Hello! I'm new to the boards and was thinking of trading in my '01 Mustang GT (16 mpg!) for an '07 Prius (not sure if I want a pkg 6 Touring or just the normal pkg 6). I drive 22 miles per day round trip to work and home. In about 3 minutes, I'm on the freeway. My question to you all is whether I can really get the great mpg that alot of people are seeing when they're driving further. My alternative is taking streets to work that will be a mile or so shorter and max speed limit on that route is about 35-45. Temps around here right now are in the low to mid 50's in the morning and low 70's when I return home. Also, with a good driving record, can I expect to see an insurance rate decrease with the Prius? There are just so MANY great things about the Prius (4 doors, plenty of cargo room, low maintenance, GPS, Bluetooth, storage compartments, etc) so mpg isn't the only plus for trading in the 'stang. Thanks for your input!
If a single trip is 22 miles (i.e 44 miles/day) then you will have time to warm up the engine and get decent mileage. I have a similar trip and have chosen to drive back roads, as they take about the same time, the time is more consistent and I arrive far more relaxed. If your trip is 11 miles then most of the time will be spent warming up the engine, which will create lower gas mileage. It will still be far greater then the Mustang. The prius is a phenomenal car. It's so practical, gadety and fun to own. There is no other car on the market I want more, even at far more $$$. Good luck with the decision, I hope my comments helps. Robert p.s and my $0.02 would be for the stock prius. I don't like the wheels on the touring edition.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SomervillePrius @ Feb 6 2007, 10:07 AM) [snapback]386145[/snapback]</div> Robert- Thanks for the input! I know I can expect atleast double the gas mileage I'm currently getting. And your $.02 is appreciated. I'm not too crazy about the stiffer ride with the touring, my mustang was stiff enough to last me a lifetime!
Insurance on my 2005 Prius is more expensive than on twice as expensive Infiniti FX45. That's Allstate. Coming from Mustang, be prepared for 'relaxed' driving. Prius is not slow, but if you step on it, don't expect mileage in 40s. Don't take fast lane, listen to the music or an audiobook, let others pass and enjoy the commute (but not driving as in sports car).
I drive exactly 11 miles to my office each day in my 2007 Touring Edition and now that I've passed the first 1000 miles I am getting about 40mpg on the tank. Like you, it takes about 5 min to get to the freeway. My commute time is about 20-30 min depending on traffic. It's Seattle so the temperatures are a bit lower than California, but I park the car in a garage at home and work. I am expecting MPG to go way up after the car is more burned in. Also, as I get to know the car better I'm able to get better mileage. Just tonight, I got about 50mpg on the way home.
I just bought an 04 Prius, and have had it for a week or so. I drive pretty fast (70-85 on the highway) around the SF bay area (full of hills). About %80 highway. Usually longer distances (+40miles). I've put about 700 miles on the car already. So far, my average fuel economy is 46mpg. Which is pretty darned good I'd say, given how I drive. I'm impressed. Pete
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SomervillePrius @ Feb 6 2007, 01:07 PM) [snapback]386145[/snapback]</div> Since I got my Prius, I find that I stay on surface roads much more. I really try to avoid the freeways whenever I can. Whenever I get on the freeways, my current tank mileage goes below 50mpg...I hate it when that happens! B) Cheers, Larry
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(KarGrrl @ Feb 6 2007, 11:44 AM) [snapback]386124[/snapback]</div> You could get great mileage if you take the streets and that's your intent. Depending on the number and placement of stop signs and stoplights, that could be optimum for mileage. You might miss the pep of the Mustang, as mentioned before, so that is something to consider. I drive 8 miles to work, about 17-20 minutes. The consumption graph on the Prius display screen shows your average mileage in 5 minutes chunks, and for me the first 5 minutes is spent warming the car up, and I get about 25-30 mpg. Then the rest of the trip is 60-70 mpg (in your temps, right now it's hovering around 0'F and I'm lucky to hit 50 mpg by the end of the trip). I drive on roads that average 35-45 mph, and can use the pulse-and-glide technique for a good bit of it, which is where the Prius excels. On the freeway you don't want to go over 65 or the mileage starts dropping noticeably. A/C usage will bring it down somewhat. IMO, if you want to, you could easily get over 50mpg average. You'll start playing the game of trying to beat your average mileage, and that will take your mind off of missing the HP of the Mustang. The Prius still has plenty of pickup, but it's just not the same.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(KarGrrl @ Feb 6 2007, 01:44 PM) [snapback]386124[/snapback]</div> Got the same driving AND climate conditions here. I'm just a dozen miles south of you here at Disney ... driving even LESS (my work commute is only 19mi each way) than you do, and after years of obsessive practicing (coming up/down the 5 fwy) my lifetime average is up over 54mpg ... and THAT'S even after getting off the freeway and picking up my overweight car-pool person in Tustin ... plus running little errands after work!!! BUY THE PRIUS!
Howdy lchamp QUOTE: "Since I got my Prius, I find that I stay on surface roads much more. I really try to avoid the freeways whenever I can. Whenever I get on the freeways, my current tank mileage goes below 50mpg...I hate it when that happens!" FUNNY... I consistently get better MPG on the freeways and Interste, cruising at 60-75 MPH. It was the same on my 2004 Prius. Maybe I need to modify my driving technique.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hill @ Feb 9 2007, 01:23 PM) [snapback]387612[/snapback]</div> Not to downplay the answers given here, but did people carefully read the original post? To me, that says she drives 22 miles per day, round trip. Not each way.
Thanks to all for the input. I'm convinced on buying the Prius, it's just a matter of when. Gas prices have come up about $.10 to $.12 around here in the last week and the HOV stickers ran out so I'll be shopping around for the best deal. I could have really used that car this morning. I drove out to Costa Mesa and ate up about 3/8 of a tank of gas in stop and go traffic (and that was just going one way!). THEN I received a "sign" on the 405 south. Creeping along in traffic next to me were two new vehicle transporters full of Toyotas. One had nothing but brand new shiny Priuses . Man, the Prii in white was looking pretty darn beautiful!!
