Should we get a Prius c?

Going that fast in any car is going to drastically reduce fuel mileage. There is nothing else on the market that will touch the c mpg at those speeds besides another Prius or Civic Hybrid. The so-called 40mpg gas only cars will not achieve EPA ratings at 80mph either so choose the c for other reasons and don't sweat the mpg. You never know, you may change your driving habits because of the car; thousands of other Prius drivers changed theirs.

 

We were just talking this morning about how much our driving habits have changed since we got our Prius c last week! Now my husband even takes a different route to work. He found out it was a few less miles, and he gets better gas mileage than taking the interstate.

 

The great thing about Prii is their ability to just get in and drive yet still achieve excellent mpg. The more you know the better it gets but you don't have to know anything.

I found this graph on another forum. All vehicles suffer reduced mpg as speed increases.

 

It was easy to adapt. Driving is a lot more relaxing now that I cruise the slow lane. I went from the following:

2000 Trans Am (11.12@122mph)
2000 C5 Corvette (12.5@111mph)
2001 GMC Sierra ext.cab 4x4 (12.3@110mph)

To a 2005 Prius (17.6@79mph) and I loved it!

Seriously, I never considered it a downgrade or like I was missing out on something. The Prius is highly customizable with regards to everything but horsepower so make it fit your wants and needs.

 

That depends... how much do you cringe when at the gas pumps?

Any prius will provide you enough feedback via readouts that you can, if you want, change your driving habits to maximize the mpg. If mpg is not your main concern, the c will still provide a relatively entertaining ride. This is the most "sporty" handling prius to date from the factory. My wife's previous car was a fully loaded 07 touring edition with every available option except nav. It was a very comfortable car, but she prefers the c to it due to it's zippy nature and ease of driving. That she can get at least a 5mpg increase on her commute helps, too.

if she didin't take to the c, I was in line to inherit it to replace my FIT. The FIT is a great car and it would take a lot for me to give it up. After owning the c for a few weeks, I'd be happy driving it if the wife passes on it. Doesn't seem like she will though.

Some of my previous cars that I used to "leadfoot" with... but, for me, "performance" has taken on a new meaning. Not so much 0-60 times, but more of how many mpg's one can get on the trip. :rockon:

https://picasaweb.google.com/kkim993/Cars

 

I have become a much more relaxed driver since owning my C. I went from driving my manual transmission Honda Fit sport fast everywhere I went to driving my Prius c fairly slow and laid back. Yet I don't feel like I'm missing anything, I think the car just has that relaxed feel to it.

 

Not owning a Prius (yet!), I don't have much to add on your other questions. But I will add that I have been using, and loving, Autotrader.com to keep up with nearby Prii inventory. Not all dealers post to their, which is their loss in my opinion, but there is a huge number of criteria you can select in your searches. Yahoo Autos also has found some cars that didn't show up on other search sites. Hope that helps you get to a test drive. I'm doing that myself soon.

 

Off topic, but in my area, Cs are leaving the lots within 48 hours of arrival. They dont have time/bother to update the website. I've found just calling the dealer before you leave is best.

 

Short Answer: YES!

Long Answer:

I have never owned a Toyota my whole life...for the past 10 years I have been driving and leasing Infiniti G and M vehicles...all with 300+ HP....I never thought I would want a small car with less than 100 HP.....ever....but I got tired of 19 MPG average in the Infiniti....and 70 dollar a week fill ups....I looked at the Volt, but I wanted to break the lease cycle and purchase my next vehicle...lease was tempting on the volt, but at the end of the day it was a 45,000 car with a 500.00 lease payment....

I had heard about the Prius C coming a few months back and it intrigued me...so I went to drive a regular prius and liked it....Then the Prius C's came in and went to test drive it, and loved it!!! It's a whole new MPG game for me now...and I don't miss the Infiniti at all!! I purchased my C last Thursday and my payment is 150.00 less plus I will save 150.00 a month in gas.....not bad!

I have been averaging 57.8 MPG so far...I drive slower and more relaxed, I am retraining myself everyday to drive smarter and I am learning the basics of hypermiling (not extreme though)...and it is working...I love coming into work and people now ask me how my MPG's were on the way to work....when I tell them 60 MPG...they can't believe it! I love my Prius C!!!

-M

 

I think you will adapt readily to the nominal but sufficient power of the C. I went from 328 hp to 99 and honestly, I don't miss it. I've cut my fuel bill to less than half. Most of my commute is highway drone, and my Prius, driven at the 65 mph limit, is returning 50+ mpg. I leave a few minutes earlier and drive the speed limit for a refreshing change. I see a lot of other people driving the PSL and even a bit below to save money now. My high powered car was an enabler to drive a bit crazy. With the C, I've finally grown up!

 

If I had to drive 85 miles to work each day. I don't think I would get a Prius c. The "c". Stands for city and the "c" was designed for the city, sounds like you do a lot of highway driving. Here are some things to consider other than mpg...

1. Seat comfort, are the seats going to be comfortable and supportive enough for 85 mile drive? You might want to do a test run or something.

2. Noise level, driving 85 miles at highway speed your gonna want to drown out the road noise, and you don't want to have to crank to radio to extra high volumes to do so.

If I were in your shoes I would consider the regular Prius over the "c". You get a more comfortable and quiet cabin and going 70-80 mph is no big deal. The Prius does it easily.

 

I'm definitely a reformed lead footer. I normally drive at least 15 miles over the speed limit. I've driven like this for almost 44 years. I averaged 2-3 speeding tickets per year. When I was driving 1200 miles a week I once got 3 speeding tickets in the same day.

The Prius has totally changed me. Anyone who has ever been a passenger in my car cannot believe the change. To be honest, I have a hard time believing it.

I gave my radar detector away because I will never knowingly speed again. I'm never stressed to get anywhere because I have finally learned that the difference in arrival time from speeding is absolutely insignificant.





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