jbjb1300
Rookie Author
Tampa
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Message Posted: Apr 10, 2012 11:33:18 AM
My 2002 Prius with 106,000 miles still gets 43 mpg, traveling 90 miles per day at 70 mph with A/C on. City driving gets 45+. The only battery I had to replace in 10 years was the 12V aux battery.
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cheap2010skate
Champion Author
Tampa
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Message Posted: Apr 10, 2012 8:53:59 AM
Wait until the cost of a Prius comes down.
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gus8441
Champion Author
Baltimore
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Message Posted: Apr 9, 2012 11:12:02 PM
i would buy one if i could afford it
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Z12
Champion Author
Toledo
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Message Posted: Apr 9, 2012 5:45:34 PM
Alright then
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GrumpyCat
Champion Author
Alabama
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Message Posted: Apr 9, 2012 10:47:06 AM
"How come nobody factors in the battery replacement cost. Every day costs for battery deterioration but that never shows up in the rantings of the environmentalists. Get your facts straight before selling/buying this silliness."
Get your facts straight before opening your mouth. Prius, hybrid, and EV traction batteries are considered to be emissions equipment and as such are 100% warranted for at least 8 years or 100k miles in all states, 10 years or 150k miles in some.
In practice a used Prius traction battery is $400 to $800 from a salvage yard or eBay. New is $2400. There are many vehicles on the road consuming more in fuel per year than a Prius battery costs.
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WE0H
Champion Author
Twin Cities
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Message Posted: Apr 9, 2012 1:25:23 AM
I have a '12 Blizzard Pearl Four Solar Plus Performance Prius on the way later this month. Gonna park my SUV until winter then park my Prius until next spring :) I've been driving rental Prii since '09 and easily get mid 40's to mid 50's mpg depending upon how fast or how heavy the car was loaded. Now I finally get to own one :)
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Aviator_Rob
Champion Author
New York
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Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 8:19:31 PM
I've put '07 Prius has 95,000 miles on it and still gets 42 mpg without my doing anything to stretch mileage. If I hypermiled it, I'm sure I can break 50mpg easily.
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reb4
Champion Author
Chicago
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Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 6:53:54 PM
This is still holding true to me... My last car I was lucky to get 25MPG...
My 2010 Prius is avg over 54 MPG...
Gas is over $4 but my fill up for tank is around $31...
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drydem
Sophomore Author
Maryland
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Message Posted: Mar 13, 2012 4:01:55 AM
A Prius fuel efficiency drops in the superhighway driving because of wind resistance. Using cruise control, a Prius gets between 65mpg to 50 mpg when driven between 50mph to 63 mph for over 60 minutes per trip. Between 64 mph to 75 mpg, its fuel efficiency drops to between 49 mpg to 42 mpg. For trips longer than 60 minutes, driving temperatures has a neligible effect on a Prius' superhighway fuel efficiency but anything that affect road surface traction like rain/ice/snow will decrease a Prius' fuel efficiency at highway speeds drastically.
There is two driving techniques that can increase FE at highway speeds. The first is drafting which is driving in the slipstream of another vehicle. Drafting requires cooperation between vehicles in which a lead vehicle acts to break the wind resistance for the vehicles behind it.
The lead vehicle's MPG is normal but the vehicles following behind its slipstream can experience a very signficant increase in MPG. In such an arrangement, usually drivers take turns being the lead vehicle. Tractor trailer (Trucks/Rigs) use Citizen Band radios to coordinate this type of cooperation to drive in convoys to do this professionally and safely. The other driving technique called Driving with Load (DWL) in which a vehicles speeds up building up momentum on a downhill when its more energy efficient to do so and loses speed/momentum on the uphill when its more energy efficient to do so.
