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To open the thread with this question there must first be some criteria established to have a foundation for discussion.
I submit the following as standards by which we can give an opinion on what defines “best” These are not necessarily in a particular order.
1. Miles per gas gallon equivalent.
2. Traveling range.
3. Capacity to carry both passengers and cargo.
4. Cost of the vehicle adjusted for market value.
5. Driving performance, handling, and ability to move at traffic speeds.
6. OEM appearance, overall aesthetics, and amenities.
7. Bi-fuel capability.
Numbers 1,2, and 4, are pretty objective values. But when trying to evaluate them in relation to the other three standards then even their value can be debated and subject to opinion. Number 6 can be especially difficult to quantify because some amenities may only be on certain models and individuals may even have their own personal additions to a vehicle. However, there is a certain value to a vehicle having the ability to accommodate the individual tastes of the owner and still give the appearance that it could have been manufactured that way at the factory. If we can assign a numeric value to these criteria then we can actually score the car, truck or suv and have a basis for judging them. We will never get away from subjectivity in some areas, but it will be interesting to see how owners score themselves and others. This could also help someone to see positives and negatives about a vehicle which they were otherwise unaware of. It might be best to have 3 catagories car, truck, and suv.
I will submit a 10 point value break down for each standard and see if you think it is suitable.
1. Miles per gas gallon equivalent.
A. 1-4 MPGGE = 1 pt
B. 5-8 MPGGE = 2 pts
C. 9-13 MPGGE = 3 pts
D. 14-17 MPGGE = 4 pts
E. 18-21 MPGGE = 5 pts
F. 22-25 MPGGE = 6 pts
G. 26-29 MPGGE = 7 pts
H. 30-33 MPGGE = 8 pts
I. 34-37 MPGGE = 9 pts
J. 38 + MPGGE = 10 pts
2. Traveling Range
A. 1 – 80 miles = 1 pt.
B. 81 – 120 miles = 2 pts.
C. 121 – 160 miles = 3 pts
D. 161 – 200 miles = 4 pts
E. 201 – 240 miles = 5 pts
F. 241 – 280 miles = 6 pts
G. 281 – 320 miles = 7 pts
H. 321 – 360 miles = 8 pts
I. 361 – 400 miles = 9 pts
J. 401 and up = 10 pts
3. Capacity to carry passengers and cargo. There is some subjectivity here because we are defining minimal and expanded cargo. I would say that based on comments on the forum that the Honda GX has minimal cargo. If you have about twice that capacity then you have expanded, anything in between is your own opinion, so call it as you see it.
A. One person (driver) only and minimal cargo. = 1 pt.
B. Two people and minimal cargo = 2 pts.
C. Two people and expanded cargo = 3 pts.
D. Four people and minimal cargo = 4 pts.
E. Four people and expanded cargo = 5 pts.
F. Five people and minimal cargo = 6 pts.
G. Five people and expanded cargo = 7 pts.
H. Six people and minimal cargo = 8 pts.
I. Six people and expanded cargo = 9 pts.
J. Seven people and up = 10 pts.
4. This one will be difficult to quantify. The real goal of this number is value, and value is not a static thing by itself and when you add the individual preferences of people it becomes even more complex. Additional consideration to value is useable remaining years and the mileage. Lets try using a 20 yr lifespan and 200,000 mile driving potential as functions of value.
A. $50,000 and above = 1 pt.
B. $45,000 – 49,999 = 2 pts.
C. $40,000 – 44,999 = 3 pts.
D. $35,000 – 39,999 = 4 pts
E. $30,000 – 34,999 = 5 pts
F. $25,000 – 29,999 = 6 pts
G. $20,000 – 24,000 = 7 pts
H. $15,000 – 19,999 = 8 pts
I. $10,000 – 14,999 = 9 pts.
J. $9,999 and below = 10 pts
The goal is current value. So try to figure what is the current market value of the car, then deduct points for used up life and mileage. Deduct which ever point value is higher.
A. 2 – 3 yrs or 20,000 – 39,999 miles – 1 pt.
B. 4 – 5 yrs or 40,000 – 59,999 miles – 2 pts.
C. 6 – 7 yrs or 60,000 – 79,999 miles – 3 pts.
D. 8 – 9 yrs or 80,000 – 99,999 miles – 4 pts.
E. 10 – 11 yrs or 100,000 – 119,999 miles – 5 pts.
F. 12 – 13 yrs or 120,000 – 139,999 miles – 6 pts.
G. 14 – 15 yrs or 140,000 – 159,999 miles – 7 pts.
H. 16 – 17 yrs or 160,000 – 179,999 miles – 8 pts.
I. 18 – 19 yrs or 180,000 – 199,999 miles – 9 pts.
J. 20 + yrs or 200,000 + miles – 10 pts.
If you are under 2 years or 20,000 miles there are no deductions. Now you maybe thinking your are being penalized for owning a nicer car, however, don’t despair, points for the better features are about to come. If you have a negative point value just consider it as a zero.
