getting paid for anti-hybrid articles

[john1701a]

Some of us here are well aware of this guy's reputation and cringe whenever a new article of his gets published. Sadly, it happened again today:


The original hybrid gas-electric car, the Honda Insight, is about to have a senior moment that could show us what the future holds for the fleet of hybrids that followed the revolutionary little car onto the road.

When the Insight went on sale eight years ago as a 2000 model, Honda said the expensive and complicated battery pack and electric motor would last for the life of the car.

Pinned down about what that meant in people years, the company's engineers said eight to 10 years.

The window for costly repair and replacement just opened....

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article...COL14/710070663


He doesn't mention that the other hybrids don't allow deep-discharging like his example did. He misleads by allowing you to assume the same will happen. Being vague is the key. And this guy is really good at it.

[JackDodge]

Phelan's been with the Freep for a long time and he's not exactly anti-hybrid. Rather, he's the run of the mill Detroit 3 kind of guy who lives for horsepower and gas guzzling. A remnant of bygone eras of Detroit 3 glory. He tries very hard to be unbiased and reports the fact even if it's somewhat tinged by Detroit 3 resentment at new technology but I wouldn't call him a Prius hater or anything like that. Anyway, the hell with guys like that, who cares what they think anyway?

[RonH]

My 87 Voyager's engine self destructed at 100K miles. And I found out that was the norm. I wish it had lasted 8 years. Breathes there an automatic transmission that doesn't require a cash transplant within 10 years?

[nwprius]

Just what is the life of an automatic transmission?? AND, how much do they cost to replace? Perhaps we should consider getting rid of these and going back to single gear chain drive.

[boulder_bum]

That article didn't sound that bad to me. He spoke of the reliability of hybrids, the passion of their owners, and their high customer satisfaction ratings.

He simply asked what is going to happen to all the aging batteries and how that will affect resale value. It seems like a fair question.

[daniel]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(nwprius @ Oct 7 2007, 01:09 PM) [snapback]522489[/snapback]</div>

Just what is the life of an automatic transmission?? AND, how much do they cost to replace? Perhaps we should consider getting rid of these and going back to single gear chain drive.
[/b]

Or EVs (like my Xebra) which have no transmission. Even the Prius has no transmission. It's something I point out to everyone who will listen. I know I'm not the only one who's disappointed that the Tesla Roadster has a two-speed transmission (sort of an electric transaxle.)

[Fitchdave]

I've had my 2007 Prius now for 3 months and 8000 miles. When I decided on the Prius I was very willing to take my chances with the replacement cost of the battery pack that may be needed at 125,000 to 175000 miles.

Here some of my past car experiences:

1976 Datsun 280z, purchased new $7500, drove 148,000 miles, including about 1500 miles of club road racing. No enigne or transmission problems. Sold car for $3500 in 1984.

1982 Nissan 4wd Pickup, purchased new, engine blew at 75,000 miles, bad crank bearing. The 4 cylinder engine was underpowered for 4wd. Cost of repair at the time $2500. Traded vehicle , got $1500 for it due to blown engine.

1984 Pontiac 6000 sedan, purchased at 28,000 miles (former Avis Rental car), transmission blew at 60,000, engine head gasket blew at 115,000. Traded in vehicle got $1200 due to blown engine.

1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass SL wagon. Purchased new. Drove 189,000 miles. No engine or transmission repairs.
Sold 2 months ago for $1250.

1992 Saturn SL2 sedan, purchased new, went 75,000 with no repairs. Good car. Traded in for next vehicle, got $7500 due to excellent condition.

1996 Lincoln Continental, purchased at 21,000 miles.(former factory short term lease vehicle) Nothing but problems with air suspension, and electrical issues both in warranty and out. Transmission blew at 145,000. Traded in for next car, got $2500 due to blown transmission. Worst car I ever had, but what a comfortable luxury ride.

2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue, purchased at 30,000 miles (former fleet rental car). Transmission blew at 78,000 miles, cost $2000.

Moral: Don't buy former lease/rental cars. Purchase New. Prius does NOT have an complex automatic transmission. Thank God.

[john1701a]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Boulder Bum @ Oct 7 2007, 06:49 PM) [snapback]522536[/snapback]</div>

He simply asked what is going to happen to all the aging batteries and how that will affect resale value. It seems like a fair question.
[/b]

He lead you to believe hybrid batteries are all the same.

That are not.

The type in Insight are quite different from that in Prius.

They get used differently too.

[usbseawolf2000]

"The Insight started a revolution. Toyota rode its Prius hybrid's coattails to a major growth spurt."

Prius came out first in Japan before the Insight. He must be talking about just in US where the Insight was launched before the Prius.

The Prius Boom that actually spur the hybrid growth was the 04 generation Prius. A newer generation of Insight never came out because it was never intended for mass production.

[burns_fisher]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Boulder Bum @ Oct 7 2007, 07:49 PM) [snapback]522536[/snapback]</div>

That article didn't sound that bad to me. He spoke of the reliability of hybrids, the passion of their owners, and their high customer satisfaction ratings.

He simply asked what is going to happen to all the aging batteries and how that will affect resale value. It seems like a fair question.
[/b]

I agree that the author asks what seems like a fair question about the battery. I've had a Prius classic since 01 and its MPG seems to improve with age, but nonetheless, we are early adopters of a new technology; we took a risk for the greater good. I personally don't think the risk is that great, but it's true that these kinds of parts are new in the auto world.

OTOH, it bugs the hell out of me when people talk abut the "complex" hybrid drive, batteries, etc. Heck the PSD on a Prius is WAY simpler than a run-of-the-mill automatic transmission! Yes, the software is complex, but that does not make it more likely to fail with age!