[Edited by: drydem at 3/13/2012 5:08:52 AM EST]
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drydem
Sophomore Author
Maryland
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Message Posted: Mar 13, 2012 3:32:43 AM
I've been driving a Prius 3 for almost two years. My best tank was 70.9 mpg for 727 miles/10.25 gallons. My worst tank was 52.2 mpg for 428 miles/8.18 gallons. My overall average for +20,000 miles is 60.9 mpg with an average speed of 18 mpg. I'm able to achieve this level of fuel efficiency because I am normally driving under 40 mph and I am using a variety of hypermiling techniques. I am also using a ScangaugeII optimize my driving techniques. The most important meter readout for the ScangaugeII is the GPH - gallons of fuel used per hour.
The Prius fuel efficiency can vary widely depending on the circumstances. For example, my highest fuel efficiency registered on my scangaugeII sofar has been 151 mpg on a 12 mile trip using a pre-warmed up engine (this helps significantly) on a mainly downhill route( this help too) route on a warm dry day (this helps quite a bit too). The scangaugeII says the Prius fuel efficiency is the worst when I use it to travel less than 3 mile on a cold day ( <= 50F degrees ) starting with a cold engine -- 15 mpg. My fuel efficiency for my 15 mile commuting route ranges can also range from 93 mpg to 22 mpg. The Prius' fuel efficiency varies widely because I've been driving it in a wide variety of real world driving conditions with (cold) driving temperatures being the most common damping/negative factor in fuel efficiency.
[Edited by: drydem at 3/13/2012 4:39:26 AM EST]
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muskratjames
Champion Author
Texas
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Message Posted: Mar 6, 2012 9:30:51 AM
Proper techniques can net 90+mpg in them. The current Prius is better for the average Joe, but by the time your techniques are advanced enough to get 90mpg, you're actually better off in the previous generation Prius.
Anyway, I sorta like Prii (Priuses?), but it's too bad the styling is so...typecasting.
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Z12
Champion Author
Toledo
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Message Posted: Mar 5, 2012 11:49:04 AM
Cool, probably
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Shockjock1961
Champion Author
Illinois
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Message Posted: Mar 5, 2012 8:11:48 AM
"Expensive, that depends"
You can now buy a Prius that gets 53 mpg city for less then $19,000.
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reb4
Champion Author
Chicago
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Message Posted: Mar 4, 2012 7:59:25 AM
Top 10 Misconceptions of Hybrids
Battery misconception is #2 on list.. Need to plug-in is # 1.
Expensive, that depends. Unfortunately many manufacturers stick Hybrid technology on the most expensive model they offer in that line. Honda has gotten better with this, and the Camry offers an option to get you in with lower cost. I agree there are more "options" than some people might want on a hybrid... but it's getting better.
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Z12
Champion Author
Toledo
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Message Posted: Mar 3, 2012 8:17:40 PM
Sounds about right
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Shockjock1961
Champion Author
Illinois
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Message Posted: Mar 3, 2012 6:07:23 PM
"Today's VW bug is the Prius"
LOL!
The Prius is nothing like a VW bus. It has plenty of power to spare, and with the electric motor, the starting torque is great!
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Shockjock1961
Champion Author
Illinois
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Message Posted: Mar 3, 2012 6:04:53 PM
"How come nobody factors in the battery replacement cost"
Hybrid batteries last far longer then EV's. It's not uncommon for the Prius to go 250,000 without having to have new batteries...
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Banjoe
Champion Author
Winnipeg
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Message Posted: Mar 3, 2012 5:27:04 PM
How come nobody factors in the battery replacement cost. Every day costs for battery deterioration but that never shows up in the rantings of the environmentalists. Get your facts straight before selling/buying this silliness.
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reb4
Champion Author
Chicago
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Message Posted: Mar 3, 2012 5:01:24 PM
puddingpal, having ridden in many a vwbus in my day, they were slow and usually packed, so I don't think it had anything to do with there politicol statement, more about getting to cruising speend.
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EZEd
Champion Author
Birmingham
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Message Posted: Mar 3, 2012 9:49:29 AM
Check out fuelly.com You can post your fuel economy for all to see, and compare your results with others.
