buy then convert or buy existing cng auto?

[procman]

I am new to NGV. I would like opinions on weather to purchase a used auto then have it converted or to buy an existing cng or bi-fuel. Is an 06 crown victoria a good one to have converted? What would the cost be to have This auto converted to bi-fuel gas/cng?

[j03j03]

Re: buy then convert or buy existing cng auto?

I would just buy a converted vehicle. Price wise I think it's a smarter move. But you can call down to Sno-Motion (801) 281-4766 and ask for Rick Oliver. He's the Go-To man for conversion prices. The nice thing with converting a car you know you can get the full$2,500 tax credit from Utah, where if you bought one that already converted you run the risk of someone else already taking the credit on that VIN number. Unless you buy it out of state.

[John Mitton]

Re: buy then convert or buy existing cng auto?

Note that if you install a non-certified conversion the Utah Dept. of Air Quality will not approve the tax credit. They are now checking for certs.

[Highmarker]

Re: buy then convert or buy existing cng auto?

Note that if you install a non-certified conversion the Utah Dept. of Air Quality will not approve the tax credit. They are now checking for certs.

John,

This is good news. Who did you hear this from? How do we go about "showing" our certified installation to the DEQ?

[John Mitton]

Re: buy then convert or buy existing cng auto?

The EPA assigns certs to the kit manufacturer, who hands it to the consumer (who usually keeps this in the glovebox) as well as puts a sticker under the hood. The consumer can bring the paper one in with his TC-40V form to get it stamped. This is per Glade Sowards at the Div. of Air Quality.

[Highmarker]

Re: buy then convert or buy existing cng auto?

Now all we have to do is make enough noise so that the EPA will "loosen" their tight grip on kit certification, so we can get more kits certified without a whole lot of money and a whole lot of hoops to jump through.

[freedml]

Re: buy then convert or buy existing cng auto?

Besides being much less hassle than having a car converted, a dedicated CNG car uses gas efficiently. A conversion will only use part of the CNG energy because the compression ratio won't be high enough. Factory bi-fuel cars are also available (Cavalier, Contour). Since the resale value is low, used factory CNG cars are a better deal than having one converted yourself.

[cngaz]

Re: buy then convert or buy existing cng auto?

I've found that the factory converted vehicles are more reliable than the after market, after sale conversions.
Dedicated vehicles in my experience have the least problems.
When looking at used vehicles, I would always choose factory first.
I don't see how anyone would ever get their conversion cost back doing it
now. ( at least not in Arizona ).
Honda and factory Chevrolet have been my favorites so far.
Fords have been a real pain and really make a case for planned failure by the
maufacturer.