Newbie questions about the c from a non-hybrid driver

FWIW, I sold my 02 Nissan Maxima (255 hp 3.5L VQ engine but w/an automatic) right after I got my 06 Prius in January 06. (Your 00 Max was the same gen but w/the 3.0L engine w/less hp.) I was sad to see it go and at the time, I thought I could never own a car w/less than 200 hp. Now, I'm down to a single 110 hp car!

I can't speak for the Prius c as I've never driven one, but I wouldn't be concerned about cruising range. I don't care that much. I also wouldn't be concerned about engine longevity, at least in more well established Prius models. See Lifespan/Operating costs - Prius Wiki. 2 fas 4 u trade in his 09 Prius with 465K miles! The 04-09 Priuses use the 1.5L 1NZ-FXE engine. IIRC, the Priuses before it used it too.

In more well established Prius models, the engine is NOT the weak point of the car. There are other parts of the car that might have problems over the long term, but almost never the engine.

The Prius c uses it too but apparently, they supposedly redesigned 70% of it. See http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-c-technical-discussion/106170-1nz-fxe.html#post1511691 and Green Car Congress: Prius c hybrid goes on sale in US with entry MSRP of $18,950; new transaxle, motor technology.

You will likely get better highway mileage w/the liftback than the c, as reflected by EPA ratings. You might find http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...2010-prius-2zr-fxe-engine-efficiency-map.html interesting. The 3rd gen liftback, PiP and Prius v wagon all use the 1.8L 2ZR-FXE.

Although CR didn't give the 3rd gen liftback (http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2012/02/the-most-fuel-efficient-cars/index.htm) better overall mileage than the 2nd gen (http://web.archive.org/web/20071228...-advice/most-fuelefficient-cars-206/index.htm), you can see the 3rd gen did better on the highway and the 150 mile trip. For comparison, when CR tested the 00 Maxima GXE, they gave it 21 mpg overall. I don't have their city, highway and 150 mile trip numbers.

BTW, the Prius c is much smaller than the liftback (which is classified as a midsized car, see Compare Cars Side-by-Side).

I don't know which trim of Max you have (like the SE) but I my 02 was a GXE and its ride was very smooth. Some reviews likened it to be "Lexus-like". My 2nd gen Prius has a much rougher ride than my Maxima (similar to a Corolla or other econoboxes) but nowhere near as rough as former 04 350Z. Assuming you have a non-SE Maxima, I'd guess the ride quality would go like this from harsh to smooth: Prius c, Prius liftback, Maxima.

I wouldn't be so concerned about mileage hit from bigger wheels. We should be measuring gallonage. See http://priuschat.com/forums/other-c...eage-no-its-your-gallonage-really-counts.html. Do some sample gallonage (delta or difference) calculations comparing going 100 miles for say 24 to 22 mpg vs. say 50 to 45 mpg to see what I mean. The 5 mpg drop in the latter case sounds huge, but it's not, in actuality.

 

welcome to Prius world.

I drive about the same miles as you. 1000 miles hwy and 500 city.

my PC gets about
44 MPG on hwy 70-75 mph
45-46 MPG on hwy 65-70 mph
40 MPG on city 0-25mph (stop side on every block) lol
51 MPG on city 20-40mph (light traffic with some stop light)
56 MPG on city 0-45mph (smooth road)
79 MPG on city 0-45mph (smooth and flat long road) the best record for now.
99 MPG on city 0-40mph (smooth and flat long road, speed up to 40 mph and let go the gas panel, EV mode will come ON, ICE is off until the battery is low) lol tried it couple times on a 8 miles road.

I also live in Bay Area, gas is about $4.20. just do the math. I save at least $100 each month for gas.

reliability is good. gen I still on the road. lol

 

There are plenty of ex and current racers that own Prii so no worries there. Some of us don't even miss the HP much. I wouldn't mind a track car but driving with gobs of HP on the street just doesn't interest me. I'd rather drive 60mph now instead of 80mph.

http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...237-my-other-car-modified-edition-thread.html

 

You will want a Prius 3rd Gen for the Highway. Economy is the same or better. Also, if you really need that kick in the &^%^ off the line, you will want the power button in the 3rd Gen. I have one of each (a C and a 3rd Gen). The C is ideal for trips around town; it is ok on the highway but it is a short range cruiser.

