Comments: 1-15, 16-30, 31-45, 46-60, 61-71
To the June 12th Commentator.
You've made some good and interesting points. I thank you for your counter-argument.
I didn't necessarily say it would be a old high mileage vehicle. I've seen plenty of 150K kms (or below) cars that are over 20 years old. And it IS possible to get a no-rust, low-mileage 10-25 year old car.
1. "expected maintenance security" on new cars?? Have you checked Consumer Reports lately? Judging by the 2006 Car edition with reports going back to 1997, I can safely say that most American made cars (unless they are American-Japanese joint venture cars or trucks like the new Saturn Vue with a Honda V6 engine and transmission) still have average to far below average reliability. (below average reliability goes to the early Dodge Neons and Ford Windstars --- among others --- of the American auto world.) (although, I must say that American car reliability HAS improved since the early 90's and 80's. Heck, even the Taurus has improved, especially the 2000-present era, compared to its late 80's model.) However, that's not to say that all Asian auto makers have great reliability, either. Just look at 1985-2000 Hyundai or 2000-2002 Kia.
The only makes you can really count on in this day and age are Honda and Toyota and possibly Nissan or Mazda. And even THEY are reporting a slight reliability downslide!
2. I'm not sure about down in the States, but up here in Canada, or Western Canada anyway, we have a "safety certificate" or "Certificate of Inspection" (and some provinces like B. C and Ontario have emissions tests as well). Before a vehicle bought by a buyer can be registered and insured with their local insurance company, it has to be checked by a certified mechanic at certain locations, and gets a check list of what needs to be done or replaced to get it road worthy. (things that are checked include brakes, exhaust, suspension, etc.) So, if passed, that obviously helps the buyer. However, It does not check the engine or transmission. Still, it would be wise to get those checked by a trusted mechanic, too, of course.
3. I'm not exactly sure where this "rust belt" is that you speak of, but up here in South-Central Canada, while we use sand instead of salt on our roads, our (older) cars still rust thanks to our cold, snowy winters. (ie. -35 degrees Celsius).
4. Good point. The poor need cars. I rarely drive, instead I walk, use my bicycle, or (rarely) take the bus, to go almost everywhere I want to go. (except in the winter, of course --- I use our van then.)
Thanks for your time.
"this is why it has an econo unfriendly automatic gearbox"
The Prius has a CVT, not a conventional automatic transmission. Big difference...
I keep seeing Prius' (what's the plural for Prius?) around being used as taxi's. I think that is a smart idea. Beats using a Caprice or Crown Victoria that might get 19mpg city at the most.
I own a 2006 Prius. 1700 miles on it so far and, according to my gas receipts and the car's display computer, am achieving an average of 54 mpg, equally combined city and highway driving.
My reasons for buying a Prius were: 1:practically no emissions (I'm trying to reduce the air pollution our grandkids will have to breathe),2: I can drive solo in the California carpool lanes, saving me +20 minutes commute-time. 3: very good gas mileage, 4: very practical hatchback, 5: Toyota's fit and finish, (much nicer compared to the Honda Civic Hybrid) and 6: the $3500 tax credit.
My only complaint is the seats are a bit hard on my bony butt, but a soft cushion solved that problem!
"I think I ran over a Prius the other day on my way to work in my Chevy Z71."
Great now run mine over so I can file an insurance claim and get some of my money back for this lunker. For the record I HATE MY PRIUS! I've been driving luxury vehicles for the last 20 years then I got a "bright idea" and now a year later I am sick of this small uncomfortable finicky vehicle that no one wants to buy and can't come anywhere close to all of toyota's promises. This is my second and last toyota (well one was a lexus). Neither car lived up to the hype and lexus is a wannabe luxury car. So now I'm left with a hybrid that is now growing mold in my driveway (I'm serious) while I use a Suzuki GSXR 1300 hayabusa as a daily driver and that... can get rather nasty in the rain.
'while I use a Suzuki GSXR 1300 hayabusa as a daily driver'
A Hayabusa owner with a Prius! Have you got mutiple-personalities? In terms of modes of transport they couldn't be more different.
<<"I think I ran over a Prius the other day on my way to work in my Chevy Z71."
Great now run mine over so I can file an insurance claim and get some of my money back for this lunker. For the record I HATE MY PRIUS! Ive been driving luxury vehicles for the last 20 years then I got a "bright idea" and now a year later I am sick of this small uncomfortable finicky vehicle that no one wants to buy and can't come anywhere close to all of toyota's promises. This is my second and last toyota (well one was a lexus). Neither car lived up to the hype and lexus is a wannabe luxury car. So now I'm left with a hybrid that is now growing mold in my driveway (I'm serious) while I use a Suzuki GSXR 1300 hayabusa as a daily driver and that... can get rather nasty in the rain.>
What are you talking about? The Prius is NOT a luxury vehicle and was NEVER sold as one. And how did it not live up to its promises?
