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Introductions

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Points Mean Prizes, Oct 1, 2006.

  1. Points Mean Prizes

    Points Mean Prizes New Member

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    I didn't see any sticky for introdcutions so I strated one for myself, please move if I am in error.

    Early last year I became the Environmental Manager of a tractor manufacturer here in the UK. As a result I did quite a bit of training in regards to not only the legislation applicable to our business but the reason that the legislation was intrduced, namely the rapid declining health of the world we inhabit. It was at this point that I grew a conscience and, for the first time, I started to take my work home with me.

    In terms of transport there are two main issues that I see. One is climate change and the other is of course resource use. The prius seems to be the best solution available that suits my need with a family of three and for the moment I imgaine that most of my posts will be questions rather than answers but please be assured that I will share what I can.

    Anyway hopefully there are some more Brits lurking on the board that will help me, though you all seem to be very helpful reading soem of the posts.

    Thanks in advance . . .

    Trev
     
    #1 Points Mean Prizes, Oct 1, 2006
  2. Jeannie

    Jeannie Proud Prius Granny

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Central New Jersey
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Welcome, Trev! I'm not a Brit, but I'm enjoying my Prius about 50 miles southwest of New York City, in an area that's partly suburban and partly rural.

    Feel free to post anytime, whether it's to ask questions, join in a discussion or tell us more about yourself and your Prius.
     
    #2 Jeannie, Oct 1, 2006
  3. Bill Merchant

    Bill Merchant absit invidia

    Joined:
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    Location:
    USA | Oregon | Portland area | 97004 |
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Welcome, Trev! There are several PriusChatters on your side of the Atlantic, both in the UK and Europe. Do I understand you are looking, but don't have a Prius yet? Much of the information you will find here is US-centric, but the important parts of the Prius are generic to all countries. Model names and trim levels are probably the most confusing aspect, though mandated safety features, such as a rear-mounted fog light unavailable in the US, can be confusing too.

    Have fun here, use the search feature, and ask all the questions you want.
     
    #3 Bill Merchant, Oct 2, 2006
  4. hwalker911

    hwalker911 New Member

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    Location:
    Piedmont of North Carolina
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Welcome Trev. Always great to see another future Prius ( I-Tech ) owener joining in on the chat. Good luck, and happy motoring!
     
    #4 hwalker911, Oct 2, 2006
  5. Oxo

    Oxo New Member

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    Location:
    Oxfordshire, UK
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Points Mean Prizes @ Oct 1 2006, 03:18 PM) [snapback]326545[/snapback]</div>
    It's not an error - in fact I think an 'introduction' can be interesting and useful but it is unusual for PriusChatters to say much, if anything, about their backgrounds. Locations are useful and I'd like to see them more specific than 'northern England' which is said to be anywhere north of Watford. What about county or city?

    You'll find PriusChat an indispensable accompaniment to your Prius! You'll also learn a lot about Americans and American opinions.

    There appear to be few Europeans who contribute, although most that do are in the UK (there doesn't seem to be many even of those probably because there are very few Prius on British roads. I scarcely ever see another one)
     
    #5 Oxo, Oct 2, 2006
  6. Points Mean Prizes

    Points Mean Prizes New Member

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    Thanks for the welcome so far everyone. I've already posted a tech question about the differences between the original Prius and the newer generation on the tech board and am getting lots of useful responses.

    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Oxo @ Oct 2 2006, 11:02 AM) [snapback]326768[/snapback]</div>
    I actually live not far from Sheffield but as this is a predominantly US populated board I thought that would be enough as the rest of the world seem to define the UK between London and ROE (Rest Of England) :D .

    As for Prius on the UK roads there is a used one for sale at my local dealer and they also have a new one on demonstration, both of which I will be test driving this afternoon. It will be interesting to see how much the sales guys know about it as they never know much about the normal cars they sell so I can only imagine how clueless they will be about a hybrid!
     
    #6 Points Mean Prizes, Oct 2, 2006
  7. Lee77

    Lee77 New Member

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    I'm in the UK 30 miles South West of London, I picked up my T-Spirit last week and am still on the first tank of fuel 525 miles @ 61.2mpg :) with 2 bars left on the fuel gauge......

    Regards

    Lee
     
    #7 Lee77, Oct 2, 2006
  8. Points Mean Prizes

    Points Mean Prizes New Member

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    #8 Points Mean Prizes, Oct 2, 2006
  9. Oxo

    Oxo New Member

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    Oxfordshire, UK
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    2005 Prius
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Points Mean Prizes @ Oct 2 2006, 07:32 AM) [snapback]326789[/snapback]</div>
    You'll also get higher mpg when driving in central London.

    Nothing for northerners? What about the low road tax? I've just paid £30 for my year. For other cars it's mostly around £150 but I've forgotten what I used to pay. Incidentally you can now pay the tax online without even showing them your insurance cert or MoT and the disc comes through the post a couple of days later.

    As you're new to PriusChat, be aware that the mpg quoted by Americans (some call it the mileage) is based on the USA gallon, which is only 4/5ths the quantity of a UK gallon (cheaper too!)
     
    #9 Oxo, Oct 2, 2006
  10. Oxo

    Oxo New Member

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    Location:
    Oxfordshire, UK
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
     
    #10 Oxo, Oct 2, 2006
  11. Lee77

    Lee77 New Member

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    Just checked the Nav version and it is 2005-2006 ver1.

    How do you find our about cheaper parking in London? I am registered for the free congestion charge:)
     
    #11 Lee77, Oct 2, 2006
  12. Points Mean Prizes

    Points Mean Prizes New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Lee77 @ Oct 2 2006, 04:17 PM) [snapback]326866[/snapback]</div>
    I thought I had read about the parking on the Energy Saving Trust website. Can't find it now but it only applies in certain burroughs I think, unless it is the G-Whizz I am thinking of.
     
    #12 Points Mean Prizes, Oct 2, 2006
  13. Points Mean Prizes

    Points Mean Prizes New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Points Mean Prizes @ Oct 2 2006, 07:16 PM) [snapback]326968[/snapback]</div>
    Well I convinced my Toyota dealership to let me have one for the weekend just gone and it is with a heavy heart that I have to say I don't think I will be joining the ranks of Prius owners yet.

    First I have to say that the car is fantastic. The way that the hybrid technology is seamlessly integrated with the petrol engine is amazing. The display is fun to play with on ling journeys and driving around town in EV mode is great (I must admit I loved sneaking up behind pedestrians :D ). It is however these long journeys that kill the Prius as my weapon of choice for now.

    I read here some tips on how to drive the most effectivily and I managed to return 60+ MPG in and around town on the first day. Great. The next day we went further and it is here that everyhting fell apart. Even though I kept my speed down to 70mph I could do nothing to return more than 50 MPG. Now I know that there is the emissions issue but for me as most of my driving is done over long distances I loose many of the benefits the Prius has to offer.

    So in short unless they drop the price dramatically (it's £20K here in the UK fro one with SatNav) so i can afford one as my second commuter car, then i will be going with LPG.

    Thanks to everyone on here for their help.
     
    #13 Points Mean Prizes, Oct 9, 2006
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