It's extremely clear that a Prius is not the end all or be all in automobiles. We could all make a list of ten cars we would love to own I bet a Prius would not make many lists. I think of them in the same class as a washing machine. More or less for a purpose only. I guess there are some people out there who have pride of ownership and a positive relationship with their appliances but a Prius is not likely to be a prized collectable. But anyone who thinks they are not a good step in the right direction to solve our gas consumption problems is just not thinking with anything approaching an open mind. Perfect? No. Right for everyone? No. But they are selling well and working well and certainly worth considering. I hope that we can at some time in the near future do better. As compared to some of the junk we have seen thrown at us in the past when gas prices got "high" the Prius is a pretty respectable car. To say other wise is just sour grapes. I don't own one, but I think a Prius or something similar will be in ALL of our futures. Wanta Bet?
1. None were 4 down towable? The Ford Escape Hybrid, The Mercury Mariner Hybrid, and the Mazda Tribute Hybrid. ALL are 4-down towable according to the manufacturer.
This may be true but not according to the dealers we went to here in Albuquerque. The Ford dealer definitely said no on all the Ford hybrids which is one reason why we ended up with a 4 cylinder Escape 4x4. the Mazda dealer didn't have one but looked it up and said no flat tow. Of course everyone know you should always believe everything a car salesman tells you.
What ultimately stopped us from buying a hybrid for a tow car was the worry about finding a dealer to fix it out in the boonies on our trip to Alaska. (Which, as it turned out, was unfounded anyway.)
Remember I am not claiming to be an expert on the subject, things posted here are personal opinions, mileage may vary from person to person.
As Ford licensed the Toyota hybrid technology then if the Prius is not flat towable then it would seem likely that the Ford hybrids are not either - unless the 4x4 system disconnects the drivetrain.
I have read that several companies now make a LiPo conversion for the Prius which is chargeable overnight - allows 60 miles at 34mph on electric and averages over 100 mpg on the EPA City drive. Toyota themselves declined to fit LiPo on the safety and warranty issues - unfortunately our legal system thwarts a lot of technological advancement leaving it up to adventurous individuals to improve them. So as John said, it ain't perfect but we are probably to blame for that too.
RV Park Finder
Fulltimers
2002 Beaver Santiam 38DST + Banks + 99 Jeep GC
DH,DW,Jake and Indie
Well look again.... The VW jetta TDI is available again in 09. I test drove one yesterday. Along with a Mini Cooper and a Prius.
The Mini was fun to drive but talk about NO back seat room. The Prius beat it hands down. WITh a better ride.
VW also has the 2009 Diesel Sportwagon.
DaveK
2007 Tiffin Phaeton 40QSH
2007 Lincoln MKX toad
05 F350 DRW King Ranch
02 Harley Roadking and Buschtec trailer
2 seat long Travel Sand rail with 450hp turbo subi engine
My daughter has a 2006 VW Jetta TDI and gets 46 mpg in town with it. It has a five speed manual transmission. I have been very impressed by its build quality and performance.
ArcticDodge wrote: "1/3RD of what it cost to run the average gasoline auto"
And what is the average auto they got that # from??? EVERY similar sized 4 cylinder vehicle is at least 2/3 or better efficient to any Prius. And a diesel VW gets better every day fuel economy than the over hyped Prius.
The Prius is the #1, I will say it again #1 most fuel efficient vehicle on the market today. Period. Just look it up! anywhere. I know what it does, I drive it everyday and until you do the same you have no basis for your comments. I get 51mpg on the Hwy and 53mpg in town and this is a hilly town.
Prius not the cheapest car to drive!
Smart Fortwo Rates As Top Gas-Only Option It can be towed 4 down. Blue-OX makes a base plate for it.
Toyota Prius MPG 48/45 Base Price 21,100 fuel for 8 years at 15,000 miles a year $8,755 Sticker + fuel $29,855
Toyota Yaris sticker + Fuel is $24,188
Kia Rio $24,939
Chevrolet Aveo $24,085
Honda Fit $27,364
Lots of other non Hybird cars are cheaper to own than Prius too.
For some fuel efficiency is more important than total cost. If you want low overall cost, your best bet is an older economy car--lots of $5,000 Hondas, Hyundais, and Toyotas around, and many of them can be towed flat. Anyway, why would someone who drives around in a motorhome be concerned about overall cost of operation? Yearly depreciation of a motorhome is more than the overall cost of the dinghy!
As far as the Smart car, it is the worst excuse for a car I have had the displeasure to drive. Powered rollerskate on wheels is too kind!
Peralko wrote: As far as the Smart car, it is the worst excuse for a car I have had the displeasure to drive. Powered rollerskate on wheels is too kind!
Aww, c'mon , it's really cute!
The problem is that unless it has 4x4, will tow a 24' powerboat, drag a 36' 5th wheel and haul 3 cords of firewood in one trip it's not a car, to many.
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