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Few Newbie Prius Questions

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by New Revelation, Aug 20, 2006.

  1. New Revelation

    New Revelation The Master Captain

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    Hi everyone, I managed to find this forum through some review sites I have been reading on regarding the Prius. As of now I am very close to considering getting one for myself because of the high fuel mileage and plus the fact that it looks cool! I have been seeing many people here in my area and on the roads when I drive that has one, and I admit I am a bit envious because I don't have one, but unfortunately I am not able to get one just yet.

    So in the meantime, I have been hearing that these cars you pretty much have to place an order for, due to high demand....is this true? And if so, how long would one have to wait before it would arrive?

    My only car right now is an 84' Olds Cutlass Cierra (4-cylinder) that was passed to me from my mom when she got it new and it has done well ove the years for me, even as of today. Now I am looking to getting my first new car of my own (at 29 years old...quite a shame huh) and the Prius really sparked my interest over the last few months.

    After doing a little reading on the forums here, I have found that for many, it's possible to get about 500-600 miles on a full tank of gas. I like to take many road trips from time to time to Texas and being a 1,200 mile trip one way, it would be really nice to not have to fill up as often. My Olds have gotten me about 400 miles on a full tank, and nearly 420 on occasion and would only take me 2.5 fillups to get there.

    I have been wondering what some of you owners here who have done long road trips over 500 miles gotten before you had to fill up? In other words, how far on average could you get on a full tank (assuming all flat roads)?

    I am very eager to be a Prius owner, but it would be nice to get some insight first on the ordering process (dependent on dealer) and such. I know many here from what I read wants to beat the EPA standard, but I figure as long as I get over 30 MPG then that's still good for me. My Olds gotten about 22-23mpg on highway.

    I would like to test drive one, but I can't seem to find a dealer around my area that has any in stock to test. Last one I went to in TX a few months ago didnt have any in stock either, so it seems I am out of luck on this car unless I order one. But I don't have the funds yet to get one so what does one do?

    I'll just have to be patient a little longer; my time will come soon. But in the meantime I would like some input from you current owners. Many thanks! :)
     
  2. jmccord

    jmccord New Member

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    I've been averaging 45-50 mpg. I fill up after 400-450 miles. Simply because I'm conservative and it is recommended NOT to allow the car to run out of gas. This is somewhat complicated by the non-linear characteristic of the fuel gage. Do a "fuel gage" search on this site for more on that issue.
    Nonetheless, the Prius is a great car, and with the Federal tax credit (phasing out beginning 10/1/06), its a great deal too.
    I love this car!
    Go for it! :D
     
  3. Bill Merchant

    Bill Merchant absit invidia

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    Hi and welcome to PriusChat. Some people regularly go over 500 miles per tank and beat EPA estimates, most do not. I'd guess the average is about 450 miles per tank before most people fill up. You don't want to run out of gas in a Prius. Likewise, I'd guess most people get 45-55 MPG for fuel economy.

    You should go to Toyota.com and build your own Prius. That way you'll see the base price, colors, and option packages available in your area. You can also find dealers. One thing many people have done and recommend is renting a Prius, usually from a dealer, for at least a weekend so you can drive the car and see if it fits you and you like it. A car is a fairly big expense to take on without some assurance it will work for you.
     
  4. tomdeimos

    tomdeimos New Member

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    If you plan long trips to Texas don't expect 600 miles on a tank. You may get 500. It all depends on temperatures and your speed more than anything else. Here in New England I get many 500 mile tanks but few much more, and even less likely on trips. The problem with trips is not being sure where the nearest station is at all times so I don't go as far as I can locally. Your range will also vary with how hard you work at really filling the tank full, so read the threads on that issue.

    MPG and therefore your range are very dependent on speed, and I expect speed limits would be much higher for you than here where I am, where 65 mph limits apply. Find some of the data posted here on speed vs temperature and mpg. You may get even less range by up to 100 miles in cold winter weather.

    More range is possible locally driving slowly but you aren't likely to do that for a 1200 mile trip.
     
