Question for the car geeks

POSTED BY: dreamtrove
UPDATED: Saturday, March 19, 2011 20:49
VIEWED: 2693
PAGE 1 of 3

1 2 3 NEXT PAGE

DREAMTROVE

Thursday, March 17, 2011 1:21 AM

I'm considering a Prius purchase. Does it matter which Prius I get? Ultimately, I want to convert it to run electric for most purposes.

I had an idea, which was, these Prius batteries, which go used with a street price of around 500 and a decent life, why couldn't one just link a line of them, stick 'em in the trunk, and charge them with a plug in?

Or stick a big old solar panel on a luggage rack.

Just thoughts for the distant future, but I want to get a car that might support these kinds of mods.

Thoughts?

That's what a ship is, you know - it's not just a keel and a hull and a deck and sails, that's what a ship needs.

USBROWNCOAT

Thursday, March 17, 2011 1:27 AM

Not a car geek, but I am still a bit shy of getting a battery operated car. The trouble we have with these cell phone batteries(disposing) is one of the enviromental shames on this globe. I think the last thing we need are four hundred pound batteries in the ground.

That being said, the gas mileage is insane, so if you hate the world, love poison leeching into the ground, and are selfish bye a Prius.

DREAMTROVE

Thursday, March 17, 2011 1:35 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by USBrowncoat:
Not a car geek, but I am still a bit shy of getting a battery operated car. The trouble we have with these cell phone batteries(disposing) is one of the enviromental shames on this globe. I think the last thing we need are four hundred pound batteries in the ground.

That being said, the gas mileage is insane, so if you hate the world, love poison leeching into the ground, and are selfish bye a Prius.

Actually, I've now read several reports from consumer reports and other reviewers and testers, and all conclude that the prius battery does not depreciate noticeably with reuse, it seems generally agreed that it will long outlast the car. The fate of prius batteries from dead prii seems to be to be sold to other prii to boost their range.

That's what a ship is, you know - it's not just a keel and a hull and a deck and sails, that's what a ship needs.

USBROWNCOAT

Thursday, March 17, 2011 1:42 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by dreamtrove:
Quote:
Originally posted by USBrowncoat:
Not a car geek, but I am still a bit shy of getting a battery operated car. The trouble we have with these cell phone batteries(disposing) is one of the enviromental shames on this globe. I think the last thing we need are four hundred pound batteries in the ground.

That being said, the gas mileage is insane, so if you hate the world, love poison leeching into the ground, and are selfish bye a Prius.

Actually, I've now read several reports from consumer reports and other reviewers and testers, and all conclude that the prius battery does not depreciate noticeably with reuse, it seems generally agreed that it will long outlast the car. The fate of prius batteries from dead prii seems to be to be sold to other prii to boost their range.

That's what a ship is, you know - it's not just a keel and a hull and a deck and sails, that's what a ship needs.

Sooner or later you have to put a thousand pound battery in your land fill, or even worse someone elses. Modern cars. Not so much. They get crushed, melted and recycled. 100% except the 20 LB battery. Just saying.

DREAMTROVE

Thursday, March 17, 2011 2:39 AM

Whatever. I'm looking to buy a car, not get into a political debate.

That's what a ship is, you know - it's not just a keel and a hull and a deck and sails, that's what a ship needs.

KWICKO

Thursday, March 17, 2011 12:10 PM

Best bet is most likely this: Buy the newest, lowest-mileage Prius you can afford. The batteries don't always outlast the car - my UPS driver also delivers to the Toyota dealership, and at least once a month he's got a Prius battery pack on his truck, so they do go bad at least occasionally.

As for the conversion stuff, no idea.

"Although it is not true that all conservatives are stupid people, it is true that most stupid people are conservatives." - John Stuart Mill

DREAMTROVE

Thursday, March 17, 2011 2:59 PM

I was counting on you. Hmm. The first part I actually could figure out for myself ;)

Liberal blogs assure me that if you get a Prius, this happens:

That's what a ship is, you know - it's not just a keel and a hull and a deck and sails, that's what a ship needs.

GEEZER

Thursday, March 17, 2011 4:55 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by dreamtrove:
I'm considering a Prius purchase.

Why necessarily a Prius? Would a Honda Insight or larger Ford Fusion Hybrid possibly suit you better? Lots of Hybrids out there now, and the Prius might not be the best fit for you. List your requirements and look for the best match.

"Keep the Shiny side up"

DREAMTROVE

Thursday, March 17, 2011 5:13 PM

If it's a Prius, someone else pays for it. That fits my requirements best.

If I were a rich man, I'd get a Tesla Roadster. Or perhaps a three masted schooner. Then crew it with the cast of Riverdance ;)

That's what a ship is, you know - it's not just a keel and a hull and a deck and sails, that's what a ship needs.

FREMDFIRMA

Thursday, March 17, 2011 6:52 PM

I couldn't tell ya, but we beat you to the punch with the solar panel, lol...

We're going to greymarket a VW Polo Bluemotion and convert it to a hybrid running on SVO, and one of the first mods we came up with was mounting a solar panel on the roof, cause every little bit helps, and it's so goddamn intuitive to be obvious, innit ?

The regenerative brakes are gonna be a bitch though, apparently the Polo doesn't come with em and the refit (as opposed to built-with) is going to be all manner of hassle.

We do have the target Prius, well, a pair of them, one was rear ended and the battery is no good, the other has a good battery but the front end is completely smooshed since some asshat backed a truck over it - right down we're tossing funds in the jar to GET the VW Bluemotion though.
Will let you know how it goes.

Mikey's contacts would know more about fiddling with a Prius than mine would at this time, right now we're still poking it with sticks like demented apes trying to figure out how to get one apart without breaking anything.

-Frem

I do not serve the Blind God.

1 2 3 NEXT PAGE