This is the day before Christmas. Many of us are looking for a fuel efficient, green car in our future. The Toyota Prius is to the 2009 what the Toyota Corolla was to the late 1960′s and 1970′s. Both cars are break through cars of their day. That is way the Toyota Corolla is still in production, with a new changes over the years.

The Toyota Prius has become the standard for automakers when it comes to gasoline/electric hybrid vehicles. The popularity and sales history makes the Toyota’s first hybrid car very popular. Having the Prius do a cameo appearance on The Closer does not hurt its’ reputation.

Edmunds discribes the special power train 1.8-liter gasoline engine that produces 98 horsepower. Then the two electric motors gearing puts a total of 134 hp on the road.

At FuelEconomy.gov the Toyota Prius is rated at 50 miles per gallon. That is the average. The high is 51 mph in town road and 48 on the open road. I thought this was backwards until I realized that the electric motors are more apt to be used in town than on the open road.

You can buy this leader in green technology for just over $27,000. An older 2005 model sells for just under the $14,000 range. Some people think is high price for an energy efficient car, but you got to consider all the research and development that has been done in putting this car on the road.

After reading some of the complaints from ConsumerAffairs.com I have become fearful of buy a Prius. When the car suddenly stops in the middle of traffic, because of oil on the manifold? That concerns me. Then there was that recall for sudden acceleration, from the floor mat and the gas pedal?

From websites like Yahoo Answers to Pruschat.com I have enough questionable issue that want me to wait a few more years before getting a Toyota Prius. Electrical mechanical issues aside the cost-effective for the average consumer has not arrived.

Mostly because of the high cost of the lithium-ion batteries required for these cars. The farther a car is expected to drive on electricity alone, the larger, and more expensive is battery pack’s cost. Fuel savings will not cover the extra cost of the battery, unless gas prices start to exceed $5 per gallon.

I waiting to see what other car manufacture offering to the green market will give us. The Chevrolet Volt, along with Honda and Voltswagon will be coming out with their in the near future.  My concern is what is going to cost me per mile to operate.

Tags: Corolla, Hybrid Cars, Prius, Toyota