Looking for Prius reviews (GrandPAH)

Maine Doug_65

has had one for 2 years or so. Loves it and gets impressive gas mileage. I have ridden in it, lots of room. Spooky that it is so quiet till the engine starts.

Dave Yates (GrandPAH)_2

test drove several hybrids tonight

and Lois liked the Prius. Anyone have one? Reviews wanted!

Phil_6

Prius

Well, thanks to Al Gore Jr., we know that they can go over 100 with 225 lbs of dope in the car. Wait, I mean with a 225 lb dope driving the car. Whatever :-)

Lyle C

Prius

Dave,
I heard on the radio this morning that Toyota is coming out with a plug in Prius. With the overnight charging it will average 100 mpg the next day up to 200 miles. Me, I think the Honda hybred is better looking.

Unknown

consider diesel

all my research seems to indicate that hybrids are barely able to attain the stated mileage. however todays TDI motors will almost always get better than the sticker MPG. and also diesels have a proven track record of unbelievable longevity.

if they come out with a diesel hybrid, now we're talking REAL savings.

USA Today review

Unknown

Yes,,,

You don't get the mileage if you don't drive 55 or something like that. I was looking at them and others. The big problem is the batteries, they're good for 100K then you have to change them. Last I heard $8,000. In vestigate that further, if you would. I'd like to hear more on it myself.

Paul Fredricks_3

My friend drive a VW deisel. Not a rocket ship, but it does OK. He drives like a nut(read that "New York Area commuter") and still gets around 650 miles on 12 gallons of gas.

Kal Row

prius is more poluting than a hummer according to PBS...

The cadmium used in it’s batteries come from an extremely polluting Canadian mine, then get shipped to Japan for processing – then back here for assembly, so before it’s even driven, this car has contributed more to this planets pollution than a hummer!!!
In the words of the great Hannibal Smith “I just love it when a plan comes together”

Why not buy the world’s best car, made right here in the USofA with more American parts than others, namely, a HONDA ACCORD!!!

Mark twain once said, “there is nothing like the gallows to focus the mind”, so ford motor company faced with extinction, has redone the Taurus, looks exactly like the accord, hmmm… I wonder why

I think that, and the Taurus-X crossover (ie “station-wagon”) might well save ford – but only if they can unload all the junk – like jaguar and land rover, and get a much better deal out of the UAW, at least they did manage to get rid of Volvo, on the other hand, volvo really is the safest car, as you cant get hurt in a car that always sitting on the mechanics lift!!!

Maine Doug_65

Here is a funny

Robert Cringely column on 10 million Prius'.

http://www.pbs.org/cringely/pulpit/2006/pulpit_20061222_001373.html

or

http://tinyurl.com/ydhpwc

Unknown

Prius..

Dave,

Roger Prevost frm Qualiy Equipment has had a Prius for two years now and loves it.

OTH a freind of mine has the Lexus Crossove Hybrid... gets 35mpg and loves it. The only complaint is, because it makes no noise, people walk directly in your way when you go to pull out if a parking spot.

wheels

Paul Fredricks_3

Yeah, but...

How would you find your car in the parking lot. "It's the slightly less light blue one in the middle"

Dave Yates (GrandPAH)_1

due out

in 2010

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ALH_4

Diesel

In my opinion, cars like the TDI Jetta are the way we should be going short-term, at least for long distance driving. The way I understand it, hybrids are better for stop-and-start, but they provide much less benefit when cruising down the highway.

A diesel hybrid would be ideal, but it would also be one high-priced economy car. The payback may no longer be reAsonable with a car that expensive.

JCD

from the drivers seat

My wife and I have had our Prius for almost three years now and my wife would like to get one for herself. We have 50K miles on it and no problems, and being a Toyota, I would expect that. I wish American car makers could achieve the consistent quality Toyota has. I'd go back to buying American
As far as gas mileage; I achieve over 50 mpg over a tank full now and then. I do this - not by driving like a granny, but not like a hot rodder either. I did achieve 60 mph over 100 miles once, but then my wife borrowed the car. It is quite possible to consistently get over 48 mpg. If others want to throw rocks at 48 mpg, let them say what they drive and look up the EPA gas mileage, take off the EPA over allowance and compare. Of course, now and then human nature takes over and you just floor it on a highway ramp and the mileage takes a hit, - just like any other car. I have driven it to Chicago (from St. Paul) often and average about 45 mpg. If there is like here, once you are out of population centers, hwy speeds tend to be above the 70's into to the 80's. - Not that I or any of the rest of us would ever drive that fast should our insurance agents come to this site.

