Rental Spaceship
 

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...




http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1338767862.jpg

ok, not quite... but it does have this in it...http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1338767899.jpg

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.

Prius or Camry hybrid?

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

it has plenty of space

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1338770851.jpg




not quite this much space tho...


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1338770886.jpg

It actually gets really poor MPG.

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

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 !

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+.

I would move.

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.

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 --


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1338785724.jpg

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

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1338785813.jpg

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

Prius posts always bring out the haters...

It is just a car guys, love it or hate it it is good at what it does.

I have an extremely dull commute... I was this close to buying a Prius... but then they pulled the diamond lane stickers and that was a deal breaker for me.

Sorry forgot to green text it.

"Asked for" that's the part I didn't see earlier. When I have my p-cars serviced I get a p-car rental, if they tried to put me in a Prius, well that wouldn't work.. For me.

not sure re the hubs - a Google search might be rewarding - I don't have any pics of that


this idea re the eco-cost of building a new car has been floated here several times -- I tried to find out where it came from originally, and it appears to be an urban myth, tho there has to be a cross-over point somewhere

even corn derived e85 is eco-friendly when you add in all the costs for military action in the Middle-East, Chief

e85 can also be made from agricultural waste and that is eco-friendly on a direct costs basis, right now

this shows the main problem with the views out the front

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1338850301.jpg


they did do a clever job on the little view ports near the base of the windshield tho

my other main issue with the thing is really bad ergonomics on some of the controls, and on all the radio & audio system operation


oh BTW - Ford is using knobs on the new F-150 -- none of those stupid capacitance controls

The 2nd gen screen interface was crap, and seriously dangerous to use while driving.
Seems they still haven't figured it out yet.

took it on a freeway trip today - wind noise is very low, just a tiny hiss

tire noise predominates

I also discovered that much of the road surface in Orygun is really rough (bad tire noise) -- I was on I-5 from Bluejean to Albany

I almost have the radio controls figured out...

I'd like to try a Honda hybrid Civic to compare, but would really prefer a Tesla for personal use...

Here is part of the problem with the Front View:

Distance from eye socket to base of windshield = 51.5"

on a 911, it is 33.5"

One of my dad's old army buddies built this out of a salvage Prius:
Man beefs up Prius into 50 MPG truck - KPTV - FOX 12

(pardon the wing, he's a mustang guy)

I have done a few sets of brakes and rotors on these, and they hubs, axle shafts, steering knuckle, and brakes look no different than any other car I have ever worked on. I think all the biz happens in the powertrain

My wife has the v, she loves it. More cargo/interior room than most small SUVs and she averages 46 mpg with her daily commute. It doesn't stir the sole, but hauls our fame of four nicely.

In general, I enjoyed my rental Prius - next time I'll see if they have a Chevy Volt.

Hold out for the Panamera hybrid wagon. ;)

Or try a Ford C-Max Hybrid....universally considered a fantastic alternative to the Prius V

Decided to go more fuel efficient for the daily commute last year. This was less expensive and still gets over 30 MPG around town. It has some great features, like Blue Tooth, backup camera, Sirius Radio and a comfortable ride, both around town and on the hyw.

I have no problem putting my road bike in the back with the rear seats folded and the rear leg room is pretty respectable.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1348690390.jpg