Coach's Test Drive of the Prius III

No self-respecting Louisiana boy would be caught dead in one of them Priasses, especially if your truck is paid-off! Run from the car as fast as you can.

Happy Motoring,

Tom

 

Coach, I see you don't have a garage? How will that work for you with a PHV Prius? Will you run an extension cord?

 

I'd say it depends on when you plan to take those Christmas lights down.

If you're going to take them down before Mardi Gras, buy the Prius. You're not enough of a redneck to worry about giving up the truck.

Good Luck with your decision!!!

 

I have been reading all of your posts. It seems like you really want this vehicle and you would really enjoy driving it. Money is not the issue, as you state you can afford it.

Life is to be enjoyed. You only get one shot in this world. Make the most of it. Splurge once in a while.

 

You are already driving a foreign vehicle, so people complaining about you buying foreign is ridiculous, you are simply moving from a truck to a car, again its stupid for them to complain.

The Prius will get better gas mileage, will give you loads of fun times and high tech, and a much better pocketbook, it will literally pay part of your car payment with gas savings, and with 0% interest and/or end of the year dealer discount, yeah that's no reason to buy. LOL

Joking of course, if you want it, don't let people discourage you, they will very soon realize how stupid they are, when you grin at your fantastic ride and great gas mileage and savings.

 

This is easy for an outsider to say.
But if your truck is paid off, AND you can "easily" afford the payments...is there any way you could concievably keep both?

I think an efficient, economical automobile as a primary, with a utilitarian vehicle such as a truck...as a weekend or occasional useage vehicle, is a great combination.

I'm a huge fan of Prius...I'd recommend them to anyone. But if your truck is paid off...you like it...and it's in good shape, be careful not to be distracted by the simple comparison of "new" and exciting vs. Old an familiar...

I've said to other posters in similar situations..A Prius is not a truck, or a 4 wheel drive...you get a whole different set of benefits and realities with a Prius. IMO if it's NOT a cost issue either in purchase or maintenance having a Prius and a Truck would be ideal. If you use your Prius 90% of the time plus? You can Dorian Grey your pick-up...

In the world today? If it did come down to I can only have 1 vehicle. I'd pick the most efficient, that meets the most of my needs...so that would be The Prius in this case....

 

Well, ignore the nav and sunroof unless you find you really like them. Our III has neither, and I'm not missing them. The III's base audio system is the 6-disk JBL/satellite unit. Not everyone likes it, but it sure makes a lot of sound...

Since the truck is paid for, why not keep it for hauling and dirty jobs? Downgrade the insurance as much as you can and just use it when you really need it. This assumes you have a place to keep it, of course.

I think it's good to have a mix of vehicles to match the job at hand. We have our Prius, our son's TT, and a 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan. Whoever drives the furthest gets the Prius, whoever has to haul anything or take the dog (a big Golden) to the vet takes the van...you get the idea.

Drive the Prius in as many different settings as you can - interstate, country roads, around town. Flog it and baby it. Run it in every mode. I was amazed at how quickly I figured everything out and got comfortable with the car.

I think you'll find it does everything you need and then some.

Enjoy!

 

:cheer2::cheer2::cheer2:BUY IT :cheer2::cheer2::cheer2:

 

whats the rush?



they'll be making more prius's

 

Join us !

 

Mine looks like a spitting image of that - without the sunroof, of course. I love mine, and I must be the only person in this forum that likes the navigation system. It's not as snappy as Garmin, but then again - it can't be STOLEN like all of my previous seperate GPSes were either (without taking the ENTIRE car).

I like it, though white DOES show dirt more so you are inclined to keep it clean a lot more.

 

Isn't afford the payments an oxymoron? If you could really afford it you'd pay cash, right?

 

X2

 

+1

IMHO, keeping old car is even greener than buying a new prius.
Unless you drive insane numbers of miles and fuel saving alone will pay for your new car.

 

+ another one.

All banter aside, that's probably the best advise you'll get on this subject. I'd reeeeeeally like to have a Prius of my own, and I can easily afford one however (comma) the 300 bucks that I would be shelling out every month for the Prius payment would buy 100-additional gallons of fuel, which is a lot more than I use in a month.

Good Luck with your decision!!!

 

I've tried mine and the 2010 without backup camera (no nav) and,

I wouldn't buy a Prius without backup camera. It's just too darn hard to really judge distance behind the car when backing up. Sure, not supposed to rely on it too much and I don't, but when I need to park at a curb and back up to tight space, the camera is a lifesaver. It's that or get out of the car, look, move a foot, look, repeat.