I have a lot to learn, and I look forward to reading all I can. Yesterday I went into the Toyota dealer wanting to drive a Corolla and a Camry. I currently have a 2002 Corolla S. They didn't have any new Prius on the lot, but they had one used 2009. I drove it and couldn't believe how great it was. They said they had 7 or 8 coming in, but they were all spoken for. They obviously wanted me to drive something home the same day, but I said I really wanted to drive a new Prius. The sales manager said he'd check on something. He comes back a few minutes later and said they have one coming in at the end of the month, silver... the color I want!! So I put a deposit down. I'm so psyched!!! It's a Prius Two, and I can't wait to get behind the wheel. My buddies were giving me a hard time, but I don't care. I like being part of something unique.
Keep your gas receipts, that will keep your buddies at bay. I drive 30,000 miles a year and am currently saving about $2400 in gas each year over my old ride. Track your maintenance and repair cost to shut them up about buying foreign.
Yep, I stick my receipt (with calculated gas mileage scribbled on it) by my desk at work every fill-up, when someone makes a snide remark about what I drive I just point to the receipt! Of course a lot of the ribbing that was directed at me has recently shifted to a co-worker who just bought a Smart car! Now that guy is the brunt of a lot of jokes! We also have a guy who drives a Miata who gets a lot of ribbing too, so this was very apropos...
Lol, nice. It's a shame you have to deal with that crap. If I get jokes from a colleague it's more about my hypermiling and speed-limited driving rather than the car. Lots of Priuses around here, even though I'm the only one in our lot. (I sometimes see another but I think it's somebody using a nearby facility after hours).
Tautology alert! More than 18,000 sold in March. Only 12,000 last month but it's obviously supply constraint. Seriously though, it's good you're driving what you want to drive and what you want to drive is efficient.
Congrats on your decision to to buy a Prius. Welcome to PriusChat.:welcome: Now's a good time to read all you can here on the threads. Here's a pretty cool thread video on how to maximize Prius efficiency using the HSI: http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii-2010-prius-fuel-economy/79086-new-max-mpg-driving-tips-video.html?highlight=radioman
@twittel- thanks for the link on the video, that was very helpful! I do have one concern. I drive about 10,000-12,000 miles per year. I wonder if I'm making the right decision... Am I paying more for a car that I'm not getting the full potential out of? In my Corolla I only fill up with gas every two weeks as it is. But it's a HUGE oil burner. I put about 1/2 qt. in it every week. It's been that way for a while. But I wanted to get rid of the Rolla while it still has some value left. The dealer said they'd give me $2,000 for the trade in.
JP...in addition to gas mileage, the Prius maintenance schedule may be a money saver. For example, the engine does not have belts, bearings and pullies like a conventional engine. Also, many PriusChatters believe brake pads and rotors can go 50,000+ miles since most of braking is done by the hybrid engine. As far as oil, you'll spend more, but go further. The Prius uses synthetic 0W-30, but intervals are at 10K miles. This is some of the rationale I used in making my Prius buy decision. I've never looked back, nor regretted my decision. I love this car!
Hey JP, Now you can get off that "Highway to Hell!" ... As far as brakes go, anything less than 100K miles in Ohio, and your driving like a maniac! Lots of people have 150K miles on their brakes and still going. The 3rd Generation Prius (2010 and beyond) uses 0W20 oil (not 0W30).
And, Toyota is offering free maintenance for the first 2 years/25K miles, so even your oil changes/tire rotations are cover for the first two years...
The prius uses 0w-20 oil 0w-30 will ruin fuel consmpsion, and brakes should last at least 100,000 miles.
12kmi/yr at $4/gallon saves e.g. 12000mi*$4*(1/30mpg-1/50mpg) = $640/yr. You should get somewhere close to even over a regular compact if you're a mixed city/highway driver. If you're more a highway driver, a compact would generally be cheaper overall. It really depends on where, how and how much you drive.
Buyer's remorse already? How about, you are getting a mid-size instead of a compact, and what if we ration gas? (Yes, I am that old.) That was no fun.
I think the big reason that I don't drive my car so much is because I worry about something going wrong with it. I already have my first road trip planned. I'm heading to Nazareth, Pennsylvania for a tour of the Martin Guitar factory and museum. I've been a fanatic about checking gas mileage ever since I got my Corolla. I've always thought it was fun trying to get the most out of a tank of gas. So I think it makes perfect sense for me to get a Prius, where getting more out of a tank of gas will be quite amazing!! Now, if I can just keep those squirrels from walking all over my new Prius like they do my Corolla...
Sounds like we have a similar wait. This will be the longest May EVER!! If yours comes in first, I expect to see pics and get the full low-down!
@bisco- Nice! I'm not a Martin owner yet, but I plan on being one some time soon. 1970... nicely aged. I bet she sounds amazing! @midwife- It certainly will be a long month wait. Although I just saw today that the car dealer has a 2010 Prius IV, with 1,900 miles, for $25.9. I might have to go take a test drive to ease the anxiety. Although that might make it worse
