Prius

[Ext User(Ronnie Stanton)]

Does anyone here own a Prius? Are they any good or too early in the Hybrid
development cycle to consider? Are they gutless?

R

[Ext User(Scotty)]

"Ronnie Stanton" <rst71058@bigpond.net.au> wrote in message
news:C1FE4BCC.4CE5%rst71058@bigpond.net.au...
> Does anyone here own a Prius? Are they any good or too early in the Hybrid
> development cycle to consider? Are they gutless?
>
> R
>

Nup, this is AUS.CARS, try AUS.ECOTOYS

:O)

[Ext User(Blue Heeler)]

Ronnie Stanton wrote:

> Does anyone here own a Prius? Are they any good or too early in the
> Hybrid development cycle to consider? Are they gutless?
>

Don't own one, but funnily enough I had a long chat with a taxi driver
about the one I got picked up at the airport in yesterday.

They are all the rage for Taxis were I live - the operating economics
as quoted by my friendly driver are :-

Camry around $3000 per month worth of fuel
Prius around $1200 per month fuel.

Most taxis here are still on petrol as for a long time there was bugger
all advantage for gas - the next round of vehicle purchases may see
that change though.

The first Prius vehicles int eh fleet are now a couple of years old,
they don't seem to cost much over "conventional" vehicles and none of
the dire predictions about batteries etc has yet come to pass.

My impressions of power as a passenger were that it had sufficient to
get out of its own shadow and to keep up with traffic generally.

I'm always interested in what Taxi operators are driving and if they
say they are getting as good run out of the Prius is an indicator that
the they are a good thing.






--

[Ext User(David Z)]

They can't use Prius's as a taxi, surely? Aren't there certain requirements
about how large a taxi needs to be, I always thought they had to be large
cars? Although I did see a late model Camry taxi in Melbourne the other
day, which was surprising... first one I've seen.

"Blue Heeler" <woof_@bark.net> wrote in message
news:xn0f2m2s9ita7o001@news.individual.net...
> Ronnie Stanton wrote:
>
>> Does anyone here own a Prius? Are they any good or too early in the
>> Hybrid development cycle to consider? Are they gutless?
>>
>
> Don't own one, but funnily enough I had a long chat with a taxi driver
> about the one I got picked up at the airport in yesterday.
>
> They are all the rage for Taxis were I live - the operating economics
> as quoted by my friendly driver are :-
>
> Camry around $3000 per month worth of fuel
> Prius around $1200 per month fuel.
>
> Most taxis here are still on petrol as for a long time there was bugger
> all advantage for gas - the next round of vehicle purchases may see
> that change though.
>
> The first Prius vehicles int eh fleet are now a couple of years old,
> they don't seem to cost much over "conventional" vehicles and none of
> the dire predictions about batteries etc has yet come to pass.
>
> My impressions of power as a passenger were that it had sufficient to
> get out of its own shadow and to keep up with traffic generally.
>
> I'm always interested in what Taxi operators are driving and if they
> say they are getting as good run out of the Prius is an indicator that
> the they are a good thing.
>
>
>
>
>
>
> --
>

[Ext User(Blue Heeler)]

David Z wrote:

> They can't use Prius's as a taxi, surely?

Seeing as I devoted an entire post to talk about the number of Prius
vehicles being used as Taxis where I live, I am either lying,
completely deluded or both, or they can......

> Aren't there certain
> requirements about how large a taxi needs to be, I always thought
> they had to be large cars? Although I did see a late model Camry
> taxi in Melbourne the other day, which was surprising... first one
> I've seen.

I suspect it does vary a bit from area to area, and to be perfectly
honest i once thought that Taxis were pretty much limited to Falcdores
too. But then 20 years ao I hopped into a diesel Mazda 626 being used
as a Taxi........

I use Taxis a bit here, there are Falcadores, lots of Camrys, a lot of
Prius, a couple of Honda Hybrids, and even a couple of Magnas. I think
that four seats is all that is required, besides there seems to be a
glut of large van type taxis here, at least I seem to end up in them
with monotonous regularity. Maybe there is ony one and God is taunting
me?