If a person was to drive a Prius consistently at 80 mph on pretty level highway, I would imagine they would average about 44.7 mph. Again, not that I have ever done that or would advocate it.
Last summer, (2006) I drove it with two others to a convention in Bozeman, MT. The cost of gas from St. Paul to Bozeman and back was ($60), twenty bucks each, and the gas was averaging about $2.87 at that time. Point being, long trips don't cost an arm and leg for gas.
I remember reading many decades(?) ago in Popular Mechanics that to run A/C in a car took about 7% of the gas mileage and this seems to hold true. On my co-workers full size 2005 Chevy Tahoe, it might drive down the mpg, two at most. With the Prius, it takes it down between 3-5 depending. But then he is getting 16/14, I'm getting 48/44.
Winters in MN, being cold here, the mileage does go down a bit also, not that all other cars don't take a hit also. The heat from the heater in Dec-Feb, fine, it is hot in winter and the windows do not fog. If you turn the fan a little higher and the temp a little lower, you get better mpg, as the engine has to heat the water less. In coldest parts of winter, mpg is in the mid 40's. My co-worker with the Tahoe in winter "doesn't like to think about his mpg" but admitted that it might be as low as ten. So all things being relative, I think 45, when you're running with your headlights and the heater on a lot, is OK.
One last thing, my dad, who is 85 and my mother, not far behind, like the car because you do not have to do contortions getting in and out. As far as styling, I have never paid a whole lot of attention to vanity, looking down the hood of a car, they all look ahead from behind the wheel.
If you can get the full package, get it. It is nice to put an address into the GPS navigation system and then have it guide you to your destination.

I know that the car is not all things to all people, however from home to work in Mpls, about 8 miles to and another 8 from, a tank of gas ($25-30) lasts about three weeks. That works for me. Jim

Dave Yates (GrandPAH)_1

nice reply

Thanks Jim,

That's exactly what I was looking for. Lois has some back issues and really appreciated the ease of entering/exiting.

We're off to visit Honda's hybrids tonight.

We're hybrid bound, which will tide me over until I get my PV system installed at home and get an all-electric vehicle or the Prius in 2010.

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hr

I shopped hybrids

almost bought the Ford Escape. But like the others I'm waiting for some sporty diesels. Both Germany and Italy had a wide array of brands and models on the road when I visited. I hope to see at least the new VW diesels here soon, maybe some Peugots again.

The driver Caleffi sent for us in Italy had a nice 7 series BMW with a whisper quiet diesel.

I too think a diesel hybrid would be ideal. Maybe a solar PV interface system to keep it topped off at home.

My brother in law is a fireman and they are having some issues with rescue work when the vehicle has a 300V battery in the wreck.

hot rod

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Dave Yates (GrandPAH)_1

the 2010 Prius

is supposed to have a PV option in addition to being a plug-in.

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Dave Yates (GrandPAH)_1

velly interestink

That explains where that comment regarding the Prius came from. I wonder how the hybrids stack up against others like the Hummer, Escalade, etc...

I wonder if it takes more energy and creates more or less pollution to manufacture hydronic hybrids like Viessmann, Ultra, Munchkin, etc... vs. their lower efficiency counterparts.

Mileage & ongoing pollution to be considered too. I wonder: at the end of, let's say, eight years what the tally might be for the Hummer vs. the Prius. The 2010 Prius is supposed to have a radically different battery too.

Danged interesting ride (pun intended) we're enjoying as fuel efficiency once again plays an up-front role in buyers minds.

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Mike T., Swampeast MO

Employee has had one for over a year. Drives frequently between hill and flat country.

Zero maintenance problems, pleased with handling and comfort. Exceptional city MPG when driving carefully in flatland. "Typical" city MPG when driving normally in hill country. "Good" interstate MPG.

ALH_4

PV

I suppose they might get 500 watts of pv panels on the car. Doesn't make for a very attractive car, but it could be charging all day. By my back-of-the-envelope calculations it might save a few hundred bucks in fuel every year. Not sure about the ROI on that one.

The batteries are the weak link in all of this. Storage is THE problem with electricity. Disposal of some of these new exotic batteries seems like it will pose a significant challenge in the future.

I saw a program on television about some Norwegian company that has hydrogen "vending machines" along the roads that take PV panels and use the electricity to separate hydrogen from water. Seems like one would need a large array to generate much fuel. Of course, the program ignored this aspect.

I still wonder if the new clean burning diesels might not be a short term answer at 50mpg hwy. If manufacturers start selling many of them, I could see the price difference between gasoline and diesel cars shrinking considerably.

hr

Mount the PV on the garage

home, fence or a pole mount. I wasn't considering the PV on the car. It would be a charge station for the vehicle and a way to power back into the grid when not charging the car.

PV installed this way would qualify for the Federal rebate plan.

hot rod

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Rollie Peck

I read recently that 95 percent of Prius owners would buy another one and that no other car has that high of a rating.
Also, that the allowable particulates from diesel engines is lower in America than in Europe, which is why there are fewer diesel engined cars here.

