I pulled up behind a fairly new Prius with dealer tags on it this morning at a 4-way stop.

As it pulled away, I saw blue smoke (bad oil rings?) rolling out of the tailpipe.

As these cars age and the batteries go kaput, what will the mileage be like?

In the future, I suspect that the 'green' parents who bought these cars will be handing the keys to the kids, and the kids will be burning around town getting 20-22MPG while hauling a dead battery (boat anchor) around town.

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2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid SEL Premium (Sparky)
http://badges.fuelly.com/images/smallsig-us/193500.png

It's a car not a science experiment! Open the throttle!

To MOST of the people who bought them it matters not. Their decision to purchase them was based on a social statment, NOT a decision based on economy or efficiency.

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2001 SLK 320 six speed manual
2014 Porsche Cayenne six speed manual

Annoy a Liberal, Read the Constitution

Cars don't get handed down as much as they used to, so I doubt that your vision will actually come to pass in any significant numbers. Further, the rate of new driver's licenses and permits is actually on the decline, with a growing number of kids deciding that driving isn't the "must have" as it once was either.

The average age of a car on the road is at an all-time high, or within a year of such. They may not be handed down, but they sure stay on the road.

That wasn't smoke, it was a rainbow.

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1980 300TD-China Blue/Blue MBTex-2nd Owner, 107K (Alt Blau) OBK #15
'06 Chevy Tahoe Z71 (for the wife & 4 kids, current mule) '03 Honda Odyssey (son #1's ride, reluctantly) '99 GMC Suburban (255K+ miles, semi-retired mule) 21' SeaRay Seville (summer escape pod)

Frankly, I doubt these cars will be around in a decade or so unless battery technology improves to the point where it is not cost prohibitive at replacement. Even so, I don't think the newer cars are made to 'last'. I'm always amazed when I see a fairly new car (like an '06 or newer) with fading headlights and other odd wear that you don't normally see on cars less than 10-yrs old.

Yes, people are holding on to cars longer, buying used instead of new and unfortunately not returning any savings into preventative maintenance.

Hard to say. The first gen Priuses are nearing 15 yo. and I don't think there's been any widespread battery failures yet. Might very well be on the cusp, though.

I'll admit to initially being a cynic as far as the technology goes (I'd prefer more clean diesels), but I'm slowly coming around on them as I see more and more on CL with 200K+ miles. I still haven't ruled out the Prius V (wagon) for one of my sales reps. We replace their vehicles every 5yr/150K so that appears to be a safe range for them.

I agree with you about the premature aging.

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1980 300TD-China Blue/Blue MBTex-2nd Owner, 107K (Alt Blau) OBK #15
'06 Chevy Tahoe Z71 (for the wife & 4 kids, current mule) '03 Honda Odyssey (son #1's ride, reluctantly) '99 GMC Suburban (255K+ miles, semi-retired mule) 21' SeaRay Seville (summer escape pod)

There are several running around in NYC taxi service with 200k+ miles. If that kind of service and temp condition isn't hard on batteries, I don't know what is.

Sadly for many, any savings are paying for day-to-day expenses.

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1980 300TD-China Blue/Blue MBTex-2nd Owner, 107K (Alt Blau) OBK #15
'06 Chevy Tahoe Z71 (for the wife & 4 kids, current mule) '03 Honda Odyssey (son #1's ride, reluctantly) '99 GMC Suburban (255K+ miles, semi-retired mule) 21' SeaRay Seville (summer escape pod)

I have a novel solution.. high quality glass instead of plastic.

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2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid SEL Premium (Sparky)
http://badges.fuelly.com/images/smallsig-us/193500.png

It's a car not a science experiment! Open the throttle!

Yes.

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2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid SEL Premium (Sparky)
http://badges.fuelly.com/images/smallsig-us/193500.png

It's a car not a science experiment! Open the throttle!

I work with a few folks who own these cars. All have received excellent service from their vehicles, not to mention outstanding gas mileage.

Their reason for such a purchase had to do with fuel savings and nothing whatsoever to do with "social statement".

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Mike Murrell
1991 300-SEL - Model 126
M103 - SOHC
"Fräulein"

Exactly! Just like those folks who drive those old Mercedes diesels!

doesnt a prius have a 1.0L 3cylinder engine ? how bad a mileage could it get ? (short of leaking fuel hose...)

-John

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2009 Kia Sedona
2009 Honda Odyssey EX-L
12006 Jetta Pumpe Duse
(insert Mercedes here)

Husband, Father, sometimes friend =)