>
> "Blue Heeler" <woof_@bark.net> wrote in message
> news:xn0f2m2s9ita7o001@news.individual.net...
> > Ronnie Stanton wrote:
> >
> > > Does anyone here own a Prius? Are they any good or too early in
> > > the Hybrid development cycle to consider? Are they gutless?
> > >
> >
> > Don't own one, but funnily enough I had a long chat with a taxi
> > driver about the one I got picked up at the airport in yesterday.
> >
> > They are all the rage for Taxis were I live - the operating
> > economics as quoted by my friendly driver are :-
> >
> > Camry around $3000 per month worth of fuel
> > Prius around $1200 per month fuel.
> >
> > Most taxis here are still on petrol as for a long time there was
> > bugger all advantage for gas - the next round of vehicle purchases
> > may see that change though.
> >
> > The first Prius vehicles int eh fleet are now a couple of years old,
> > they don't seem to cost much over "conventional" vehicles and none
> > of the dire predictions about batteries etc has yet come to pass.
> >
> > My impressions of power as a passenger were that it had sufficient
> > to get out of its own shadow and to keep up with traffic generally.
> >
> > I'm always interested in what Taxi operators are driving and if
> > they say they are getting as good run out of the Prius is an
> > indicator that the they are a good thing.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > --



--

[Ext User(David Z)]

I think if any vehicle could be used as a taxi, they'd all be Hyundai Getz
1.3L's on gas. There have *got* to be some sort of requirements. I'm
guessing the vehicle needs to be 6 cylinders.

"Blue Heeler" <woof_@bark.net> wrote in message
news:xn0f2m8gsqgm6g004@news.individual.net...
> David Z wrote:
>
>> They can't use Prius's as a taxi, surely?
>
> Seeing as I devoted an entire post to talk about the number of Prius
> vehicles being used as Taxis where I live, I am either lying,
> completely deluded or both, or they can......
>
>> Aren't there certain
>> requirements about how large a taxi needs to be, I always thought
>> they had to be large cars? Although I did see a late model Camry
>> taxi in Melbourne the other day, which was surprising... first one
>> I've seen.
>
> I suspect it does vary a bit from area to area, and to be perfectly
> honest i once thought that Taxis were pretty much limited to Falcdores
> too. But then 20 years ao I hopped into a diesel Mazda 626 being used
> as a Taxi........
>
> I use Taxis a bit here, there are Falcadores, lots of Camrys, a lot of
> Prius, a couple of Honda Hybrids, and even a couple of Magnas. I think
> that four seats is all that is required, besides there seems to be a
> glut of large van type taxis here, at least I seem to end up in them
> with monotonous regularity. Maybe there is ony one and God is taunting
> me?
>
>>
>> "Blue Heeler" <woof_@bark.net> wrote in message
>> news:xn0f2m2s9ita7o001@news.individual.net...
>> > Ronnie Stanton wrote:
>> >
>> > > Does anyone here own a Prius? Are they any good or too early in
>> > > the Hybrid development cycle to consider? Are they gutless?
>> > >
>> >
>> > Don't own one, but funnily enough I had a long chat with a taxi
>> > driver about the one I got picked up at the airport in yesterday.
>> >
>> > They are all the rage for Taxis were I live - the operating
>> > economics as quoted by my friendly driver are :-
>> >
>> > Camry around $3000 per month worth of fuel
>> > Prius around $1200 per month fuel.
>> >
>> > Most taxis here are still on petrol as for a long time there was
>> > bugger all advantage for gas - the next round of vehicle purchases
>> > may see that change though.
>> >
>> > The first Prius vehicles int eh fleet are now a couple of years old,
>> > they don't seem to cost much over "conventional" vehicles and none
>> > of the dire predictions about batteries etc has yet come to pass.
>> >
>> > My impressions of power as a passenger were that it had sufficient
>> > to get out of its own shadow and to keep up with traffic generally.
>> >
>> > I'm always interested in what Taxi operators are driving and if
>> > they say they are getting as good run out of the Prius is an
>> > indicator that the they are a good thing.
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > --
>
>
>
> --
>

[Ext User(Blue Heeler)]

David Z wrote:

> I think if any vehicle could be used as a taxi, they'd all be Hyundai
> Getz 1.3L's on gas. There have got to be some sort of requirements.
> I'm guessing the vehicle needs to be 6 cylinders.
>
http://www.transport.tas.gov.au/operator_information/ppv.html


I did a google and this was the first that came back. Look long enough
and hard enough and I'm sure you will find what applies where you live.