  5. New Revelation

    New Revelation The Master Captain

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tomdeimos @ Aug 20 2006, 11:11 PM) [snapback]306518[/snapback]</div>
    Here in Michigan the speed limit is 70 as well as IN, but once I get to IL then it's 65. With my trips to TX in the Olds, I always know the exact towns I usually stop in when I have to fuel up. On a side note, I was an OTR truck driver so i'm pretty used to long distance driving and know alot of towns in different states.

    Even at 500 miles is still not bad, and I pretty much always stay within the speed limits. I surely don't plan to get the counties rich from speeding tickets.

    I know here in MI it can get cold in the winters, but once you get south of IL it's much warmer. I will do some reading on the topics you suggessted, and get some more input.
     
  6. narussian

    narussian New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Hopeful Future Prius Owner @ Aug 20 2006, 09:39 PM) [snapback]306502[/snapback]</div>
    I test drove and then purchased my Prius from Dan Davis Toyota in Arlington, Texas. Arlington is about halfway between Dallas and Fort Worth. I don't know what part of Texas you come through but if you are in the DFW area try Don Davis Toyota at 817-588-5200, www.dondavistoyota.com and ask for Tom Rowe, he is the FLeet Manager. He sold my Prius to me and he can tell you what he has in stock and what he has coming when.

    Good luck
    (if that phone number is messe up try the link)
     
  7. Rancid13

    Rancid13 Cool Chick with a Black Prius

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jmccord @ Aug 20 2006, 07:49 PM) [snapback]306506[/snapback]</div>
    Same here! Also consider that when comes time to fill up the Prius, (I'm not sure how big the Olds' tank is) you'll be filling up to the tune of 9-10 gallons MAX. So with gas prices being somewhere around $3/gallon, you're looking at $30 or less per fill up (as prices currently stand) and likely getting 450-500 miles per tank. :)
     
  8. tacomel

    tacomel New Member

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    I was just in West Michigan last weekend and was disappointed not to see a single Prius on the road once out of Chicago. On the bright side, there were some people admiring it in the parking lot so I got to give a little information. Prii are seemingly becoming a dime a dozen in Madison...

    My advice to the original poster: it's probably worth a test drive first. Even with all the construction it's only about a 3 hour drive from Holland to a large concentration of dealers in the Chicago area. So if you can't find anything in your area, just make it a day trip along with some shopping or a night out at any number of fine dining establishments. Elmhurst Toyota, where I had a good experience, wouldn't be a bad drive from that area, and wouldn't be far out of the way to any number of entertaining ways to spend a day.

    With now about 3,500 miles on our Prius, we drove from Madison, WI to Grand Rapids, MI averaging 56 MPG at around 70 MPH outside Chicago and 60-65 MPH through Chicago, while running the AC. We filled up on our way back out of Grand Rapids with more than 1/4 tank left (4 pips), with 450 miles on the tank. This would have been well into the 500-600 mile range, and we were really happy with this, especially considering the car isn't fully broken in.
     
  9. eagle33199

    eagle33199 Platinum Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Taco Mel @ Aug 21 2006, 01:48 PM) [snapback]306848[/snapback]</div>
    Funny... i was just in Madison last weekend for the DCI championships... and there were a LOT of prius in the area (i think we counted 8 during our 4 block walk to the stadium). i wish i could find that many around here in St. Paul. as it is, i think there are 5-6 here where i work, and i see another two on a regular basis, but thats pretty much it :-(
     
  10. New Revelation

    New Revelation The Master Captain

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Taco Mel @ Aug 21 2006, 02:48 PM) [snapback]306848[/snapback]</div>
    I am planning on a test drive. I'm not too fond of the Chicago area largely do to the endless heavy traffic and construction, but if it comes to where I would have to make a drive there then that's what i'll have to do. My Olds fills at 14.5 gallons from near empty.

    I got an email from a Grand Rapids dealer today that he has a 2005 available to test drive. Unfortunately, it seems like its a 3-4 month waiting list to order one. That sure sucks. But that's what high demand does though.

    Thanks for the replies! :)
     
  11. xbdude

    xbdude opticat

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    Good, Hopeful! A test drive should push you over the edge, so to speak. I had the opportunity to test drive one and right afterward I put my money down. It took about 5 months to get mine, but I got exactly what I wanted.
     
  12. tacomel

    tacomel New Member

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    I test drove a 2004 at my local dealer. No reason to drive a long ways just to take a test drive.

