I’m pleased for you and your family, Ken; it sounds like a very satisfying
purchase.
In addition, I find the longevity of the batteries really interesting,
considering the various arrangements that different manufacturers have adopted
for the batteries; leasing them, providing guaranteed replacements etc . .. (as
I understand it). But you have mentioned a couple of times how well the Prius
batteries last.
But I’ve recently discovered that there is a problem of pollution with electric
cars, even pure electric. In addition to the pollution produced by exhausts,
there is apparently particulate matter pollution from tyres and brake pads
which is worse on electric cars because the batteries increase their weight.
But you say that your pads don’t wear. I assume that you mean by “regenerative
braking” that the alternator provides drag. On my BMWs regenerative braking
refers to the electrical charging for the battery provided when braking. My
latest X1 has very little braking effort on the overrun and I seem to be
braking more than with my previous car, perhaps because this is an 8-speed auto
not the 6-speed that I had before this one.
I really fancy the electric BMWs, although I could afford only the i3. If only
the range were a little better.
Chris
> On 1 Jul 2016, at 16:53, Ken Norton <ken@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> My wife picked up a 2012 Prius with the "Five" trim level. In
> otherwords, totally loaded. She's been looking for a newer one to
> upgrade from her 2009, which now goes to the girls for a college
> vehicle and has been patiently seeking for just the right one for
> about six months now. She's scoured about a five state area for the
> right one to pop up at the right price. One finally did, and only 30
> miles away. The dealership even made the mistake of thinking it was a
> "Four" and had it priced accordingly. LOL. Mileage was within her
> 40-60k miles range. The only options this didn't have were the HUD,
> Auto-Park, Lane Assist and Radar Cruise Control. It helps that it was
> also at a dealership that didn't normally sell Toyotas new or used. It
> had just come in on a trade in on a hybrid Chevy. So, they didn't put
> a "proud" price on it. She done well, really well. She negotiated the
> price without a trade in and then we also ended up trading in the Jeep
> when they gave us a more than fair price on it.
>
> So, what is it about Prius that make them great Zuikohaulers?
> EXCELLENT gas mileage, outstanding features, extremely reliable and
> very well built. What is there not to like? Handling and ride is a
> little weird. Ground clearance is a bit trippy. Even roadkill
> squirrels need to be avoided.
>
> The NiMH battery packs have been almost completely problem-free and
> are lasting the life of the cars. Another neat factor is that the
> brakes last the life of the car too because the regenerative braking
> saves the pads for most people. The Prius is the unique Hybrid car in
> that it is the one that doesn't have issues with the batteries and the
> entire hybrid-drive mechanism is dynamic in the push-pull
> mode-switching. Nearly all other systems implement an engage/disengage
> structure of the various drive components, but the Prius uses a fully
> engaged system that doesn't mode-switch per-say, but functions more
> like a rubber-band. LOL, now that's a visual.
>
> Anyway, highly recommended. Enough so that we're now a wo Prius family.
>
> The BMW X5 ain't going away, though. :)
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