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Last post on Apr 26, 2009 at 6:43 AM
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Toyota Prius, Hybrid Cars, Car Buying, Hatchback, Sedan
#80 of 311 Re: Residual after 3 yrs for cars bought in 2004 and those on sale today [nm_socal]
by kdhspyder
Sep 04, 2007 (8:23 am)
Don't confuse residual value with retail resale value or trade-in value for that matter.
The fact is that residual values on leased vehicled always will show about a 50% loss after 3 or 4 yrs no matter what vehicle you are discussing. The auto finance company is protecting itself because it is required to 'buy back' your vehicle at the guaranteed residual value.
Trade in value is usually lower still because the trading company has to consider that it has to add costs to bring the traded vehicle back to market and it has to pay a commission to the sales person and it has to make a profit on the resale.
Retail resale value depends on a huge array of factors which might distort the figures dramatically. If your local community has a relative 'shortage' of used hybrids then the ones trying to sell theirs in the paper and online will certainly be looking to get top dollar. You also have to make sure you are comparing apples to apples in equipment. There is a significant different in price between a base Prius and a loaded '04 model. It might be $4000-$6000.
Finally supply is the key factor in resale pricing. Toyota just jumped the supply of Prius' by nearly 60% this year as opposed to 2004 when they had a true shortage situation.
~ 70000 sold in 2004
~150000 will be sold this year.
#81 of 311 Can this be...
by wwest
Oct 11, 2007 (1:30 pm)
Article in the NYTimes seems to indicate the next Prius will be rear engine RWD....
#82 of 311 Re: Can this be... [wwest]
by kdhspyder
Oct 11, 2007 (5:23 pm)
I can only imagine that it will be one of the 'Prius' models that were discussed last year. At that time there was talk about an A, B and C model coming as Toyota might go with a whole 'Prius' mini-lineup like the Scions.
#83 of 311 09 Prius
by bennb
Oct 13, 2007 (2:46 pm)
From what I've heard the '09 will be a mild re-fresh (different headlight style and the like) ... the major change will be in 2010. Also heard '09 may have lithium ion batteries that will get better fuel economy, but that may wait till 2010 as well.
#84 of 311 Re: 09 Prius [bennb]
by 210delray
Oct 13, 2007 (7:51 pm)
That's correct about the '09 -- just a refresh. I believe the next generation car has been delayed to calendar year 2010, so when it appears, it will be a 2011 model. The lithium-ion batteries won't show up until the new generation debuts.
#85 of 311 Re: 09 Prius [210delray]
by stevegold
Oct 14, 2007 (10:10 pm)
What about the turbo and the auto parallel parking feature?
#86 of 311 Re: 09 Prius [stevegold]
by 210delray
Oct 15, 2007 (1:29 pm)
No turbo for this generation; I don't know about the parallel parking feature.
#87 of 311 Re: 09 Prius [stevegold]
by wwest
Oct 16, 2007 (11:54 am)
I don't believe that an Atkinson Cycle engine would have enough energy/heat left in the exhaust output to drive a turbo. Barely enough to keep the catalyst at optimum temperature as it is.
On the other hand a small lightweight (carbon fiber??)variable speed positive displacement SuperCharger (w/intercooler) driven by an AC motor, itself driven by yet another variable frequency AC solid state inverter, might be an ideal solution.
Or maybe an SC primarily belt driven by the engine but via another e-CVT controlled by a light duty/hp (5-7HP??) AC motor on the opposite end of the planetary reduction gearset. 4:1 reduction would yeild 25-28 HP to the SC and allow continously variable BOOST through the Full RPM/load range of the ICE.
Minimal or no BOOST at all just cruising along and no high RPM OVER-boost to provide a WASTE bypass for.
#88 of 311 Re: 09 Prius [wwest]
by stevedebi
Oct 16, 2007 (1:12 pm)
"I don't believe that an Atkinson Cycle engine would have enough energy/heat left in the exhaust output to drive a turbo. "
Turbos are driven by exhaust pressure, not temperature.
Keep in mind that a supercharger is mechanically driven and requires energy to run - it boosts power at the cost of economy. To make the net use of SC workable, the engine would have to be smaller or use less fuel.
#89 of 311 Re: 09 Prius [stevedebi]
by wwest
Oct 16, 2007 (2:08 pm)
"Turbos are driven by exhaust pressure, not temperature."
And just what do you think causes all that exhaust (gas) pressure, if not the HEAT of combustion? The Atkinson Cycle allows more EXPANSION, less pressure into the exhaust manifold, of the ignited A/F mixture during the power stroke relative to normal "Otto" engines.
"It boosts power at the cost of economy."
SURE DOES...!!
And that's exactly the point...!!
Anytime, ANYTIME, you put that "pedal to the metal" you are asking for POWER in leu of FE.
The idea of an SC or TC is to make a small engine act like a BIGGER one when the driver calls for POWER.
The Atkinson Cycle makes efficient use of the WASTE energy that might otherwise be used to drive a Turbocharger.
An SC configuration as I have suggested would not be a parasitic load on the ICE unless an extraordinary level of POWER was asked for.