the other day. I don't know what their trade in cycle is. When I worked for the Clovis Unified Schools they would run their vehicles into the ground and then auction them off at their annual equipment auction at the end of the school year. THey typically were 20 years old or older.

I'm kinda wondering if I were to buy a GX brand new, could my dad get all the California tax breaks and maybe drive it for a year or whatever time limit is required and then ship me the car? Seems like a waste to not get all the incenctives? He lives in California still. I saw they ran out of money in California for that $3000 deal, but maybe it will come back again? Just an idea, not trying to scam the government.

Not sure about the status of CA's incentive, but there is a $4000 federal income tax credit.

http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/progs/view_ind_fed.php/afdc/348/0

http://www.irs.gov/businesses/article/0,,id=175456,00.html

[Devo]

Re: here's my story

Is it going to be a problem finding a shop to work on a Civic GX or one of the Fords? I was looking around and found a Ford e-350 cargo van for $10k at some fleet sales outfit. Wondering if there is going to be anything for under $5k and still have some usable life?
I got a couple other questions too. Do you think i could get to San Antonio from Dallas? I go there now and then. Any vehicles to avoid? Think I'd find something at a GSA auction or maybe the City of Irving might auction something off? Im assuming the city uses the pump, but i've never seen a vehicle there.

Search for your local Ford Fleet dealer and ask if they work on CNG vehicles.

https://www.fleet.ford.com/dealer_locators/default.asp