Towing rpod 192 - Event Date: 28 May 2020 - 30 Jun 2020

I've never looked once at an elevator controller, but I have designed, installed and maintained many control systems for complex solar and hybrid power systems. And ac motor drives are essentially inverters, which I am quite familiar with. If you read what I wrote you would notice that I said microprocessor controllers are more reliable than relay logic, not less. We agree! That was not always the case, of course, in the early days as with any new technology microprocessors were unstable and suffered reliability issues. And turbos are in no way analogous to microprocessors, they are inherently less reliable than normally aspirated engines while microprocessors are inherently more reliable than relays, for the same reasons. Less moving parts undergoing less mechanical stress.  

As for Saabs, I had an old 1969 95 (normally aspirated) for awhile. Nice car to drive but very quirky. Got rid of it when the timing chain started to make noise and I realized the entire drivetrain had to be removed from the vehicle to get to it. Not good. I'm glad you had good luck with yours but Saabs in reality have only a middling reliability record. Owners are a loyal bunch though, they were often called Snaabs back in the day . 

Its not at all the same thing as substituting electronics for relay logic, that simplified the control systems significantly. Although in the early days of that transition microprocessors were pretty unstable, there was good reason to stick with relay logic to begin with. I've designed and installed both, for me the transition happened in the early 90's. If you have something really simple to do relay logic can still be the better choice.   

I'm not in the market for another tow vehicle, but my next passenger car will be electric for sure. But if I wait till the Prius wears out it'll probably be a long time before that happens....

5.0 395 hp. 2.7 eb 325 hp. 3.5eb 375 hp. So nope, the 2.7 is not more powerful than the 5.0. It does generate its peak hp at a lower rpm though. 5k vs 5750. 

As to off the line low rpm torque, the 2.7 gets great reviews for not having turbo lag, in fact it is apparently quicker on the boost than the 3.5.  I probably have a lighter left foot than even lostagain, so to me that's not important. I baby my stuff. I keep my Prius in ECO mode all the time which makes it less responsive (ie, it feels really gutless) but allows me to be precise and gentle about how much torque I'm applying. 

So I'll still go with what has the lowest anticipated maintenance cost that meets the requirements. Simpler is better in my opinion. I could invoke the old adage "there is no replacement for displacement" but of course its not true. Turbos can certainly substitute. But if the replacement involves more complex engineering and lower reliability, and if high altitude driving isn't a requirement then why would I? Others my choose differently.