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Comments
Another thing that might influence that decision is the going price difference. I have received internet quotes from 3 dealers in the LA area for the HCH CVT for $18,700 before fees and tax. It's not because they're not selling. One dealer had a one-month wait but still honored that price.
Mike
Rich
Stevedebi, actually you make my point --if you live in an area where gas stations are few and far between, when the gauge tells you the tank is near empty, you shouldn't chance running out of gas by continuing to nonchalantly drive around for miles and miles afterwards. If the gauge reads "E" when you're passing by one of those isolated gas stations --pull in. If you're half-way between stations, then pull in to the next station. You'll have plenty of gas left in the Prius to get you there regardless of whether you have 1 gallon (50 mile range), 2 gallons (100 mile range), 3 gallons (150 mile range), etc., etc., in reserve.
I think we'll just have to agree to disagree. If you and Backy feel the need to worry about the consistency of the reserve, knock yourself out. As for Rich and I, we'll just happily remain oblivious to how much gas is left after the "E."
I let the dealer now that I am not the Chrome wheel kind of guy, maybe leather seats, but not Chrome. Then he wanted to know if I would take the car if he traded out the wheels for leather seats.
Needless to say, we left.
I was very disappointed to see such a markup on this vehical. I'm glad that I don't need to replace either car just yet. So I'll be holding out.
-juice
Dennis
"Everybody's concerned about the electrical side, but could you imagine if we tried to bring gasoline out today as a motor fuel?" Peterson said.
CNN article left out those paragraphs that contains in http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/stories/H/HYBRID_CAR_RESCUES?SIT- - - - E=MTGRE&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
"They know not to cut into a hybrid's doors - that's where many of the cables are - and to peel off the roof instead."
Prius is safe to cut through the door and the roof. The electric line is under the car. See http://techinfo.toyota.com/public/main/2ndprius.pdf
Maybe Honda Civic Hybrid has electric lines inside the doors?
Dennis
However, in an accident, anything can go, including shorted wires and crossed circuits.
Dennis
I was making a joke; it would be a major catch-22 if the airbags required the 500v and the 500v shut off before deploying the airbags.
The following is an explanation of how they work (it is a mechanical switch that activates an electrical circuit):
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/airbag.htm
-juice
Many thanks.
We have two children, ages 3 and 1. We purchased the Prius to be our LARGER car and the car has met all of our expectations and needs with respect to roominess. We can comfortably fit two car seats and one adult in the back seat for long drives, something we cannot do in our '99 Corolla. We can fit many (I've had more than 10) grocery bags with a stroller. Our single jogging stroller fits well with lots of room to spare but the double jogging stroller is a bit of a squeeze. Nonetheless, it fits better than it would in a trunk (even collapsed it is quite tall). Also, if you have the need for a larger haul, you can remove the car seats, collapse the back seats and really expand your cargo space.
In sum, with two kids we certainly don't feel the need to join the SUV/minivan crowd.
Incidentally, with the warmer weather in Northeast Ohio, our last 3 tanks have averaged over 50 mpg and that's with a measly commute of 5 miles! Are others seeing dramatic changes in MPG?
Here in the SF Bay Area we've averaged 75-85 deg for the last 3 wks and I've finally hit 50 mpg. While stuck in a traffic jam for 30 min to go 5 mi, the display read 62 mpg on the chart. Gas prices are due to go up by 25 cents this weekend. I filled up Weds and paid $2.08/gal, the avg here is $2.13 and rising....oh, the thrill of living in California. My driving rarely involves commute traffic, but it's nice to see that we can get EPA estimates. As far as storage goes, I travel solo most of the time with only my golf clubs. I can place my golf bag, a folded up 3-wheeled golf cart and accessories behind the seats and be able to pull the cover over all of it. I've yet to need to fold the rear seats, but it's nice to know the space is available.
Safe driving,
Rich
All these years I have been bombarded by advertising and marketing schemes telling me the car that the auto manufacturers say I need. Thank God I did not get caught up in the SUV "craze".
