Author Topic: Got a prius (Read 2894 times)

Mark Luper · « **Reply #60 on:** January 04, 2008, 07:32:16 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Viking
You don't get BMW 5-series in the US?

In addition to the high mpg, diesel is cheaper than gasoline at the pump, so the savings are greater.

Why would anyone buy a Prius?

In Texas deisel is the highest priced fuel by far. Today I saw 2.89 for regular, 2.99 for the medium, 3.09 for premium and 3.29 for deisel. Deisel hasn't been near gas prices for some time, at least two years that I can think of.

Word,

Mark

Ripsnort · « **Reply #61 on:** January 04, 2008, 07:49:48 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Viking
Strange ... why would your diesel be of any less quality than ours?

In any case by some strange coincidence 2009 is also the year the new 5-series is introduced. The data I posted is for the current model though, so the new one should be even better.

Actually I got that backwards, the European diesel that is imported from the middle east does not have the tight standards that we have I got it backwards in my earlier post. Your diesel is dirtier...something we won't allow over here.

Its complicated, but it goes something like this: US Diesel regulations have been politically manipulated by California's Air Resource Board. For years, Kalifornia lobbists have managed to keep Diesels out. EPA standards play into this picture as well obviously. The new requirment for refineries to produce low sulfur diesel by 2009 is going to be a tough road. All the US refineries are old (Thanks to our Greens again, primarily the lobbists on the liberal side of the isle back in the 70's) and need new systems to comply with the new EPA standards.

There has been no new refineries are being built in the US . This means the major players have to upgrade refineries. Why won't they? Supply and demand. They can get more money for better grade diesel (a pitfall of capitalism is the "supply and demand" law of ethics)

FX1 · « **Reply #62 on:** January 04, 2008, 07:52:46 PM »

Never thought their would be so many Prius bangers in the forum.

I looked at the VW Jetta TDI diesl. One of my friends purchased a 07 but he is only seeing 34 mpg in the last four months. That car didn't get a good rating at all so i decided to go a different direction.

The battery has a 8 year warranty so i am not at all worried about the life spans. My brothers prius has 154k on it with a life mpg of 48. He lives in Boulder Co and drives his prius to and from Denver. He has never said anything about colder temperatures effecting the car.

My reason for purchasing this car is do to the price of gas and my driving style. I could give a rats bellybutton about a camaro or a vett. I see this car as transportation to get me around town.

I am not a environmentalist or a hippie. I don't need a fast car that's just not my thing. What i am trying to accomplish is to save some money on gas so i can blow it on my next purchase.

http://www.malibuboats.com/default.aspx?pageID=30&modelID=438&modelCategoryID=5

I have a 07 but the engine as been the biggest headache. Its been in and out of the dealership so i am trying to work out the number to purchase the vortex 8100 boat. NO i dont tow that boat with the prius (:

BTW you can have a BMW or a Camero but i bet you cant hold 15 women that cant wait to get wet... Just dont tell Bev that i said that...

Ripsnort · « **Reply #63 on:** January 04, 2008, 07:57:52 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by FX1
Never thought their would be so many Prius bangers in the forum.

I looked at the VW Jetta TDI diesl. One of my friends purchased a 07 but he is only seeing 34 mpg in the last four months. That car didn't get a good rating at all so i decided to go a different direction.

The battery has a 8 year warranty so i am not at all worried about the life spans. My brothers prius has 154k on it with a life mpg of 48. He lives in Boulder Co and drives his prius to and from Denver. He has never said anything about colder temperatures effecting the car.

My reason for purchasing this car is do to the price of gas and my driving style. I could give a rats bellybutton about a camaro or a vett. I see this car as transportation to get me around town.

I am not a environmentalist or a hippie. I don't need a fast car that's just not my thing. What i am trying to accomplish is to save some money on gas so i can blow it on my next purchase.

http://www.malibuboats.com/default.aspx?pageID=30&modelID=438&modelCategoryID=5

I have a 07 but the engine as been the biggest headache. Its been in and out of the dealership so i am trying to work out the number to purchase the vortex 8100 boat. NO i dont tow that boat with the prius (:

BTW you can have a BMW or a Camero but i bet you cant hold 15 women that cant wait to get wet... Just dont tell Bev that i said that...