[Ext User(Noddy)]

"Ronnie Stanton" <rst71058@bigpond.net.au> wrote in message
news:C1FE4BCC.4CE5%rst71058@bigpond.net.au...

> Does anyone here own a Prius? Are they any good or too early in the Hybrid
> development cycle to consider? Are they gutless?

The wife's work has one as a company/promotional vechile (which is what
you'd expect being an environmental authority), and I've driven that a few
times.

Good fuel economy (certainly not outstanding by any stretch), but *totally*
drop dead fucking boring as a car to drive. I also find it a bizarre looking
thing, with a pretty annoying dash, and it's performance is about the same
as your average Echo. Typical Toyota in that it's well built, smooth,
reliable and hideously over priced.

If economy is your main reason for wanting one, there are better vehciles
out there.

--
Regards,
Noddy.

[Ext User(Noddy)]

"David Z" <dave@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:9hXBh.614$8U4.606@news-server.bigpond.net.au...

> They can't use Prius's as a taxi, surely? Aren't there certain
> requirements about how large a taxi needs to be, I always thought they had
> to be large cars? Although I did see a late model Camry taxi in Melbourne
> the other day, which was surprising... first one I've seen.

As far as I'm aware there is no requirement on the number of seats a cab
must have.

Cab owners have traditionally opted for larger cars, as it doesn't limit
their fare carrying ability. You could have a Barina as a cab if you wanted,
but unless all of your fares are one & two passenger trips you're not going
to do much business.

--
Regards,
Noddy.

[Ext User(Kev)]

Blue Heeler wrote:

> David Z wrote:
>
>
>>I think if any vehicle could be used as a taxi, they'd all be Hyundai
>>Getz 1.3L's on gas. There have got to be some sort of requirements.
>>I'm guessing the vehicle needs to be 6 cylinders.
>>
>
> http://www.transport.tas.gov.au/operator_information/ppv.html
>
>
> I did a google and this was the first that came back. Look long enough
> and hard enough and I'm sure you will find what applies where you live.


No they don't have to be 6cyl
plenty of 4cly Camrys getting about in brisbane a few years ago
all the Hiace vans are 4cyl

Kev

[Ext User(Kev)]

Noddy wrote:

> "Ronnie Stanton" <rst71058@bigpond.net.au> wrote in message
> news:C1FE4BCC.4CE5%rst71058@bigpond.net.au...
>
>
>>Does anyone here own a Prius? Are they any good or too early in the Hybrid
>>development cycle to consider? Are they gutless?
>
>
> The wife's work has one as a company/promotional vechile (which is what
> you'd expect being an environmental authority), and I've driven that a few
> times.
>
> Good fuel economy (certainly not outstanding by any stretch), but *totally*
> drop dead fucking boring as a car to drive. I also find it a bizarre looking
> thing, with a pretty annoying dash, and it's performance is about the same
> as your average Echo. Typical Toyota in that it's well built, smooth,
> reliable and hideously over priced.
>
> If economy is your main reason for wanting one, there are better vehciles
> out there.
>
> --
> Regards,
> Noddy.
>
>


Remember when someone posted the link to that Prius forum about racing them
and these dickheads claiming they blew away all these muscle cars in
their big stock priuii(no one had the heart to tell them the muscle car
driver was too busy pissing himself laughing to even drive)


I'm waiting for the first kid to run over with one, seeing as they don't
use the petrol engine at low speeds they make no noise
then well have ACA calling for them to be banned or at least have
plastic cards attached to the wheels with clothes pegs to make the
engine sound

Kev

[Ext User(Marco)]

On Feb 18, 7:30 pm, Ronnie Stanton <rst71...@bigpond.net.au> wrote:
> Does anyone here own a Prius? Are they any good or too early in the Hybrid
> development cycle to consider? Are they gutless?
>
> R

I would have thought the main problem would be that the economics of
the Prius don't stack up compared to a diesel powered car of a similar
size. IIRC they're a good $10k more than an Astra CDTI or Golf TDI,
and something like $16-17k more than a (slightly smaller) Punto
Multijet or Polo TDI, which would get pretty close to the Prius for
fuel consumption anyway.

