Toyota Prius - or any other "green" car - totally unrelated to business
 

My minivan is about dead - actually, it still runs great but it was stolen 3 times last year and pretty much trashed and now won't get through emissions.

Cost to fix it is about the same as the value of the thing, so, I'm looking for something else.

I spent the day today driving new Dodge Vipers, A new Corvette, and a really cool BMW. All cool stuff and tempting as hell, but I'm just not ready to take my ultra-simple (and ultra-cheap) lifestyle to that level. (Hawaii and the Ferrari are just around the corner if I continue to play this game right)

Anyhow, I want to make my new purchase a smart one. While it's never been a really big issue to me, I'd like to look into some of the alternitive fuel (green) stuff being offered, just because it's high-tech and cutting-edge stuff, and that's kinda what I'm into.

Just wondering if anyone reading here is driving the Toyota Prius or any of the other alternitive fueled vehicles out there and can offer any input.

I'll be looking at everything out there this next week (hoping I don't get pulled over because my tags expired on the 1st)

Thanks,

Jim

Re: Toyota Prius - or any other "green" car - totally unrelated to business
 

try driving a Saturn Vue Green Line, called a "mild" hybrid because the system doesn't power the vehicle for long stretches.

it's not as expensive as full hybrids.

they're adding a sedan version Aura and I believe a GMC truck version in the future.

every little bit helps as we face $4.00 gallon gas soon ( my prediction).

Re: Toyota Prius - or any other "green" car - totally unrelated to business
 

Your $4.00 a gallon gas prediction, C.T., is virtually a reality here. I've seen some gas in the $3.76 a gallon and up range so...not much further to go. FYI.

I read part of an article in the doctor's office about green vehicles. It seems that Detroit is offering quite a variety and some of them check out very well for comfort and driveability. If the majority of your driving isn't cross country, availability of the alternative services shouldn't be a problem.

Wish I'd had more time to read all of it.

Sandi Bowman

Re: Toyota Prius - or any other "green" car - totally unrelated to business
 

For anyone interested in learning more about alternative fuels, there are a few good shows you can get on iTunes.

The first is called "Big Ideas For A Small Planet" and the episode is titled "fuel"

Another is an episode of "Scientific American" with Alan Alda called "Future Car" This episode is 3 years old but there is a lot of really great information there and you can learn a lot about different fuels being developed.

There's another episode of "Scientific American" called "Hydrogen Hopes" that is also really interesting.

Jim

Re: Toyota Prius - or any other "green" car - totally unrelated to business
 

Thanks C.T.

I looked at the Vue when it first came out 3 or 4 years ago and really liked it but it wasn't in the budget at the time.

I'll check out the Green Line today.

Jim

She said, "$137.00 Across the US and Back."
 

Greetings James,

A friend of mine purchased a Toyota Prius in 05'. She drove from New Jersey to Las Vegas, Nevada and back to New Jersey and her total fuel expenses were $137.00. Her trip also included some off the beaten path sightseeing and she logged in roughly 3500 miles.

Since I'm on the road Monday-Friday, I'm seriously looking at the hybrids.

The only thing that concerns me is the under the seat wiring system. If I'm not mistaken the fuel cell wiring runs the length of the car. Don't know if I like sitting on 10 or 8 guage wiring. I've been told it's safe and riders have nothing to worry about.

But flashbacks of the so called safe Ford Pintos, of the early 1970's, come to mind. Having burst into flames from rear end collisions, because the gas tank was mounted right behind the rear bumper, proved not to be as safe as the designers thought and told the American public.

Woody Quiñones

Re: Toyota Prius - or any other "green" car - totally unrelated to business
 

Wow your van was stolen 3 times in one year?

Re: Toyota Prius - or any other "green" car - totally unrelated to business
 

I finally got around to driving the Saturn Vue hybrid yesterday.

An interesting concept. It is never powered fully by the battery. There is a gauge that lets you see how much assist you are getting from the battery and if it is actually assisting or charging.

It charges on deceleration and assists when you accelerate. At freeway crusing speeds, it doesn't seem to do either.

What I thought was really interesting about it is when you come to a stop, the engine shuts off completly, and instantly fires back up when you take your foot off the brake. It was totally unnoticable and it happens in a fraction of a second. You can't move your foot from the brake to the gas faster than it starts up.

Cool vehicle and one I'll definately consider. I might have even purchased it yesterday if I didn't get sidetracked by another really cool Saturn.

The Saturn Sky....