Good on ya. The less dependent we are on oil (make Canada and the Middle East "3rd world status" once again) the better for the U.S.

Viking · « **Reply #64 on:** January 04, 2008, 08:02:56 PM »

That's really strange Mark. Why would diesel be more expensive than gasoline in Texas?

If you don't get a particular car or model in the US you can simply buy it in Europe or Japan (or wherever) and have it shipped to the US for about $1000. Several shipping companies will help you with the paperwork. I do understand that it is a hassle, and warranty might be a problem, but if you aren't getting the car you really want because of stupid rules and regulations prohibiting sale in the US why not do the job yourself?

SIG220, if the BMW is too rich for your budget you can get a Prius sized Euro-box or Rice-burner for the same money. I'd rather have the BMW even if it is more expensive.

As for BMW reliability I see a lot of difference in US and European customer satisfaction. In the Top Gear survey BMW ranked 11th out of 35 with 86% customer satisfaction. Toyota ranked 7th with 88% customer satisfaction. And although 7 of the 10 most reliable cars hailed from Japan the BMW X3 topped the reliability chart. Maybe the American experience is different?

FX1 · « **Reply #65 on:** January 04, 2008, 08:08:36 PM »

Today at my corner store gas was $2.95 diesel $3.39.. I own a older diesel truck and sometimes its a pain to find a station that sales diesel. Sounds crazy but its tru in Texas.

SIG220 · « **Reply #66 on:** January 04, 2008, 08:08:56 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Furball
It is a shame... something like an Audi A4 TDI would get ~ 50 mpg and look a whole lot better than a Prius!

Nope, this is not available here either.

I guess that someone in the US government must have decided that Diesels are evil.

But tell me, what do you have against eggs??

Viking · « **Reply #67 on:** January 04, 2008, 08:12:32 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Ripsnort
Actually I got that backwards, the European diesel that is imported from the middle east does not have the tight standards that we have I got it backwards in my earlier post. Your diesel is dirtier...something we won't allow over here.

Its complicated, but it goes something like this: US Diesel regulations have been politically manipulated by California's Air Resource Board. For years, Kalifornia lobbists have managed to keep Diesels out. EPA standards play into this picture as well obviously. The new requirment for refineries to produce low sulfur diesel by 2009 is going to be a tough road. All the US refineries are old (Thanks to our Greens again, primarily the lobbists on the liberal side of the isle back in the 70's) and need new systems to comply with the new EPA standards.

There has been no new refineries are being built in the US . This means the major players have to upgrade refineries. Why won't they? Supply and demand. They can get more money for better grade diesel (a pitfall of capitalism is the "supply and demand" law of ethics)

That makes more sense. It is political/big business interference rather than a real problem. Modern European diesels (and I think the Japanese ones too) have advanced emission cleaning systems, including particle filters. If you drive a new Euro-diesel car through a typical big city the exhaust is actually cleaner then the air going into the engine. Apart from CO2 the exhaust is virtually pollution free.

Viking · « **Reply #68 on:** January 04, 2008, 08:14:44 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by FX1
Today at my corner store gas was $2.95 diesel $3.39.. I own a older diesel truck and sometimes its a pain to find a station that sales diesel. Sounds crazy but its tru in Texas.

So its a supply/demand issue? Diesel is far cheaper to produce than gasoline.

FX1 · « **Reply #69 on:** January 04, 2008, 08:15:41 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Viking
That's really strange Mark. Why would diesel be more expensive than gasoline in Texas?

If you don't get a particular car or model in the US you can simply buy it in Europe or Japan (or wherever) and have it shipped to the US for about $1000. Several shipping companies will help you with the paperwork. I do understand that it is a hassle, and warranty might be a problem, but if you aren't getting the car you really want because of stupid rules and regulations prohibiting sale in the US why not do the job yourself?

SIG220, if the BMW is too rich for your budget you can get a Prius sized Euro-box or Rice-burner for the same money. I'd rather have the BMW even if it is more expensive.

