2010 Toyota Prius review

[Randimus Maximus]

or for that matter, why are we (USA) only now starting to see some of the clean, high mileage diesels that have been scooting around Europe for a while now?

refining capacity of low-sulfur diesel.  main reason why diesel was $1 or more per gallon than gasoline until very recently.

increasing demand would increase price further.

why honda & nissan have delayed their diesel sedans.

also a factor in why tundra diesel is delayed.

[Randimus Maximus]

ferrari makes an aerodynamic car as well, but few people refer to it as ugly....

on the link Triple J provide, F430 F1 was best at .34 cd.  2010 Prius is .25 cd.

[Randimus Maximus]

Here is Jeremy Clarkson's take on the Honda Insight:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/driving/jeremy_clarkson/article6294116.ece?token=null&offset=0&page=1

[Triple J]

Here is Jeremy Clarkson's take on the Honda Insight:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/driving/jeremy_clarkson/article6294116.ece?token=null&offset=0&page=1

The Honda's petrol engine is a much-shaved, built-for-economy, low-friction 1.3 that, at full chat, makes a noise worse than someone else's crying baby on an airliner. It's worse than the sound of your parachute failing to open. Really, to get an idea of how awful it is, you'd have to sit a dog on a ham slicer.

[herm]

The Honda's petrol engine is a much-shaved, built-for-economy, low-friction 1.3 that, at full chat, makes a noise worse than someone else's crying baby on an airliner. It's worse than the sound of your parachute failing to open. Really, to get an idea of how awful it is, you'd have to sit a dog on a ham slicer.

BAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA....ROTFLMAO

[The Architect]

It's called aerodynamics.

Why do you think the Honda Insight is virtually the exact same shape?

These cars are aerodynamic:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes_E-class
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Camry_Hybrid
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda_6#Second_generation_.282007.E2.80.93.29
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyundai_Genesis

and they don't look like ass.

2) Prius owners want everyone to know they are green, and driving an electric car. Toyota knew this, so they made the car look futuristic, or different. You can tell it's a Prius (aka smug mobile) from a mile away...just like their owners like it. 

This theory I'll accept/understand. 

[Popeye the Sailor]

I hate 'em, really. It's the only particular model I come across on my twisty commute that does not pull over to let faster cars by. I suspect they don't want to lose precious battery life be re-accelerating, or are enjoying their long, steep descent with the regen braking thing on.


Sure it might save them energy but when you have a line of five cars hitting the brakes in all sorts of odd places because your dang car just does not get out of the dang way, it's time to consider some courtesy. I'm going to start removing their happy little "access ok" stickers.

[DrDesmo]

I hate 'em, really. It's the only particular model I come across on my twisty commute that does not pull over to let faster cars by. I suspect they don't want to lose precious battery life be re-accelerating, or are enjoying their long, steep descent with the regen braking thing on.


Sure it might save them energy but when you have a line of five cars hitting the brakes in all sorts of odd places because your dang car just does not get out of the dang way, it's time to consider some courtesy. I'm going to start removing their happy little "access ok" stickers.

When I do ( finally ) get in front of these types of people, I generally take it as an opportunity to give my windshield a good, thorough spraying ... This may take a minute or two, as I really want to make sure i get everything off.  As a nice side benefit, I get to share it with the car behind me.  Particularly fun on a bright sunny day.

Pay it forward 



Adam

[DrDesmo]

Just as an aside: If people really " cared " about the environment they'd move into a city and take mass transport to work, or simply drive less.  Seeing Priuses parked outside of 3500 sq ft McMansions on my way to work is a cognitive dissonance that is truly startling.  Living simply isn't the car you drive or a freakin' bumper sticker.

And yes, I realize I own three bikes - I will cede this point straight away before someone calls me on it 

Cheers,
Adam

[Popeye the Sailor]

When I do ( finally ) get in front of these types of people, I generally take it as an opportunity to give my windshield a good, thorough spraying ... This may take a minute or two, as I really want to make sure i get everything off.  As a nice side benefit, I get to share it with the car behind me.  Particularly fun on a bright sunny day.

Pay it forward 



Adam

That's the issue-you *cannot* get in front of them on these roads unless they specifically pull over to let you pass. One could pass on a moto, but a car is impossible, even with the ones I have that are terribly quick. You're just trapped behind them. It's infuriating.

[DrDesmo]

That's the issue-you *cannot* get in front of them on these roads unless they specifically pull over to let you pass. One could pass on a moto, but a car is impossible, even with the ones I have that are terribly quick. You're just trapped behind them. It's infuriating.

There's always the shoulder 

Remember: I'm in MA.  Hogging the passing lane doing less than 90 will get you tailgated, sworn, and honked at ... By the State Police 

Adam

[Popeye the Sailor]

I'm *from* Mass.



These are basically one lane roads. There is no shoulder.

[DrDesmo]

I'm *from* Mass.



These are basically one lane roads. There is no shoulder.

Woah, woah sorry there dude guy!  Didn't mean to belittle your massness 

Grille mounted RPG is the best option in this case 

Adam

[GAAN]

Don't you have the option to roll in the kaiser?

[x136]

There's always the shoulder 

On Sunday, I saw a woman (on a cell phone, no less) in a Pontiac Solstice gun the engine and fly around the apparently-too-slow truck in front of her. This was across the double yellow, right at the entrance of a sharp, blind hairpin turn on a two-lane forest road, and she almost lost it at the apex as a result. 

On topic: Earlier in the day, I saw what appeared to be a Prius group drive (there were three in a row), holding up a line of motorcycles, naturally.