I drive 25 miles to work. Two-thirds of it on Interstate at 75 mph and one-third on city streets. Due to warmer weather...have been averaging around 48 mpg.
I shake my head when I drive by the convenience stores and see the SUV's and Vans lined up.
If you can't get a test drive, when it comes time to buy, insist on performing this test on the model they offer you for sale BEFORE signing any papers. Be prepared to either accept the car or walk away. You need a car that fits your needs.
Good advice. When I ordered mine (August 22nd), I was told to fork over $500 and sign on the dotted line. I paid a $250 deposit and had the contract emended such that the deposit was refundable if I did not want the car after delivery for ANY reason. This was immediately accepted by the dealer. Admittedly, I am not in a high demand area for the Prius but if you cannot drive the car before you place the deposit, you should insist that the deposit be returnable.
We love the Prius. It is much higher quality than the price would infer and the build quality is very, very good. It is an extremely solid, smooth and quiet car. The stereo is high end and the touchscreen controls are intuitive and easy to use. I've been averaging 52 - 54 MPH here in 100+ sunshine in Phoenix ona daily 70 mile commute.
We'll miss our Prius. On the bright side, two Toyota dealers tell me that there is an 18 month waiting list for a new Prius, so I should come out okay.
BTW, be prepared to pay 2 - 3K above MSRP.
Or, I just noticed a message from user "desertgrj", who is considering selling his; he lives in Phoenix. Who knows maybe you could make a deal for a slightly used one?
Don't sell the Prius! Take out a second on the house....sell the boat....refinance if you can. Consider making your car a time-share. What color/pkg do you have? You will find a buyer right away. I was in Phoenix back in March and I didn't see too much gas price difference between Phoenix and other large metropolitan areas. Since gas prices are going up and up, I'd figure out a way to enjoy the 52-54 mpg you quoted. As mentioned before, seeing the SUV's and vans lining up for gas will certainly make you smile because you made the right decision. All due respect to your decision but we need to keep the Prius Nation strong!
Rich
As has been repeatedly pointed out here, some people cannot afford a Prius, and have other monetary priorities, like food, education, and housing. Personally, I admire someone who can admit that they got over committed and try and rectify the situation. A car is not the end all and be all of our lives - or at least it shouldn't be.
I appreciate all the concern. I think it over and over an over every day. My wife is really bummed so I try to figger out ways to keep it. I can afford it I just don't want to shell out the large $$ every month.
Good luck selling, you shouldn't have any trouble.
-juice
When I read that article I wondered if they even knew what they are talking about and in my mind makes the facts of the whole story kind of fishy.
If they are going to route the HV power lines through the doors of a Hybrid then why not route the gas lines there too? :-o
Thanks,
Steve
Check out the cutaway picture of the '04 Prius at: http://s87059328.onlinehome.us/images/04cutaway.jpg
This should illustrate where a lot of the hidden components are located and why you shouldn't block the vent in the back seat.
Rich
Dennis
I'm hoping you can help me. I just got a Bluetooth phone, and have easily set it up so that, when the car is NOT in motion, I can dial from the LCD scree, and can always receive calls, etc., and use the hands free environment. The people I talk to say it sounds great. And I uploaded my phone book from my phone, etc.
What I CANNOT figure out how to do, is what you say in your message: "So you can dial from the phone and have the Bluetooth connection automatically take over the moment dialing completes". Since Toyota doesn't let you dial when the car is in motion, I dialed the phone instead. The LCD screen shows the same info as when you're dialing via the LCD screen (i.e., the volume control shows up, the hang-up button, the mute button), but the call is NOT on the hands-free system.
Any clue as to what I'm doing wrong here? Or, maybe there is something wrong with my Prius' hands-free system, do others do this?
Thanks very much to anyone that can help with this.
Howard
Dennis
" I think he made a decision not to participate because it made his blood pressure boil."
LOL...that's happened to a lot of the TH topics since certain people came on board and others changed their personalities.
fastdriver
As the other hybrids are becoming available Toyota Prius will be available first (now) at MSRP and then discounted (6-12 months)