As for BMW reliability I see a lot of difference in US and European customer satisfaction. In the Top Gear survey BMW ranked 11th out of 35 with 86% customer satisfaction. Toyota ranked 7th with 88% customer satisfaction. And although 7 of the 10 most reliable cars hailed from Japan the BMW X3 topped the reliability chart. Maybe the American experience is different?

Toyota passed ford this year in sales.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22488803/

So yes it is much different in the states.

FX1 · « **Reply #70 on:** January 04, 2008, 08:17:07 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Viking
So its a supply/demand issue? Diesel is far cheaper to produce than gasoline.

I have no idea.. I never thought in my life that i would see more $ diesel than gas and its been like that for the last two years.

Ripsnort · « **Reply #71 on:** January 04, 2008, 08:23:25 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by SIG220
Nope, this is not available here either.

I guess that someone in the US government must have decided that Diesels are evil.

But tell me, what do you have against eggs??

(Image removed from quote.)

Environmentalists, who primarily vote democrat mind you.

ghi · « **Reply #72 on:** January 04, 2008, 08:38:28 PM »

The base price for Prius is over 29000$ here in Canada, and doesn't worth it, i can get a Pontiac G6, Grand Prix ,Ford, Civic,Hyunday or other family sedan more comfortable, with 8- 10000$ less, and make the math. for 10000$, i can buy 10000 litres of gasoline here, with a fuel consumption of 7-8-9l/100km, i can run average miles for next 4-5 years ,110-130000 km, The green technology is good, but still too expensive ,

SIG220 · « **Reply #73 on:** January 04, 2008, 08:42:51 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Viking
That's really strange Mark. Why would diesel be more expensive than gasoline in Texas?

It is true here in Oregon as well. The price of Diesel is currently more than gasoline where I live also. Perhaps there is a conspiracy against Diesel??

Best price here right now for regular gasoline is $2.93/Gallon. For Diesel is is $3.37

Quote

Originally posted by Viking

SIG220, if the BMW is too rich for your budget you can get a Prius sized Euro-box or Rice-burner for the same money.

For only $22,000?? Sorry, but I do not want to buy one of those VW's made in Mexico.

Quote

Originally posted by Viking
As for BMW reliability I see a lot of difference in US and European customer satisfaction. In the Top Gear survey BMW ranked 11th out of 35 with 86% customer satisfaction. Toyota ranked 7th with 88% customer satisfaction. And although 7 of the 10 most reliable cars hailed from Japan the BMW X3 topped the reliability chart. Maybe the American experience is different?

I was specifically talking about Prius reliabilty and customer satisfaction. They are much higher than the average for the entire Toyota Product line.

In fact, new Toyota overall reliability has dropped recently, according to ConsumerReports.Org This is being blamed on the shifting of more production to factories in the USA, which are not yet being operated as well as the established Japanese factories. The Prius is only built in Japan, so this is not an issue for it.

I do buy some products made in Europe. Besides my 2 100% European made SIG pistols ( my third SIG only has a frame made in Germany, the rest made here in the USA ), I also own two Tikka rifles made in Finland, one Walther pistol made in Germany, a Saiga AK-47 made in Russia, one Glock made in Austria, two shotguns made by FN in Belgium, two rifles made by FN in Belgium, and 6 Beretta shotguns made in Italy.

So just over half of my entire gun collection ( including 80% of my shotguns ) comes from Europe.

I do own too many guns, I must admit. But this has been of benefit to the firearms industry in Europe.

SIG 220

FX1 · « **Reply #74 on:** January 04, 2008, 09:11:11 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by ghi
The base price for Prius is over 29000$ here in Canada, and doesn't worth it, i can get a Pontiac G6, Grand Prix ,Ford, Civic,Hyunday or other family sedan more comfortable, with 8- 10000$ less, and make the math. for 10000$, i can buy 10000 litres of gasoline here, with a fuel consumption of 7-8-9l/100km, i can run average miles for next 4-5 years ,110-130000 km, The green technology is good, but still too expensive ,

Correct the math does not make the pruis the best value. With the price of gas today and oil hitting over $100 a barrel i am willing to bet that gas is not going to come down. Also the prius has one of the best resale values of any car. I looked around for a used one and could find anything on the market in our area.

Also in the states we do get a tax brake. That's not the case in 2008 because the federal government decide to line their pockets with oil money.