Might as well have an intro with some Meat . In my life I have good memories of Toyotas my sisters 1972 Ha , My used Tacoma BUT Gone due to a accident at 285,000 miles . Well what went down is I have a Honda ridgeline & Chevy silverado , year 2011 on each , great autos 7 months ago took on a job (painter journeymen in union) I love but plenty of driving. Focusing on the job that I excepted fuel cost as a business expense WELL SAYING THAT AND LIVING IT ARE TWO DIFERENT THINGS . after 7 months I tossed in the towel I say UNCLE , this is not going to work I AM GETTIN BROKE . I sat down looked over my records & faced the truth , work @ 2 months fuel cost $1,500 personal use for two months adds another $600 = $2,100 heading for $12,600 per year & in last 7 months at $6000 to $7000 and have been in a fuel cash burn . What does help is separate income from scrapping metal allowing trucks to earn But fuel cost can exceed that extra side work $$ . Conclusion I am going broke Fuel - Food - House cost -Yada Yada . This is REAL Id almost say an attempt to destroy lives. I pushed on & seeked help from my favorite used car dealer a 2008 Prius 137,000 mile just came in on trade . With looks only a mother could love yes it's bit tattered on the outside . Then I drove it ,wow , smooth not a rattle it just ran so sweet , smooth silent motor This is a freak .. The test drive sneaks to 50 mph barely touching peddle look at the center dash screen & there it is 45 - 55 - 64 - 72 ?? MPG mostly above 55 MPG .This is a life changer . Loan paper work signed I'll have Prius in 2 days . I'm here to learn & share . For now this gen 2 is for my survival & I must keep this car right . My life depends on it , Let the fun begin Howdy to all .
congrats and welcome! sounds like you found a good one, please keep us posted on your experience. all the best!
Toyota2, You have seen the light! I learned 7 years ago that Hybrid vehicles was the future. Electric cars are here, but, we still need the electrical grids to sustain a realistic future for them. In the meantime, petroleum companies are taking advantage of more and more people buying Hybrids by raising prices. 7 years ago I did the same math and realized that I was throwing away money every month that could go to savings, or a nice vacation.............anything but to the petroleum companies!
My plan is to take fuel money I was spending put in separate account so it's like gone also But I will use it for Prius expenses from insurance to car payment and fuel , Like today I spent $60 to go to work , ( in truck ) Tomorrow is first day out with Prius & will be about 175 mile journey . I have a feeling of hope . I'm curious if what was a fuel cost will build into a savings wile also delivering transportation cost needs -------------------------------- I think Hybrids could be best balance if every car becomes pure electric Many unanswered questions ? Resources needed for dare I say for billions of cars . The electric grid not ready . can your average working person afford one . Will there be less pollution or is it being put some place else
I have an '08 too, looks like a beat up old junker on the outside but I paid well under the market value nearly 5 years ago and that was the reason. 200k miles when I got it, 235k now and has never had a serious issue, drives like a dream - smooth as silk and great on fuel. As a reward for being such a good motor I reset the clock on the coolant, brake fluid, transaxle fluid and spark plugs recently, plus it's getting 6 month oil & filter changes from now on, and it will soon be rust-treated and under-sealed. The final touch will be to clean up the bodywork and get a respray. I'm usually the last owner of cars and I hold on to 'em as long as possible (I hate having to buy cars - too many unknowns); I recently asked my mechanic how long it had left, he said "as long as you want" so henceforth it'll be maintained like a fully warranted showroom stunner!