 

BTW, for the OP, these are some high mileage Gen 3 liftback examples:
http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...189-3gen-100-000-mile-club-6.html#post1498968
http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...-getting-their-stock-tires-5.html#post1445320
http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...mileage-total-miles-driven-2.html#post1399110

 

BTW, regarding gallonage, take a look at http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...hy-drop-in-fuel-efficiency-6.html#post1378284 and how "big" mileage drops on high mileage vehicles don't necessarily make that much of a difference.

 

I think Prius c gas engine redlines at 5,000 RPM like Gen2. Do you consider that very high RPM?

The engine sounds more audible past 3,000 RPM but that's when the torque start to raise. On a flat surface and the speed you want to drive, it should stay around 1,500 RPM.

 

I, too, am a h.p. fan. That's why I'm not getting rid of my Z28 and getting the C, too.

If you have a need for 1) an awesome gas pedal, and 2) higher mpgs, then you'll have a heck of a time getting both in the same car. A person's got to decide which they need more.

Prius' have a decent accelleration considering how good of mpgs they get. If I had a Mad Max-type commute you can bet I'd have a Mad Max-type vehicle. But if you can get away with a more conservative commuter vehicle, I'd get something like my C.

I think a lot of the jarring rides were had on overly inflated (more than 38psi) tires and the lower profile tires. Reasonable psis or normal tires would provide quite a resaonable ride quality.

If you would really like to have a car that is more at home on the open highway, has a better ride, and still get great mpgs then one of the larger Prius' would be your best bet.

Horsepower is hard to give up, but sometimes a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do.

 

Reading the tone of the OP's piece?

And the fact that the post closes with "I understand the compromise this car is - I just want to be sure I'm happy with the decision if I get one."

I just have to really recommend NOT getting one.

With an admitted love of speed and horsepower, and already pre-purchase, defining the Prius c as a compromise, as well as saying it "feels like a step back"???

I can't in good concious recommend purchase. I think it sound like dissatisfaction just waiting to happen.

Infact, reading the OP's post, it seems about the only reason a Prius is being considered, is gas mileage.

The OP's only experience is "kinda" enjoying driving a friends.

Prius, or any vehicle, I think when you purchase it....you should love it, and be totally sold on owning it....and that clearly does not seem to be the case here.

It changes the equation, perhaps...if the OP keeps his old vehicle. But even the decision to keep the old vehicle, is symptomatic of the dsyfunction of the entire idea. If you're so unsure of your happiness with a Prius that you are hedging your bets by keeping a 2000 Maxima 5spd....which in your opening paragraph you admit that you'd rather be moving UP from in terms of HP and Performance, then without prejudice I don't see how long term satisfaction with the Prius will be possible.

I just foresee a period where the gas savings becomes less alluring, and the OP simply realizes this isn't the vehicle he wants to own.

Especially with a high degree of Highway driving, there are some ICE alternatives that I think might be a much better compromise. Maybe even a used Camry hybrid?

But in anycase, when the majority of the OP's original post seems to be outlining immediately what they would change about the vehicle, along with proclamations of enjoying a driving experience that the vehicle isn't really designed for?

As usual, it's the persons choice...but I don't see how this becomes a long term vehicle relationship.

 

I'm having trouble believing that OP is a serious potential buyer, but just in case:

OP, how many HP do you think you are using in your current car to travel at 75 mph ?

 

The Prius C is only a car. A car, like any other car, that is a compromise between needs and desires. Fortunately, I can have my truck, my fast car, my fast motorcycle, and the daily driver for mpgs (the C). I've reached a point where compromises I made in my earlier years are able to be abandoned. Not everyone is there yet.

If a body wants mpgs, then there's lots worse than the Prius. If he absolutely can't get used to the lessened h.p., then so what? Drive it or sell it. Go on the next car and file it away as a lesson learned.

 

I agree with you.
I have a tundra -17 mpg and a v6 rav 4 that gets around 25mpg...
We use the c for our buzzing around car and the other 2 for longer drives. Everything is a compromise, but I do love the amazing mileage.