Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
The Prius is very effete, and the only people I know who have them who continue to extol their virtues are my hard-core green friends. One was saying what a great investment it was, ad nauseum, but for their driving needs a Corolla would have been much more cost-effective, even factoring the cost of fuel. It's a psychological band-aid that masquerades as a car; transportation, yes, but not a car.
Plus, if it really were making superior numbers, it would be a full electric plug-in hybrid that would go 40 miles or so before needing to turn on the gasoline engine at all. Then, I could agree that it was a great vehicle for commuting and such where one does not drive quickly. I have to laugh when Prius owners that I know think that they are driving the highest mpg vehicles on Earth and nearly collapse when I point out that small diesels can actually return 75mpg -- and you can run those on vegetable oil.
I have to laugh when Prius owners that I know think that they are driving the highest mpg vehicles on Earth and nearly collapse when I point out that small diesels can actually return 75mpg -- and you can run those on vegetable oil.
My Rabbit is the perfect example and it's old technology. VW has a 3-cylinder diesel engine that gives those 75 mpg figures. Incredible!
For the Greasecar.com conversion kit to convert the Bunny to all (almost) veggie oil is $1600. That includes tank, heaters, plumbing, computer and hardware. Installation is extra, but I have a wonderful mechanically-inclined son who is a sucker for punishment, as long as it's VW-related.
I have $500 in the car - add the veggie oil system and I can still get away cheaper than buying a battery for the Prius.
Im surprised that ANYONE seriously hoped a Prius would be "fun". Theyre boring cars for smug people (anyone see that South Park episode???) who dont like cars to begin with. lol
I think the comment about them being cars for non car loving people is spot on. I don't begrudge people an overchromed, rebadged tank of an SUV so I won't diss a Pruis either since both are lifestyle purchases as much as anything.
I have heard good things about the new Altima (Nissan) hybrid and it would probably be better suited to a more mainstream buyer. Honda is supposed to be coming out with a deisel Accord. They were supposed to be doing this last year as well, so we'll see. But if they do I would give one serious consideration.
Even more interesting mainly because my experiences with the Prius have been very similar. The good gasoline mileage aside, far too many weird quirks. Contrary to other posts, my friends with a Prius would all love to "dump and never again," especially since the price of gasoline has dropped substantially.
One quirk that was super annoying to me was the constant engine starting and stopping, mainly during city driving. In addition to being annoying, I cannot help but be concerned over the long term negative effects this feature will have on the engine.
With all of the contradictory comments, I was starting to think that maybe I was nuts.
I thought that the Prius might be a miracle car. Great mileage, lots of room, not too bad handling. I was surprised and disappointed. I was also disappointed ot learn that they are destroying the Canadian wilderness to get copper for the Prius electric motors. I am not sure if that is true or not. If it is true, then it is nto very "green" after all.
Is anyone going to make a decent handling nice looking and not too uncomfortable electric or hybrid for under $50,000?
I liked the look of the old Honda Insight. I have no idea how they perform. They supposedly get up to 88 mpg. Maybe I should start looking at Diesel vehicles. I wish the big three made some (not huge trucks). I did not go to the auto show, are there any big thre ediesels in the works? I guess I should clarify - former big 3. I did not mean to include Toyota. It is risky dirving Toyota in Detroit.
The old Honda Insight was a nightmare. It was far too expensive for what it was, every part was custom made and $$$$ to repair, and it handled like a golf cart with a worse ride.
Rats. When is someone going to make a good hybrid or electric? Maybe I should just look at diesels. I want to find a good mileage car for commuting without giving up all of my driving pleasure. I also need to fit into it without help from a yoga instructor.
then there is the fact that it shoudl probably be from a Detroit Automaker.
I may have a long long wait.
Meanwhile my wife needs a new van. any opinions on the 2009 Chrysler Town & Country?
I want to find a good mileage car for commuting without giving up all of my driving pleasure. I also need to fit into it without help from a yoga instructor.
they could've given the contract to an American company,Johnson Controls, but would rather stimulate the Korean economy I guess.
the bashing of "***" cars is downright funny, albeit predictible, on this forum.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
