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New York Times: 10 Sites That Avoid Hybrid Hype

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by Chuck., Oct 24, 2007.

  1. Chuck.

    Chuck. Former Honda Enzyte Driver

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    The New York Times listed ten sites you can get reliabable information on hybrids - www.priuschat.com is on the list.

    http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/24/automobi...&ei=5087%0A



    PRIUSCHAT.COM

    It would not be a green list without a site focused on the car that put hybrids on the map, the Prius. And like all fan forum sites, PriusChat provides an outlet for owners to gush their love for the little Toyota, as well as trade tips and share news on modifications, new models and mileage claims.
     
    #1 Chuck., Oct 24, 2007
  2. Trevor

    Trevor Member

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    I thought that it was funny that in an article about Prius misinformation, they describe the Prius as "the little Toyota".
     
    #2 Trevor, Oct 24, 2007
  3. JackDodge

    JackDodge Gold Member

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    #3 JackDodge, Oct 24, 2007
  4. IsrAmeriPrius

    IsrAmeriPrius Progressive Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Trevor @ Oct 24 2007, 07:47 AM) [snapback]529682[/snapback]</div>
    Compared to the Tundra, it is.

    :D
     
    #4 IsrAmeriPrius, Oct 24, 2007
  5. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

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    Avoiding hype always meant sticking to real-world data.

    That still being the case, why is a concept vehicle featured in the list of links?
     
    #5 john1701a, Oct 24, 2007
  6. Trevor

    Trevor Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(IsrAmeriPrius @ Oct 24 2007, 02:00 PM) [snapback]529782[/snapback]</div>
    But then what if a Yaris joins the party? :D
     
    #6 Trevor, Oct 24, 2007
  7. Danny Hamilton

    Danny Hamilton Active Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Trevor @ Oct 24 2007, 03:31 PM) [snapback]529847[/snapback]</div>
    We've got a couple of no-necks at the door and red velvet ropes to prevent that.
     
    #7 Danny Hamilton, Oct 24, 2007
  8. Godiva

    Godiva AmeriKan Citizen

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    Funny. Today when I came out of a store there was an Insight parked next to me. It looked kinda little next to my Prius.
     
    #8 Godiva, Oct 24, 2007
  9. Chuck.

    Chuck. Former Honda Enzyte Driver

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Godiva @ Oct 24 2007, 04:11 PM) [snapback]529863[/snapback]</div>
    But then an F250 guy mistook my Insight for a Prius...he would not understand, but should have replied: "it's an anorexic Prius that has lost so much weight it can't EV anymore..." :p
     
    #9 Chuck., Oct 24, 2007
  10. jhb134

    jhb134 New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Delta Flyer @ Oct 24 2007, 09:36 AM) [snapback]529678[/snapback]</div>
    I like the Chevrolet concept, of the Volt .. even though it's hardly-more than an ad campaign, right now. If GM can develop a lithium-ion battery that's safe, dependable and affordable .. the Volt might see production. .. Of course, it'll probably 2010 or so, before THAT happens (opinion)
     
    #10 jhb134, Oct 24, 2007
  11. jhb134

    jhb134 New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Delta Flyer @ Oct 24 2007, 09:36 AM) [snapback]529678[/snapback]</div>
    I like the Chevrolet concept, of the Volt .. even though it's hardly-more than an ad campaign, right now. If GM can develop a lithium-ion battery that's safe, dependable and affordable .. the Volt might see production. .. Of course, it'll probably 2010 or so, before THAT happens (opinion)
     
    #11 jhb134, Oct 24, 2007
  12. jk450

    jk450 New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Delta Flyer @ Oct 24 2007, 10:36 AM) [snapback]529678[/snapback]</div>
    Ouch. Not the greatest of "sites you can get reliable information on hybrids" lists, IMHO. Admittedly, it may be difficult to come up with a list of ten accurate websites, period - much less a "top ten":

    Hybridcars.com is one of the most inaccurate sites on the web. Just dreadful. Won't correct their mistakes, either. Avoid.

    Priuschat.com can be decent with info on pattern failures, but has its fair share of howlers. Especially with operational theory or armchair diagnosis.

    GM-Volt.com rehashes news pieces and gives them a pro-Volt spin.

    Treehugger mostly repackages stories from elsewhere. Same with cleanmpg.com.

    Autobloggreen repeats anything that anyone says, and consequently has to take down stories from time to time because of their inaccuracies. Nice, large-format pictures from the auto shows, though.

    And so on. I wish it were different...
     
    #12 jk450, Oct 25, 2007
  13. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jk450 @ Oct 25 2007, 02:58 AM) [snapback]530125[/snapback]</div>
    I agree, in general, about your conclusions about the article. I'd hardly call any of the sites (other than the .gov site) 'non-hype'. By definition Priuschat is an enthusiasts site. If we didn't have a passion for the Prius we wouldn't be here. If you come here looking for completely objective information it's going to be a little hard to find. I think most of us try to be honest and balanced, but it's clear we have a bias for the Prius.

    I do disagree, a bit, with your characterization of Priuschat WRT the armchair diagnosis. While any given post about a problem may have several possible diagnosis offered I'm willing to bet that if you look at the concensus opinions that we're right about 95% of the time...probably better than the average tech at your Toyota dealer. Many of us have been around long enough to have seen similar problems reported and diagnosed and we have a couple of actual techs and a few other highly technically knowledgeable folks who participate. We can usually nail the problem or narrow it down to the most likely area that the problem arises from. And when we can't the general concensus is that we need more information and that can only come from the diagnostic tester and a visit to the dealer. While each post usually contains a few WAGs they also usually contain some pretty dead on diagnosis from experienced knowledgeable posters.

    I don't look at a lot of the other sites, have found hybridcars.com to be OK, but don't go there enough to say whether I agree or disagree with your assesment about it's inaccuracies or not.
     
    #13 efusco, Oct 25, 2007
  14. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ Oct 25 2007, 08:01 AM) [snapback]530177[/snapback]</div>
    Again with the real-world data. Here, we have a large collection of actual drivers of those vehicles that are happy to candidly share their experiences. That makes diagnosis surprisingly accurate.

    It's incredibly easy for discussions to lose their constructive nature without owners participating... which those other sites see a lot of, coming from enthusiasts of designs that are still just prototypes.

    As for the rehashing, their spin is quite an entertaining draw. I certainly find it fascinating how they come up with perspectives contrary to our observations and years of research.
     
    #14 john1701a, Oct 25, 2007
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