Anybody know about BiXenon headlights?

[lostnfound]

Thinking about buying a car right now and one of them has bi-xenon headlights.

With lousy nightvision, the prospect of better light at night is enticing.

Does anybody know the pros and cons?

[Nite Owl]

1. Xenons are a huge improvement

over regular headlights. Where I live it's really dark at night and they are a tremendous help. I have xenons, don't know if they are the bi or not but they are probably even better. What are you looking at? I'm looking too. Volvo V50, Saab 9-5, Acura TSX is what I'm down to.

[benburch]

4. Why all the environmental disasters?

You really ought to look at a Toyota Prius. The future of the planet may depend on it.

I drive one and it is wonderful.

[lojasmo]

5. I get 50 MPG in my VW, and I an run corn oil when the S#!T goes down N/T

[Nite Owl]

6. I would love to get a Prius or something

like it but the hp is so low. I live in a very hilly area where it snows and I think I would be all over the place in something so small. Tell me if that's an incorrect assesment and I will consider it.

[benburch]

7. People who have the car report no problems in very hilly areas.

In fact, as it regenerates all the way down the slope, you can often get up the next one without burning much gas.

[benburch]

8. Also I took mine through the Cumberland Gap at 70 mph.

And no problems whatsoever. And I have climbed some very steep hills in other places.

[Nite Owl]

9. What about in snow?

Would it get stuck easily? I'm in upstate NY.

[benburch]

11. Has ABS, traction control, and front wheel drive.

I find it to be very stable in our Chicago snows. Have not been stuck yet, and this is with the factory tires. Some have put on all-season tires, but the results have usually not been worth the decreased milage.

[Nite Owl]

13. I'll see if there is one

around here for a test drive. I'm not in a big rush so I can wait a little while.

[Thor_MN]

18. A high hp engine is your enemy in slippery conditions

An old room-mate had a 5 liter Mustang and I drove it one New Year's Eve due to being sober. It was easily the worst car I have ever driven on snow or ice. In summer, it was great, but if I had one, it would been sitting in storage all winter.

With all the horsepower available to it, you merely think of touching the accelerator and the drive wheels break free and are spinning. When it's icy, an otherwise underpowered engine is much easier to control than a high pwered beast.

[lostnfound]

10. I really want one of those, or an Accord hybrid..

but for reasons of domestic tranquility I gave up that battle.

[benburch]

12. Have your mate actually test drive one.

VERY comfortable, quiet, no-compromises cars.

[lostnfound]

15. Is it as good in a crash as a Volvo? That's all he cares about..

(Even though Volvo was caught cheating a few years ago).

[benburch]

16. Well, I'm not sure...

But it has front and side airbags, and is very controllable - an accident you don't get into is always best. I don't worry about this car and I speak as somebody who has been cut from a wreck in the past. (In an '81 Chevy Citation.)

[Spinzonner]

2. Should you even be driving at night

headlights are only going to help things relatively straight ahead.

Is you peripheral vision sufficient at night ?

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

3. Its a good lighting system, but expensive n/t

[Gryffindor_Bookworm]

14. My city replaced all the traffic signals with these.

They're *fabulous*. Worth the extra money.

[Skittles]

17. I hate them, they are a menace

they absolutely blind me