Marco

[Ext User(Trevor Wilson)]

"Ronnie Stanton" <rst71058@bigpond.net.au> wrote in message
news:C1FE4BCC.4CE5%rst71058@bigpond.net.au...
> Does anyone here own a Prius? Are they any good or too early in the Hybrid
> development cycle to consider? Are they gutless?

**Buy a Pug diesel. Better economy (by a fair margin).

For some more specific answers, here's my take:

* Toyota got it wrong, for general driving. City driving, the thing is OK.
* Toyota should have used a diesel, not a petrol engine.
* A better hybrid would use a constant RPM Diesel, coupled to a
battery/electric motor setup. (Just like Diesel/electric locomotives)
* The regenerative breaking is the best thing about it, and is the big
contributor to economy in the city.
* I have a mate in the US who has a Prius (two, actually) and loves them.
Reliable and fabulous resale prices.
* It needs a bigger battery and a recharging ability, via plugging into the
power point, to give a 60-80km range.
* An all-electric vehicle might be an even better idea.


--
Trevor Wilson
www.rageaudio.com.au



--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

[Ext User(Trevor Wilson)]

"David Z" <dave@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:9hXBh.614$8U4.606@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
> They can't use Prius's as a taxi, surely? Aren't there certain
> requirements about how large a taxi needs to be, I always thought they had
> to be large cars? Although I did see a late model Camry taxi in Melbourne
> the other day, which was surprising... first one I've seen.

**Not so surprising. The boot in a Camry is MUCH bigger than the boot in a
Falcon.


--
Trevor Wilson
www.rageaudio.com.au



--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

[Ext User(Noddy)]

"David Z" <dave@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:VzXBh.624$8U4.616@news-server.bigpond.net.au...

>I think if any vehicle could be used as a taxi, they'd all be Hyundai Getz
>1.3L's on gas. There have *got* to be some sort of requirements. I'm
>guessing the vehicle needs to be 6 cylinders.

You might want to check with Vicroads (or any other statutory authority),
but you'd be guessing wrong I expect.

Taxi's (in Melbourne at least, and I'm guessing it would be the same for
other large cities) have traditionally been locally made 6 cylinder sedans
for a number of reasons. Most principally of those were that they were cheap
to buy, cheap to repair & maintain, were reliable, had a decent passenger
capacity, and the manufacturers offered "taxi specials" that had extra
features your run of the mill poverty pack model didn't get.

In the last few years local manufacturers have moved away from wanting their
cars used as "cabs" (I don't know if Holden or Ford even offer taxi paks any
more), and as they've got more expensive over the years cab fleet operators
are looking at other options.

For example, the Avalon is a popular alternative at the moment, as are some
4 cylinder vans and I've even seen a Hyundai Sonata used as a Cab in
Melbourne. With the plight of the Mitsubishi 380 being what it is, I
wouldn't mind betting that some cab fleet owners have even looked in that
direction.

Small cars have traditionally *not* been popular cabs, as a large portion of
taxi work involves parties of three or more passengers (often with luggage),
and small cars make that difficult.

--
Regards,
Noddy.

[Ext User(Catherine Jemma)]

both Marco's and Trevor Wilson's postings have absolutely hit the nail on
the head

A substantial test report article in the WA RAC membership magazine fromOct
2006 (sorry I meant to write this up
earlier) proves that the extra cost of buying hybrid cars is never ever
recovered for most owners.