Rollie Peck

Homeowner

ScottMP

My high school teacher

back in the seventies, told my class " You want to be a millionar ? Build a better battery ! ".

He was able to fore-see all of the battery operatd tools we use. We are still searching for the ultimate battery.

My wife wants a Hy-brid and as ussual its not a easy answer. It interesting that you don't think of the polution made by producing these cars.

Can't wait to here what you decide Dave.

Scott

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Dave Yates (GrandPAH)_1

well

Nissan (local dealer) dissed the hybrids. Said they were being pulled off the market. Said the Prius was a bust! Gee, maybe that's because they can't get the Nissan hybrid in PA?

Went next to Honda & drove both of their Hybrids, which are not going to be produced for the next few years (according to the dealer). Where the Prius was smooth as silk, the Honda's (both hybrid models) switching between electric and gas was quite noticable and a bit irritating.

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joel_19

Diesel

Manufacturers Reps all say "Americans don't like Diesel" but I wonder who they asked because I'd love a diesel and know plenty of of people who would.

VW blew it with thier SUV instead of putting in a mid powered diesel with really good MPG they put in a v-10 with huge power but it only gets 20MPG.

Mercedes just introduced their ML series with a diesel good for around 25 MPG.

I predict the first truck company to introduce a 1/2ton or lighter duty 3/4T TDI that gets 25MPG will OWN the pickup market. The typical Diesel truck is too heavy duty,too low MPG,and WAY too much money for most peoples needs.

I've been kicking around the idea a Prius as my company car or a VW Diesel. While I think the VW will be much cheaper overall as I'll drive it beyond the life of the battery even before I finish paying for it (30-40k a year). The Prius all lettered up in company livery will probably be a better advertising return.

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jackchips_2

Hi Dave,

unless it's hybrid or bust for the Yates' here is another option.

Linda and I bought a Yarus by good old Toyota for our home in Florida and we love it. Although it is only gas driven and we haven't done an official mileage check yet, it was inexpensive (under $14,000.00 last October) and feels like a much larger car.

Jack

Mitch_4

soon for the truck market

http://money.cnn.com/2006/08/25/autos/gm_diesel/index.htm

Also regarding claims of mileage...honda has an interesting futur:

http://www.lawyersandsettlements.com/case/honda-hybrid.html

http://techgoesboom.com/archives/2004/05/11/your_hybrid_sucks.php

User ratings on Yahoo are all over

http://autos.yahoo.com/toyota_prius_touring-reviews_user/

and there are more links here about the Prius
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2005/hybridwatch01.html

http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/006/598bgjbv.asp

John Mills_5

Bro in law has one

Sis & I and niece took it on a road trip this spring. With 3 plus luggage and A/C, we ran from 42 to 49 MPG according to the computer. It measures and averages in 5 minute increments. Amazing how speed affects it. The 42 MPG was running 75-77 MPH, the 49 was right at 70 the speed limit plus a trip across town which helps with mileage.

It's as comfy as any compact car. Storage in back is limited.

Mitch_4

don't trust the trip cpmputer

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2005/hybridwatch01.html

I have this link at my post near the end as well as others

[Deleted User]

Plug-in info straight from Toyota's mouth...

See the interesting July 27 posts (and related comments) here:

http://feeds.feedburner.com/ToyotaOpenRoadBlog

Tom Blackwell_2

Fuel mileage

Slightly off topic; but we own 2 Volvo V-70's, one 2002 and one 2004. Fuel mileage on the 2002 is 29+ (Turbo) and the 2004 is 31+. In addition the 2002 is filled with tools and test equipment-4000 lbs. The sad part is that the diesel counterpart gets 45mpg with the same power. Thanks to the Bush administration it is not imported. TDI technology is both more fuel efficient and cheaper than a hybrid, with no downside. The batteries on any hybrid do need replacement at some time, and the price tag is such that most get traded rather than get a new battery pack. I am not saying anything bad about hybrids, only that there are other options that are at least as fuel efficient...My 2 cents worth.

Volts600

I am still wondering why good milage is such a hard thing to achive!! I drive a 1996 Saturn sports coupe automatic and average between 40 and 50 MPG. Now this is a car that is ten years old, so that would be tecknoledgy that is about 12-15 years old. I just came back from a canoe trip up north and decided to track milage. I had roof racks and a 17' canoe on top, 150lbs of gear in the trunk and 380lbs of people. The road was VERY hilly @ 80km/H(50MPH) for 2 hours and then 2 hours @ 130km/H(82MPH), and still got about 41MPG both ways. I wish they could tell us why there is such a roadblock to great milage.

Ruthe Jubinville_2

Toyota Matrix

Just got a toyota matrix a couple of month's ago. Tried out the Yaris but it was a little small and tinny to me. Love the next step up, the Matrix. Get 32-34 MPG. Ruthe