Taxi company's Prius 'problem'....

For me at least, their "pulling a Honda" worked out well. If anything, our mpg went up post update; the car was noticeably easier to slip into electric-only propulsion. And I'm a former HCHII owner, know all about what they did. That said: Toyota's fix did not work out so well for some others, the software and/or it's implementation is buggy.

 

Well I wouldn't debate specific unit actions or reliability with you.

But my point was more to showing that their are differences in both Gen 2 technology, and Gen 3 technology that individuals could point to as being potentially more reliable or less reliable. I'll take the Gen 3 gas tank over the Gen 2 Bladder.

I still say smaller, lighter doesn't necessarily mean cheaper or less reliable.

I am trying to avoid owner bias. The instinct of course is to defend what you own.
When I first became interested or really aware of the reality of hybrids/Prius as a possible automotive choice for myself, I certainly was a fan of the Gen 2 Prius.

As stated, I nearly purchased a 2009 Gen 2, and certainly the thought that I'd be purchasing a well vetted and real world tested version of The Prius was in the plus column for that decision.

I would have to say that regrettably with almost all products a built in level of disposability seems to be increasing. To an extent I believe complexity is somewhat to blame. Coupled with competition for sales, leading to aggressive cost savings in production.

I wouldn't want to go back, primarily due to lack of safety. But I use to own a 1992 Nissan Pick Up. I still see them on the road today. They were incredibly reliable machines, based on the fact that by today's standards they were incredibly basic and primitive. No airbags, I don't even think mine had ABS...you basically had engine, transmission and suspension.

Hybrids in operation provide an almost "magical" level of fuel efficiency. But we all know it's not really magic. It's created from those batteries, and inverters and the concert of the entire HSD system. Dealing with the possible failure of components of that complexity is part of the cost of enjoying the "magical" efficiency a hybrid provides.

At least for now? I'm willing to pay that cost. And my owner bias, is hoping that the next 5 years has the Gen 3 holding up well as a reliable and durable vehicle.

 

I think the Prius is a natural for a taxi, the way the Crown Vic was natural for a police car. I think however, that the battery is the Achilles heel of the Prius. Battery technology is a three-way triangle between: performance, reliability and cost. As most of us know, cellphone batteries perform well, but after a year they are already declining. Military applications use batteries which perform well and have excellent reliability, but the cost is very high. Prius engineers have done a good job of balancing cost, performance and reliability, but it would be asking for miracles if they could achieve all three.

 

thank you grumpie, patrick, and all. uk /europe small areas to drive in. would love to see a taxi version. cars in western us stretch there legs. great to drive to quartzsite from home, 270t miles and not be able to get $15 in tank go home the long way and still have gas. I should probably do trans and inverter change. Is high speed/long drives harder or easier on fluids? Thanks for the posts priuschatters

 

Not even close. They eat up their competitors. Just ask GM.

 

Engine oil: freeway speeds/extended trips are good because water vapor in the oil is driven out as the oil heats up. For cars that are driven very few miles a year, the recommendation is to change the engine oil at least annually to get rid of the water content before it turns into sludge.
Transmission ATF: high speeds translate into more transaxle heating and wear on mechanical parts so, for a given number of miles in service, the ATF from a transaxle mostly operating at high speeds probably will contain more debris vs. ATF from a transaxle which is used primarily at slower speeds.
Engine and inverter/transaxle coolant: no obvious difference, change interval is based upon miles driven or duration in service

 

thank you patrick that does make sense have about 163k on car and 0/0 had 90k sevice done by toyota, almost 1000. all the fluids i can see and smell look like brand new. Using dino oil every 5k. hoping to go 500k.