hybrid vehicles

[livincountry]

I am in the market for a new family vehicle and the Toyota Prius looks like a potential. Does anyone have experience with the Toyota hybrid? Not sure of the exact size but it is supposed to seat 5 and it's considered a mid-size sedan. Looks like a great car and the 55mpg combined mileage is a real pleaser!

 

[jinman]

A fellow I work with bought a Prius about a year ago...named it Sparky. He is very pleased with the car's performance. It is very, very quiet since the engine only runs to charge the batteries. All power to the wheels comes from electric motors. This guy traded in a 1966 Ford he bought new on the Prius, so he kinda plans on keeping his cars around for awhile. So far, he thinks the car might outlast him. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[livincountry]

Thank you for the input. The car is supposed to last 200k miles based on some of the resaerch I have done. I need to test drive one but I hear they are spoken for before they hit the lot - it might be a trick to find a demo. I also hear there is a ~ $2500 tax break for buying one. not bad for a $20 - $25k vehicle. Give me a reason not to buy one /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[avorancher]

Been driving one for nearly a year now. Really like it and would do it again in a heartbeat. The new ones are redesigned and even better.

It was nice to only put in 10 gallons when the price of gas out here on the west coast was $2.25 this summer. I have averaged around 47mph... sometimes more, sometimes less. I drive it pretty hard and have about 25k on it.

Be glad to answer specifics if you have any.

(re: the engine does run most of the time, but is quiet nevertheless. I ran out of gas once going 80 and it slowed to 65 immediately and warned me... then the battery gave out in about 5 miles. It was pretty embarrassing to call AAA for gas with an electric car.)

 

[Richard]

Are they better suited for in city driving?

We're considering a new vehicle and I told my wife about it. We live roughly 25 miles 1 way from work and the bulk of it is highway with maybe 10 miles being country road.

Meaning, more of a sustained speed verses stop/go, roughly 50/60 mph on country road and 70/80 highway.

Not knowing anything about them, my brain says long distance driving like ours (verses driving 5 miles "in town" to work) would rely more on the engine and less on batteries, causing milage to go down..

Proper thinking?

Richard

 

[livincountry]

FYI, I found a thread on countrybynet under the vehicles heading that covers this vehicle and gives out a great link.

Thank you for the input. I may go shopping this weekend!

 

[gsganzer]

I'll give you a good reason. Buy a Volkswagen Jetta diesel instead. They get about 43+ mpg on the highway, comparable to the hybrids. It's an engine that people understand and you have better resale. I don't know how anyone will get rid of a hybrid, come replacement time. The Jetta TDI sells for approximately $20,000.

 

[livincountry]

Interesting, I've heard that twice now. I'll add the TDI to my list of possibilities.

thanks for the input

 

[Currmudgeon]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I ran out of gas once going 80 and it slowed to 65 immediately and warned me... then the battery gave out in about 5 miles.)</font>

THAT's why the engine is so big. What is it 1500 cc? It apparently just uses the battery for brief spurts of power. I figured about a 1000 cc engine would be plenty, but the car would need a bigger battery pack, and might never make it to 80, except for downhill.

I'm concerned about battery pack life. I think I'll wait until they're more thouroughly proven in the field.

I can buy a lot of petrol for the payments on that car.

 

[avorancher]

I drive a mix of city and highway. I can get 46 to 47mpg on strict highway driving (70mph+), and have averaged 58mpg in strictly city (stop and creep) driving for hours.

I think it would be unfortunate to only get the vehicle do to its high mileage however. The CVT transmission, its ultra tight turning radius, roomy interior, impressive torque, ultra low emissions, and general quality should also be considered. My last 3 cars were Lexus's so my standards were not low, and I'm continually impressed with this little beast.

If you only consider the mileage, you'll find it hard to justify the extra cost unless you drive an excessive amount of miles. I leased it because I too was concerned about the battery technology, but with their recent upsurge in popularity, I'll probably end up purchasing it at the end of the 3 year lease. I hear you cannot find one on the lot anymore and waiting lists are beginning to appear here in southern CA.