Drove a Prius today . . .

[cairns]

Porsche had to build the 356 before it could build a 917.

+1

The battery is warranted for 96 months or 100,000 miles whichever comes first. Priuschat is a good source of information. Toyota, like a great many car companies, appears to have been doing anything it can to deny those warranty claims but they have gotten better due to the publicity. The battery price was reduced from $5,500 to $3,000 as a result of bad publicity.

John I would never compare any car (much less an economy car) to a Range Rover. The latter is like tying your money to a rock and throwing it in the ocean. As I recall Ferraris, the SL and the 911 have consistently maintained the highest resale values and Range Rover is among the lowest. Even Chevy Cobalts retain more value than a Rangie.

[Jim Richards]

I think I should get one of these

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/cto/962813633.html

"...approximately 10mpg. Multifuel, runs on diesel, kerosene, gasoline, JP-8, vegetable oil, etc."

[jyl]

Yes, that is an accurate description of the Range Rover. I was the third owner, and even that hurts.

Nevertheless, you won't find many cars that have retained >50% of their value after 100K miles.

E.g. 2004 Porsche 911 list price $68K (presuming 2WD normally aspirated coupe, i.e. the "base" model). KBB value exc cond 100K miles $32K. (And in this economy, the chances the 911 actually fetching the KBB price is worse than the chances for the Prius.)

[dd74]

Originally Posted by jyl

Are the Japanese behind on diesel technology?

Nope. Honda offers a diesel that is so environmentally efficient, it doesn't need the urea system. Because of that, it performs better and is more powerful than other engines in its class.

[dd74]

Originally Posted by the

Why don't the turbodiesels do very well in the USA EPA mileage tests? Certainly aren't getting "similar mileage" to a Prius.

2008 Mercedes ML320CDI turbodiesel EPA: 18 mpg city / 24 mpg hwy

2008 Mercedes ML350 gas EPA: 15 mpg / 20 mpg

Yeah. That's what you hear and read, but it isn't the case with our ML 320, which consistently sees mid-20s in the city and mid-30s on the highway.

So as to hype - there is none. Just pure torque and efficiency.

[cairns]

John I have two 911s. The old one (a 1996 993 C2S) has actually been increasing in value (last of the aircooled intercecptors- only 25K miles). I've been offered $45K and I paid $54K used. The other one (a 2008 C2s) I bought for $80K in August (a $102K sticker). I got a great deal but I highly doubt I could get anywhere near 80 now. Our other cars are X5s. They appreciate like Range Rovers- maybe worse.

[Jim Richards]

I wonder how the Honda Clarity "experiment" is going...

http://automobiles.honda.com/fcx%2Dclarity/

[RWebb]

JYL & Jim Richards have it right.

I don't know what tripped off the spill of invective from cairns. He apparently did not read the entire thread or he'd realize I do not own a Prius and don't want one.

I like the idea of the CRX posted earlier for a fun used small car. Again, I'd get a TDI for the long freeway trips.

A diesel-electric based hybrid should be the best short-term fix. That's what trains and some transit buses use.

Also, Honda has a new Prius contender out. It looks a LOT like the Prius.

Frankly, I do not base my buying decisions on what any bosco thinks the "styling" represents. Some think greenies buy Priusi for that reason, gold chained coke dealers buy 'vettes, pricks buy Pooscheys and small-dicked males buy big pickups. I don't care if that is true or not. I get what I need based on what it does. And - yes - I do want a 1948 Power Wagon. But, I don't need it. Nor do I need a Prius.

[cairns]

a spill of invective???

as in:
1. a vehement or violent denunciation, censure, or reproach.
2. a railing accusation; vituperation.
3. an insulting or abusive word or expression.

c'mon. I disagreed with you strongly and don't like your calling me something I'm not just because I did- but my posts could hardly be characterized as a "spill of invective".

you do realize the 48 Power Wagon was the original SUV, right? I like them too- so at least we can agree on one thing. Because coke dealers don't buy Vettes. Plumbers buy vettes.

[rouxroux]

Originally Posted by cairns

Because coke dealers don't buy Vettes. Plumbers buy vettes.

Whoo hoo! I'm a plumber!

[turbo6bar]

Originally Posted by dd74

Nope. Honda offers a diesel that is so environmentally efficient, it doesn't need the urea system. Because of that, it performs better and is more powerful than other engines in its class.

Heard the Honda could not pass emissions in the US (err, the automatic transmission version did not pass certification, but the manual could/did).

[the]

One thing I will say, though, is the Prius driving experience is heads and shoulders over this car:



I drove one of those a few times, and that really was a "not ready for U.S. prime time" car.

[Jim Richards]

That car is fugly, just plain fugly. I especially loathe the fender skirts.

I want a Tesla-like sports car. Perhaps a full-on electric 911 or Cayman.

[Tidybuoy]

Originally Posted by the

First, the thing is slow. No torque at all. Granted, I did have a couple passengers, and I do drive fairly spiritedly in normal driving.

