"Julian" wrote in message
...

I wonder what the residual values of the P will be like when they get to
say 5-7 years old?

Good. It has been around for 10 years in two forms.

You'll have to be very brave to take one on IMHO. New cells (how many!?)
or bsuggered motors in the transaxle or duff CVT are going to cost more
than the car's worth...

The batteries, elec motor and power-splitter, are guaranteed for 8 years,
with a 12 years expected life on batteries and 20 plus on other components.

So at 12 years, say if the it needs battery set that is no more than, and in
12 years probably a hell of a lot cheaper with superior batteries, than say
a gbox replacement on a crap normal car. The batteries in 12 years time will
be cheaper and far superior to the current crop of batteries, also the Pius
has a large battery compartment which the set does not fully occupy. It was
supposed to have a large battery set. There was shortage of batteries at the
time so they cut down. Fill the compartment with superior cells and the
thing will sing. Give it a mains charge adaptor, as in CalCars in
California, and voila!

I'll bet some company, before long, offers an engine/box transplant from
(say) a Focus, or finds a way of running it on engine power alone with no
batteries...

I doubt it as it has fewer and simpler components than a normal car. The
Prius is the most reliable car in the world. Ask JD Power.

Also It's not obvious to me why they just didn't adopt a drivetrain
similar to that as used on a Diesel electric submarine. As it is now it
seems huge complication for little gain.

The Prius is NOT complicated, when the basics of operation is known; read my
description it is not difficult. It is SIMPLE. Put a rotary engine in it
and simpler again. In 5 years time put a new Lith Poly battery set in to
fill the battery bay and a mains charger and the car sings

There are numerous hybrids now, especially in the USA and Japan. Expect
them to get better and better. The best is yet to come. And you will say in
6 years time, that Dr Drivel was right. ..and naturally fell a right prat.