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PuddinPal
Champion Author
California
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Message Posted: Mar 3, 2012 8:52:07 AM
When I was younger that vehicle that was always the front of almost every traffic blockage was a VW bus. Something about the mental makeup of those people gave them the self righteous need to influence the way everyone else drives. Today's VW bug is the Prius. I don't care how you drive your own vehicle, but just get out of everyone else's way when you are doing it.
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the1roadhog
Champion Author
Atlanta
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Message Posted: Mar 3, 2012 8:43:12 AM
Impressive numbers. Congrats.
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bluenvoy
Champion Author
Nashville
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Message Posted: Mar 3, 2012 8:27:11 AM
How much did their electric bill go up, plugging it in at home?
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reb4
Champion Author
Chicago
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Message Posted: Mar 2, 2012 12:38:32 PM
"I don't believe it because i have a friend that can't get 40 out of his Prius on the highway."
I would really like to see how your friend drives. I get 50 without trying...
1997 sl 1 gets 36MPG according to epa - you must be a good driver - aeromike49
[Edited by: reb4 at 3/2/2012 1:40:20 PM EST]
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Shockjock1961
Champion Author
Illinois
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Message Posted: Mar 2, 2012 8:23:14 AM
"How much does a new Prius go for?"
You can get a new one for as low as $19,000
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shawd8
Champion Author
Eugene
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Message Posted: Mar 2, 2012 8:19:23 AM
I'd drive one if I could afford the purchase
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RRBC
Champion Author
Victoria
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Message Posted: Mar 2, 2012 1:21:08 AM
How much does a new Prius go for? I have never bought a new car.
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Jmac2008
Champion Author
Missouri
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Message Posted: Mar 2, 2012 12:58:15 AM
I don't believe it because i have a friend that can't get 40 out of his Prius on the highway.
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aeromike49
Rookie Author
Arizona
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Message Posted: Mar 1, 2012 10:15:43 PM
Saturn 97 SL1 gets 30 in the city with the AC on. Slow acceleration of course as it has a small engine - cant have everything?
[Edited by: aeromike49 at 3/1/2012 11:17:41 PM EST]
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reb4
Champion Author
Chicago
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Message Posted: Mar 1, 2012 7:48:24 PM
How does that Saturn do in city driving?
Oh, just noticed this poster has 4 posts.. and posted highway miles of 44MPG...
On another note, Prius sales for February hit 20,589 and was 12th in February vehicle sales...
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Shockjock1961
Champion Author
Illinois
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Message Posted: Feb 28, 2012 9:51:19 AM
Sure, Saturns get 50 mpg. That's why they are one of the leading car companies today...
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geobmw
Champion Author
Miami
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Message Posted: Feb 28, 2012 9:39:18 AM
??
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aeromike49
Rookie Author
Arizona
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Message Posted: Feb 28, 2012 9:01:15 AM
I have a Saturn that I paid $2500 for several years ago and it gets 40 mpg to 50 mpg on the highway. No need for a Prius - save your $$$ -
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reb4
Champion Author
Chicago
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Message Posted: Feb 28, 2012 7:37:18 AM
There is a poster in a forum that posts his mpg and he is higher than that oiler fan. I don't know how he does it... I have heard that some people refuse to use the vehicle if they think it will lower mpg. That's crazy. I have encouraged my wife to use my vehicle when she goes to see mom on day off. She drives "aggressive" and gets about 48MPG with Prius. Still better than driving Corolla and getting 30's...
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OilerFan
Champion Author
Tulsa
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Message Posted: Feb 28, 2012 6:24:00 AM
I have a friend with an older Prius that gets consistently 55 mpg.
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reb4
Champion Author
Chicago
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Message Posted: Feb 27, 2012 3:26:35 PM
nvoelsch,
"If the Prius can retain its value after three years and it is sold after three years, it will come ahead of the Civic by $1704.26. Of course, if the $9,000 battery in the Prius fails out of warranty, then that cost will easily eat up the marginal gain several time over."
