Hybrid cars - any problems?

[Biglittlebean]

Servicing for current generation Hybrids is the same as normal servicing. The Honda Vezel Hybrid is only a few thousand more than the normal Honda Vezel, yet so much more fuel efficient and so much more powerful.

 

20km/L real world fuel economy

0-100km/h in 8s

 

Excellent practicality with magic seats and loads of space

 

Unbeatable value at $100K

 

Get one at your nearest PI today

 

Went to see the Vezel Hybrid at one of the local PI shops yesterday. Paint scheme is different from the normal vezel. Just wondering if anyone has bought the Vezel Hybrid and so far how is it?

[Resilience]

Am driving a 2010 Estima Hybrid.  Dashboard got ABS warning light on.  Brake light also on.  All lights on throughout drive.  But car still start, stop and drive normally.  What could be the problem?

[Aukang]

Better go to the AD to trouble shoot. Could be brake actuator problem... Ie. You may lose braking control if actuator fails

[Vratenza]

Am driving a 2010 Estima Hybrid. Dashboard got ABS warning light on. Brake light also on. All lights on throughout drive. But car still start, stop and drive normally. What could be the problem?

Can be alot of things... Your regenerative braking system may have problem... ABS itself....

 

All lights on? Including check engine water temp?

[Resilience]

Can be alot of things... Your regenerative braking system may have problem... ABS itself....

 

All lights on? Including check engine water temp?

 

No engine water temp light.

 

Only got red brake system warning light, yellow brake light (beside brake light), yellow ABS light, and yellow slip indicator light.... 4 Lights.

[khloh46]

Hi, not sure where you get the information on the higher maintenance costs. I drove the Prius for 3 years with 0 defects and servicing is free for the 1st 3 years except I pay for some extra costs using better motor oil. I didn't even have to change the normal battery after 3 years and the hybrid battery is under warranty for 10 years. My previous Picasso end up in workshop more than 5 times and changed 3 batteries within 3 years. The only downside on Prius is the materials used for the seats and dashboard is really cheap and come with 15 inch steel wheel.

 

Agree with TD5000. 

 

I am contemplating diesel vs hybrid. Checked with my cousin from MY who is driving Prius for 6 years. According to him, fuss free maintenance, no difference from any jap car. The hybrid battery for Toyota proven to last at least 10 years. But there is another 12V battery which must be changed every 4 to 5 years. If sourced from outside toyota, much cheaper. He pays about RM9XX from Toyota Malaysia. I sat in his prius before. Super quiet. He on music very softly also can hear.

 

If buy prius from PI, I think u will save as the cost is comparable to a diesel car(eg. C4 picasso) based on my calculation. But if buy from Borneo motors, will be more exp. Havent seen the price of the latest prius from borneo yet so cant do an analysis and compare to petrol/diesel car.

 

My current choices are 

 

Prius

C4 Picasso

Vezel hybrid (but after the honda vezel recall, a bit scared to buy from PI)

Edited April 6, 2016 by khloh46

[jonzy84]

Agree with TD5000.

 

I am contemplating diesel vs hybrid. Checked with my cousin from MY who is driving Prius for 6 years. According to him, fuss free maintenance, no difference from any jap car. The hybrid battery for Toyota proven to last at least 10 years. But there is another 12V battery which must be changed every 4 to 5 years. If sourced from outside toyota, much cheaper. He pays about RM9XX from Toyota Malaysia. I sat in his prius before. Super quiet. He on music very softly also can hear.

 

If buy prius from PI, I think u will save as the cost is comparable to a diesel car(eg. C4 picasso) based on my calculation. But if buy from Borneo motors, will be more exp. Havent seen the price of the latest prius from borneo yet so cant do an analysis and compare to petrol/diesel car.

 

My current choices are

 

Prius

C4 Picasso

Vezel hybrid (but after the honda vezel recall, a bit scared to buy from PI)

But doesn't the Honda vezel recall only affect the normal petrol vezel only? Didn't know it affected hybrid

Seen borneo's pricing a few weeks ago they selling at 126k non guaranteed Coe

A few pis I've seen have a price range of around 110k plus minus 3k offering various forms of warranty

The specs of Prius of Borneo also got difference with some pi too

[khloh46]

But doesn't the Honda vezel recall only affect the normal petrol vezel only? Didn't know it affected hybrid

Seen borneo's pricing a few weeks ago they selling at 126k non guaranteed Coe

A few pis I've seen have a price range of around 110k plus minus 3k offering various forms of warranty

The specs of Prius of Borneo also got difference with some pi too

Honda vezel hybrid not affected by recall, as far as I know. Just not comfy about buying from PI.

