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Toyota Prius

7481 messages,  Last post on Dec 01, 2009 at 7:44 AM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Prius, Hybrid Cars


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#7445 of 7481
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 7481
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 7481
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 7481
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 7481
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 7481
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.
#7451 of 7481
Re: Cadillacs, etc. [dmathews3] by rick294
May 05, 2009 (1:19 pm)
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Replying to: dmathews3 (May 05, 2009 11:58 am)

I choose not to believe that is true. I believe they are much more objective than that. Were that the case, I think they would lose a ton of subscribers really quick, including me. One example I've found is that when, say, Toyota or Honda comes out with a completely new model, CR will not automatically assume the vehicle will be top notch. No, they insert "new" where reliability and owner satisfaction shows on the rating. They strive to be accurate and fair, but no one's perfect, either.
I've heard (and read) complaints in letters to CR over the years of just that - bias. I guess when someone's favorite doesn't rate very well, they become resentful and blame the one who down-rated it. After all, it couldn't be something wrong with the vehicle. And I don't mean that to be offensive.
#7452 of 7481
Re: making a statement? [wvgasguy] by tiff_c
May 05, 2009 (2:57 pm)
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Replying to: wvgasguy (May 05, 2009 6:09 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.
 
The in dash nav units will most likely be money that cannot be recouped when the car is sold. I also like a big screen but the new Garmin and Tomtoms are considerably better and for around $500 they actually offer all the built-ins do.
I will miss the big energy screens on the Prius but they have to cut money somewhere, so it's the backup camera and energy screen.
I'm a fan of Honda and Subaru but have owned many makes and will never buy a Ford again nor any thing Chrysler touches.
I want to see a sports car that gets good fuel economy like maybe a hybrid or diesel Miata. The Mini Cooper S will be coming out with a diesel in it's John Cooper Works but that's more about performance than economy.
I miss some of my prior sports cars but no place to drive fast up here.
#7453 of 7481
Re: making a statement? [tiff_c] by wvgasguy
May 05, 2009 (4:08 pm)
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Replying to: tiff_c (May 05, 2009 2:57 pm)

A NAV car should pring a % of the original cost back, but certainly not enough to justify to outrageous cost.
 
Just assisted my daughter tonight in picking out and purchasing a 2010 Ford Fusion. Good price, nice car. It had a more comfortable rear seat than the CTS I sat in. Not that I'd buy it over the Camry, but I did like the interior better. She fell in love with the SYNC and remote start (she doesn't park in a garage and hates to sit in the snow to warm up her car).
 
I checked with my sales buddy and had him change his 1st choice on his 2010 Prius allocation to Blizzard White with brown leather. Hopefully when it comes in he'll deal and I'll not have to walk and go look at a white FFH which I can get at X-Plan pricing
#7454 of 7481
Re: making a statement? [tiff_c] by dmathews3
May 05, 2009 (5:27 pm)
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Replying to: tiff_c (May 05, 2009 2:57 pm)

How about the new Corvette which I think is called the ZR1 or something with 638 horsepower & 20mpg which isn't half bad for that horsepower or the cheap vette gets 25mpg with 430 horses. You can you even say sportscar and Miata diesel or god forbid Mini Cooper. Those aren't sportscars there pretend wantabe's. You should have your mouth washed out with soap.

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