Hello everyone, I signed up to Priuschat a couple of weeks ago, when I was still researching what to buy and what to look out for. Everyone was extremely helpful - thanks for your information. I've bought one now: I bought it at auction on Tuesday and picked it up yesterday. It's a 2008 basic model, and it's blue, and I very much like it. I spend most of my driving time in traffic in central Sydney, and it's so much more relaxing to drive in those conditions than anything else I've driven. Also, Priuschat looks a bit less mental and a bit less rabidly right wing than MBWorld, which I've been a member of for a while, so I'm looking forward to becoming part of it.
Welcome, I'm from Sydney aswell (hills district) You'll enjoy your Prius, I hate an '08 base aswell Mind if I ask how much you got it for & how many K's?
Another Aussie, another Aussie, hurray for us!! Welcome fellow Aussie to the best car chat site in the known universe and most of the unknown. Do I seem like a nutter? Oh I'm a Prius nut.
Thank you. I'm very impressed so far. I live in the Inner West, but a couple of our neighbours moved here from the Hills District. It has 43,000kms on it, and I bought it at auction for A$ 16,000, which seems to have been a pretty good deal. It's an ex-government car, and it's immaculate. This forum seems quite a bit more international than the other one I was on, which was very American. It's refreshing (no offence to the Americans - it's just nice to see what people from all over the world are saying). I've only lived in Australia for two years, so it's another two years until I can call myself an Aussie - I'm a pom, but I moved here from Shanghai. I haven't made it over to Adelaide yet, but I have a couple of clients there, so I do need to get over there soon.
Well you're probably in one of the best places to own a Prius. They're much more efficient in a warmer climate than too cold. I've taken a bit hit on my mpg's since the cold weather started a couple weeks ago. Enjoy less trips to the petrol pumps. Oh and just to remind you that you did the right thing moving from Blighty - petrol has now gone up to £1.20 a litre ($7.14 US gallon) and due to rise again to £1.24 ($7.37) by the end of the month Glad I bought the Prius though.
Your gas/petrol savings will be many thousands of dollars... er... pounds... er... loonies... and you're helping move battery tech and brake recapture tech forward, while saving money in the #2 most reliable car in the USA. (consumer reports)
Ah, well it's good to know that they work well in the heat. I'm a bit concerned that in summer - which will start in a couple of weeks, it could get a bit hot because of all that glass. But at least it's a light colour, so it shouldn't get too hot. I've heard that there's more wrong in Britain than just the price of petrol: my parents and my sister still live there, and they, and the rest of my friends, are not too optimistic at the moment. Actually, my sister used to live in Harrogate: you might have driven her home some time. Petrol prices here are odd: they're about A$ 1.05 per litre on Tuesdays and A$ 1.30 on Saturdays - they move in kind of a wave pattern every week. It'll be nice to always know I can wait until Tuesday to fill up.
Welcome to the forum from a former MBWorld member (eplants02). I completely agree with you about the statement above.
Yes, there are some nutters there. I do find it quite interesting, though - I'd never meet people like that in real life, so it's useful to get an insight into what they're thinking.
From another Sydneysider (northern beaches), :welcome:. I have a blue 2007 base model and have had no problems with hot days - the ac blasts out a gale when you first get into the car after it have been siting in the sun for a while, but that climate control is beautiful. You need to update your profile to reflect the change is status .
Ah, well that's good to know. It's not looking like I'm going to have to worry about blazing sun this afternoon, though. That's a very good point - thank you! I've done it now.
:welcome: You'll find lots of good information here. I also love my 2008! Our daughter is 16 and LOVES our Prius and has been trying to talk me into getting a new one and giving her our current one. By far the most favorite vehicle I've ever owned! Sean