1 millionth Prius sold in the USA - Page 21

 wrote:

We had both a 2001 Echo and 2003 Prius and were able to directly
compare the 1.5L, 1NZ engines and operation of both vehicles. By every
metric, external and internal, the 2003 Prius was quieter than the
Echo. The Prius had far less vibration especially noticeable at a stop
and slow speeds when the engine stopped. But even on the highway, the
Prius was quieter with significantly less noise and vibration.

Now even a hybrid skeptic might be able to understand that less power
out of the engine means ... less noise and vibration. The Prius engine
moving parts don't have to thrash around so much and thus the
blessings of quiet and smooth electric power. But there is one other
aspects that is beyond the understanding of hybrid skeptics, the
engine counter torque and MG1.

The power-split device transfers engine torque to the main drive gears
by working against the torque of MG1. Roughly 28% of the power passes
through MG1 but all of the engine torque has to work against the low
mass, MG1 including power pulses. So instead of passing power pulses
through the gears and motor mounts, these impulses are absorbed and
returned by MG1.

So we were quite happy to sell the 2001 Echo and replace it with a
2010 Prius. It is larger, quieter, and much more pleasant to drive
than the 2001 Echo. Best of all, the 52 MPG continues to beat the
34-36 MPG we got with the 2001 Echo.

The new owner of the Echo is very happy as it replaced his 25 MPG,
bench seat, Toyota pickup. A week ago, he, his wife, and three young
kids took the Echo on a day-trip to Birmingham and back and it worked
great for them ... much more practical than their small pickup. They
also have a van but it was down for repair.

In summary, we're all pretty happy with our decisions. Our under
utilized Echo has found a good home which after nine years had we had
just put under 30,000 miles. Once we got the 2003 Prius, the Echo
became driveway 'art' because it was noisier, less comfortable, and
more expensive to operate than the Prius. Our replacement 2010 Prius
has in less than two years clocked up over 18,000 miles, twice the
usage of the 2001 Echo. And our paid-off, compact, 2003 Prius
continues to provide 52 MPG city commuting service in Huntsville.

So tell us, our tar-baby stuck, reality challenged, insult-dog, hybrid
skeptic, what gasser or diesel comes even close?

Bob Wilson

 
Good news today. Toyota expects to achieve full-speed production this
summer:

"Toyota said production is expected to normalize in stages, starting
in June both inside and outside Japan, rather than starting in July in
Japan and in August outside its home country as it previously
announced."
http://money.cnn.com/2011/05/11/news/international/toyota_results_quake_imp=
act/?section=money_latest

Bob Wilson

 wrote:
. . .

Excellent! What model? How many years? Average miles per year?


Brakes?


Just his 'lying eyes' But then we have some other "lying eyes:"

http://avt.inel.gov/hev.shtml

"$
.02/mile" - 2010 Prius
"$
.01/mile" - 2010 Prius
"$
.03/mile" - 2004 Prius
"$
.02/mile" - 2004 Prius
"$
.02/mile" - 2002 Prius
"$
.02/mile" - 2002 Prius
"$
.01/mile" - 2001 Prius
"$
.02/mile" - 2001 Prius
"$
.01/mile" - 2001 Prius
"$
.03/mile" - 2001 Prius

So where is your ordinary vehicle maintenance cost per mile?

Well here is a source:

http://www.commutesolutions.org/calc.htm
"5.3 cents per mile" - Maintenance and Tires

And another source:

http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2011-04-04-cost-of-driving-rise.htm
"Maintenance costs fell 2.2% to an average of 4.44 cents per mile for
sedans, ..."

So on one hand, we have multiple Prius in accurate fleet studies
showing about "$
.02/mile" and two other sources reporting at least
twice that average or ordinary cars. But in any population of vehicles
there will be exceptions and 'outlyers' so what are your data?

Bob Wilson

 In article


Brakes are why I said "almost all", and not "absolutely all".

 In article


Well, who cares about that.  Besides, the Prius isn't an electric car;
while it can drive for very short distances without running the gasoline
engine, 99.9% of its life it is running the gasoline engine.