Hi,
Quote:
Originally Posted by Arragonis
. . . But then I have read a few bits and pieces about coasting - neutral and otherwise - which confuses me - it seems the more the car wants to help you the less control you have to improve it.
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I don't want to 'pick the scab' again as there are folks in the 'hypermiler' community who think I am an agent of Satan. But in reality, I follow Dick Hicks, a GE manager, who once told a software supervisor who after a month had progressed from 90% to 90%,
"90% is not good enough ... it is f*ckin' PERFECT! Ship it!"
They shipped their software into the hands of operations ... including ME! We made major advances the next two weeks and were soon readly for launch. The lesson learned: don't let perfect be the enemy of GOOD ENOUGH.
There are a few simple techniques that will get you in the 52 MPG range ... call it 90% of perfect. If this is not good enough, fine, go with the other car. But you also lose an opportunity to study a new technology ... a fascinating technology quite beyond the dirt-simple alternatives.
I have no idea what 'cranks your tractor' but a car that has both gas and electric power and tries to emulate an ordinary car ... what a fascinating puzzle. The resouces available to Prius people ... well I'm seldom bored. For example, the Yahoo group "Prius Technical Stuff" dates to November 2000 and documents the work of pioneer Prius geniuses of whom I remain in awe.
As for your decision, the only one you have to please is yourself. To eliminate any buyer's remorse, see if you can rent a Prius for a weekend. Good, bad or ugly, you'll know if you can stand to walk out in the morning and think 'Oh boy, I get to play with you today!'
Go with the car that excites your imagination and above all, be happy.
Bob Wilson