Rental Spaceship

[RWebb]

since gas is $4.30/gallon right now, I decided to get something fuel efficient while waiting for the body shop & ins. co. that represents the garbage truck that smashed my Sube Forester to figure out the repairs and then actually do them...

[RWebb]

ok, not quite... but it does have this in it...

[Scott R]

What kind of a cut-rate insurance company gives you a Prius as a rental car? I would have been all over them for a decent car. If they wrecked your wagon they should give you a wagon in exchange for the duration.

[fanaudical]

Prius or Camry hybrid?

[RWebb]

Prius - which I wanted; not sure what you would want?

[RWebb]

it has plenty of space






not quite this much space tho...

[Hawktel]

It actually gets really poor MPG.

But the way it burns your dignity, it takes it back up to good MPG!

[mikeesik]

I cannot stand when Americans ***** about gas prices.

We are flush with fuel and I imagine we are a #2 or 3 target in a war to continue the war machine.
I PAY OVER $ 5.50 a gallon. AND for every thing else I pay at least 30% more.
Quit whining !

[Porsche-poor]

Last time I drove to Portland in the 911 I got passed by one of those eco-friendly things. I was doing 75 and thought wow now he is really saving gas. I was a little embarassed till I remembered at least mine sounds like it is supposed to be able to go this fast and wondered how long it took him to get to 75+.

[Scott R]

Originally Posted by mikeesik

I cannot stand when Americans ***** about gas prices.

We are flush with fuel and I imagine we are a #2 or 3 target in a war to continue the war machine.
I PAY OVER $ 5.50 a gallon. AND for every thing else I pay at least 30% more.
Quit whining !

I would move.

[fanaudical]

I'll be interested to hear how you like the Prius. My wife is interested in one but hasn't driven one. Friends that have them have an interesting love/hate relationship with the implementation of the hybrid drive.

[RWebb]

I like it a lot!

That said, it does not fulfill a vehicular need that I really have - my needs:

1. Need for Speed; fun old sports car -- hotrod 911
2. Need for a high ground clearance, high traction vehicle -- Subaru Forester is as close as I can come on that w/o getting a Jeep
3. Need for good traction in snow - Forester
4. Need for a camper -- VW Vanagon

(if I could get a Syncro Westy with a/c and more power, that solve a lot of problems)

5. Need for the smallest roadster with decent power and great handling -- currently unfulfilled since I got rid of my Boxster S lease some years ago


I don't drive so much as to really need a high mileage vehicle -- I spend more on coffee every month than I do on gas.

But the Prius is interesting for its drive system, which I hope to see in a Syncro Westy like vehicle before I am too old to enjoy it.

The engine vs. elec. motor drive is extremely well integrated and I'm sure it will only get better in the future.

Also, the gas mileage is great - I am getting over 45 mph on every (in town) trip. If I did a lot of freeway long-trip driving, I'd get a diesel Benz or VW, but the hybrid system is better on hilly blue hwys, and in town. I'd like to try a Volt but they are not in rental fleets and the only guy I know with one is a neighbor's son in PDX who visits here once in a while.

here is an under the hood shot --

[RWebb]

attention to detail - not only is there the std. gas cap keeper plastic "string" but they put a kink in it to make a little spring

[RWebb]

My main criticisms are related to the poor views to the front and rear. Will try to hunt up some comparison pics...

Of course, that is due to the design for good aerodynamics -- and is found in many Italian supercars too.

[crustychief]

Originally Posted by RWebb

attention to detail - not only is there the std. gas cap keeper plastic "string" but they put a kink in it to make a little spring

What!? No high ethanol gas? That is not very Eco-friendly.

[Scott R]

Originally Posted by RWebb

I like it a lot!

That said, it does not fulfill a vehicular need that I really have - my needs:

1. Need for Speed; fun old sports car -- hotrod 911
2. Need for a high ground clearance, high traction vehicle -- Subaru Forester is as close as I can come on that w/o getting a Jeep
3. Need for good traction in snow - Forester
4. Need for a camper -- VW Vanagon

(if I could get a Syncro Westy with a/c and more power, that solve a lot of problems)

5. Need for the smallest roadster with decent power and great handling -- currently unfulfilled since I got rid of my Boxster S lease some years ago


I don't drive so much as to really need a high mileage vehicle -- I spend more on coffee every month than I do on gas.

But the Prius is interesting for its drive system, which I hope to see in a Syncro Westy like vehicle before I am too old to enjoy it.

The engine vs. elec. motor drive is extremely well integrated and I'm sure it will only get better in the future.

Also, the gas mileage is great - I am getting over 45 mph on every (in town) trip. If I did a lot of freeway long-trip driving, I'd get a diesel Benz or VW, but the hybrid system is better on hilly blue hwys, and in town. I'd like to try a Volt but they are not in rental fleets and the only guy I know with one is a neighbor's son in PDX who visits here once in a while.

here is an under the hood shot --

This was my point, the insurance company should have given you something with AWD, ground clearance, and a wagon-like cargo space. If I had taken my SUV to the shop I would not be driving away in a Prius.

[john70t]

After recently driving an "older" Prius cross-country(S->N) in decent weather, I averaged 42-46 mpg. Old battery as well. Logically, this should be a standard for all new cars.Mileage didn't change much between 60-80mph.

No leaks. No problems. Didn't even bother checking the oil.

Hybrids can achieve better mileage on "average".
But "average" mpg is extremely weak compared to two decades ago.

[teenerted1]

Originally Posted by crustychief

What!? No high ethanol gas? That is not very Eco-friendly.

your joking right? who told you e85 was eco-friendly?

[notmytarga]

If you are taking pics of the Prius... I'm interested in the regenerative braking system. Likely the most "efficient" result of engineering in the system. Are the electric motors/generators at each hub or where??
I like to point out to Prius drivers that between the batteries and relative disposability of their cars compared to my 37 year old "gas hog, emissions spewing" Targa - I'm still ahead as far as ecologic footprint.

[RWebb]

something with AWD, ground clearance, and a wagon-like cargo space costs the same as a Prius - I asked for a Prius, which has a wagon-like cargo space