On Sun, Mar 04, 2001 at 03:33:36PM -0500, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
>
>
> > >
> > > I think Toyota has a hybrid out; I'm not sure about the doorage on it,
> >
> > Yes!!! Just remembered. Prius. 4 doors. 5 seats. Trunk. Sensible.
> >
> > http://prius.toyota.com/
> >
> > How's that, Dee?
> >
> > Charlie
>
>
> Dang you guys are good! I can even have another dog with a
> 5 seater, Charlie ;-) A bit more steel and seats, a bit lower one
> the mileage, really cool battery warranty, and a climate control
> system that sounds interesting. I think this rates a test
> drive..... now to find one around here. (LOL, just imagining
> the face of the sales person when trading in the box van that
> was supposed to be for a 3 mile daily commute)
>
Here's an excerpt from Consumer Report's December 2000 tests. To me,
the interesting comparison is the Toyota Echo and the Toyota Prius. It
seems the Prius only slightly edges out the Echo for gas mileage (41mpg
versus 38mpg), but the Echo is $6000 cheaper. They both have 1.5 liter
gas engines. However, the Prius qualifies as SULEV ("super ultra low
emissions vehicle) which none of the other cars (even the Insight) they
tested do.
***
The Volkswagen Golf TDI may not be the first internal-combustion car
to average more than 40 mpg, but it's certainly the best to date in
overall capability. The Golf TDI is a solidly built vehicle that rides
well and has a quiet, roomy, and comfortable interior. Handling and
braking are sound. And it has a hatchback's versatility. (If you prefer
a trunk, the Jetta TDI should provide the same inviting characteristics
and excellent fuel economy as the Golf.) Although acceleration comes up
a bit short, most drivers will find it sufficient. The diesel engine
makes for relatively dirty tailpipe emissions, if not nearly as dirty
as emissions from larger truck diesels. Also, some may find filling the
tank unpleasant because diesel fuel has a strong oily odor. We expect
the reliability to be average based on other models.
The Toyota Prius was the second HEV to come to the U.S. but the first
that can seriously compete with conventional cars. It rides comfortably
and quietly, and has a roomy rear seat and decent acceleration. Handling
is average, the trunk is small, and, because of the car's regenerative
braking system, the brakes are a little too sensitive and hard to
modulate. Still, the Prius is a worthy contender and a legitimate choice
for everyday use. Reliability is as yet unknown.
The Toyota Echo shows that conventionally powered cars can achieve
good fuel economy while still delivering reasonable performance. Our
Echo's 38 mpg was the best of any conventional car we've tested
recently. Acceleration is fairly sprightly, access is easy, and the rear
seat is relatively roomy. Handling is sound, and the ride is reasonably
quiet and comfortable. On the down side, the interior is spartan, and
models with ABS can be very hard to find. Reliability has been better
than average.
The Honda Insight achieved the best fuel economy of any car we've
tested, 51 mpg overall. But you pay for that in lack of accommodations,
comfort, and drivability. The Insight's ride is barely tolerable and
the car is very noisy. Although acceleration is reasonable against
the clock, in everyday driving the car requires a lot of shifting and
it can take a bit of effort to keep up with other vehicles on the
highway. Handling is secure on smooth roads. We did not have sufficient
data in our recent survey to predict its reliability.
--
"Erik Reuter" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> http://www.erikreuter.com/
