Cars.com has this overview of the second-gen Prius. Amazingly enough, the car is longer and wider (qualifying as a mid-size sedan) and gets even better fuel mileage than the previous generation Prius. How is this possible? Lots of nifty technology tricks, including more computerized control of the vehicle’s braking system as well as powering more components off the battery instead of the engine.

This is not the hybrid I would buy. But it’s a great second step for Toyota. They intend to follow this with Toyota and Lexus SUVs featuring the same kind of hybrid technology, but what I’m waiting for is a fourth generation MR2 that looks as beautiful as the second generation MR2, weighs 250 lbs less, and puts out the equivalent of 180 hp while getting in excess of 40 mpg under extreme conditions.

Honda’s NSX-cellent supercar

Something about it says Corvette to me. Maybe it’s because they’ve flipped the backside upside-down, with the spoiler inches off the ground. They’ll have to fix that.

It’s not every year a new Ferrari is announced. Here’s their replacement for the 456M:

Ferrari’s all-aluminium 612 Scaglietti packs 540bhp

Nice.

Someone from the MR2 board said the problem is likely to be the wheel bearing and hub.

So now the car’s at Marina Del Rey Toyota being diagnosed. I asked for a preliminary quote for repairs if the problem was indeed the bearing and hub, and they said that it would be around $450. I know I can order parts from Jay Marks Toyota for a lower price than Marina Del Rey, and considering that I’d also like to get the front trunk prop latch, the engine cover prop latch, and possibly some other OEM parts, I can do this all at the same time.

Marina Del Rey also quoted me $385 for installing an ACT clutch; this is around the same price as Marina Pit Stop, so I think I’ll let them do it. I’ll see if I can get any kind of discount for doing both jobs at the same time.

The clutch is on its way from Florida.

My wheels and tires are in Marina Del Rey at Federal Express. They’ll try another delivery tomorrow.

I still have to order brake pads, urethane, speed bleeders, and a muffler. Maybe I’ll order a set of motor mounts from Jay Marks so that I can drive the car around while the urethane is solidifying.

That’s how much I spent on my old MR2 for the following upgrades and repairs:

ACT performance clutch
Water Pump, Timing Belt, Timing Belt Tensioner and Pulley, Cam Seal, Crank Seal, Oil Pump Seal
Front Motor Mount
Brake pads – Axxis Metal Master performance pads
Brake fluid – Super Blue high temperature brake fluid
Brake bleeders – Russell brake bleeders
Brake hoses – Goodridge stainless steel braided brake lines

A whopping $960.75 of this amount was spent on labor for the clutch, water pump, etc.

A garage with a lift and engine hoist, lots of spare time, and a spare car could save me lots of money.

Hopefully I’ll get some of this back from the insurance company.