Ask the Car People.SM


Toyota Prius and Honda Hybrid: Will anyone buy Hybrids?? - READ ONLY

257 messages,  Last post on May 23, 2001 at 2:42 PM

You are in the Hybrid Vehicles - Archived Discussions Forum.

This discussion is ARCHIVED. To reactivate the discussion, post a request in the Lost? Ask the Hybrids Host for directions! discussion.

What is this discussion about? Toyota Prius, Honda Insight, Hybrid Cars, Fuel Efficiency (MPG)

Messages Page 26 of 26

#249 of 257 Prius performance by 300silverbulit

Apr 09, 2001 (9:56 pm)

I defintley want a hybrid car. The interior of the Prius seems big enough to be usefull for a small family. I want a midsize car that gets 40+ mpg. However the 0-60 time of 12 seconds of the priusis is to slow. I live in overcrowded New Jersey. Traffic is hyper fast and I need a car that can get at least 0-60 in the 9-10 second range tops. Currently my new Saturn L300 is just under 8 seconds. It only gets mid 20's MPG though which is a major drawback. If they can keep working on a Hybrid that can get high 40's or better MPG with decent performance, not the fastest just enough to get by and package it in a midsize car I would defintley break down the door to get one. I hate using so much gas but you need to be able to keep up with traffic and have enough power when you really need it. You need decent acceleration as well as braking to drive well in heavy traffic.

#250 of 257 by abbanat

Apr 09, 2001 (11:02 pm)

I rode in a Prius with four adults and did not feel like it was underpowered, and I have always owned the most powerful drivetrain within a model lineup. But I understand everybody has different preferences for power. Give the Prius a test drive and see if it doesn't impress you. If not, wait for the Escape (Due in 2003) and/or Durango hybrid. It's encouraging to see people who are open-minded to new technology.

#252 of 257 The Monterey... by sp01

Apr 24, 2001 (1:15 pm)

Bay Aquarium ( one of the very few organizations to which I belong) is giving away a Prius in a drawing.
 
I'm debating whether to sell it for a motorcycle or a downpayment on a convertible...
 
Of course I'm gonna win it...

#253 of 257 Hybrid Engines by autonuts

May 21, 2001 (9:56 pm)

I think are going to be the future of the auto industry. In my opinion, they are the next needed step in the advancement of conserving fossil fuels while exploring alternative sources of energy. I'm all for the development of this type of engine and would like to see it replace the conventional internal conbustion engine across all makes and models in the auto industry. I would be more likely to buy a full size pickup, which I'm desperately missing, using this technology.

#254 of 257 What about Europe? by agtabby

May 21, 2001 (10:26 pm)

To me the true test is Europe. Gas has cost 5 bucks a gallon there for some time, so if hybrids can make it anywhere, it is here. And the fact is that hydrids have not done that well there.
 
Europe wisely applies an even-handed approach: by making gas expensive they don't favor any given technology. Thus diesels and small gas powered cars have done very well.
 
Sadly in the US we often want the pain-free solution, and our government often chooses technological winners and losers. Consider the Arizona "alternative fuel" bill that cost hundreds of millions and ended up subsidizing SUV's (!), consider the idiotic CARB mandate that forces automakers to sell golf carts, consider that Bush recently proposed tax credits for hybrids.
 
If diesels are too dirty, fine. But let automakers pass emission laws with any technology they choose.

#255 of 257 agtabby... by autonuts

May 22, 2001 (9:02 pm)

I don't necessarily agree that Europe's approach is all that wise. If you just stay complacent and not try new technologies, then how would new ideas develop? Besides, fossil fuel has a limited supply as we know, and why not venture on with other technologies to discover a way to be more environmentally friendly and less dependent upon foreign countries? IMHO, I'd say be a leader in discovering a new energy source and not wait for our natural resources to become extinct.

#256 of 257 by ineto6

May 23, 2001 (12:00 pm)

Well, considering the fact that Europe doesn't have problems with smog like we do. Also, we could say that Europeans are "used" to high gas prices. Yes, diesel-powered cars are doing well in Europe, but they have better performance that your current hybrids.
 
We can only make changes in steps, not leaps. So get the current crops of vehicles to have better gas mileage while introducing hybrids that can rival average sedans in performance and value. We have several sources of renewable energy so we just have to research ways to make them more efficiently.

#257 of 257 This discussion has been moved ... by dana

May 23, 2001 (2:42 pm)

to our Sedans Message Board on the Toyota Prius:

/direct/view/.ee9e6d1

Thanks for being patient as we do a bit of "housekeeping" in News & Views and Happy Posting!

Dana S. Livingston
Manager, Town Hall
Edmunds.com

Messages Page 26 of 26

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement