What do you think of toyota's hybrid?

[jasoncitrano]

Yup. I agree buying a hybrid right now is not really an option for most people, but it is a growing technology and not an impossible option. Right now though, any fuel efficent car would be twice as fuel efficient as an SUV. Unfortunately, with the way our country works, people respond to crisis. They don't plan for it, and try to prepare and adapt. Instead they wait until it is finally too late, and then try to do something about it. I really don't think there is a need for diesel either, a small four cylinder honda can get 40mpg or more. That right there is more than three times a lot of SUVs gas mileage. Personally I will continue being stingy with my every dollar and do my best to only use gas when I need to. As soon as I get out of debt and finish my GST, I will either sell it and buy a honda, or just keep it and buy a honda anyway.

You guys really need to think out what your saying before you type all this. What most do not understand is that even for a used 2002 Prius Toyota is willing to buy your car back for what you paid. That's using the car for the past 3 years and having it bought back in the full amount. Honda and Toyota can't make these cars fast enough. The technology is there now and it's going to be projected to be in full swing within the next 5 years. They are not much harder to work on the conventional vehicles. They still have gasoline engines. Only difference being there is a alternator/stator in place of the flywheel. There are plenty more advantages as there are disadvantages for these cars becuase are just looking at the wrong end of the spectrum thinking the savings aren't that great.



P.S. I own a 4cylinder honda as well and still would like a hybrid.

 

[GalantGSR91]

i just gotta find a car to do it with

Ford Festiva....

 

[beat90tsi]

The technology is there now and it's going to be projected to be in full swing within the next 5 years.

I agree, but for me that's a reason to wait to buy one, not run out and get one now. And could you please give me your source for the MFG buying back 3 year old cars for the original price? That sounds very interesting.

 

[Quasimondo]

Well, thats where Aesthetics meets practicality. Although you are right, why can't "normal" cars be powered by hybrid? They are in progress, with toyota making a hybrid corolla I believe.

Honda introduced their hybrid Civic around the same time the second generation Prius came out, but with not as much fanfare. After a year's worth of delays, Ford is finally bringing out the Escape hybrid, and by the end of 06, Honda hopes to introduce a hybrid version of the Accord.

Other than dowdly looks and a near abscence of driving dynamics, the Prius does make for a handy transportation appliance. Too bad it resenbles a kitchen appliance.

 

[talon94es]

fact is,the diesels can be made fast..there are a few 13 sec seat leon tdis/golf mk4 TDI /Audi A3 tdi (the quattro ones) that are very torquey and they can haul ass with simple chip tuning..

TDi and CDi respond excellently to chip tuning.. and the best part is,you can fllor em all day and rev and race everyone and still get 40mpg.. nuff said

Wow Raph, that is awesome stuff! Got any links to these setups?

 

[rightaway]

i drove a 01 jetta tdi 5 speed and it was the slowest thing i have ever driven. and old escort could have beat it. so i would like to see a web page that has some upgrades to it. that might change my mind about it than

 

[beat90tsi]

I think a computer upgrade alone nets them close to 80 ft-lbs.
My friend sells computer upgrades for Cummins Turbo Diesels, and he said he can get them for jetta TDIs as well, but he hasn't sold any yet. He has on on his dodge, and let me tell you, it hauls.

 

[91Bomb]

Rented it last year and put 10,140 mi on it I liked it. For traveling around the country by myself it was great. Back seat folds completely flat so I rolled out a sleeping bag and slept in it more than a few nights. Also slept in the driver's seat -- it slides far enough back so a 6' peerson can stretch completely out and I slept one night for 6 hrs straight with no problem (with blanky + pillow

Best part was that you can leave the heater or A/C on and engine turns itself on/off as needed while you sleep without disturbing you or hardly burning any fuel

No complaints in all those miles driven. One nice feature with the CVT trans is you have a 'brake' lever since there is no shifter and this allows you to downshift (kinda). By pulling the 'shifter' knob from D (drive) to B (brake) the trans lowers the engine speed and the harder you press the brake petal while in this mode the lower the trans drops the engine speed which means you can really bring the car to a quick stop. Great feature for twisting roads but tires are too skinny to take full advantage here.

Slow as molasses on accelleration but will cruise at 80 mph all day without sweating (38 mpg @ 80 mph). Averages about 44 mpg combined -- don't believe those epa figures.

Very good on highway, city , mountains, you name it.
Great car to rent IMO for use as a 'MINI-ME RV' and I plan on doing the cross country trip with it again soon. Very impressed
Oh yeah, it holds a ton of crap