5. Overall driving performance. This comes back the slogan in the Cadillac commercial, “When you turn your car on does it return the favor”. This becomes more subjective, but if you're out of line on your point value let the rest of the forum help you.
A. It runs and can generate forward motion. – 1 pt.
B. Runs and has basic maneuverability – 2 pts.
C. Moves in town traffic, doesn't scare anyone in/out of car. – 3 pts.
D. Has reasonable amount of handling & runs highway speeds. – 4 pts.
E. Actually is a little bit fun to drive sometimes, pretty normal – 5 pts.
F. Beginning to be little above average now. Definitely fun – 6 pts.
G. Gets up and goes. Can lead traffic on Interstate. – 7 pts.
H. Vehicle really handles, fast, can’t believe runs on cng fuel. – 8 pts.
I. Now we are getting edgy, high end, chase scene material. – 9 pts.
J. What just passed me. Non-existent in cng, (yet) – 10 pts.
6. OEM appearance, overall aesthetics, and amenities. Again it is subjective and no car has everything. But I think there will be some consensus here within a point or so after we all discuss and evaluate. This is not limited to the features that are only provided by the manufacturer, but also includes what the individual owner may have added in terms of performance or creature comforts.
A. Vehicle is an embarrassment and probably in EPA violation. – 1 pt.
B. Not a looker but runs, even if some stuff doesn’t work.. – 2 pts.
C. Things are functional, basic, the AM radio works. – 3 pts.
D. Something to be said for clean and cared for. – 4 pts.
E. Cutting edge of average. Anyone will ride with you. – 5pts.
F. Power equipment standard. Nice features start to appear. – 6 pts.
G. Owner pride apparent. OEM looking add ons. Good detail. – 7 pts.
H. The neighbors are impressed. Can’t believe it is CNG. – 8 pts.
I. Total package, marriage of metal, paint, machine, & tech. – 9 pts.
J. Car show material. Car ready for Barrett-Jackson auction. – 10 pts.
7. Functional bi-fuel vehicles get additional 6 pt. bonus for versatility.
Alright, there is the starting point for our NG vehicle evaluations Let’s see if we have some agreement before we start. Is this a go or not. If you like it go ahead and evaluate your ride.
I submit the following as standards by which we can give an opinion on what defines “best” These are not necessarily in a particular order.
1. Miles per gas gallon equivalent.
2. Traveling range.
3. Capacity to carry both passengers and cargo.
4. Cost of the vehicle adjusted for market value.
5. Driving performance, handling, and ability to move at traffic speeds.
6. OEM appearance, overall aesthetics, and amenities.
7. Bi-fuel capability.
Numbers 1,2, and 4, are pretty objective values. But when trying to evaluate them in relation to the other three standards then even their value can be debated and subject to opinion. Number 6 can be especially difficult to quantify because some amenities may only be on certain models and individuals may even have their own personal additions to a vehicle. However, there is a certain value to a vehicle having the ability to accommodate the individual tastes of the owner and still give the appearance that it could have been manufactured that way at the factory. If we can assign a numeric value to these criteria then we can actually score the car, truck or suv and have a basis for judging them. We will never get away from subjectivity in some areas, but it will be interesting to see how owners score themselves and others. This could also help someone to see positives and negatives about a vehicle which they were otherwise unaware of. It might be best to have 3 catagories car, truck, and suv.
I will submit a 10 point value break down for each standard and see if you think it is suitable.
1. Miles per gas gallon equivalent.
A. 1-4 MPGGE = 1 pt
B. 5-8 MPGGE = 2 pts
C. 9-13 MPGGE = 3 pts
D. 14-17 MPGGE = 4 pts
E. 18-21 MPGGE = 5 pts
F. 22-25 MPGGE = 6 pts
G. 26-29 MPGGE = 7 pts
H. 30-33 MPGGE = 8 pts
I. 34-37 MPGGE = 9 pts
J. 38 + MPGGE = 10 pts
2. Traveling Range
A. 1 – 80 miles = 1 pt.
B. 81 – 120 miles = 2 pts.
C. 121 – 160 miles = 3 pts
D. 161 – 200 miles = 4 pts
E. 201 – 240 miles = 5 pts
F. 241 – 280 miles = 6 pts
G. 281 – 320 miles = 7 pts
H. 321 – 360 miles = 8 pts
I. 361 – 400 miles = 9 pts
J. 401 and up = 10 pts
3. Capacity to carry passengers and cargo. There is some subjectivity here because we are defining minimal and expanded cargo. I would say that based on comments on the forum that the Honda GX has minimal cargo. If you have about twice that capacity then you have expanded, anything in between is your own opinion, so call it as you see it.
