On Sat, 16 Apr 2005 03:44:28 +0000, Philip wrote:
> Gord Beaman wrote:
>> "ron" <randus3remove.DeleteThis@pacbell.net> wrote:
>>
>>> A friends husband just got one in Sacramento - it was several
>>> thousand over MSRP and was about a 10 week wait. He got it that
>>> quick (?) she said because someone didn't like the color (red) and
>>> refused theirs..
>>>
>>> Ron
>>>
>> Ok...a friend and I took one out for a run today...the sticker
>> said $30,800 cdn (MSRP) and claimed 67 MPG (imp) and there's a 3
>> months wait. Also there's a gov't kickback of $3,000...Really a
>> different little machine...We were impressed...
>
> Do I want economical transportation?
>
> Do I want to get high fuel mileage while making a social statement while
> paying a premium to do so?
Philip has hit the real draw of the Prius here. The social statement. The
people who buy them are what my friend calls the "Earthy-Crunhcies" who
want to do some small part to save the planet. However, what's being saved
here?
In my few short weeks with a Prius, I actually got LESS mileage than with
my Tercel! The Tercel averaged (AVERAGED!) 45MPG in my usual routine. The
Prius did 42. Not much of a difference, but for my driving, the Tercel did
better.
Also, the Prius uses a gas engine which is almost always running. This is
why the mileage isn't in the hundreds. There really is no savings in gas
or emissions. The engine DID shut down about 3 times while at stop signs,
and once during driving conditions. Other than that is was running always.
In other parts of the world, the programming of the Prius' control unit is
different, so it runs on Electric more than gas, and shuts the engine down
more often. This can be done by hacking the system (there is a web page
explaining this procedure. Unless you're an electrical engineer that can
write your own software, don't try this at home...) The reason Toyota
doesn't offer this programming of the ECU here is thay don't want the cars
shutting down in order to avoid a perceived Bad Reputation.
So, compare the Prius with the current Toyota Mileage King, the Echo. What
are you saving? The Echo sells for about $14,000 and has the same gas
engine as the Prius, and gets between 36-42MPG depending on driving
habits. If the Prius is $38,000 w/ a $3000 kickback, then you can own one
for slightly more than 2 Echos! Since the Prius (under my conditions)
doesn't do as well on gas as the Echo, I would lose big time on this!
The ONLY reason I would own a Prius would be if I lived in the Boston area
rather than Western Mass (also applies to LA, NYC, etc (wait...where's
ETC???)) In an Urban area, the elctric motor takes over more of the
duties, and the gas engine shuts down more. Where an Echo would probably
fall to 28-30MPG under these conditions, the Prius will probably average
38MPG. You would still have to do a LOT of driving to make up the
difference.
Being an "early Adopter" is the only real reason I can see for owning this
car. That and being Cutting Edge. But, before you go out and plonk down
40Large, as the dealer what is covered and for how long! I sure would hate
to have to pay for repairs to this system out of my own pocket!!!
>
> The real average MPG of Prius is in the low 40's. You can get a used VW
> Jetta TDI that will come close to that for a LOT less money and with low
> technology.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
>> Stay informed about: Avilibility and price on PRIUS? 
FAQ
Profile
Private Messages
Log in
