Doctor Drivel wrote:
"Bioboffin" wrote in message
...

As someone in the market for a fuel
efficient car, I have been attracted to
the Prius. I am a little uncertain
about the high purchase price,

Offset by free parking, high mpg, free congestion charges, cheaper
servicing (the electric components are service free) in London. It
will pay for itself in a matter of 5 to 8 years

the cosmetic issues,

A trendy funky design that attracts the Hollywood set.

and more importantly, about the
resale value

Resisuals are higher than average.

(dealers don't appear to like it
because of uncertainties about
the new technology.

There is less compexity in the car than normal cars - no gearbox. The
compete motor, power splitter, transmission, inverter and batteries
are guaranteed 8 years.

A problem that Citroens have suffered
from for a number of years thanks to
their unconventional suspension).

100,000s of Prii are made; must be up to 0.5 million by now. They
are to be made in the USA and China to cope with demand The China
plant is for China only.

The good news is that Toyota
(and a few others) have more hybrid cars in the
pipeline in the near future. Lets hope
they can continue to improve.

They all have them. Ford have the Escape already on sale. The Lexus
is too. GM, Ford, Nissan, etc are all bringing them out pretty soon
and nearly all using the Toyota power splitter arrangement. Toyota
say in about 4 years every model will have a hybrid equivallent. In
a few years time the batteries will be larger, and cheaper, and hold
more energy too, giving about 60 to 100 miles battery range with
option of grid charging or leaving it to the petrol motor.

Thanks for the reply. You are certainly an enthusiastic advocate for the
marque.

I don't live in London, so it may take a few more years to recover the
intial costs. I'm not too convinced by the "Hollywood set" with respect to
design. :-)