Toyota Prius

[afton]

I'm really interested in this car. My only concern is that
it's still fairly expensive, open to the possibility of being
(maliciously) hacked, and because it's technologically advanced,
quite expensive to fix, than say, a plain Toyota Corolla.

edit: and the bodystyle is damn ugly :(
why can't they style it like an SLK? That way, everyone will
queue to buy it

Anyone has tried this car? Comments?

[DeadDove]

I'm really interested in this car. My only concern is that
it's still fairly expensive, open to the possibility of being
(maliciously) hacked, and because it's technologically advanced,
quite expensive to fix, than say, a plain Toyota Corolla.

Anyone has tried this car? Comments?

I test drove it. I liked it, was one of the cars I was thinking about getting. Heard some stories from one of the mechanics that is a family friend about them dying on the freeway because they recharge when you use the brake (but on the freeway if you don't) then it can die. One of my former co-workers bought one and she loves it, atleast she did the last time I talked to her which reminds me I should call her and wish her happy holidays in the near future. Because it's still semi-new (in america, I know they have had them in japan for several yrs now) I'd still stay away from them until I learned even more about them. And don't diss the Corolla, that's what I ended up buying and I love it..but then again it is the Sport version so it's not entirely plain, even though everyone drives them now-a-days. Oh yeah, the other vehicle I was looking into was Tacoma Pre-runner, but they didn't make it in an automatic with the features I wanted.

[Sue Denim]

Something that I don't quite understand about hybrids is how little they actually help fuel economy, for the most part. Back in the 80's, they were making diesel 4cylinders that got as many miles per gallon, but with much better reliability and less complexity. Even now, you can get a Jetta TDI with nearly as good MPG as a the rated number on a Prius (and most people aren't getting the rated number on hybrids, apparently).

The added complexity just doesn't seem like a good tradeoff to me.

[eyebyte_atWork]

From all the financial comparisons on hybrids - the general consensus is that you buy a hybrid for the statement - cause it takes about 7 years to make up the price difference with a comparable traditional gas car (at about 15,000 miles per year) - and about 4 years for a diesel. I would get the jetta or golf diesel - cause I keep cars for 10 - and that would be the most efficient choice.

[Dunearhp]

Something that I don't quite understand about hybrids is how little they actually help fuel economy, for the most part. Back in the 80's, they were making diesel 4cylinders that got as many miles per gallon, but with much better reliability and less complexity. Even now, you can get a Jetta TDI with nearly as good MPG as a the rated number on a Prius (and most people aren't getting the rated number on hybrids, apparently).

The added complexity just doesn't seem like a good tradeoff to me.
It is probably an engineering problem. Just give it time. Theoretically these cars should be able to become very efficient. Battery/electricity storage technology is still holding us back.

There are a lot of automotive technologies that could be improved, but haven't been due to the inertia of the status quo.
For example, if we used a continuous rather than standard gearbox then we could run the engine at the optimum speed for power or economy, regardless of the speed at the wheels.

I saw a Prius last week. It is one of the ugliest cars on the road. My guess is they are trying to limit demand.

[eyebyte_atWork]

I saw a Prius last week. It is one of the ugliest cars on the road. My guess is they are trying to limit demand.

I like that bubble car look. (not being sarcastic - I am serious)

[garak]

There are a lot of automotive technologies that could be improved, but haven't been due to the inertia of the status quo.
For example, if we used a continuous rather than standard gearbox then we could run the engine at the optimum speed for power or economy, regardless of the speed at the wheels.
Last I knew, CVTs didn't really give you that much of a fuel economy boost.

[HackerX]

I thought the prius had a CVT? perhaps in the australian models and not the ones over there. Perhaps it's just an option

[Dunearhp]

I thought the prius had a CVT? perhaps in the australian models and not the ones over there. Perhaps it's just an option

I was referring to cars in general when referring to the CVT. I don't know much about the specifics of the Prius.

[Dunearhp]

Last I knew, CVTs didn't really give you that much of a fuel economy boost.
I was thinking more about the flexibility gained from their use. If you normally drive conservatively there wouldn't be much difference in economy as it would be overshadowed by losses due to other factors.

It does have the advantage of allowing us to treat the engine as a power plant rather than as being tied to the drive train. This frees manufacturers from a few common constraints of the traditional designs.

Also I just think it would be cool to accellerate smoothly with the engine sitting at the optimum point in its power curve.

[HackerX]

Also I just think it would be cool to accellerate smoothly with the engine sitting at the optimum point in its power curve.

My experience with CVT's has been that they felt sluggish and not anywhere near as cool as it sounds. Probably had a far bit to do with the fact that it was a nissan micra, but as small as that engine is, it never really felt like it was in the power curve

[Hi-meh]

My good freind who is a service writer for Toyota says stay clear away from those hybrids! The main reason is because when the warranty ends and batteries and other related hyrbid parts go out you are screwed. Just stick with a regular Corolla.

[Hypnos]

Something that I don't quite understand about hybrids is how little they actually help fuel economy, for the most part. Back in the 80's, they were making diesel 4cylinders that got as many miles per gallon, but with much better reliability and less complexity. Even now, you can get a Jetta TDI with nearly as good MPG as a the rated number on a Prius (and most people aren't getting the rated number on hybrids, apparently).

The added complexity just doesn't seem like a good tradeoff to me.
http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/0409_prius_jetta_comparo/