Yes, it doesn't get 60 mpg, but my friend is averaging 47 mpg in his. His car is very very comfortable, has leather, and enough room for four people. This car is NOT small and has tons of room inside. In fact, I keep joking with my friend's wife that the back seats should have fold down tables a la Jaguar/Rolls Royce because there is so much legroom in the back.
You either don't own this car or were never the target market for it.
"A Hayabusa owner with a Prius! Have you got mutiple-personalities? In terms of modes of transport they couldn't be more different."
Buying a prius was a bad experiment of mine. I prefer sports cars, luxury cars and yes, super bikes. The prius came with a navi system, a backup camera, and a sort of on board computer yet was still supposed to get 50+ MPG, have superior build quality, and great reliability. Well it gets about 45 MPG, has shoddy build quality at best, and even though it hasn't broken down I wish it would and at that point reliability doesn't matter. With any luck I will be trading it in for a GMC Yukon denali tomorow thus ending my horrid failed experiment.
18:18 shouldn't be posting here since he obviously would never like the Prius, no matter what it was like. He still refuses to explain why the Prius is bad, and then is going to trade it in on a Denali.
I'm surprised he didn't criticized the Prius for not being able to go off road.
Let's get some REAL comments from REAL Prius owners.
Seems like 90% of the failed Japanese cars experiments make their owners go out and buy Suv's and not cars. How surprising.
"Seems like 90% of the failed Japanese cars experiments make their owners go out and buy Suv's and not cars. How surprising."
Can you really blame us? And to the other guy saying I never gave evidence why the prius is a bad car. It doesn't get anywhere near advertised gas mileage unless you drive dangerously slow and that's enough evidence for me.
<<Seems like 90% of the failed Japanese cars experiments make their owners go out and buy Suv's and not cars. How surprising.>.
Please explain again which REAL WORLD domestic vehicle gets 48 mpg or more (as my friend's Prius does in MIXED driving including 80 mph on the highway).
Yeah, the Prius is a real failed experiment.
Do you REALLY think when gas is going to edge to $4/gallon or more people are going to rush out and buy SUVs? I mean, they just announced that if the US invades Iran gas will go to $100/barrel, meaning something like $5/gallon or more at the pump.
Suggest you look at the SUV market in detail, and see how sales are DECLINING since no one wants them unless they are severely discounted.
"Please explain again which REAL WORLD domestic vehicle gets 48 mpg or more (as my friend's Prius does in MIXED driving including 80 mph on the highway).
Yeah, the Prius is a real failed experiment.
Do you REALLY think when gas is going to edge to $4/gallon or more people are going to rush out and buy SUVs? I mean, they just announced that if the US invades Iran gas will go to $100/barrel, meaning something like $5/gallon or more at the pump."
Read my previous posts over again. Then ask yourself if you think I really care.
Responding to the real world gas mileage issue between the prius and other diesel cars etc. All I have to say is that the prius is in the world of its own. If you do mostly city driving, you will be using mostly battery power if driving under 40 miles per hour. No diesel car can use their battery under 40 miles per hour for that purpose. The prius on the highway is obviously going to use more gas...44mpg on the highway for any car is great gas mileage... but if you also consider not using any gas while driving in city conditions... well no vehicle can compare except other hybrids of the same type. Which means this whole conversation from last year regarding the mpg comparison of diesel versus prius is irrelevant and is like comparing apples to oranges...
I am actually considering buying a prius myself. I live 3 miles from work and live in an area where most places I go to are less than 5 miles from me. So a prius for me would be awsome as the speed limit in most areas here is under 40 miles an hour. Yes I could speed like others, but to save gas, I could live with battery power. I currently own a 2005 avalon, it sucks around town, 18mpg. And that's what I mostly do. On the highway though the avalon gets 29-33mpg which I can live with, but not 18-20 intown... So the prius right now is very appealing to me..
"Diesels will unfortunately always smell like diesel, even without the sulfur and there will be no emulation of gasoline exhaust "aroma"."
Not my diesel. I haven't put petroleum diesel in my truck now for almost a year. Biodiesel, and straight vegetable oil. I lubricate with AMSOIL. My truck smells like an afternoon at the fairgrounds concession stand. The only downside is the cravings for fried food. ;)
Now, if Toyota, Honda, Ford, or GM would make a full size pickup with a diesel/hybrid power-train, I'd be the first to buy one. I've written all three manufacturers requesting this, but only Ford has replied, directing me to their link to an Ethanol/hybrid escape they are manufacturing. Well, they're getting close.
"The diesel engine can run on Vegetable oils which will help considerable with the development of agriculture in the countries which use it. Vegetable oils as fuels may become in course of time as important as petroleum and the coal tar products of the present" - Rudolf Diesel 1911.
Engine debuted to the public at the Paris world's fair in 1907 running on peanut oil.
-Tired of Financing Terrorists
-Tired of making oil companies rich
-Tired of polluting with fossil fuels
-Tired of American Farmers going broke when we could be giving so much energy money to them for Soy or Canola production and boost our own economy.