Good idea to buy an '07 Prius with 170k miles?

bigjl

peter12345678910 wrote: »

Though hybrid cars are called hybrid and are more expensive people believe that they are hybrids. The reason they do not save as much as is expected, is that they are actually fuel cars with a dynamo.

On electric alone they can only travel just over 1 mile these are the new models. The only reason they are more reliable is that they use basic engines which have been tested.

Basic engines?

Which of these Hybrids comes with an engine fitted previously to other cars?

I have always been led to believe that the Prius engine, 1.5 and 1.8, was only fitted to the Hybrid vehicle. It may be a development of another engine of course but it doesn't have a cambelt or camchain but instead has gears.

That is based on information I have been given and obviously Injave never stripped a Prius engine apart to look.

I think the Peugeot Hybrid uses a run of the mill Diesel engine and to be honest I know nothing about the 1.3 and 1.4 fitted to the Honda IMA.

http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/hybrid

The Oxford Dictionary appears to agree that the definition of a Hybrid is when both elements can power the vehicle.

Which would in theory rule out the Routemaster as the engine doesn't power the wheels just charge the battery, same goes for the IMA vehicles I think as I was told that the electric motor only assists the petrol engine and doesn't power the car independently, though it may pull away with the electric motor and then it would meet the definition.

The S400 Hybrid moves off slowly with the electric motor then the petrol engine cuts in shortly after. At least in normal operation. I assume the S300 Hybrid with the Diesel engine is similar in this respect.

victor2

bigjl wrote: »

Basic engines?

Which of these Hybrids comes with an engine fitted previously to other cars?

I have always been led to believe that the Prius engine, 1.5 and 1.8, was only fitted to the Hybrid vehicle. It may be a development of another engine of course but it doesn't have a cambelt or camchain but instead has gears.
...

Rather than basic, I would say they come from a stable of proven technology. As far as routine servicing goes they are little different to a "basic" Toyota. The only exception I've been made aware of is that new plugs will be due in the next annual service on ours, and they are about £15 each. Nothing particularly special about them, but they are unique to the Prius.
Toyota explain the engine in their blog:
http://blog.toyota.co.uk/toyota-use-atkinson-cycle-engines

gilbert_and_sullivan

Thanks Victor2, i had no idea that Atkinson cycle somehow manages to vary the stroke of the pistons, that's far from basic.

I'd like to be there and assist with the stripping down of one, must be a seriously complicated affair at the crank end.

Just looked the spark plugs up, NGK Iridiums, yes they are a bit on the steep side.

gilbert_and_sullivan

bigjl wrote: »

Basic engines?

It may be a development of another engine of course but it doesn't have a cambelt or camchain but instead has gears.

I agree with your post.

Gears eh, good old 70's Ford V4/V6 technology...;)

Seriously though thats one thing i admire about Toyota, whilst they are innovative they keep it tempered by old fashioned conservatism.
If it aint broke don't fix it, probably why their industrial vehicles are so reliable whatever the badge, eg Hino.

peter12345678910

gilbert_and_sullivan wrote: »

I agree with your post.

Gears eh, good old 70's Ford V4/V6 technology...;)

Seriously though thats one thing i admire about Toyota, whilst they are innovative they keep it tempered by old fashioned conservatism.
If it aint broke don't fix it, probably why their industrial vehicles are so reliable whatever the badge, eg Hino.

Ok, perhaps they are not basic but it was invented in England in 1882.

victor2

gilbert_and_sullivan wrote: »

Seriously though thats one thing i admire about Toyota, whilst they are innovative they keep it tempered by old fashioned conservatism.
If it aint broke don't fix it, probably why their industrial vehicles are so reliable whatever the badge, eg Hino.

The Prius may be too sophisticated for your average war zone, but Toyota seem to have cracked that market long ago...