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"C" is out! Gen 3 is a maybe. v is crazy!

Discussion in 'Prius c Main Forum' started by Kenny_n_Steve, Aug 16, 2012.

  1. Kenny_n_Steve

    Kenny_n_Steve New Member

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    We recently prepared to work our way toward a final decision between Prius models and enjoyed an up close & personal examination and drive. The trip did not go as planned and a new direction may be in order.

    After months of reading about the "C" I was ready to be wowed and hoped Kenny would be as well. Not so. It is small, although I knew that going in. When we looked at pricing between the C and a Gen 3, it made little sense not to consider the larger, more practical car, like we have now.

    Although I'm perfectly fine with the Gen 3, Kenny doesn't much care for the center console, believing he'd feel "trapped". Okay, I can live with that, as I'd be the daily drive of this new Prius. Nevertheless we moved on to the "v" which I knew from having explored it at the auto show I was not keen on. Here, Kenny fell in love!

    My problems include the fact the car is larger, heavier, under-powered and suffers shortness of mpg which in my mind is staggeringly bad for anything branded Prius! Although in theory I'm solid with something a bit larger (we do have a Giant Schnauzer to haul around), I am dead-set against 42 mpg, knowing also that Toyota is not likely to update this model until 2014. That is unless Ford forces their hand!

    Within days of looking and driving and pondering, Ford made their formal announcement about the "new" C-Max which really isn't so new except that it is joining the US market complete with a tried, tested and proven hybrid system owing much of its development to Toyota's synergy system.

    The last half-week has been spent digging deeply into the C-Max from a European perspective, where it has been in production for a number of years. Performance, design, comfort, fit, quality all appear to make the C-Max a SERIOUS match for the Prius v. Add to that, here in the US it will be a hybrid getting a combined city/highway mpg rating of 47 mpg!

    My first choice is the Gen 3 Hatchback. If going larger is where we head, it most certainly will not be the current Prius v. We are supposed to get the first batch of Ford C-Max's just after Labor Day and we're scheduled to be called for a domestic up close & personal.

    Given the "C" is out entirely, I"ll probably post elsewhere in the Forums, if for no other reason than to share what I find about the C-Max when compared to the v. Happy driving, everyone. Toyota certainly has and for some time will likely remain a leader in hybrid cars but perhaps we Americans are truly waking up and can be prepared to offer a domestic alternative. No matter how much we appreciate our current Prius, buying domestic would not be a bad thing!

    Steve & Kenny
     
  2. Mr Incredible

    Mr Incredible Chance favors the prepared mind.

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    I couldn't imagine the PITA it would be to haul a big dog in the C. Maybe it's just me.
     
  3. Ashley7

    Ashley7 Active Member

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    Maybe someone else wants to do the math, but I don't think the actual difference in gas used would be very high between 42 and 47 mpg. Not that I'm saying you should get the car you don't want, I was just confused as to why you thought 42 was so horrendous and 47 was so amazing.
     
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  4. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    Ashley7,

    15,000 miles per year US average / 42 MPG Prius v = 357 gallons used per year * $3.50 gas = $1250
    15,000 miles per year US average / 48 MPG Prius = 313 gallons used per year * $3.50 gas = $1094

    So the Prius v will cost about $156 a year more to drive than the Prius Liftback. Not bad, if your dog fits in one and not the other.
     
  5. jayhawksrule

    jayhawksrule Junior Member

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    I am also looking to purchase in the next few months and have been mostly looking at the v, and then the liftback. I have decided to wait until I look at a C-Max hybrid before I make a final decision. We purchased a Camry Hybrid this Spring and we love it -- it gets great mileage and has a great powertrain (200 horses). The biggest difference to me between the v and the C-Max isn't MPG, its horsepower (134 v. 188). The European version of the C-Max gets great reviews for driving characteristics as well, also in contrast to the Prius.

    I would like to see the reviews of the new C-Max, and test drive one myself. My biggest questions about the C-Max are reliability and Ford's committment to hybrid/EV long term.
     
  6. DKTVAV

    DKTVAV Active Member

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    Gas is $4.12 at my local SoCal Costco, so:

    15,000 miles per year US average / 42 MPG Prius v = 357 gallons used per year * $4.12 gas = $1471
    15,000 miles per year US average / 48 MPG Prius = 313 gallons used per year * $4.12 gas = $1290

    $181 a year more than Liftback.

