Very seriously thinking of pulling the trigger on an '08 Prius #5

Ventura,

While not in exactly the same boat you are in, my boat is on a similar sea. I also drive 60+ miles to work and back each day. The answer to most of your questions above lie in your priority scheme. For me, now, the top priority is MPG. Knowing that my '93 Jeep Cherokee (which has been tremendously faithful and relatively maintenance free) with 134,000+ miles on it won't last forever, I'd always planned on replacing it with something semi-sporty that would tickle my fancy in some way or another. The Prius was never something I'd have imagined. Well, after a few months of the long commute, my priorities have changed significantly! My top priority is now MPG. Yes, I could spend 12k on a tiny little 4 cyl commuter car and get 40MPG but that is not something I'd ever smile about when approaching the vehicle. Will I ever save the $18,000 difference between a car like that and the '08 Touring package #6 I ordered, definitely not. I will however have a car that I feel good about owning, enjoy driving, doubles my current MPG and saves me money at the pump every week. How many other cars out there have a "Stealth Mode" that you can look forward too?

 

Can you rent a Prius for a few days? Might be worth it to actually drive one on your daily commute and see how you like it. The car is really quite fun but it takes a short while before you figure everything out and the coolness factor REALLY sets in. I came from driving an F150 so I can't address the sports car end but let me tell you after 7 weeks I still can't wait to get in the Prius and drive anywhere....even down the street.

I don't think gas prices are ever going to go back to where they were (you know, the good ol' days of <$2). There will be short term fluctuations but I think we're going nowhere but up from here.

 

I've been in my '08 for a couple of weeks, and frankly think it's the best car I've ever owned. Period.

The immediately prior to this were a Jeep Cherokee and a Ford pick-up truck. I'm not going to be hauling around anything big with the Prius, but it certainly has the guts to keep up with the previous gas hogs.

I'm assuming Package 5 has the leather interior. If you're looking for to Gucchi the insides up, that will certainly do it. People routinely oooh and aaah over the insides of the lower packages, so add leather and you'll likely be quite comfy, though it's probably not going to compare well to that Benz.

As for cruising at 75-80, well you should have gotten the answer by now, but just for the record: "sure, but you're going to pay for it in FE." Don't get me wrong, even with the hit you're going to take you'll be getting better FE than most cars, its just likely not going to compare well with the EPA numbers.

When I made my decision, it was strongly influenced by the fact that I got an "extended test drive" when I went to visit my parents over the holidays. If you've really got reservations, why don't you consider renting one for a day or two. I think both Avis and Hertz have them in their fleets now. That experience may either convince you to go out and buy one, or tell you that the car is not for you.

 

1. buy out your lease for $3000+??? isn't the lease buyout your monthly payment times number of months left???? if not, heck I'd just let it sit in the drive until the end of the lease then turn it in. You could try swapalease.com as well.

2. since you like the HP, when you rid of the POS, why not consider getting a weekend sports car and leave the commuting to the Prius or similar hi MPG car. I commute in a 2000 Honda Insight that's averaging 72.1 mpg and on the weekends i drive a 2008 Audi TT.

3. driving the Prius will be a nice calm, quiet, comfortable ride.

4. good luck and keep us advised!

 

Renting one for a few days should settle the matter for you. Fully loaded is not required for the rental, the options are pretty much like those in other cars and you can imagine what they're like. But test drive both a standard and a touring package if possible. Some people love the touring; others get all the perceived benefit from putting a little more in the tires of a standard.

(I just now checked out the 2nd link in your post. Jeez louise, them fifty-dollar fillups must be gettin' on those boyz nerves.)

 

its not built for extreme acceleration, but its more than sufficient for everyday use.

from MOTORTREND..
Acceleration,sec
0-30 mph 3.1
0-40 mph 4.9
0-50 mph 7.1
0-60 mph 9.8
0-70 mph 13.3
0-80 mph 16.9

 

Hey, Ventura, I just sold my loaded Chrysler 300C and got my Touring Pkg. 6 yesterday. My husband LOVED the 300C and would not have been heartbroken at all if we had been unable to sell it. The HEMI was awesome and fun. We could afford the car, and the gas to go in it, but I just hated giving more and more of our money to the gas station! My husband was not thrilled about the Prius, he still hasn't driven it, but it's growing on him especially since he picked the color and is thinking of all the mods he wants to do on it. In the 24 hrs. I have been driving it I find I am so much more relaxed. I was on the highway for about 45 mins. yesterday and had no trouble merging with traffic and keeping up to speed. My husband even asked me if it seemed to strain the car to pick up speed, my answer was not at all. Sure, I am not gonna blow anyone's doors off like I could before but the trade-off in being a more relaxed driver is totally worth it. I don't have any problem accelerating from stoplights and I find it's a quieter, smoother, easier ride than the 300C. Your plan to keep a fun/fast car on the side may be a good one but you might find after a while that the Prius fulfills all your desires.

 

I left the lease on my Honda Pilot SUV two months early to buy a Prius (about 1 month ago). We were about 12K miles overmileage on the SUV, and for the last 4-6 weeks, I let it sit in my driveway and used it to go to the dump every Sat. I just couldn't see continuing to drive it, only to put more miles on it and sink so much money into gas. I decided I could NOT face the prospect of summer gas prices.

We owe two payments on the Pilot plus about $1200 for the overmileage. I considered buying a car from the dealer I was leasing from to see if they'd cut me a deal, but after looking at the Nissan and Honda hybrid and other offerings, I decide to check out the Prius. What a difference! An elegantly designed car with much more passenger and cargo room than you would think from looking at the outside, no econobox feel, and a very pleasant driving experience. And better FE than Honda and Nissan's hybrid offerings. Toyota clearly has learned what works/what doesn't in a hybrid car and it is reflected in the Prius.

I got package #6 in order to get leather seats, and it was well worth it. The minute I test drove that car, I knew what I wanted. I feel like I am not sacrificing anything in order to get fuel economy.

 

My last two cars before the Prius were a 1972 chevelle 454 and a 1998 camaro z28. I'm loving the prius. Don't really miss the power of the other cars. You will be happy if you get rid of the dodge, they are shit.

 

Ventura: Simple process - Go For It and Don't Look Back!!! Have had an 08 pkg 6 for 8 weeks. Really loving the car!!! Good Luck!!

 

dump the guzzler, if u are lucky enuff to get a prius, get it now, the dealer will not hold it for $100, if u want fun and speed, get a harley

 

btw,,,here's what i gave up for my prius...loved it but getting too old and needed a new car

 

Your brother-in-law's advice is great and perfectly logical if you never take long trips. For just driving around town, that probably is the cheapest way to go. Otherwise, would you really want to drive even three hours away from home in a car that you don't trust?

 

Recalling reports on this site:

One guy said he couldn't tolerate the driver's seat and sold the Prius rather than replace the seat.

bjhorton2005 said he sold a 2004 for "another premium car" but then bought a 2006.

Someone in London sold his but didn't say why.

A few people get outraged if they don't equal or better the EPA fuel economy figures at all times.