2010 Toyota Prius (reviews)
04-13-09, 10:52 PM
#31
I saw it mentioned elsewhere that a plug-in version of the Prius with Lithium Ion batteries would be available sometime later this year. I suspect they will charge a hefty premium for the LiIon batteries though... so much so that it may not even be cost-effective to pay for the upgrade.
I wonder if in using LiIon they will keep capacity fairly similar but reduce weight, or keep weight fairly similar but increase energy capacity?
I would assume they will be increasing energy capacity if they're making it plugin. I think this new 2010 model with NiMh will only drive half a mile in EV mode, right? If so that's not a whole lot of benefit for plugging the car in.
On a side note, I find it strange that Toyota went with DVD Nav in such a tech-centric car. HDD based or flash based nav is the way of the future... not DVD.
I wonder if in using LiIon they will keep capacity fairly similar but reduce weight, or keep weight fairly similar but increase energy capacity?
I would assume they will be increasing energy capacity if they're making it plugin. I think this new 2010 model with NiMh will only drive half a mile in EV mode, right? If so that's not a whole lot of benefit for plugging the car in.
On a side note, I find it strange that Toyota went with DVD Nav in such a tech-centric car. HDD based or flash based nav is the way of the future... not DVD.
04-14-09, 08:10 AM
#32
Lexus Champion
I wonder if in using LiIon they will keep capacity fairly similar but reduce weight, or keep weight fairly similar but increase energy capacity?
I would assume they will be increasing energy capacity if they're making it plugin. I think this new 2010 model with NiMh will only drive half a mile in EV mode, right? If so that's not a whole lot of benefit for plugging the car in.
I would assume they will be increasing energy capacity if they're making it plugin. I think this new 2010 model with NiMh will only drive half a mile in EV mode, right? If so that's not a whole lot of benefit for plugging the car in.
Last edited by bagwell; 04-15-09 at 03:33 PM.
04-19-09, 01:36 PM
#34
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I think it's embarrassingly ugly on the outside, and that's saying a LOT coming from me because I almost never get hung up on the looks of a car.
I also hate the centered layout of all the stuff on the dash, rather than in front of the driver. It looks cheap.
I wasn't a fan of the way the old one drove. Felt so appliance-like and depressing.
I also am not a fan of the fact that it's sending almost all your $$ outside of the country as it's a Toyota made in Japan.
I also hate the centered layout of all the stuff on the dash, rather than in front of the driver. It looks cheap.
I wasn't a fan of the way the old one drove. Felt so appliance-like and depressing.
I also am not a fan of the fact that it's sending almost all your $$ outside of the country as it's a Toyota made in Japan.
04-19-09, 01:56 PM
#35
Lexus Champion
I won't buy what I feel is an inferior product just because it's made in the US. But if I'm looking at two products that I like somewhat close to the same and one is made in the US by a US-owned company then I'll tend to lean toward that one.
Especially with the amount of distress US auto companies are in these days, and especially relative to the home run designs they've been putting out recently (sans Chrysler, IMO).
04-19-09, 08:21 PM
#36
Lexus Fanatic
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It's just one of many factors I consider when buying a car. I prefer to keep my money in the country. Sure the last 4 vehicles I've bought have failed horribly at that objective, but that's because they succeeded well enough at other considerations to make up for that fact.
fuel economy could be better, but then i see real world ratings on other vehicles and it's not so bad. i get 17 around town and about 20 on the highway.
after a year of an SUV (and end of 06) i couldn't take the lack of fun any longer and bought, yes, a japanese second car, the 07 MX-5 Miata, which is hands down the most fun car i've owned. besides paper thin floor mats (which dealer replaced once for free and after that i put a heavier rubber one in), the car has been 100% reliable and glitch free, oh, and a hoot.
american brands have nothing close (sorry solstice, aura, etc.) - there's a reason the miata continues to win award after award.
04-20-09, 07:51 AM
#37
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High mileage isn't what makes it a feminine car. The looks of the car is the primary feminine (or at least emasculating) attribute of the car.
I know second to scratch off endorsements for people's new cars, your favorite thing to talk about is how a car should never be associated with a gender or sexual orientation... and regardless of whether or not it should be, it just is. I'm sure a psychologist could give a lot more insight into why this happens (haha, I just said insight)
If you are a male and drive a Prius, many people will tend to assume you're either a greenie, or fairly effeminate, or both. Priuses are generally regarded as statement cars. Cars people drive to represent themselves or to be trendy. It's actually one thing I don't care for with them.
I know second to scratch off endorsements for people's new cars, your favorite thing to talk about is how a car should never be associated with a gender or sexual orientation... and regardless of whether or not it should be, it just is. I'm sure a psychologist could give a lot more insight into why this happens (haha, I just said insight)
If you are a male and drive a Prius, many people will tend to assume you're either a greenie, or fairly effeminate, or both. Priuses are generally regarded as statement cars. Cars people drive to represent themselves or to be trendy. It's actually one thing I don't care for with them.
Research has shown people that buy hybrids want to "advertise" to others it is a greenmobile.
04-20-09, 08:09 AM
#38
Lexus Champion
Can you at least agree it's emasculating? In other words... can you not see a 'manly man' having problems being seen driving that car?
04-20-09, 08:27 AM
#39
Lexus Champion
perhaps you should stick to a F350 dually (just kidding)
04-20-09, 08:32 AM
#40
Lexus Champion
nope.....I have no idea where you are coming from --- I would have no problems driving a Prius or Insight -- I would love one -- I feel 100% confident in my own manhood and .....now a VW Beetle....hummmm....I wouldn't love it, but if it was a diesel getting 50mpg, I could deal with it as long as it wasn't yellow
perhaps you should stick to a F350 dually (just kidding)
perhaps you should stick to a F350 dually (just kidding)
04-20-09, 08:21 PM
#41
Lexus Champion
I don't the the Prius is gender specific one way or the other. It is certainly not macho, but it's certainly not feminine. Kind of like a Honda Accord.
I've had a chance to make brief conversation with over 20 Prius owners in the last year and they have all told me they "LOVE" their car. Many even say it is the best car they have owned. I imagine there will be a lot of current owners who will want to trade in their old Prius' for a new one.
I am considering a hybrid as my next car and am having a hard time deciding whether I want to give up a "fun" car for a more practical one. People buy hybrids for their own personal reasons, and I have a list of that is getting longer each day. Environmental. Socially responsible. Who knows. I would rather be part of the solution than contribute to the problem.
I've had a chance to make brief conversation with over 20 Prius owners in the last year and they have all told me they "LOVE" their car. Many even say it is the best car they have owned. I imagine there will be a lot of current owners who will want to trade in their old Prius' for a new one.
I am considering a hybrid as my next car and am having a hard time deciding whether I want to give up a "fun" car for a more practical one. People buy hybrids for their own personal reasons, and I have a list of that is getting longer each day. Environmental. Socially responsible. Who knows. I would rather be part of the solution than contribute to the problem.
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