    And C is a little better MPG.
     
  7. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    I had intended to use Hwy miles, as that was the OPs interest, so the v should be 40, not 42. Gas price will vary, $3.38 is my local price today.

    15,000 miles per year US average / 40 MPG Prius v = 375 gallons used per year * $3.50 gas = $1313
    15,000 miles per year US average / 46 MPG Prius c = 326 gallons used per year * $3.50 gas = $1141
    15,000 miles per year US average / 48 MPG Prius = 313 gallons used per year * $3.50 gas = $1094
     
  8. DamonBoost

    DamonBoost New Member

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    I have a fairly large Golden Retriever / Standard Poodle mix (90lbs) and he rides just fine in it..
     
  9. JLee81

    JLee81 Junior Member

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    I have a bull mastiff and he is just fine in the C. I have the pet hammock that goes over the head rests. Good luck with your car hunting. It's good that you are taking your time with your purchase rather than regretting your decision later like a few posters on here have.

    SGH-T989 ? 2
     
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  10. Ashley7

    Ashley7 Active Member

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    Thanks to everyone doing the math for my lazy self. I found it interesting. :) Kenny & Steve, I hope you can find and get the car your hearts desire!
     
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  11. libmanj

    libmanj Junior Member

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    K&S, I feel you! A couple days ago, I went to a dealership and strongly considered buying a Prius. I have tried all three models, and I have reservations about all of them. To me, the C is the best looking, but a bit small for me, and a tad underpowered for my taste. The liftback is the natural fit for me, but I can't get used to the rear view with that split bar (and I've rented one before for a couple of days, so I've at least given myself a chance). The V covers the bases of size and rear view, but I'd prefer to mitigate the mileage drop, and I find it the most ugly Prius by far.

    I'd really rather stick with a Toyota, but I'm going to try a C-Max next month. It also seems like it covers all the bases, and for a reasonable price. I'd also ideally like to see what kind of real world mileage people are getting with the Ford though.
     
  12. Kenny_n_Steve

    Kenny_n_Steve New Member

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    Ashley,

    When it boils down to why we buy Prius', I think it is first, MPG, second a combination of reliability and the reputation Toyota has. You're right, the difference between 42 and 47 mpg isn't huge but when the math is done, it's still 5 more mpg and more miles per tank-full which is principally why we purchased our Prius in the first place!

    I'm not a xenophobe; I'll buy from whomever is making the car which get the better mpg, coupled with reliability. That said, I'd be delighted to keep our US Auto manufacturers busy building cars which will ultimately compete globally with cars that make sense. Chevrolet seems a bit more focused on pure-electric, Ford has placed and continues to place hundreds of millions into research on battery / hybrid technology.

    As to my continuing comparison, the Prius-hatch sits at the bottom for cargo space. The Pruis V sits at the top. The C-max sits comfortably in between. Add to that it's getting closer to 50 mpg. Add to that it's a bit more stylish both inside and out. Add to that Ford has options Toyota simply doesn't offer and the car can be had for LESS than the V.

    Next, if one takes a hard look at the reviews done on the C-Max in the UK, one finds that the platform overall is a major hit, tried, tested and proven. Couple that with the Ford hybrid system (based on Toyota's Synergy-drive) which has been more extensively tested than the Prius (just pulled a hybrid-powered taxi off the streets of San Francisco after some 250,000 miles to have the engine analyzed) and I am more than willing to give Ford a shot.

    In the end, we seek high mileage, reliability, style, comfort and space.

    Steve
     
  13. Kenny_n_Steve

    Kenny_n_Steve New Member

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    Jayhawk,

    You're spot-on about the extra horse-power. It makes perfect sense to me that the under-powered V would consume more fuel and that simply doesn't add up to sense in my book. I personally think they took shortcuts with the V. It is a hatchback on steroids but lacking the power to get the job done correctly.

    Mine you, I'm not convinced bigger is better but I do think if we can grow the car a bit and not loose on the mileage appreciable, the C-Max may be the ticket!

    Steve
     
  14. Kenny_n_Steve

    Kenny_n_Steve New Member

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    Libmanj,

    If I were to suspect what the mileage will be, I would lean slightly higher but time will tell. Regardless, I agree, the V is butt-ugly! And under-powered. And the mileage, although only 5 mpg less, is nevertheless 5 mpg less!

