The Great Divide: Prius lovers are steadfast, but the haters grow more passionate by

[91 s-10baja]

2005 Toyota Prius: Third-quarter update (autoweek longterm update)

"The EPA pegs the Prius for a combined 55.6 mpg; that we are getting 42.29 mpg year-to-date means the Prius ain’t cutting it. Any diesel Volkswagen can do that and still be a hoot on the highway—"

http://autoweek.com/article.cms?articleId=102204

[jinushaun]

Anyone with a brain knows that hybrids aren't everything they're cracked up to be and that diesels are better, but that doesn't matter. The market demands hybrids and you'd be stupid not to offer them.

[marinerbc]

Isn't it just "cooler" to have a hybrid? I think that speaks volumes.

jimushaun, cheers. Couldn't have said it better.

[91 s-10baja]

It may be cooler to buy a hybrid, but IMO people who purchase them are jaded, for buying them based on fuel economy numbers the cars themselves can not even execute? Anyway small cars already get good mileage, I would be interested to see what a prius would get if it had a regular Echo, or Corolla motor, minus the weight of the hybrid system, compared to it with it in?

[Infiniti Z350]

While the fuel savings may not meet EPA estimates, 43 mpg is still pretty good for a midsize vehicle. Diesels may get as good or better mileage but the thing is while they aren't a rarity, not every gas station has diesel fuel available and lately in some areas (at least around here) diesel is just as or more expensive than premium fuel.

[maxaccel]

I just wonder how much will all those batteries cost when is the time to replace them.
anyone knows?

[Infiniti Z350]

Originally Posted by maxaccel

I just wonder how much will all those batteries cost when is the time to replace them.
anyone knows?

http://hybridcars.about.com/od/hybri...atterycost.htm

Short answer: Nothing, if under warranty (which in Toyota's case, I believe is 8 years/100,000 miles). Out of warranty, $2-3K including labor.