Hybrids

[WES999]

My personal opinion is that hybrids are fine, but over priced.

I recently read an article in Design News that Toyota is coming out with a RAV 4 EV.
http://www.designnews.com/author.as...id_318,aid_244906&doc_id=244906&page_number=1

You can buy one for only $49,800
I think I would just hire a chauffeur.

 

[gfreek]

We have a 2011 Prius, wife drives to work, 90 mi round trip, avg 50mpg. The "07 Rav4 was a killer on gas 24mpg..So far its been a good car, however occasionally there is a issues of rough running on cold start, runs smooth on restart usually, and there is TSB on that. Already changed motor mount, but that didn't cure it of course.. Next is re-vamped intake manifold... Toyota is aware of the issue, but of course dealer never heard of this issue...Sad when you have to show them copy of the TSB..

 

[jonwright]

Do the math. Most folks buy a hybrid not for economic reasons but rather a statement.

That's ok. Just isn't one based on math.

The slower you drive, and the more you sit in stop and go traffic the more favorable a hybrid is.

 

[xman23]

My 2006 Prius has 128 K 1st tire change at 75 K, wish I did them sooner as the Michlin have a much better ride. No brakes yet. Only one issue, a water devirter valve, lost the heat. I understand it was a chronic problem.
Love the car.

 

[begreen]

Do the math. Most folks buy a hybrid not for economic reasons but rather a statement.

That's ok. Just isn't one based on math.

The slower you drive, and the more you sit in stop and go traffic the more favorable a hybrid is.

That's pretty old news. The Prius is totally common here. Most cabs are going to them too. No status in that. Just plain practicality.

 

[boosted3g]

We have a 2010 prius and an 08 civic and both get good milage. The prius is built far better than the civic though. One thing to consider also if resale value. A toyota will have outstanding resale value so when you calculate its true cost to operate it is far less that most vehicles on the road. I work at a car dealer and can tell you from experience that if its not a toyota or a honda some wholesalers wont even come give a trade in appraisal on it. If i tell them its a camry theres a fight over who is going to get it. If your easy on the gas and drive the prius like what some guys call "hypermiling" 70+ mpg can easily be obtained. Ive done it but most of the time im in too big of a hurry. When i drove from PA to the outerbanks for vacation this year i averaged 56 mpg and while just cruising around the island i averaged 81 mpg but i never went over 45 mph. There is a display on the dash that lets you know when the electric motors are ending and the gas engine takes over. I just cruise around at just below that set point or about 40 mph.

 

[chrisasst]

Ok guys, OP here.... I ended up buying a 2009 prius about a month ago. My wife has been driving it to college about 35 miles one way. No matter how she goes, it is up and down hills. She is getting about 47/48 mpg. Roughly 400 miles on a tank of gas. We were getting about 220 miles per tank with the grand am we had.
I am driving a dodge caravan to work at about 5 miles one way. I spent more on gas with the van, then we spent with the prius with her driving 30 miles extra one way per day. We are driving the same number of days..