If the civic or whatever car falls out of waranty it's going to be worth even less. I can't believe the article says that the Prius is ahead after 3 years.. Also, a 18K Prius vs a 12K honda, I would contend are not comparable. And its funny this blogger has other comparisons indicating a 2006 prius hybrid. I'm not sure where this guy is going... I like that he thinks telsa is best value at 100K Plus!
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Shockjock1961
Champion Author
Illinois
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Message Posted: Feb 27, 2012 9:25:06 AM
nvoelsch, you linked article claims it cost $10,000 to replace a Prius battery, which is false to begin with, but then it goes on to state "IF' you have to replace it, which makes no sense in context the article since they are comparing a Prius to a Civic over a three year period of ownership. You are very unlikely to have to replace the battery in a Prius over the life of the car and you most certainly WILL NOT have to replace the battery during the three year period the article talks about.
You need to read for context next time, rather then lift and cherry pick statements, which have no relevance to the facts being presented...
[Edited by: Shockjock1961 at 2/27/2012 10:25:23 AM EST]
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nvoelsch
Sophomore Author
Eugene
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Message Posted: Feb 27, 2012 8:40:52 AM
Oh so sorry for being a rookie, reb4. Guess folks have to start somewhere in discussion forums. A simple Google search brings up an article that articulates my point far better: Disadvantages of Hybrid Cars - Article
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reb4
Champion Author
Chicago
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Message Posted: Feb 26, 2012 7:57:32 PM
nvolesch, rookie... The battery is warranted for 8 years, 100K warranty. In some states last longer...
Cabs are getting 200 - 250K! miles on theirs.
Consumers reports tested 10 year old prius and got about same mpg from their tests.
And a refurb battery costs... $1,675. Though I'm hoping in 2017 I can upgrade / replace with a newer battery or plug-in...My prius was obtained when gas was in the $2.50 range. So I didn't pay a premium. Now with prices going above $4 you will likely see the prices go up... I should have bought that plug-in... when I could have... could be picking it up now...
Current tank is running about 50MPG (I do not over inflate tires and drive sensibly, but don't hyper mile)...
I will have less maintenance on the vehicle. But I really didn't get it necessarily to save money... I just didn't want to have the the price of gas restrict me from using it, which even when gas goes over 4 which it will shortly it will not cut down my use of vehicle.
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jimmy544
Champion Author
Boston
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Message Posted: Feb 26, 2012 12:16:05 PM
Wait til you have to replace the batteries is like saying wait til you have to replace the engine in your car. Experience shows that batteries in the Prius and other hybrids can last more than 250,000 miles and the guarantees are for 100,000 miles which many conventional cars do not have. Some cars warrant the power train for 100,000 miles but many don't. How much does a new engine cost? Compare to a battery. You will find that the costs are usually less for the battery than the engine/transmission.
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nvoelsch
Sophomore Author
Eugene
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Message Posted: Feb 26, 2012 10:56:20 AM
Wait until you have to replace the batteries on those vehicles. Does the fuel cost savings you've achieved even break even by the time it takes to replace the batteries? And for the original outrageous price of the vehicle? And it took more energy and harm to the environment to build the darn things. Plus, all electric vehicles use no gas, whew! However, most of the electricity in this country is made by coal and nuclear. Great for our environment... trade gas for more polluting coal. I want a viable alternative.
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OceanArcher
Champion Author
Mississippi
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Message Posted: Feb 26, 2012 9:05:02 AM
With that kind of pricing overseas, it's no wonder everybody there rides around on Vespa-type motor scooters
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ttoyota
Champion Author
Boston
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Message Posted: Feb 24, 2012 6:09:04 PM
wow, hey take a look at the nissan leaf, all electric, wave of the future.in the states we complain about $4.00 a gallon, but in europe gas is about at the $8.00 mark, can you believe it???
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