    We look forward to seeing the C-Max up close.

    Someone also wondered about Ford's commitment to hybrid technology; with not so much homework you'll find they're spending tens of millions in the development of hybrid technology. They have 500+ patents for hybrid technology. In the early stages, they licensed the Synergy-drive system from Toyota to develop their own. They have tested whole fleets of taxis, committed to their hybrid system and have show reliability at beyond 200,000 miles. In short, the folks from blue-oval have probably done their homework!

    Steve
     
  15. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    I haven't read this whole thread yet, but I agree. 42 isn't great for the not very powerful Prius v considering the 200 hp '12 HyCam gets similar mileage, but 42 vs. 47 isn't a huge diff.

    Besides the $ calculations someone else has done, OP should look at Car and Driver: Mileage? No, it's Your Gallonage that Really Counts | PriusChat.

    To do some other calculations, the "gallonage" difference is only 0.25 gallons per 100 miles when comparing 47 vs. 42 mpg.

    Would the OP say that a car that gets only 27.90 mpg is "staggeringly bad" while a 30 mpg car is "good"? The "gallonage" difference between those two cars is also 0.25 gallons per 100 miles...
     
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  16. Kenny_n_Steve

    Kenny_n_Steve New Member

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    Cwerdna,

    Thanks for the information and perhaps I'd be willing to retract any disparaging remarks about the Prius V mileage except for... the mileage! Good feedback aside, most of us realize rated mileage is sourced not from "real world" highway and city driving but from dyno testing in what amounts to a laboratory. This puts us back in the same spot we started, the V suffers in mpg. Ultimately, the difference is the difference and squeezing more miles per gallon does count.

    At this stage, I think the competition in pure-electric and hybrid vehicles will become more serious, which is good because honestly, I think Toyota got a bit lax with the V. As Ford has done with the C-Max, perhaps a slightly larger engine is needed to more effectively and efficiently get the V up to speed and squeeze a few more miles per gallon out of the platform.

    I should point out, mpg is only one factor I have examined. Styling is another area I'd like to consider as well. Although both Kenny and I are vastly more practical when it comes to what a car looks like, the cavernous "butt" on the V certainly doesn't earn points for style whereas the slightly smaller C-max is a bit more stylish and darn-it there is that pesky additional 5 mpg and nicer options and the aforementioned tests in the UK and Europe which give the platform such high praise... :)

    In the end, the Prius Lift-back is certainly in the running and we're committed Prius fans. I love to see mileage in the high 40's to low 50's! I'll be certain to share some of my thoughts on the C-Max once the rascal comes out and we've had a chance to not only see and drive one but after others have purchased and begin to report their "real world" mileage. I will also dive further into the V forum to learn more about what current owners have to say.

    Ta-da!

    Steve
     
  17. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    I think you are looking at the v in the wrong way. Regardless of whether you like it or not, it is VERY efficient. Compare other vehicles with the same cargo space and tell me what average mpg they get. ;)

    For pet owners or those who need the room, the "cavernous butt" creates much needed vertical room that is lacking the Kammback design on the Liftback. If you don't need the space that is all well and good but to slam a car for a useful design feature is rather silly. Just say you don't like it and be done with it. To say Toyota failed with the v is sort selfish.
     
  18. jayhawksrule

    jayhawksrule Junior Member

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    I have test driven the V several times and I really like it. I think it looks fine and there are lots of things I like more than the Liftback (space, rear window, lack of waterfall, driving characteristics). All cars are compromises, and the V represents a reasonable compromise between MPG and space; it really is big. The V is at the top of my list right now.

    But since I am not buying for a few months anyway I think I might as well look at the C-Max. Our one experience with Ford, a 1994 Ford Explorer, was not good in the reliabililty department. In fact, my wife has flatly declared that we are not getting a Ford. But the company has made strides since then and as it stands the C-Max seems like a very appealing package. However, Toyota has a long track record with hybrids, Ford not so much. I'm not even sure my local Ford service department will know what to do with a C-Max. And there's no "C-Max Chat." These things do make a difference.
     
  19. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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  20. Bodgerx

    Bodgerx Junior Member

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    It isn't actually the case that Ford 'licensed' Toyota's tech. They developed their own, and then later went into an arrangement where they exchanged patents w/Toyota to avoid a patent legal war.

    In future there is some new agreement between them to do some truck/heavier duty hybrid tech...