2001 Toyota Prius Base from North America - Comments

OK---so you bought that green hybrid. Six years into ownership the manufacturers say you'll need new batteries. There goes all your savings! And besides that, I bet that half the time those batteries will end up stuck in some junk yard waiting to break down and leave heavy metals in the ground. I'd go with the diesels also; great longevity, and with the new technology very clean and great mileage. Mercedes ran their 320 diesels for over 100K miles wide open on a track (100+mph) and got high mileage and no soot in the exhaust systems at the end of the test. The hybrid hype is a short term fix.

First, on American versus Japanese.

My Toyotas: 2 gas Tercel 4wds needed complete engine rebuilds at 200,000 km. 1 Landcruiser diesel needed a head job at 90,000 km ($5200). Ouch, ouch, and ouch.

My Fords and GMs: 1 gas Taurus sold at 315,000 km... original engine and tranny. 1 Crown Vic, sold at 300,00 km... original engine, tranny had one band replaced (cheap). 1 Olds 98, totaled in a crash at 270,000 km, still perfect drivetrain.

Second, on Prius.

Amazing technology, and kudos to those who support it. However, my Ford Tempo gets only 20-40% worse mileage, and is dirt cheap to fix. ANY new econobox that gets 35 mpg or better is going to far cheaper to own than the Prius. (Cheaper initial cost, not terribly far behind in gas consumption or emissions, and far cheaper to maintain over a decade's ownership).

The simple truth is that fuel savings will only be in the hundreds per year versus an econobox, but repair costs when they occur, are in the thousands for the Prius. The traction battery, electronics and engine/tranny repairs are breathtaking when and if they occur. (Some owners have been lucky, some not...)

So, the Prius is for those who want to help make a difference. I laud them, and think we should all support new technologies that are greener.

The questions are: can you afford it, will it actually be cheaper (all costs considered beyond just fuel) versus an econobox or diesel, and (for me) is it really and truly "greener" than my old 1993 Tempo that gives 30 mpg at pretty much any speed I drive and refuses to die (no battery recycling needed).

At the moment, the Tempo wins. It has been a very cheap ride, and despite all the hype about Japanese and European superiority, it continues to prove durable and cost effective.

If I buy another American car used, I will save thousands in initial cost, and will believe that the reliability is there...

But, bravo Prius too... the wave of the future.

Fully agree with the previous 3 posters.

A small, simple fuel-sipping GAS ONLY vehicle is your best bet for a commuter ride and more; hybrids cost too much up front & over time; and possibly are limited-use vehicles.

Sis has one (newer, loves it) ; I fix cars for a living & Prius cars every week: they break down just like any other car. (I've previously owned & driven an ALL-ELECTRIC vehicle as well) Really... most Prius owners -- or any hybrid vehicle owner for that matter-- mistakenly believe they have a "maintenance-free" and or repair-free vehicle... believe it! Not only as much maintenance/repairs as a non-hybrid, but MANY more things to eventually fail, or break, or be damaged in an accident. And some of those parts are horridly expensive: first hand knowledge/experience. Complex electronics systems-- what makes up ANY hybrid vehicle -- don't fair well with an average person in the average REAL world.

If you spend A LOT of extra time & attention on your hybrid, and do A LOT of work on it yourself... it could be just fine... AND... that's NOT "most people"... most people just want to drive... it's TRANSPORTATION for pete sakes... not the second coming!

And finally... I dare ANYONE to drive to very remote, far-away places in a hybrid vehicle with full confidence... who ya gonna call if there's a hybrid drivetrain failure? Maybe hybrids are only safest being used within towing distance of a DEALER?!? Hybrids are NOT "the" solution to our driving future!

See more at: http://www.jeff-shumway.com/Rethinking_HYBRIDS.php