Toyota Prius - by Arislyn on 08:41 08 Mar 2005
Well, we're about ready to retire the ol' 1980 Chevy Malibu. Last night, we started the hunt for a new car and we are trying to focus on hybrids.
We looked at a Toyota Prius last night and it looks to be really nice. They get 50-60 miles to the gallon, have side impact airbags and slow value depreciation (for all Toyotas, anyway, if you go by the Blue Book). Unfortunately, we didn't get a chance to test drive it. All the ones that were on the lot were already sold. As it is, you have to get on a waiting list to get one!
When I asked the salesman about what to do should it ever break down, he glossed right over it with the whole, "Oh, this is a To-yo-ta! You'll never have to worry about that because it'll never break down....and here's a lollypop and some fairy dust for ya." Okay, so he didn't give me a lollypop or fairydust, but it was implied, dang it!
And that brings me to the question I have for all you automotive type people: Do any of you have any experience with hybrids and how difficult it is to get them fixed? Would I be able to just take it to regular mechanic or would I need to take it back to the Toyota people?
Well, we're about ready to retire the ol' 1980 Chevy Malibu. Last night, we started the hunt for a new car and we are trying to focus on hybrids.
We looked at a Toyota Prius last night and it looks to be really nice. They get 50-60 miles to the gallon, have side impact airbags and slow value depreciation (for all Toyotas, anyway, if you go by the Blue Book). Unfortunately, we didn't get a chance to test drive it. All the ones that were on the lot were already sold. As it is, you have to get on a waiting list to get one!
When I asked the salesman about what to do should it ever break down, he glossed right over it with the whole, "Oh, this is a To-yo-ta! You'll never have to worry about that because it'll never break down....and here's a lollypop and some fairy dust for ya." Okay, so he didn't give me a lollypop or fairydust, but it was implied, dang it!
And that brings me to the question I have for all you automotive type people: Do any of you have any experience with hybrids and how difficult it is to get them fixed? Would I be able to just take it to regular mechanic or would I need to take it back to the Toyota people?
Toyota Prius - by din on 14:10 08 Mar 2005
I think you would be obligated to take it to the toyota people for a while anyway because of the warantee. and so it would be years before most anything that would happen to the car barring accidents wouldn't be covered under that.
From what little i know about hybrids there are no secret parts, there is a gas engine and an electric motor and a computer that controls what does what and when. Most qualified mechanics would be able to fix you up. it should be compatible with the mechanics diagnostic computer just like any other car.
My sister-in-law's family has a garage. I think I'll be seeing some of them this weekend and I'll try to remember to bring it up.
I think you would be obligated to take it to the toyota people for a while anyway because of the warantee. and so it would be years before most anything that would happen to the car barring accidents wouldn't be covered under that.
From what little i know about hybrids there are no secret parts, there is a gas engine and an electric motor and a computer that controls what does what and when. Most qualified mechanics would be able to fix you up. it should be compatible with the mechanics diagnostic computer just like any other car.
My sister-in-law's family has a garage. I think I'll be seeing some of them this weekend and I'll try to remember to bring it up.
Toyota Prius - by Haruchai on 16:58 08 Mar 2005
Yeah, din's right. As far as I know pretty much all good garages should be able to do any needed maintenance. Also, as he said, Toyota will have a good warranty on their own.
From the way I understand them, they're pretty simple cars. They're not something you want to get just yet if you want a lot of "performance", since technology hasn't evolved far enough to give them the same umph that a purely gasoline engine would have. But, I doubt you'll be drag-racing it, right?
Yeah, din's right. As far as I know pretty much all good garages should be able to do any needed maintenance. Also, as he said, Toyota will have a good warranty on their own.
From the way I understand them, they're pretty simple cars. They're not something you want to get just yet if you want a lot of "performance", since technology hasn't evolved far enough to give them the same umph that a purely gasoline engine would have. But, I doubt you'll be drag-racing it, right?
Toyota Prius - by Brad on 21:06 08 Mar 2005
I would check out the Consumer Reports automotive buyers guide. They are good for finding out about maintence costs and reliability. They don't really tell you about it being fun to drive. For that I would look at reviews from Car and Driver - they tell you thinks Consumer Reports wouldn't dream of like, (the car slammed us back in our seats like a Phantom jet fighter hitting it's after-burners).
Does not hurt to do a little research.
I would check out the Consumer Reports automotive buyers guide. They are good for finding out about maintence costs and reliability. They don't really tell you about it being fun to drive. For that I would look at reviews from Car and Driver - they tell you thinks Consumer Reports wouldn't dream of like, (the car slammed us back in our seats like a Phantom jet fighter hitting it's after-burners).
Does not hurt to do a little research.
Toyota Prius - by Arislyn on 07:47 09 Mar 2005
Thanks for the tips, guys!
Yeah, we have been doing some research. I've been spending a lot of time lately over at Hybrid Cars reading over stuff.
Also, last night we got to take one for a test drive. It's nice! It can easily reach the same speeds as a regular car and, once you reach highway speeds, you can't even tell that you're going that fast. That'll be dangerous for me. I'm used to my old car rattling and shaking whenever it gets over 60 mph. Without some physical indicator that I'm going fast, I could turn into a lead foot!
The interior of the Prius is very roomy and the windows give you a great view. The only problem is that the back is higher than I am used to. So, backing up + low walls will probably give me a problem until I get used to the car's dimensions.
The really cool thing is that the engine actually shuts off when you stop. So, you pull up to a red light and *Click!* the engine shuts down...but it's not actually powered down. So, once you press on the gas, it starts up again and you are off. It's so weird to be sitting at an intersection with the engine off....it feels like it just died on you...but it didn't.
Thanks for the tips, guys!
Yeah, we have been doing some research. I've been spending a lot of time lately over at Hybrid Cars reading over stuff.
Also, last night we got to take one for a test drive. It's nice! It can easily reach the same speeds as a regular car and, once you reach highway speeds, you can't even tell that you're going that fast. That'll be dangerous for me. I'm used to my old car rattling and shaking whenever it gets over 60 mph. Without some physical indicator that I'm going fast, I could turn into a lead foot!
The interior of the Prius is very roomy and the windows give you a great view. The only problem is that the back is higher than I am used to. So, backing up + low walls will probably give me a problem until I get used to the car's dimensions.
The really cool thing is that the engine actually shuts off when you stop. So, you pull up to a red light and *Click!* the engine shuts down...but it's not actually powered down. So, once you press on the gas, it starts up again and you are off. It's so weird to be sitting at an intersection with the engine off....it feels like it just died on you...but it didn't.