I'm ashamed to say that a few years ago, I got onto one of those multi-lane freeway onramps and a Prius passed me up (quite rudely) on the outer lane. A drage race ensued and I was not able to beat the guy until we got to 100. I was in my 1988 BMW 528e

[RWebb]

not to get too far off topic, but since everybody likes pics...


Paul has one of those new fangled squared off things -- they're good, but THIS is classic

[Robert Adams]

A couple of ramblings by a lover of all vehicles.
My old Saab 96 got 36 city to 48 MPG cruising back in the early 70s on a regular basis. Had a ‘80s something Dasher Diesel wagon that got around 50mpg. Both were quite peppy, comfortable and reliable as daily drivers. Got about 150k on the Saab and over 250k on the Dasher wagon before I gave it to my brother in law who proceeded to drive it another 75k. He gave it to a student neighbor of his, so I have no idea if it finally died or not. Talk about recycling!
My Volvo 740 turbo diesel wagon got in the low 30s as I recall and a better cruiser one couldn’t find. Sold it with close to 325k miles on the original drive train. Yes they all left the guy behind me in a cloud of black smoke when I stepped on it, but sometimes they deserved it!
Recently, I was reading about a chap in an English Porsche mag that coverts gas engines into LPG/GAS hybrids and they get great mpg, terrific performance and lower emissions. Guess what, he is making a conversion for the 944! My train of thought these days is the person/s who comes up with a way to convert what is already on the road to get better mileage, decent performance and clean air wins! Some form of hybrid be it electric, hydrogen (unlikely), natural gas or LPG will do the job and it seems plenty of guys in garages all over the world are working on them.
In doing a little research on this side of the pond, I found out that the EPA GAVE the only licensing of LP conversions to the big three. Now we all know they haven’t got 3 nickels to rub together, so what future does any of this technology have until the EPA wises up and auctions it off to the organizations most likely to do something with the technology. I’m left wonder what other technology the EPA and the new downsized big three have that they aren’t using to make the world a better place. I’m not a conspiracy theorist by nature, but it does give me pause for thought.

[whippetdave]

Hello my name is Dave and I am a recovering Prius driver...it has been 87 days since I last drove my Prius.

I bought my Prius new in 2005 and it every option available. The driving experience was more like a video game in that all the Prius drivers I know are hypermilers and are always trying for a new "mpg high score". I drove from Michigan to Disney World and back for under $120 in gas. I have been able to average 50+mpg over the time that I owned the Prius.


The Prius will move your body from point A to point B, but it doesn't cause you to look forward to the journey.

When the gas prices went up, I listed the Prius on Craigslist to take advantage of the demand and sell it before the "new" Prius comes out. I sold the Prius for about $5,000 more than I owed and walked away all smiles.

My Brother-In-Law (azasadny on Pelican) enticed me with a fun day of shooting with Porsche guru Tab Tanner. His shop reminded me of the "Justification for Higher Education" poster I had when i was a kid. Here a Porsche, there a Porsche, everywhere a Porsche and a Ferrari too. After a few minutes to drooling (I admit I actually asked azasadny to take a couple of photos of me) I started to feel something strange. I quick personal medical exam revealed that just the sight of these fine autos had caused my testicles to... Remember the Grinch's heart at the end of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas?

Anyway, Tab found a GREAT deal for me on a 944 and owning this car has been transformational. I learned that it is really quite fun to "slightly" exceed the posted speed limit.

[jyl]

Oh, I have also learned that the Vanagon cannot even get 30 feet down our street to the main road when there is 6" of snow on the ground. So I worked from home today and tommorrow will have to freeze waiting for the bus.

But the Prius can pick its way down the steep icy driveway, push through the snow ruts, and away. Too bad the wife needs it this week.

Both have snow tires.

[RWebb]

you need Synchro!

[azasadny]

Originally Posted by whippetdave

Hello my name is Dave and I am a recovering Prius driver...it has been 87 days since I last drove my Prius.

I bought my Prius new in 2005 and it every option available. The driving experience was more like a video game in that all the Prius drivers I know are hypermilers and are always trying for a new "mpg high score". I drove from Michigan to Disney World and back for under $120 in gas. I have been able to average 50+mpg over the time that I owned the Prius.


The Prius will move your body from point A to point B, but it doesn't cause you to look forward to the journey.

When the gas prices went up, I listed the Prius on Craigslist to take advantage of the demand and sell it before the "new" Prius comes out. I sold the Prius for about $5,000 more than I owed and walked away all smiles.

My Brother-In-Law (azasadny on Pelican) enticed me with a fun day of shooting with Porsche guru Tab Tanner. His shop reminded me of the "Justification for Higher Education" poster I had when i was a kid. Here a Porsche, there a Porsche, everywhere a Porsche and a Ferrari too. After a few minutes to drooling (I admit I actually asked azasadny to take a couple of photos of me) I started to feel something strange. I quick personal medical exam revealed that just the sight of these fine autos had caused my testicles to... Remember the Grinch's heart at the end of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas?

Anyway, Tab found a GREAT deal for me on a 944 and owning this car has been transformational. I learned that it is really quite fun to "slightly" exceed the posted speed limit.

Dave,

You look more manly now that you have the 944!