A. One person (driver) only and minimal cargo. = 1 pt.
B. Two people and minimal cargo = 2 pts.
C. Two people and expanded cargo = 3 pts.
D. Four people and minimal cargo = 4 pts.
E. Four people and expanded cargo = 5 pts.
F. Five people and minimal cargo = 6 pts.
G. Five people and expanded cargo = 7 pts.
H. Six people and minimal cargo = 8 pts.
I. Six people and expanded cargo = 9 pts.
J. Seven people and up = 10 pts.
4. This one will be difficult to quantify. The real goal of this number is value, and value is not a static thing by itself and when you add the individual preferences of people it becomes even more complex. Additional consideration to value is useable remaining years and the mileage. Lets try using a 20 yr lifespan and 200,000 mile driving potential as functions of value.
A. $50,000 and above = 1 pt.
B. $45,000 – 49,999 = 2 pts.
C. $40,000 – 44,999 = 3 pts.
D. $35,000 – 39,999 = 4 pts
E. $30,000 – 34,999 = 5 pts
F. $25,000 – 29,999 = 6 pts
G. $20,000 – 24,000 = 7 pts
H. $15,000 – 19,999 = 8 pts
I. $10,000 – 14,999 = 9 pts.
J. $9,999 and below = 10 pts
The goal is current value. So try to figure what is the current market value of the car, then deduct points for used up life and mileage. Deduct which ever point value is higher.
A. 2 – 3 yrs or 20,000 – 39,999 miles – 1 pt.
B. 4 – 5 yrs or 40,000 – 59,999 miles – 2 pts.
C. 6 – 7 yrs or 60,000 – 79,999 miles – 3 pts.
D. 8 – 9 yrs or 80,000 – 99,999 miles – 4 pts.
E. 10 – 11 yrs or 100,000 – 119,999 miles – 5 pts.
F. 12 – 13 yrs or 120,000 – 139,999 miles – 6 pts.
G. 14 – 15 yrs or 140,000 – 159,999 miles – 7 pts.
H. 16 – 17 yrs or 160,000 – 179,999 miles – 8 pts.
I. 18 – 19 yrs or 180,000 – 199,999 miles – 9 pts.
J. 20 + yrs or 200,000 + miles – 10 pts.
If you are under 2 years or 20,000 miles there are no deductions. Now you maybe thinking your are being penalized for owning a nicer car, however, don’t despair, points for the better features are about to come. If you have a negative point value just consider it as a zero.
5. Overall driving performance. This comes back the slogan in the Cadillac commercial, “When you turn your car on does it return the favor”. This becomes more subjective, but if you're out of line on your point value let the rest of the forum help you.
A. It runs and can generate forward motion. – 1 pt.
B. Runs and has basic maneuverability – 2 pts.
C. Moves in town traffic, doesn't scare anyone in/out of car. – 3 pts.
D. Has reasonable amount of handling & runs highway speeds. – 4 pts.
E. Actually is a little bit fun to drive sometimes, pretty normal – 5 pts.
F. Beginning to be little above average now. Definitely fun – 6 pts.
G. Gets up and goes. Can lead traffic on Interstate. – 7 pts.
H. Vehicle really handles, fast, can’t believe runs on cng fuel. – 8 pts.
I. Now we are getting edgy, high end, chase scene material. – 9 pts.
J. What just passed me. Non-existent in cng, (yet) – 10 pts.
6. OEM appearance, overall aesthetics, and amenities. Again it is subjective and no car has everything. But I think there will be some consensus here within a point or so after we all discuss and evaluate. This is not limited to the features that are only provided by the manufacturer, but also includes what the individual owner may have added in terms of performance or creature comforts.
A. Vehicle is an embarrassment and probably in EPA violation. – 1 pt.
B. Not a looker but runs, even if some stuff doesn’t work.. – 2 pts.
C. Things are functional, basic, the AM radio works. – 3 pts.
D. Something to be said for clean and cared for. – 4 pts.
E. Cutting edge of average. Anyone will ride with you. – 5pts.
F. Power equipment standard. Nice features start to appear. – 6 pts.
G. Owner pride apparent. OEM looking add ons. Good detail. – 7 pts.
H. The neighbors are impressed. Can’t believe it is CNG. – 8 pts.
I. Total package, marriage of metal, paint, machine, & tech. – 9 pts.
J. Car show material. Car ready for Barrett-Jackson auction. – 10 pts.
7. Functional bi-fuel vehicles get additional 6 pt. bonus for versatility.
Alright, there is the starting point for our NG vehicle evaluations Let’s see if we have some agreement before we start. Is this a go or not. If you like it go ahead and evaluate your ride.
any interested buyers would just have to negotiate the price with me as these ARE hard to find let alone mine with only 42,000 miles 
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