My random thoughts after 1 week of ownership

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Sarge @ Jul 31 2007, 10:23 AM) [snapback]488142[/snapback]</div>

I've seen other people comment on the lack of disc brakes on the Prius, and I have another angle: It was a conscious design decision and a clever one.

If you look at most (if not all) rear disc designs, it is a combination of a disc and drum. Why? Because you must have a parking brake, and it makes the most sense to have it on the rear wheels. So with most rear discs, you get great fade resistant rear brakes, but end up with a crappy, undersized drum parking brake (like my Ford Explorer has).

As you mentioned, the Prius doesn't rely on the rear brakes that much because most of the braking is regen, so you end up with a better parking brake without added weight.