Comments on: Consumer Reports: Hybrids Are Very Reliable

By: WiseConsumer

WiseConsumer — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 15:27:42 +0000

Well this sounds like a American problem that needs to change…Not by moving companies out of the country…Thank goodness our gov’t bailed out the auto industry…Why is it past remarks about “let them go bankrupt” are now ignored!! America WAKE UP!

By: GOZZ40

GOZZ40 — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 20:15:22 +0000

comment free professional advice, im the owner of 2004 & 2005 prius that i purchased new from longo toyota. GM and FORD will never build a hybrid as good as TOYOTA nissan OR honda PEROID…… I HAVE 248.000 THOUSAND MILES ON MY 05 PRIUS MY WIFES CAR , iVE ONLY CHANGED THE WATER PUMP WITCH WAS A TOYOTA RECALL. ALSO I HAVE THE MOST MILES ON ANY 05 PRIUS IN THE COUNTY ACCORDING TO LONGO TOYOTA ,WORLDS LARGEST TOYOTA DEALER. 248.000MILES, FIRST FRONT BRAKE JOB AT 185.000 MILES FIRST REAR BRAKE JOB AT 205.000 MILES. THE CAR HAS NEVER LEFT US STRANDED. SAFETY WISE WE GOT CUT OF BY A TRUCK WENT INTO A CONCRETE BEAM AT 70 M.P.H. ALL 9 AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WE WALKED AWAY WITHOUT A SCRATCH. ITS AS SAFE AS A TRUCK IN A ACCIDENT.YOUR CALCULATION IS WAY OFF , 900 VS 9000.00, ITS MORE LIKE 9000.00 TO FIX PRIUS & AROUND 5000.00 TO FIX FOCUS. PLUS YOU CANT COMPARE THE 2 CARS ,THERE COMPLETELY DIFFERNT. VOLVO HAS ALLWAYS BEEN AN ODDBALL. MY O4 PRIUS SAME AS 05 PRIUS EXCEPT THE 04 HAS ONLY 205.000 MILES.REMEMBER THE FOCUS COST

By: Luke Bradley

Luke Bradley — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 03:56:20 +0000

So ? Your own experience with 2 neighbor’s cars is hardly an argument against Consumer Report’s 1.4 million data points. I’m biased against American cars because they don’t last. That conclusion is based on my neighbors, friends, family, as well as Consumer Report’s testing. Bottom line is, I want to take my car to a mechanic as little as possible.

By: shane

shane — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 16:42:57 +0000

toyota may be building cars in te u.s. but all of the profits go to japan and there are no tariffs on them
to make things worse they pay their employees significantly less.

By: Collin

Collin — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 16:19:59 +0000

It's great to mind origin of product you buy and I advise everybody to prefer local products.
However, it doesn't mean we have to twist the truth or pretend something, it would be even counterproductive (telling our local producers "It's OKay to produce rubbish, we'll buy it").
I'm generally happy with American products, recognizing them as good quality products, but let's be honest - as for cars, there are generally better choices.
You can doubt CR, but you can't doubt physical data like German ADAC reports. And they reveal that i.e. in 2004 first seven cars are "Made In Japan" (all but 1 Japanese producers). Next are Germans:
1. Mazda
2. Toyota
2. Subaru
4. Daihatsu
5. Honda
6. Suzuki
7. Mitsubishi
8. Audi
9. BMW
10. VW
11. Mercedes
12. Nissan
ADAC makes his list according to raw data - breakdowns and wear down replacements, not on customers emotions. And there are enough Fords, Chryslers, Volvos, etc. in Germany.
So let's be fair, Japanese cars are good, in average much better than American

By: Sullivas6

Sullivas6 — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 13:15:57 +0000

Great points about ICE vs Hybrids motors. ICE requires more maintenance, whether you take proper care or neglect it. "Pay me now or pay me later." If properly cared for an ICE engine can go a long time. I've driven 3 Chevey and 1 Buick up to 140K-180K, and gave up the cars only because of body work (rust) and not the engines. I now have a Hybrid and I am waiting to see how it does, but I'd be surprised if I can't get 200K and 15 years out of it. And the best thing will be all $$$ save on gas.

Also if you think buying GM will get you an American car, look again closely at the stickers. Last time I went shopping a year ago, the Chevy car that I liked had more foriegn parts than the comparable Toyota I looked at. Put your money toward more of what you want to see - in my case I want better gas mileage, no matter who makes it.

By: bill cosworth

bill cosworth — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 08:25:26 +0000

Toyota PR is very strong in this site. I think Toyota people are running this site.

Thie one guy said that he spent less than 250 dollars on his toyota in 10 years is totaly false.

A break job or oil changes will cost him more. So either he cant add numbers or he is just a dummie.

I wish toyota would just go out of business they have caused so many problems for the USA and caused people to lose there jobs.

I will allways buy american becaue I know american cars are the best.

By: Loren

Loren — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 22:54:52 +0000

I own a 2007 Escape hybrid it has about 50,000 mil. on it with no break down at all . I also have a 1994 Aerostar all wheel drive it has 297,000 mi. on has the same engine and trans in it and there not rebuilts that have never came out . I know Ford can make a better hybrid to get better then 32 mpg .

By: kanejk

kanejk — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 18:10:08 +0000

There seem to be people that feel we should be buying American-made vehicles, so that the cash flow doesn't end in Japan.

Well, I see the point-but unfortunately, American-made means it comes from an American-owned company, and let's be honest, America is lazy when it comes to advancing technology and changing perceptions.

If in fact Ford or Chevrolet made a hybrid worth buying-instead of a 32 mpg "hybrid", then I'd buy it. Until that time, I'll stick with the products that make the difference environmentally.

By: ex-EV1 driver

ex-EV1 driver — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 17:18:00 +0000

I'm not sure who subverted this discussion to oabout American -vs- Foreign cars but, I, for one, see the big thing in this article being:

Hybrids -vs- pure ICE

Clearly, the record for Hybrids is just as theory predicted. They don't wear out like pure ICE powered cars do.
- Hybrids use the electric motor to help the ICE through the tough stuff like accelerating and hill climbing
- The electric motors in hybrids are very simple with minimal moving parts and no large temperature gradients. Therefore, they can be very reliable.
- Batteries are pretty good as well. Auto manufacturers knew this from the experiences with the EV1, Toyota RAV4EV, etc but didn't want anyone to know this.
- Regenerative braking significantly reduces brake wear.

From an auto industry perspective, this is the problem with hybrids and EVs: They don't require sufficient after-market servicing and parts.