The Drive-a-Toyota Act

Discussion in 'General Motoring' started by Fred, Jul 2, 2007.

  1. Fred

    mrv Guest

    I'm not saying whether or not the income tax data is a good thing or a
    bad thing, or that anything should or should not be changed. (that is
    way OT for this list.) I was just pointing out that should the
    supposed list of corporate income tax filings be found, and if Toyota
    is really on that list, that Toyota would be with the majority of
    other corporations in not having paid corporate income taxes. (So
    Toyota shouldn't be singled out of the pack... "when in Rome...")

    But so far I have not seen any proof of such a list, nor that Toyota
    is on it.

    I can say that Toyota does pay taxes to someone, though - it's on
    their annual investor report (see the Financial section).
    http://www.toyota.co.jp/en/ir/library/annual/pdf/2006/
     
    mrv, Jul 10, 2007
  2. Fred

    Mike Hunter Guest

    Corporations that show a loss for the year obviously do not pay corporate
    "income" taxes. ;)

    mike
     
    Mike Hunter, Jul 10, 2007
  3. Fred

    C-BODY Guest

    When fuel prices go up, discounts on hybrids go down (IF there were any
    discounts on hybrids to start with--other than the
    hybrid-that-not-a-real-hybrid GM trucks with the battery pack under the
    rear seat, whose engine stops at red lights, then restarts when you take
    off again).

    Resale on the Prius and similar might be better if fuel prices continue
    upward, so you'd need to consider that in the mix, just as with a
    gasoline-powered normal vehicle. Once you get past the initial buy-in,
    the ownership costs might be lower. Same thing with buying a diesel 3/4
    ton truck vs a gasoline version.

    Yet, on the basic purchase, it would be hard to justify the hybrid on
    JUST fuel savings. Unless . . . the vehicle you were comparing it to
    (traded-in?) was more thirsty on fuel. Several ways to look at it.

    Still, the Corolla and Camry 4cyl, as are the similar Honda Accords 4
    cyls, hard to beat on total package fuel economy vs. price vs. resale.
    There are also some good USA brands that can be similar . . . IF
    anybody's interested.

    Just some thoughts . . .

    C-BODY
     
    C-BODY, Jul 13, 2007
  4. Fred

    who Guest

    Is there a hybrid that doesn't sacrifice trunk space and full size spare
    capability?
    The Prius, Camry and Vue have these limitations.
    In fact the Vue hybrid doesn't even have a spare, just a very small hole
    patch kit that you can struggle with while sitting at the side of he
    road.
    The Camry's lovely trunk is killed by the hybrid batteries plus the
    regular battery.
     
    who, Jul 14, 2007
  5. Fred

    RapidRonnie Guest

    Surely thou jest.

    The GM trans that are used by racers and hot rodders maybe-after they
    are rebuilt with all the Good Guy parts. Not stock GM trans in
    production cars. At least, not on a percentage basis.

    The older Chrysler trans were pretty tough. I wouldn't say that of
    most of the FWD transaxles.

    Neither the manufacturer nor the consumer is terribly determined to
    have a good transmission or anything else in vehicles today.
     
    RapidRonnie, Jul 18, 2007
  6. Fred

    RapidRonnie Guest

     
    RapidRonnie, Jul 18, 2007
  7. Fred

    RapidRonnie Guest

    And neither is as good as a TRUE hybrid vehicle: one with a pure
    electric motor and independent gen set.
     
    RapidRonnie, Jul 18, 2007
  8. Fred

    RapidRonnie Guest

    "

    It's actually no where near as efficient as it could be if it were a
    constant speed pure generator engine. If one were to use a purpose
    designed diesel for that bsfc could be in the .28 range. I doubt bsfc
    on the Prius engine is better than .35.

    True, you gain a little efficiency with the direct lockup under
    power. But not enough to make it worthwhile.
     
    RapidRonnie, Jul 18, 2007
  9. Fred

    RapidRonnie Guest

    It's nonsense because with minor mods the car can be driven 15+ miles
    on a full charge of battery, without firing the engine up.
     
    RapidRonnie, Jul 18, 2007
  10. Fred

    RapidRonnie Guest

    Not from a performance and efficiency standpoint.
     
    RapidRonnie, Jul 18, 2007
  11. Fred

    dold Guest

    That suggests that you don't understand, and are making a WAG.
    Why would there fail to be an aftermarket? There are lots of hybrids on
    the road already. If the battery packs do start to fail out of warranty,
    the niche need will certainly be filled.

    There are already D-Cell NiMH batteries available in bulk. A backyard
    mechanic could replace the entire complement of batteries for under $1000.
     
    dold, Jul 18, 2007
  12. Fred

    Bill Putney Guest

    When you say D-cells - you mean flashlight-type D-cells? I doubt if the
    package is very efficient space (round hexagonal close packing vs. no
    intersticial spaces) or weight (each individual cell has its own
    no-value-added-as-far-as-energy shell) wise. Cost efficiency
    ($$/watt-hr) may also be lower, but you'd have to look at the numbers.
    In general, I would think larger and fewer number of whatever would be
    more bang for the buck, lb., cu. ft. Intermediate step towards that:
    UPS batteries.

    Bill Putney
    (To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
    address with the letter 'x')
     
    Bill Putney, Jul 18, 2007

  13. All the UPS batteries I've ever seen are lead-acid. Hardly a suitable
    replacement, if for no other reason than that the charging circuitry
    would have to be modified.

    Perce
     
    Percival P. Cassidy, Jul 18, 2007
  14. Fred

    Mike Marlow Guest

    Four paragraphs of assertion, not one single point of evidence, or even
    anecdotal experience. Contrasted to real world driving histories of GM
    transmissions, you claim does not stand up. GM trannies consistently stand
    up to 200,000 miles of every day use, even when completely ignored by their
    owners.
     
    Mike Marlow, Jul 18, 2007
  15. Fred

    dold Guest

    It sure looked like a bunch of round D cells in both the Honda and the
    Escape. Maybe the Gen-II Prius is different.
    Sealed Lead Acid? Different form factor?
     
    dold, Jul 18, 2007
  16. Fred

    Just Facts Guest

    You don't drive very much or very far.
    Recharging an electric car would add days to some of my part day over
    200 mile highway drives.
     
    Just Facts, Jul 18, 2007
  17. Fred

    who Guest

    A Ford Focus SW I rented last year in the UK went 3,000 rpm at 70mph.
    My Concord is 2,100 rpm at that speed.
     
    who, Jul 18, 2007
  18. Fred

    Bill Putney Guest

    Oops - you are correct. Wasn't thinking.

    Bill Putney
    (To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
    address with the letter 'x')
     
    Bill Putney, Jul 18, 2007
  19. Fred

    dold Guest

    I recall that there was an opened battery pack at the Ford Green Tea Tour,
    where it looked like a bunch of D-Cells, but I can't find a photo. I also
    recall reading about some intermittent solder connections in the early
    Insights, showing the batteries, but I can't find those now.

    What I do find is a picture of the Insight battery pack:
    http://arstechnica.com/reviews/3q00/honda/insight-2.html
    It is described as a bunch of D-Cells here and on other sites.
     
    dold, Jul 19, 2007
  20. The tranny on my last GM car did go bat at 115,000, but that is the first
    and only one that ever did and yes, I've put 150,000 miles or more on many
    of them. Fact is, any brand will have some repairs, but overall, the GM 4
    speeds have been excellent. The last GM that I can recall needing work was
    the Powerglide in my father's 55 Chevy.
     
    Edwin Pawlowski, Jul 19, 2007
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