http://prius.ecrostech.com/original/PriusFrames.htm

I have owned two Prius cars, and have not had a problem in over 100000km.

Just a note on your article where you talk about the excesive consumption at low speed. At this time the engine is cold and the engine is running at minimum load idling while it warms up.

The economy improve markedly as it warms up, just like any other combustion engine car.

Regards
Bill

Stuart

I’m a bit of a hybrid enthusiast, and have driven the Prius on several occasions. We’ve also had the Hybrid Camry for a weekend (demo from our local dealer) as we’re considering buying one.

As I mentioned earlier, both Prius and HC are ready to drive as soon as the “READY” lamp is on. Definitely no waiting. If you’re quick enough after the “READY” lamp lights up, get the car into Drive and take off hard, the petrol engine will kick in sooner rather than later. So a quick getaway is definitely possible if needed.

I’ve studied a lot of info available on the net. Right down to what voltages go where and so forth. I could go on all day but I won’t bore you with science. So I’ve got a pretty good understanding of how they work.

I’m sorry to hear Toyota didn’t give you a rundown before taking it away. I do hope the owners manual helped you out though.

Cheers!

Just one question though … do you own or drive a Hybrid Camry or Prius? It’s a serious question and I’m certainly not trying to start an fight here but from memory when we first picked up the vehicle I put the Camry into gear several times before the motor cut in and nothing happened.

Also let me say in our defence that we received no intro to this vehicle at all. When we arrived to pick up the car we were basically told … ‘The key’s in the car … I’ll get the garage door opened for you and now I’ve got to get back to a meeting’

Neither of us had ever driven a high-tech vehicle like this before … we were literally in a situation where one of us was reading the handbook while the other drove the car out of the secure parking area.

Unfortunately in situations like that it’s very easy to get things wrong so if we did … and you have personal experience to share … then I really do appreciate your comments.

Stuart

Sigh, you guys don’t understand how the HSD system works. As soon as the “READY” light is lit, the vehicle is ready to drive straight away! Throw it in drive or reverse and away you go. You don’t have to sit there and wait for the engine to actually start. It will drive on electric for the first few moments. The engine eventually starts, if it’s cold to allow the engine to warm up, or if the engine is already warm, just to circulate coolant for a few moments.

You’ve made this mistake a few times now in your reviews.