    The differences between the 2005-2006 as I understand it are things like a higher resolution screen, MP3 built in, etc. For test drive purposes, the differences between the 2005 and 2006 could be considered "bells and whistles." Or in other words, test driving a 2005 should give you a very good picture of whether you'd want the 2006 or not.

    Assuming you are hooked, I'd venture a guess that if you are willing to brave the Chicagoland traffic for one day, you'll be able to drive back with your new Prius a lot quicker than in 3-4 months. You might even get it before September 30.
     
  13. Mary Snyder

    Mary Snyder New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Hopeful Future Prius Owner @ Aug 20 2006, 10:39 PM) [snapback]306502[/snapback]</div>

    I too have an '84 Chevrolet Cavalier and am thinking of getting a Prius though my car has done well and it in excellent condition and gets wonderful.mileage. I am just like you though and would like to get a Prius. My Toyota dealer had one last month, but the test drive was just a short forward ride, and I would like to see if you can see well enough out the back window , and what it's like to park and how to use the Reverse, Neutral and Drive and where is "Park" and where is "Brake". How do you find out stuff like that? Can any of you draw a sketch of what Reverse Neutral and Drive and Park and Brake are and how to use them?
    Mary
     
  14. galaxee

    galaxee mostly benevolent

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    we drive up to wisconsin from nc about twice a year (~1200 mi). typically we fill up at home, then usually at the wv/ky border, then somewhere near lexington, then before indy, then before gary, then before milwaukee. we avoid fueling in big cities because it costs more there, and we try to fill before or soon after we reach half a tank just to be safe.
     
  15. lodo

    lodo New Member

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    After reading this thread about the lack of Prii to test drive and the long waits after ordering, I'm feeling quite lucky to be picking up my '06 Black Prius (pkg 8) tomorrow after ordering it less than 3 weeks ago. I was able to test drive an '06 at the dealership (there were two) and after that, I was totally hooked. Naturally since I ordered the car, I've been keeping a sharp eye out for other Prii around southeast Houston. I really have not seen more than about one a week. It seems my fellow Texans still prefer pick-ups and SUVs. I suppose they prefer hanging out at gas stations too! I'll keep reading these posts. I really appreciate the accumulated wisdom of everyone's experience since I am a total newbie too.
     
  16. New Revelation

    New Revelation The Master Captain

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    I grew up in Houston, and is where I make many of my long distance trips from MI. I am one step closer to going to the Toyota web page and building my Prius and sending the details to my dealer to order. I also still plan to do the test drive too; I have learned quite alot here in the past day or two. Almost like taking a college course on the Prius 101 and 102. I guess my only slight concerns if any would be the accuracy of the fuel gauge and the concept of filling up, among other things.

    I have driven pretty much every type of vehicle....18-Wheelers, straight trucks, trucks, you name it, both manual and auto trannys and learned alot as I drove each type. With the Prius being a more computer oriented car it will be a new learning experience for me to get the hang of it and getting used to working with it. But since I am technically and mechanically minded, that shouldnt be a problem. The best way for me to learn would be to actually do it.

    I don't mind the 3-4 month wait after I place the order, because by that time I will have the financial capability to buy the car. My only slight concern would be that I am a first time buyer, and you know how most dealerships will try to take advantage of someone who never bought a car before.

    But since I do know what I want, and what I am going for, then that's all I need. If all goes well I am hoping to be a new Prius owner by the end of this year (seems like I would be able to order the 2007 models now).
     
  17. Bearcatzzz

    Bearcatzzz Junior Member

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    Hopeful and Mary - check with your local Toyota dealers to see if they have one to rent in their rental program (TRAC). I had the same questions that you had when I started looking in May. I tested and I wanted more. I rented and my wife and I were sold after 3 days.

    If you are not in an area that sells a a lot of Prius's, you may have to travel a little. I started serious shopping (mostly by phone, at dealers in the San Francisco/Sacramento, CA area) on June 22. Had the car I wanted June 28th. Within days of purchasing, and before I could contact all the places I had left feelers, I had several offers from sales reps. Now, granted I live in an area that sells a lot of Prii, I also had 6 sales people looking for me.