Prius for a work vehicle help deciding ?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Mark1 @ Jul 7 2006, 02:02 AM) [snapback]282466[/snapback]</div>

I think the Prius is rated to hold less than 900 lbs including passengers. However if you could figure a way to keep the weight down and make a lunch stop to pick up more, then the Prius might work for you.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Mark1 @ Jul 7 2006, 03:02 AM) [snapback]282466[/snapback]</div>

just watch to keep the total weight including driver under 800 lbs

 

How long do you stay at a business when you check or swap extinguishers? The Prius gets good, not great, not 50 MPG, milage when the engine is warming up. How far apart are the businesses, in travel time? I get about 30 MPG for the first five minutes of every trip when the engine isn't warm.

You might be better off getting a Yaris or other relatively high MPG, lower-cost car than a Prius.

On the other hand, you'll be putting less pollution into the air and you will love driving a Prius. Put the rear seats down and the back end is huge for carrying capacity. The hatch gives easy access to the storage area where the extinguishers would be. And the tonneau cover is built-in to help make the load secure when you're not in the car.

It's the smartest car on the road.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Mark1 @ Jul 7 2006, 03:02 AM) [snapback]282466[/snapback]</div>

Will you buy this vehicle for your business or are you using your "personal" car for business? I think I recall something about the tax credit may not be available for vehicles owned/ used? by a business. So, if the tax credit of $3150 is part of the decision process be sure to find out if you will qualify for the tax credit.

Sorry, maybe someone else can give you some additional info on this - I just recall in passing something about hybrids owned by a business (or was it used in a business/) not qualifying for the credit. Perhaps it might make a difference as to how it is titled. (I know the state refund I got from PA was only available to individuals and not for vehicles titled to a business.)

Best advise is don't assume, go to the Toyota site and read the fine print as to who will/ will not qualify for the tax credit. Same advice if there is a tax credit at the state level.

Springtime

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Mark1 @ Jul 7 2006, 03:02 AM) [snapback]282466[/snapback]</div>

If for insurance and owning purpuses the vehicle must be register to a Corporation or a Business( like in my case), the tax credit will not apply; you better buy an older/gently used car with low milage at a lower cost than a '06 and be in the waiting list some times forever.
I have an '04 and use it for about 50 miles in daily commute and for business; I do repairs on Plasmas, LCD, DLP, projection HDTV and other high end equipment in and out of warranty, adding an average of another 650 miles in a 5 days work week. I do transport equipment like up to 36" TV in the cargo area and some dissasembled projection TV's also, plus a tool case & alignment equipment. It's a great vehicle and in my case, a money saver. I did the same with a Dodge RAM 2500, V8 ( I still use it it for large pieces) and with the money saved in gasoline and keeping in mind the benefits of an ECO friendly vehicle, I'm paying my car loan and part of the insurance. I've never loaded more than 650lb ( construction materials), but it never bottom-up to the ground.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Bill Merchant @ Jul 7 2006, 03:16 AM) [snapback]282474[/snapback]</div>

Even for frequent short trips the Prius does fine, especially in warm weather. If you're not planning on being a hypermiler you should get about 40-45MPG average, depending on climate, terrain, etc.

I don't know what the cargo capacity of the Yaris is, I would guess a hatchback would be much more conveient than a trunk (is yaris a hatch? haven't seen one)