Home > Blogs > Kelly Bringman > Kelly's Blog

Leprechaun in a hybrid car- how GREEN is that?

By Kelly Bringman

Real Estate Broker/Owner with !Daley Real Estate

March 05, 2008 07:01 AM

Well, it's March. March is a triple important month for me. I am an EcoBroker- a "Green" Realtor, it is my birthday, and I am Irish, so St. Patty's is alway important- compounded by the fact that I live in Savannah where the festivities are disproportionate to our poplulation when you look at New York and Chicago as rivals.

So what green gift would I like for my birthday? A Green Car!

I am looking to get a new-to-me (pre-owned) car in the next 12-18 months, so the research has begun. I am a mother and also take out clients regularly as a buyers agent. We are coping with a Nissan Altima at the moment. I don't like mini-vans for taking out clients, but am open to cross-overs and am VERY interested in hybrids which would expand my search into SUVs- hybrids only. I am also looking at Saturn, and Subaru as they seem to have green-leanings on a corporate level. Safety is also a concern (of course).

So...my question is, what car do you have? Is it great for clients? How many people does it seat and how great of gas milage.

Happy St. Patty's Day to everyone! Erin Go Breu or Erin Go Bragh - For the non-Irish- it just means Ireland the Beautiful. And you can throw people for a loop with Erin Go Deo - Ireland Forever!

Kelly (O'Malley) Fajen Bringman - How's that for a hyphenated name!

Image from www.kookerkids.com

Comments(11)

Comment

Show All Comments Sort:

Jo Olson

HOMEFRONT Realty - Kettle Falls, WA

Retired - HOMEFRONT Realty @ LAKE Roosevelt

I guess I need a Leprechaun - My birthday is in March too - March 17th :)

Mar 05, 2008 07:11 AM

Gary Hammerlund

Home Energy Inspections - Grand Rapids, MI

Green, Energy Efficient Realtor

Kelly, I drive a VW Jetta diesel, it gets 38 - 40 mpg mostly city and 47 - 50 mpg on the hwy. Clients don;t seem to mind the smaller car. Most of them are suprised at the mpg. Happy birthday and party safe on the 17th.

Mar 05, 2008 07:18 AM

Cindy Brandon

Santa Rosa, CA

CDPE, EcoBroker, GRI, CRS, ePro

Kelly, I drive a clean air vehicle built by Honda. I have a civic but I believe they are now making an accord as well. This is the greenest, lowest emissions vehicle available on the market today. It runs on natural gas. The best news is that I am now able to refuel my vehicle overnight in my garage using a refueling unit that mounts on the wall and connects to my household natural gas line. The car handles most of my driving needs, saves me a lot of gas money. There are federal tax credits available for both the refueling unit and the car itself. Check it out at honda.com or read more about it on my blog www.socohomegrou.com/greensonoma

Mar 05, 2008 07:29 AM

Terry Haugen STAGE it RIGHT! 321-956-2495

Stage it Right! - Melbourne, FL

Kelly, whatever car you choose, and too bad the compressed air cars are not here yet, avoid the Prius or any hybrid that uses nicad batteries. The nickel mined for the batteries has devastated the surrounding area of the nickel mine in Canada where it is retrieved. Then the nickel is shipped to China for processing, then to Japan to make the batteries, then back to the US where the cars are assembled. You would be more environmentally friendly to purchase a Hummer than a hybrid with nicad batteries.

Mar 06, 2008 01:18 PM

Carolyn Gjerde-Tu-Davis

Lyon Real Estate - Davis, CA

Ca Real Estate

I'm interested in learning more about Cindy's car. My husband has a Prius, he has quite a long commute. I have a Scion TC, not really great with gas milage, but not as bad as an SUV.

Mar 06, 2008 04:22 PM

Carlos Ruiz de Quevedo

Esslinger Wooten Maxwell, Inc. - Coral Gables, FL

AIA

Kelly,

I have a Camry-Hybrid and I am very pleased with it. It gives me about 34-35 in the city and about 35-40 in the highway.

I deal mostly in the luxury market, so I got the top of the line with leather seats, GPS, etc. When my clients get inside the car, they think it is a Lexus. I used to drive a Lexus and I have to agree, it is very similar.

I have heard and read about the issues of polution related to the batteries. At this time there is no perfect technology that does not result in some type of ecological damage. However, I bought my hybrid to send a message with my purchase. I may need to get a second vehicle to replace my wive's SUV and I am considering a diesel. In South Florida we don't have any Bio Diesel stations, but we're planning to move to the Asheville area and I hear that you can get Bio-Diesel much easier.

Mar 07, 2008 04:08 AM

Dena Stevens

Rocky Mountain Realty - Canon City, CO

Putting The Real Into Realtor Since 2004

Terry beat me to the punch but explained it better than I would have. Not only the batteries are an issue so is the E85 for many reasons. So no I don't have a suggestion for a new car. I keep putting off a purchase because I can't afford a car right now but also I wouldn't know what to get. So for now my 10 year old is running fine and not filling up a land fill or yet another used car lot.

Mar 07, 2008 09:31 AM

Blowing Rock Real Estate Boone Real Estate

Blowing Rock Investment Properties - Blowing Rock, NC

Thanks for your post Kelly, I have the same delima. My husband and I are expecting our first child in September, I'm a soon to be Eco-Broker, and I practice real estate in a luxury mountain market. Trying to find something somewhat affordable and greenish to fit what I need it for.Quite the Quandary.

Mar 08, 2008 05:48 AM

Ann Cummings

RE/MAX Shoreline - NH and Maine - Portsmouth, NH

Portsmouth NH Real Estate Preferrable Agent

Hi Kelly - well happy birthday to you! Hope you get the car you want, and may it be green, too!

Ann

Mar 09, 2008 09:47 AM

Scott Benson

Geneva Real Estate and Finance - Santa Monica, CA

I drove around LA with one of my realtors in her VW diesel and I have to say I was wildly impressed

Apr 11, 2008 02:05 AM

Anonymous

Greg Carter

I have also been smitten by the green bug and have been on the verge of getting myself an efficient hybrid. The choice had to be made between a Prius and an Insight (since they are Japanese) and finally decided on a 2007 Toyota. I have done my homework and research and now I am eyeing a per owned one from http://www.automotix.net/bargain_cars/for_sale.html which can be had under 5 grand (with haggling). Will this hybrid be good enough for me? It is going to replace the daily driver Ford truck.

May 28, 2013 04:16 PM

#11

Leprechaun in a hybrid car- how GREEN is that?

Comments(11)

Kelly Bringman

Real Estate Resources

Recent Posts

Additional Information