Toyota Prius

[Bird]

Too bad Isuzu does not still make their little truck with a diesel. I would guess it could handle the payload and sure got good mileage.

Yep, a friend of mine had the Isuzu diesel pickup and my dad had the Chevy Luv diesel (same thing). Fine economical little trucks.

my '95 dakota 4x4 3.9L V6 extended cab that would get 20 mpg on the freeway, but 12 mpg on my daily commute. Replaced the truck with a '99 GMC Sierra 5.3L V8 full size 4x4 extended cab and got 17 on the freeway with 16 mpg on the same daily commute.

Yep, gearing, weight, driving habits, traffic condtions, type of terrain, whether the engine is straining, even aerodynamics make a difference. I guess everyone knows the EPA came up with new/different criteria for their mileage estimates in 2006 and started using the new method in 2008.

My 2001 Ford Ranger with a 4.0L V-6 was rated in 2001 as 18 mpg city, 22 mpg highway, and 19 mpg combined. The new method would be 16 mpg city, 20 mpg highway, and 18 combined. Most of my driving is city, stop and go, pretty heavy traffic and my actual mileage has averaged 18.451 mpg.

My 2002 Ford Crown Victoria with a 4.6L V-8 was rated in 2002 as 17 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 20 mpg combined. The new method would be 15 mpg city, 23 mpg highway, and 18 combined. Most of my driving is city, stop and go, pretty heavy traffic, although last summer we made a 2,400 mile round trip to West Virginia, and my actual mileage has averaged 21.665 mpg. On the trip to WV, it got over 26 mpg running the speed limit to 5 over.

The EPA ratings are useful for comparing vehicles, but your actual mileage may vary considerably.

 

[jinman]

Another issue to consider when comparing to a pickup is whether the cargo area is air conditioned. If I wanted higher mileage around 30 mpg or more and a large cargo area that could be coverted easily to seating, Toyota has a better vehicle than the Prius and much less expensive. The Toyota Matrix is a good car to look at while in the dealership looking at the Prius.

 

[RichZ]

I really appreciate all of the responses.

The only reason I am interested in the Prius is gas mileage. My milk delivery is a 100 mile round trip. Dairy farmers are always responsible for transport, and the gas used in 100 miles eats into the little profit I make. My Explorer averages 23 mpg on my milk delivery runs, so I'm trying to find something considerably better than that.

As for loading, the tanks are put in the back of the vehicle empty. They are food grade plastic with stainless steel fittings, so they are light. The milk is then pumped into the tanks, and when we get to the destination, the milk is pumped out of the tanks. No loading or unloading heavy tanks, so that is not a consideration. The tanks are usually only half full. Most of my runs are only with about 50 gallons, which would weigh only about 400 lbs. It seems to me that having 2 adults in the back seat could equal or surpass that. On milk runs there will only be a driver, usually my wife, sometimes me.

So, maybe I will just keep using my Explorer when the tanks are more than half full, but I would think it would be OK with half full tanks.

 

[aczlan]

I really appreciate all of the responses.

The only reason I am interested in the Prius is gas mileage. My milk delivery is a 100 mile round trip. Dairy farmers are always responsible for transport, and the gas used in 100 miles eats into the little profit I make. My Explorer averages 23 mpg on my milk delivery runs, so I'm trying to find something considerably better than that

Is this trip mostly highway driving, or stop and go? If it is highway, you would be better served getting a TDI powered Jetta, it will get 50 MPG (+/- 5 MPG) on the highway and will be much better suited to highway driving than a prius. A prius however, will do better in stop and go driving than a Jetta.

Aaron Z

 

[aczlan]

On the Jetta, Dad's 2003 has foldable rear seats which could be laid down to fit your tanks in front of the rear axle (for better weight distribution).

Aaron Z

 

[Egon]

Ah-ha the loading scenario! Changes a whole lot of the arguments for and against.

If 400 pounds will be the average and there is an alternative available for the really big loads you have just moved into Prius territory again.:thumbsup:

Me, I'd look at a Hyundai Tuscon!

 

[bdeboer]

Another thing to look at would be the Toyota forums and find out what the real world mileage is with 4 full size adults.

 

[dmccarty]

Ah Ha!

Now that the loading mystery is solved I think you should strap the tanks into the rear seats using the seat belts. Then you need to fix up cute stuffed cow heads and cow arms that can be attached to the tanks. Have the cow heads looking out the windows!

Then affix the name of our dairy on those magnetic signs applied to the side and rear of the vehicle.

Then you will have a MOOtor Vehicle. :laughing:

Modify the horn in the MOOtor Vehicle to go MOO! instead of honk.

A nice black and white cow inspired paint job would be nice too.

Seems like you need an affordable econo car that is cheap to run and reliable. The weight does not seem to be an issue but will likely effect the MPG. My understanding that at highway speeds the hybrids did not provide a savings since the car has to run the engine. Years back I read up on the Prius on an owner website. I can't remember the site but I am sure it is easily found. It was interesting reading.

They were reporting that the battery cost $3,000. Some paid more! :confused2: Some paid a bit less. Some got 30-50K on the battery and some over 150K. I assume the difference in the battery lifetime was their type of driving. At the time the Prius was going for about $3,000 more than the gas only car. $3,000 buys ALOT of gas.

Later,
Dan

 

[Duffster]

Ah Ha!

Now that the loading mystery is solved I think you should strap the tanks into the rear seats using the seat belts. Then you need to fix up cute stuffed cow heads and cow arms that can be attached to the tanks. Have the cow heads looking out the windows!

Then affix the name of our dairy on those magnetic signs applied to the side and rear of the vehicle.

Then you will have a MOOtor Vehicle. :laughing:

Modify the horn in the MOOtor Vehicle to go MOO! instead of honk.

