Another reason to get a smart and not a Prius.

[Bill Marshall]

Originally Posted by BigWarpGuy

For me, the downside of the Prius is the battery pack one has to replace, eventually. I believe it could be costly. I think one might get better mpg now but end paying more in the long run.

Good point. I just paid $2500 to replace the battery pack on my electric boat after 9 years, so I know first hand what the expense can be. But the Prius battery packs are lasting a lot longer than they expected. They originally estimated a lifespan of 100K, but now they're seeing them go to 200K. With that kind of longevity, you're basically talking about the lif of the car. I imagine that longevity has a lot to do with how the car is driven.

[fpage77]

Originally Posted by Bill Marshall

Why the hostility toward Prius owners?

I thought that the bigger story here is that Detroit's Big 3 took a billion dollars of public funds in the '90's & did nothing constructive with them.

I got the general feeling from South Park episode. I know no Prius owners but if they are like they were in that show I don't want to know any owners.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smug_Alert!

[BigWarpGuy]

Originally Posted by Bill Marshall

Good point. I just paid $2500 to replace the battery pack on my electric boat after 9 years, so I know first hand what the expense can be. But the Prius battery packs are lasting a lot longer than they expected. They originally estimated a lifespan of 100K, but now they're seeing them go to 200K. With that kind of longevity, you're basically talking about the lif of the car. I imagine that longevity has a lot to do with how the car is driven.

It is true that batteries are lasting alot longer than they used to. Another downside of the Prius is the initial cost of the car. I think it was about $24,000.00. The Smart Fortwo Pure was alot cheaper at about $13,000 (which includes all the fees and add on stuff).

One wonders what happens to the batteries once they are no longer working. Are they recycled or put in a land fill?

[Kermit]

When I had my Insight the Honda dealer said they recycled the battery pack when they replaced it. Oh, also Honda was a good enough company to fess up and say they had a problem with them which is why they replaced it for me on a 90,000 mile car for FREE.

I never heard the end of it from people after that South Park episode...especially my wife who during the entire show kept repeating the same thing over and over again like Rainman..."That's you! That's you!".

I only have one one type of car who I don't like the owners of and might show prejudice - NEW BMW owners. Around here, every last one of them drive as though they have something to prove to the world. Things like how they can fit in that half a car space between you and the car in front of you driving down the road...the list goes on.

[fpage77]

Originally Posted by Bum-bling-B

When I had my Insight the Honda dealer said they recycled the battery pack when they replaced it. Oh, also Honda was a good enough company to fess up and say they had a problem with them which is why they replaced it for me on a 90,000 mile car for FREE.

I never heard the end of it from people after that South Park episode...especially my wife who during the entire show kept repeating the same thing over and over again like Rainman..."That's you! That's you!".

I only have one one type of car who I don't like the owners of and might show prejudice - NEW BMW owners. Around here, every last one of them drive as though they have something to prove to the world. Things like how they can fit in that half a car space between you and the car in front of you driving down the road...the list goes on.

That episode was targeted at the Prius not the Honda hybrid.

[John_H]

I appreciate the article because I can suggest to my Prius-owner friends that they be aware of the issue and train themselves to use "gear shift" to get into neutral or engine-brake if they encounter the problem at speed.

[chieftmc]

Originally Posted by Bill Marshall

......I thought that the bigger story here is that Detroit's Big 3 took a billion dollars of public funds in the '90's & did nothing constructive with them.

Of course they did ! They had some GREAT "Retreats" !!

[forestacademy]

Hey they came out with the Escelade Hybrid

[fpage77]

Originally Posted by forestacademy

Hey they came out with the Escelade Hybrid

Quick get that Escalade on Pimp my Hybrid ....

[Macaw]

Ummm... didn't the Audi 5000 (US version) have the alleged unintended acceleration problem that was linked to unintended pedal mis-application. I would take a wait and see before condemning Toyota like they did to Audi.