Used Prius ?'s: A/C, Torque, Short Commutes and Battery

Hi Happs, welcome to PriusChat! You're kind of usage is not ideal for high milage (mpg) in any car. The Prius takes at least 5 to 10 minutes to warm the engine and exhaust system for maximum emissions reduction (maybe less there in AZ), and it uses more fuel in warming up than it does later. It still produces less pollution than other cars and I can't imagine you getting less than 35 mpg.

The AC unit in a Prius is electric and not mechanically powered by the engine, so no seal leaks. It's a sealed unit, like you might find in a room air conditioner. It will keep you comfortably cool, even when the engine isn't running. It has cabin temperature/humidity and solar sensors and will adjust itself automatically to the temperature you set.

The electric motors give the Prius a lot of pep from stopped, and there is no problem with merging on the highway at speed. Top speed is a scary 100+ mph. The Prius is drive by wire in that there isn't a throttle cable running from the pedal to the engine. Stepping on the go pedal tells the car you want to go and how much. The computer decides on electric motor or gas engine, or both, for best efficiency, and controls the speed of the engine, so sometimes it sounds like it's racing. You should rent one for a day for a test drive, perhaps from a dealer.

A 2005 or 2006 model year Prius is probably your best value. Earlier had less advanced technology or new model bugs. The display screen was improved in 2006.

 

Welcome to PriusChat!

I do short trips too. My 2004 Prius mileage is about 15km/L(35MPG) in winter(10C:50F), however my previous car was 1994 Honda Accord Wagon 2.2L and got only 6km/L(14MPG) on the same situation.
I see 2.5 times improvement with Prius and am very happy about that.

What is your Forester's mileage now?

Ken@Japan

 

I don't usually jump in front of oncoming traffic, so the very slight hesitation doesn't bother me. There is lots of power, as I said. You really need to take a nice long test drive to make sure you and the Prius are compatible. You may notice several threads about the non-adjustable seat height and seat rail extensions. Some long-legged people simply aren't comfortable.

 

I believe you'll see more than 40mpg on Prius in your short trips. you'll be happy with Prius.

I know Phoenix very well. Your winter is very mild and a lot of people are traveling there, then hotel fee is going up in winter.
In summer, it's hell.

Ken@Japan

 

My wife knows more about her Prius ...but I have observed that the car still seems to get excellent mileage while stop-and-go shopping. I would guess that the features of the design allow the engine to nearly instantly re-achieve operating temp and act as though the car never made a stop and/or was shut off. For one point, I know it has a built in thermos for the coolant and that may be why. I've heard the thermos retains some heat for days, all for restart efficiency sake.

The car has plenty of pep in my opinion. I once had a '90 5.0 V8 Mustang that was rated at 300 ft/lbs of torque and it would kick butt. I note that the main electric motor in the Prius has 295 ft/lbs. I've heard, somewhere, that Toyota moderates some off-the-line torque to reduce torque steer and save the axles. If they didn't, it would literally fry the tires IMO. My wife had a 2000 Impala with the small 3.4 V6 (rated 180 hp) and this Prius is equivalent, or better, for zip. I haven't noted any delay in throttle by wire. My wifes other car is a 300 HP '95 Corvette and she is more than happy with her nimble Prius.

In her 7 mile commute to work, her old Impala got about 25 mpg summer and about 18-20 winter. The Prius is doing 36w to 44 summer. FYI, the 2000's were some of the best until GM inevitably boosted power and added weight to newer Impalas. The Impala (I inherited) was good enough, and more pleasant to drive, that I retired my crude stick '94 Escort which consistantly got 31 mpg city in the summer. This model Impala was the first V6 to beat 30 mpg EPA, a record. We got up to 34 mpg with 4 adults touring. Besides far better mpg for 4-adult touring, the Prius has more rear footroom than the Impala or most other cars, including the Camry. If I live long enough, I'll inherit it.

I'm with you in normally preferring a good used car to new, but the Prius is chronically in a catagory of its own, at least around here. When my wife became serious about buying a Prius, she couldn't ever conveniently test drive one. New or used, they never stayed on the lots very long (just hours) and it was like when she was trying to buy her Wii (Nintendo game) for Christmas. She got lucky.

When we finally called the dealer, prepared to order on excellent reviews alone, he just got a new Prius in. She test drove, fell in love and bought on the spot. In spite of it not being her original preferred color or package. The other customer, that watched it get unloaded from the truck and test drove minutes earlier had gone home to think it over. Too bad for them. At least they finally got to test drive one.

New/used has very little to do with smart-buying this extraordinary popular model. Either all the spots are sweet or it doesn't apply. New makes just as much sense as used. They are all reliable. If it's a used hi-miler, sell it sooner and get another; you'll get your money back.

As far as saving, the dealer did knock about 800 bucks off sticker when I made a lower offer, which surprised me. Apparently it never hurts to ask. But, I've never paid anywheres near sticker or asking price before, the times I bought new (very few) or used.

Test drive one if you can.


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I haven't had my Prius long enough to know about the summer heat. I bought mine from a dealer in Kingman Az with 6200 miles on it. The dealer said Toyota is very fussy about how the dealers handle used cars. He said they are to be kept seperate from the regular cars and have an extensive check sheet which can be viewed at any time by a Toyota rep. The one thing you might check if you buy a used one through a dealer, is they gave me a better warranty than a new one,through Toyota, eg 7 years- 100,000 miles.
I also bought the touring model as I live 60 miles from the nearest town and it rides and handles much better than the regular model. I just love this car. You will too. Have fun. Nick.

 

The "pep" of a Prius is deceptive. The hybrid system gives the Prius what amounts to a CVT, so there is no shift shock. The first time you drive one you are going to think it doesn't accelerate very well, and then you look at the speedometer and start slowing down before you get a ticket.

Tom