A nice black and white cow inspired paint job would be nice too.

Seems like you need an affordable econo car that is cheap to run and reliable. The weight does not seem to be an issue but will likely effect the MPG. My understanding that at highway speeds the hybrids did not provide a savings since the car has to run the engine. Years back I read up on the Prius on an owner website. I can't remember the site but I am sure it is easily found. It was interesting reading.

They were reporting that the battery cost $3,000. Some paid more! :confused2: Some paid a bit less. Some got 30-50K on the battery and some over 150K. I assume the difference in the battery lifetime was their type of driving. At the time the Prius was going for about $3,000 more than the gas only car. $3,000 buys ALOT of gas.

Later,
Dan

That would be awfully cute but the OP milks GOATS.

 

[Heywood Jannockitov]

I would be concerned about ground clearance. All of that extra weight in the back of an already heavy vehicle ... drive up a farm lane with a high crown or rutted two-track, and you may "high-center" it which could damage the casing on the main bus cable which runs up the center of the underside of the car. That will set you back about 5 grand. :confused2:

 

[magicheater]

Why don't you look at the other uses in addition to hauling the #400 of milk (2 adults) 3 times a week. 6 hours of time should not be the over riding deciding factor in a vehicle purchase. The Prius has a VERY LOW ground clearance, I witnessed one being serviced at a garage and they literally had to lift the body up manually to get to clear the lift arms. It was an older type lift but made me take notice. I like the diesel suggestions as you have more low end torque for loads.

 

[tractorsanmore]

Ford fiesta up to 40 mpg
ford focus up to 35 mpg

 

[dmccarty]

That would be awfully cute but the OP milks GOATS.

How do you paint car to look cute in goat colors? :laughing:
And if he had goat heads on his milk containers they would think he was a Satan Worshiper!



Later,
Dan

 

[Tig]

but we could sometimes be transporting 100 gallons of milk at a time, which would be over 800 lbs of weight in the back.

GVWR for a Prius is just over 800 lbs. This load would be too heavy for a Prius, especially if it is all in the rear of the vehicle. 400 lbs would be the max that I would consider as long as it wasn't sloshing around. I would expect handling and braking would both be poor with a large load in the back. I would not feel safe with any heavy load inside a vehicle unless it could be properly secured.

 

[Duffster]

GVWR for a Prius is just over 800 lbs. This load would be too heavy for a Prius, especially if it is all in the rear of the vehicle. 400 lbs would be the max that I would consider as long as it wasn't sloshing around. I would expect handling and braking would both be poor with a large load in the back. I would not feel safe with any heavy load inside a vehicle unless it could be properly secured.

I hope the GVWR is higher tham 800 lbs.

 

[Tig]

ooops, you are right Duffster. 800 and change is the load capacity that I found on line in the Prius forums. Even that seems high to me for such a small car.

 

[75granman]

I was almost killed when a prius rearended my JD2240.The woman was saved by her air bags,her car was destroyed! You want to haul milk in on of those things?Not a very good Idea,If you saw the pix of the wreck you'd think twice about loading a couple of milk missles behind you.Thats what trucks are for.IMO

 

[houstonscott]

I think you will find the Prius not much more that a average 4 cylinder car carrying a bunch of heavy batteries around. Like most small cars it's overloaded at 400lbs. So for what you want to do the Prius is a big NO. The tires are not even rated to do what you want. Two people some luggage and that's it for a Prius. And if you are driving in anything other than stop and go traffic over very short distances your mileage will be average. If you got to go small and I advise you don't I would recommend a Jetta TDi sportwagon. You will get better milage, have a longer lasting car without helping to destroy the Serengeti and that rolling toxic mess called batteries, and you might even have fun in a car that handles well.

HS

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

when you add up all the weight, it adds up to 1/2 ton...I think you'd be better set with a truck built for the job.

100 mile a day at 25 mpg = 4 gallons @3.25= $13.00
100 mile a day at 40 mpg = 2.5 gallons @3.25= $8.12

savings less than $5.day, ,,, safety factor in case of accident, incalculable

$5.00 x 30 days= $150 month savings,,,,,not hardly enough for a prius payment

Putting a bunch of miles on a vehicle which devalues your vehicle is your hidden cost factor. Buy something like a Ford Ranger, drive the wheels off of it and put new ones on it. Gas is not the only cost. Just easiest to point at.

 

[IslandTractor]

when you add up all the weight, it adds up to 1/2 ton...I think you'd be better set with a truck built for the job.

100 mile a day at 25 mpg = 4 gallons @3.25= $13.00
100 mile a day at 40 mpg = 2.5 gallons @3.25= $8.12

savings less than $5.day, ,,, safety factor in case of accident, incalculable

$5.00 x 30 days= $150 month savings,,,,,not hardly enough for a prius payment

Putting a bunch of miles on a vehicle which devalues your vehicle is your hidden cost factor. Buy something like a Ford Ranger, drive the wheels off of it and put new ones on it. Gas is not the only cost. Just easiest to point at.

Prius v Ranger is a false comparison. Ranger cannot seat four, doesn't have interior luggage space and the Prius obviously isn't a pickup. I am no fan of the Pious but to be fair, if you are arguing for a heavier safer car you'd be talking about a vehicle that weighed more and was probably more expensive. It would likely not get anywhere near the 50 mpg combined that the Pious does and would be lucky to get half of that. For someone driving 18,000 miles a year that means quite a bit of savings on fuel. Roughly $1350/yr at $3.75/gal. More if combined fuel economy of the comparator is less than 25mpg. Most safer cars are heavier and probably get more like 20mpg combined. A regular pickup crew cab gets more like 15-18 mpg combined so Pious savings would be closer to $2500 per year. Drive it for ten years and the Pious is free compared to owning a standard pickup.