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Toyota Prius

7476 messages,  Last post on Nov 29, 2009 at 4:44 AM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Prius, Hybrid Cars


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#7441 of 7476
Re: making a statement? [tiff_c] by wvgasguy
May 05, 2009 (6:09 am)
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Replying to: tiff_c (May 05, 2009 5:54 am)

Well, all things considered, if the NAV in the Prius is like the Camry Hybrids, it's not much of a navigation tool. Adequate, but not as easy to use or up to date as the garmins. It has the advantage of a large screen though for those of us 50+ who seem to be the Camry target. However I seldom used the NAV screen. I would have paid the price of the NAV on the TCH just for the various energy screens. Since this was my first "boring" car after years of driving something I felt affection for, the energy screens gave me something to like at first sight on the TCH. After I got to know her better it was love. She was no longer a wallflower to me.
 
I really don't think I would have developed a sense of how to utilize the hybrid system adequately without the energy screens. I reset it just about every trip, short or long, and then learned how to approach each trip to game the system. It actually made driving fun, even when driving slower than others.
 
As far as reliability on cars, I like the reliability of Toyota's. But I'm not really down on other brands, except for Audi, Subaru and Chrysler, of which I figured getting burned once was enough. I've owned a little bit of everything. I even got burned on the Nissan 350Z and the alignment issues but I find myself looking at the 370Z and wondering if I should give them a second chance. Perhaps later when I retire I'll want a sports car again, or at least a sporting car (I really do miss the Infiniti FX45_wish it got better milage)
#7442 of 7476
Re: Breaks my heart [kdhspyder] by rick294
May 05, 2009 (8:14 am)
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Replying to: kdhspyder (May 02, 2009 5:32 am)

Not my intention to be rude, thoughtless or a jerk. Just going on what I've read or heard from reliable sources (as to amount of oil we could go after). Current politics from the White House says environment is first, American economy is less important. I don't care to go any deeper with the political talk. I might be the only Conservative on earth that owns a Prius, but so be it. I have a lot of concern and respect for the earth I live on; I just don't bow down to it as so many are inclined to do.
#7443 of 7476
Cadillacs, etc. by rick294
May 05, 2009 (8:27 am)
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I should clarify my comments on Cadillacs, etc. I was just relaying what I have read in Consumer Reports. For many years, not just recently, CR has shown less than wonderful reliability ratings on most GM and Chrysler vehicles and for many Ford products. Exceptions were predictably made for models produced by Asian sources. No one can make the claim (including me) that all Cadillacs, Lincolns, Chryslers, etc., are "no good". That's ridiculous! But on the other hand, those and similar domestic-sourced vehicles tend to be of lesser quality than their Asian competitors. My wife and I do not have a lot of financial resources. It was a real stretch for us to purchase our 2008 Prius, but we were glad we did. I guess it's just difficult for me to hear of someone putting out $30-50 thousand dollars on vehicles with not-so-hot reliability ratings. Bottom line? Buy whatever rings your chimes! If you get great reliability, I'm happy for you!
#7444 of 7476
Re: making a statement? [wvgasguy] by rick294
May 05, 2009 (8:35 am)
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Replying to: wvgasguy (May 03, 2009 6:34 am)

Message #7229 - I agree with 100% of your message.
#7445 of 7476
Re: Ben Stein Expelled [acar1] by rick294
May 05, 2009 (8:39 am)
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Replying to: acar1 (May 02, 2009 9:10 am)

You obviously have not seen the film. All Ben Stein does in it is interview well known individuals on both sides of the issue. He doesn't take a stand. He asks pointed questions and we are shown the answers given. He leaves it to the viewer to decide for him/her self. You cannot slap a label on it as an "intelligent design" movie.
#7446 of 7476
Re: Breaks my heart [rick294] by wvgasguy
May 05, 2009 (8:56 am)
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Replying to: rick294 (May 05, 2009 8:14 am)

I might be the only Conservative on earth that owns a Prius,
 
I may soon be #2
#7447 of 7476
Re: Breaks my heart [wvgasguy] by rick294
May 05, 2009 (9:02 am)
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Replying to: wvgasguy (May 05, 2009 8:56 am)