[Vratenza]

Buy bread and butter car, PI is a viable option so long as you don't get screwed during the buyung process. Don't go in expecting you will have 3yrs warranty as claimed by the PIs. Any recall you will be on your own.

 

Do you think the PI outfits have the capacity to inform every customer about a recall provided they get such information from LTA or the manufacturer.

 

Any repair or checks for repair will be from your own pocket.

 

Even if you are savvy and keep yourself up to date on all international recall notifications. How do you get a non AD workshop to do the correct check and do the proper rectification for you even if you are willing to pay.

 

Now imagine all this scenario on the rarer and non-bread and butter models and variant with more complicated electrical systems such as a hybrid.

 

My hybrid was involved in a minor recall a few years back. Out of warranty but got letter from AD to go back for check. End up they replaced an fuel line valve or something. Everything FOC.

[SGCMsmallcar]

HYbrid have been around over 10 years and its tech been proven. My cousin just bought a 1.5L toyota Aqua and been driving for a mth. Great FC. S$40 / dollars shell 95 can travel upto 600km. Do your sum. My next car going to be hybrid. 

[Kangadrool]

Everything including labour and communication cost is charged back to manufacturer, so they are happy to give you FOC. 

 

Buy bread and butter car, PI is a viable option so long as you don't get screwed during the buyung process. Don't go in expecting you will have 3yrs warranty as claimed by the PIs. Any recall you will be on your own.

Do you think the PI outfits have the capacity to inform every customer about a recall provided they get such information from LTA or the manufacturer.

Any repair or checks for repair will be from your own pocket.

Even if you are savvy and keep yourself up to date on all international recall notifications. How do you get a non AD workshop to do the correct check and do the proper rectification for you even if you are willing to pay.

Now imagine all this scenario on the rarer and non-bread and butter models and variant with more complicated electrical systems such as a hybrid.

My hybrid was involved in a minor recall a few years back. Out of warranty but got letter from AD to go back for check. End up they replaced an fuel line valve or something. Everything FOC.

 

[Vratenza]

Everything including labour and communication cost is charged back to manufacturer, so they are happy to give you FOC.

I am sure. The fact is as a customer I don't care how the recall is being financed. So long as someone takes responsibility to push through the recall for the safety of my vehicle, i am satisfied with it.

 

A small fuel line valve might mean the difference between a trouble free safe ride and a burning smoking pile of rubble on CTE.

[jonzy84]

Am driving a 2010 Estima Hybrid.  Dashboard got ABS warning light on.  Brake light also on.  All lights on throughout drive.  But car still start, stop and drive normally.  What could be the problem?

i suggest you go to a hybrid specialised workshop with the JDM (japan domestic model ) software that is able to communicate correctly with the vehicle

you can pm me for some recommendations of a few hybrid workshops if you are interested

[Happily1986]

i suggest you go to a hybrid specialised workshop with the JDM (japan domestic model ) software that is able to communicate correctly with the vehicle

you can pm me for some recommendations of a few hybrid workshops if you are interested

Can you list these workshops here?

[jonzy84]

Can you list these workshops here?

This particular workshop has caught my interest, Hevshop

There are some testimonies on the forum

 

http://www.mycarforum.com/topic/2666892-estima-hybrid-and-battery/?view=findpost&p=5594253

And some on the others website

 

Previously their name was hybridcar another testimony can be found here

https://sgcarowner.com/2013/11/22/singapore-first-hybrid-car-repair-workshop/

 

Their website states they have the original factory diagnostic software

 

Another workshop is thehybridshop from the USA which has franchised their knowledge to optima, not much can be seen on the forum about them but i know they do hybrid cars as shown in their website too

[greenearth]

Hi,

 

My daughter is doing a high school research project about hybrid/electric cars and whether the government policies (like the CEVS rebate) is helping to encourage people to buy these models. If you are an owner of a hybrid/electric car, could you please spare a few minutes to take this quick survey: www.tinyurl.com/greencarsurvey

 

All responses are anonymous and will not be shared publicly as it will only be used for educational purposes. She would greatly appreciate all the help she can get.

 

Many thanks once again.

[Happily1986]

Am thinking of reconditioning the traction battery. Anyone did so on their ride about 6 years old thereabout? Prius mk2 owners especially

[Victor68]

Hard to save money when we are being penalized for going green.

 

Hybrid car price higher than normal petrol car.

CEVS rebate higher = lower PARF value = higher depreciation.

I think the government does understand all these 'Green' technologies are still at the infant stage. While they also like to support innovations, we also don't want to end up being the test bed for other countries and be the suckers.  

 

Many of today's 'Green' products are not sustainable and also not living up to what they claimed. Theory and the actual truth are always quite far away. Maybe another 10 to 20 years down the road, we will come closer.