[Pc_Support] Toyota Prius ...

[Aaron Morrison]

before I comment, have you seen this?  good info there.

http://www.cartalk.com/content/features/hybrid/


On 19 Apr 2005 at 22:30, Bryan J. Smith wrote:

> On Tue, 2005-04-19 at 08:47 -0400, Aaron Morrison wrote:
> > Have you done a cost analysis on the hybrid v. non-hybrid version?
> 
> There is _no_ non-hybrid version.  Unlike countless other "hybrids" that
> don't offer much, this was designed _as_ a hybrid -- right down to
> regenerative braking, etc...

Perhaps it was poorly phrased; I meant non-hybrid with similar 
features.  Of course, something that I didn't remember at the time is 
that there is (was?) and IRS tax credit for qualifying hybrids (looks 
like the credit for 2005 is $1,000).

> > You can buy a _lot_ of gasoline (even at todays prices) for $5K.
> 
> I'm thinking of far more than just the gasoline or the environment.

As you should.

> > That is, of course, if you don't mind being an early adopter.
> 
> This isn't an "early adoption," it's a 2nd generation _dedicated_
> design.  The 1st generation (1997-2003 Japan, 2000-2003 US) left a _lot_
> to be desired.  The 2nd gen took Motor Trend's 2004 "Car of the Year"
> award not because it was a Hybrid.

<quoting 
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/02/03/tech/main671616.shtml>

Roughly 88,000 hybrids were sold in the United States in 2004, 
accounting for about one-half of one percent of total vehicle sales. 
This year, with the number of hybrids expected to increase from eight 
to 11, J.D. Power-LMC Automotive Forecasting Services predicts sales 
to grow to 200,000, or about 1.2 percent of the market. 
</quote>

I'd call that early adoption.

> 
> I'm looking for an 8 year, 120,000 mile car.  I'll trade it when the
> hybrid components (drive, engine, batteries, etc...) aren't covered
> anymore and they start to go -- which will be at least 100,000 miles
> because of the standard warranty.

Hard to beat that on a "normal" car (unless you look at the hyundai's 
of the market.)

I'd say go for it, and as Phil points out, check prices in lots of 
areas.  You can drive a long way for $1,000. <grin>

--am