We've been looking at the Prius since we heard about the first models in something like 2001. Since we had 2 good cars that ran fine and didn't want to go into debt on another new car we kept what we had - 1997 Ford Taurus and a 1996 Saturn SL-2. Wouldn't say that my wife and I are especially Green (my motto: Live in great complexity so that others may live simply <img>) but we like the idea of the hybrid - use less gas and save money that way. My wife is a home health nurse and is doing a LOT of driving - 400+ miles a week, and the cars that were good-to-go in 2001 have gone a lot more miles since then. I came back from a 6 month deployment and had to replace the starter on one car and the battery and alternator on another. With her job and the prospect of her getting stuck in BFE Virginia we needed a new car. We walked into the Toyota dealership on a Sunday afternoon in mid-February with the intention of getting her a new Prius - we promised ourselves that when we replaced her car she'd get a Prius. Test drove a nice 2008 dark blue (I don't know what the @#$@# Toyota official color is - our Saturn was PURPLE). Having done some online research I knew the dealership also had a 2006 on hand. After test driving both, and spending the next 4 hours filling out paperwork, we traded in a 1999 Pontiac Sunfire on the 2008 and drove home with a light green 2006 and a dark blue 2008. These cars are fun - I would have had gadget envy if I hadn't gotten one myself - not to mention that I think the technology is neat!!!!<img> My wife is getting 39 mpg on the 2006 (it had 14K when we bought it) because she drives 80 on the highway. If you are in Hampton Roads and see a little light green Prius zip by you doing 90, that's probably her. Just stay out of her way and you'll be alright. We took the 2008 on a trip from VA to OK and put 3000 miles on it right away. Did you know these things can go 100 MPH?! I think we averaged 39-41 on that trip. I'm up to 43-44 now - even though my daily drive is about 8 miles - my house to the pier. I discovered Priuschat and immediately fell in love - I CAN HACK MY CAR!!!!! God, I love that idea. SWMBO has told me that I am NOT to cut any wires or in any way shape or form mutilate either car. She just doesn't know. I plan on "fixing" the bluetooth disabled while moving bs; already copied my nav DVD from the 2008 to the 2006 to get rid of the @##% "I Agree" screen; disabled the annoying back up beep. I am going to have so much fun!!!!!!!!!! HI! Twidget
That's what I call killing two birds with two stones! Congrats and welcome!! I predict that, over time, your wife will slow down. There is something about the Prius that seems to encourage that.
Welcome to the forum. It is a source of great information and wonderful personalities. The Prius is a great ride. You mentioned a '97 Taurus.... I just picked up a Mercury Sable Wagon, 1998 vintage with 56k on the ticker for less than a grand...... With cold air and synthetic I'm getting 25 around town and 30 on the highway. I have read about a decent Y pipe and will try that out next month... I'm like to see it getting 30-35..., Nowhere near Prius territory but better than stock.
twidget, You missus knows the rules, go hard or go home. I bet she is still creaming the old car's fuel consumption. Yep, they will do over 100mph, I only did it once though. Did you know they are speed limited? Welcome to PC. Have fun with the 2 Prius and be careful not to cut any wires which are visible to the missus or too close to connectors.
That's not my house. I live in a cedar shake covered geodesic dome, a little organic bump on the planet. In the picture, my office is on the right and my wife's studio is on the left.
I was driving the taurus and getting about 25-28 town and a little more on the highway. I wasn' bad and I think I got better gpm than SWMBO when she was driving it - and we both have lead feet.
She loves the mileage she's getting - which does cream her old car. Didn't know they are speed limited. I think we actually hit 105 so it's gotta be somewhere a little over that - not that it'll do either of us much good if we're doing 100 in a 55!!
Powered top speed is 175 kph/ 109 mph, and as you say patsparks, limited to prevent spinning the motor too fast. You might go a little over that racing down a steep slope. Warn me so I won't be anywhere near...