A diesel fuel car of the same size gets more miles per gallon, and with
modern deisels likely better performance

Or, simply buying a slightly smaller, petrol engined car, gives more miles
per gallon, than a Prius or other hybrid car

A so called "plug-in" hybrid is a step in the right direction. Not available
in stores, you have to buy an old Prius then modify it yourself

Fully, all electric cars, for city use, are definitely the way to go. Zero
maintenance costs related to sparkplugs, oil changes and many other things

Refer to the SBS Dateline program of Sept last year, and the movie length
docu now available on DVD (or view at my place if you're in the WA outback
!) "Who Killed The Electric Car"

Hybrids are the car makers and oil companies way of fobbing people off with
something that costs more to buy, and almost the same to run, and still has
the same substantial requirements for engine and transmission servicing

Go fully electric !



"Save the Cheerleader, Save the World"
......HEROES ep 5 Oct 2006

this email brought to you by Rubbish-Dump computer-power !

Find me at http://myspace.com/catherinejemma
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.................The Tribe episode 2:49


--

[Ext User(cfparson)]

> For example, the Avalon is a popular alternative at the moment, as are some
> 4 cylinder vans and I've even seen a Hyundai Sonata used as a Cab in
> Melbourne. With the plight of the Mitsubishi 380 being what it is, I
> wouldn't mind betting that some cab fleet owners have even looked in that
> direction.

I got a ride in the first ever 380 cab. Mitsubishi had (probably given
it) to the cab company as a test mule. It is apparently the highest
kilometered 380 in existance and has caused relatively few problems. It
is fitted with extra meters and monitors to continuously monitor the
number and weight of passengers, driving style, fuel usage etc etc. The
cabbie was curteous and professsional, and the vehicle was very
comfortable. (my girlfried left her keys in the back seat when they fell
out of her purse, and they miraculassly appeared in her letterbox the
next day. Probably one of the best cab rides ive ever had (but only
partly due to the car).
(in SA. And for everyone arguing about cabs and types of cabs - make
sure you mention your state, as the laws differ around the country.)

[Ext User(Blue Heeler)]

Noddy wrote:

> and the manufacturers
> offered "taxi specials" that had extra features your run of the mill
> poverty pack model didn't get.
>

Bench seats with clear plastic covers and rubber mats instead of carpet
are "features"......?

Actually, joke aside, what were the options for a Taxi special?


--

[Ext User(Noddy)]

"Blue Heeler" <woof_@bark.net> wrote in message
news:xn0f2nazdaxxw000@news.individual.net...

> Bench seats with clear plastic covers and rubber mats instead of carpet
> are "features"......?

It was only a little while ago Ford were still offering 6 seaters with
rubber floor mats, wasn't it? :)

> Actually, joke aside, what were the options for a Taxi special?

Dunno about right here and now, but a few years ago (read - AU Falcon era)
it used to be the cab came painted in the required colour (being bright
yellow for Victoria), extra padding & springs in the seats, rubber floor
mats (I'm not kidding), under dash power outlets for meters and slightly
firmer springs and tougher brake pads.

Some of it (the springs & brake pads in particular) were shared with Police
cruisers.

--
Regards,
Noddy.

[Ext User(Blue Heeler)]

Noddy wrote:

> extra padding & springs in the seats,
> rubber floor mats (I'm not kidding), under dash power outlets for
> meters and slightly firmer springs and tougher brake pads.
>

There was a reason for my question.
Around 1984-85 (maybe 1986) I bought an ex-police XE Falcon at the
Government auction centre in Brisbane.

It had 6 seater bench seats, rubber mat on the floor and a barrier
behind the front seat.

It also had springs a lot firmer than standard XE and pads that
squealed when cold.

For the first few weeks it was fun, especially at night, the Qld Police
had a deliberate misalignment of the headlights (left side down) as a
recognition signal and I got waved through a few radar traps on the
strength of that.

I only kept it a few months as I only bought it as it was going very
cheap at the auction and I caught an instant bad case of "auctionitis,"
sold it for a profit and was happy with that deal..... some of my other
"auctionitis" purchases have been less happy.

> Some of it (the springs & brake pads in particular) were shared with
> Police cruisers.

Ah. That explains the things I remember.

--