Awriiiight!
#7448 of 7476
Re: Cadillacs, etc. [rick294] by wvgasguy
May 05, 2009 (9:27 am)
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Replying to: rick294 (May 05, 2009 8:27 am)

I was just relaying what I have read in Consumer Reports
 
  I seldom rely on anything any journalist has to say, even Consumer reports. Although I do like the little red balls beside "issues" for reliability. I think CR may be changine their ratings some, I don't keep up with them. One thing I always disliked was that the ratings don't delve into the distinction between "serious" issues and those easy to fix.
 
For example my TCH needed aligned from the factory. It caused the front tires to feather within the first 5000 miles before I rotated them or even noticed the problem. That would have been a black mark but a simple alignment fixed it. My 2003 Nissan 350Z chewed the tires up, they made a noise so bad in the first 4000 miles that I was embarrassed to have a friend ride with me. I hassled Nissan with that problem, getting alignments, changing tires rim to rim and eventually they gave in and put new tires on it. They started doing the same thing. I dumped it. I absolutely loved that car but the hassle and knowing what the future expense would be to own it after warranty worried me. I assume they fixed the problem. However in CR that too would probably show up ony as a black ball beside suspension. Two similar problems, two seriously differing degrees of issue.
 
My first Expedition needed a new rear end at 700 miles. Made me mad enough that my next two vehicles were Sequoia's. had I not traded the Sequoia for an Infiniti I would still be driving them. But in the break away we came back to Expedition because of "value" (read that as X-plan pricing and large rebates). The rear end was fixed and I'm sure someone is still enjoying that SUV. My current one has been trouble free.
 
My Audi experience was electrical. I'm pretty convinced that electrical problems are hard to fix and would occur across the line. The Germans have absolutely beautiful interiors and sweat the details but they need to sub out their electrical work to the Asians. They are too proud to do that I guess.
 
To me reliability has not been a problem as long as I have a garage near by and it's not the vehicle I depend on. Actually I typically have 3 vehicles and a company vehicle to choose from. But even with that I don't want a vehicle that has issues that can't be fixed.
 
The Prius has proven itself. Sure 1 in every 50,000 (made up number) may lose a battery or a display but I can live with those odds. I don't consider the Toyota Hybrids as a risky choice. I do however have some concern with the FFH long term. And it's not the hybrid part I worry about. Electric windows and door locks, radios, a/c compressors, etc... are the things that concern me. They can eat you up over the long haul if you keep a car for an extended time. I have not done that yet but the thoughts of doing that keep me interested as a challenge. I'm curious if I can beat Bob and run a Prius 300,000 miles. It would only take me 10 years.
 
I know if I get a CTS it would be a 50,000 mile love affair and then it's gone. Once you get addicted to glitz or horsepower there is always something new coming along to tempt you. I decided when I got the TCH not to play that game, but I still get tempted from time to time.
#7449 of 7476
Re: Cadillacs, etc. [rick294] by dmathews3
May 05, 2009 (11:58 am)
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Replying to: rick294 (May 05, 2009 8:27 am)

A lot of people including me think CR gives GM bad ratings for no reason other than they prefer Japanese products.
#7450 of 7476
Re: Cadillacs, etc. [wvgasguy] by rick294
May 05, 2009 (1:12 pm)
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Replying to: wvgasguy (May 05, 2009 9:27 am)

I know there are no perfect cars - and never will be. I rely a lot on Consumer Reports
because I believe they do the best that they can. As most people realize, they do not "accept" vehicles from manufacturers, they purchase their own for testing, anonymously. They accept no advertising, etc. I believe they give a reasonably accurate portrayal of how a particular vehicle will hold up, etc. A lot of their info comes from the annual survey they send out to subscribers, the people who actually own and drive these vehicles. The results received plus the results of their own testing is how they arrive at their findings. In the April issue of this year, they found that the Prius was their top pick from over 300 vehicles tested and reported on. I was delighted - needless to say.

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