I am a Surfer and travel up and down the Coast of California looking for waves. I have recently taken my 2012 Kia Soul Eco on a road trip to Las Vegas and I was very disappointed with the MPG. At one point during my road trip I was averaging just about 28.5 MPG. I was expecting a lot more out of it. I am watching gas prices climb and I am filling my tank just about once a week. I am thinking of purchasing a 2012 Prius C base model but might upgrade one level to get the cruise control functions. I have a couple of questions regarding the vehicle from owners. I noticed the roof of the vehicle is slightly slanted, do you think I can put a removable surf rack & surfboard on the roof? Does the Prius C come with XM radio? What are your overall thoughts regarding the vehicle? Thank you for your time.
The hit of bad MPG is nothing compared to the immediate depreciation of selling a brand new car! Since you want a base model, and complain about fuel economy, that doesn't quite compute.
Does the base model vary in range for the MPG? I have already done independant research and my payments will be the same for the same term.
Does it not fit inside the Prius c with the front and rear seats folded? I know the regular Prius can fit a surfboard for sure but I don't know if the c is too tight (never took a measurement myself). I believe it's XM-ready unless you get the c Three w/ the 6.1" Display Audio unit, then it's integrated and ready to go from the factory. MPG shouldn't vary too much. The only thing I can think of is the 16" alloy option on the c Four. That may have one of the bigger dents in mpg.
Regarding the removable roof rack, I haven't been able to find one that fits the car yet. But I have only been looking at the big names like Yakima and Thule. I'm sure they will pop up as more C's are on the road. Keep in mind that having a rack and board on your roof will create more drag and bring your mpg down. But I'm not sure by how much. But if you can find a way to put the board inside (fold rear seats and have the nose rest between the 2 front seats), you'd be able to maintain the excellent gas mileage. Overall, the C has met and exceeded my MPG expectations.
FWIW you don't have the Eco package, that hasn't been released in the US yet. The "Active Eco" and Eco package (package E16) are different things. Not that MPG would have changed.
The payments might be the same but have you factored in the depreciation hit of the almost brand spanking new Kia?
I just traded my 2007 Prius in for a 2012 Prius C package 2. So far with 890 miles I am getting on the average 43 MPG around town. I am kind of dissappointed in the MPG since I was getting 47 with my old Prius. I hear from th dealer that my mileage will increase with time but not sure if it wull get up to the advertised 53 MPG.. If not I could have saved myself 22K and kept my old Prius.
You must have a heavy right foot or you are climbing hills. For me not even trying to get good mpg I get at least 50mpg avg in city. Again that's not even trying hard. I don't agree with your dealer either, you should be getting better mpg than that at this point with close to 1000 miles on the car. So unless it is your right foot or hills I would have the dealer take a look at it.
The rack with (and without) surfboard/s will certainly impact the mileage negatively. There are so many small aerodynamic parts added to the prius c to make it as efficient as possible that adding a roof rack would disrupt the total package.
What's your tire pressure? What did you run your old Prius at? http://priuschat.com/forums/other-c...uth-about-epa-city-highway-mpg-estimates.html Tire Tech Information - Tire Rolling Resistance Part 3: Changes to Expect When Switching from Worn-Out to New Tires There's also break in of the car itself.
I guess I spoke to soon. I pressed the ECO button on the center console and my mileage seemed to improve dramaticaly. Not sure what that button does my mileage went from 43 to 49 within a short period of time. I drive like an old lady and am not heavy on the gas. I live in Texas so there are no hills to speak of. My tire pressure is at 35.
I live in Houston and if I'm driving city roads with 30 - 45 mph speed limits my average is 60-62 mpg on my 15 miles commute. If I'll put more effort I can make 73 mpg on same commute. If I take highways my milage drops down to 53-55, but I never had less than that, unless my gas pedal is down to the metal all the time. I don't use eco button at all.
