I purchased my gorgeous barcelona red prius July 1st. I'm currently averaging 54.5 mpg over the course of 1100 miles. My last 300 miles have been at 60.7 mpg. My friend had called me from toyota (the person I purchased the car through) and asked if I needed any free car washes or oil changes. I told him I'd take a car wash and headed over there (was heading over toward toyota anyway to buy some clothes so I thought why not). When I got to toyota of Rochester (about a 18 mile commute) I was in my car looking at my scanguage to see how I faired, well it read 70.6 mpg. At the same time I was about to shut off my car to head in, my friend asked me what that contraption was on my car. I told him it was a scanguage and that it shows me some valuable information, told him to take a look and he was in complete awe. He said 70.6, no way! Apparently he has been getting quite a few calls of people saying they don't or can't get above 47 mpg. I told him to hop in and lets go for a spin. So, I reset my current mpg on the scanguage and said lets go. I went over what glide/warpstealth/breaking/SHM/stages of operation was and how/when to use it. 8 miles later we returned back to the dealership with the scanguage reading 68 mpg (40% HW, 60 %town). We got back and he mentioned he thought he knew everything about the toyota and asked me how I knew all this information--thanks priuschat. He told me I may get a phone call or two now that he has a prius guru (I don't think I am, but I really love the car and how it works). I guess the takeaway from this is that even the workers know very little on how to drive the car, yet they know everything about the car ie go to the toyota homepage and read about the car . He was quite impressed and thank'd me. Hopefully I 'll get some more free stuff!! heh Happy prius owner Brandon
Great story, Brandon! We usually hear about Toyota "sales-droids" who make up BS to impress and know little about the Prius. Good to hear of someone who appreciates you appreciating the car. He'll be able to sell better.
That dealer Rochester, MN freaked when I pulled up with my Prius back in 2001. They were extremely receptive to the info there first encounter with an experienced owner had to share. Then in 2002 when we stopped there with the Road Rally, where quite a few people welcomed us. Later in 2005, I joined in a busy Earth Day event at the nature center. You've got receptive audience there. Enjoy it! .
Dude,thats great I hope mine gets that MPG. Im waiting on a black PKG 4 mid august the dealer says!!Im also in MN Dayton (northern subs). How is it in the winter, i know less mpg but how does it drive in snow??
Are you sure he wasn't Im-Prius-ed? Four of the first five posts in this thread are from Minnesota. Hate to tell you this Bill, but you're going to have to move east ;-)
I'd love to be able to drive that slow to get high mpg, but I know on the streets here I would either be run off the road, or shot
Getting high mpg doesn't necessarily mean driving slow. Driving smart yields favorable results as well.
It isn't the car that gets the good mileage. It is the driver. In this case, the car ALLOWS the exellent mileage, but it doesn't happen by itself.
Well done, Brandon! :first: While I was waiting for Priapus I gave my salesman my cell number and he registered at Priuschat. Until he left the dealership, he would to call me from time to time to ask about something or verify. As John - the original Prius Guru said - you've got a receptive audience. Spread the knowledge.
Brandon, Great story and glad to see you have educated a Toyota Dealer. Welcome to PC. Their is a wealth of information on this site thanks to john1701a and others who share their knowledge with us. Drive and enjoy!!!!
I cannot say I drive a whole lot slower than normal traffic, but I do work nights and I have found a route to work (1.5miles longer) but nets me over 59 almost everytime. Which I think is wonderful considering it is only an 8.5 mile commute. About two minutes in town then wrap up on rolling hills, then the last 2 miles is in the city with a few stoplights. SHM rocks on the hills, and I can pulse and glide the last 2 miles. I do drive the speed limit and try to limit my freeway use. I just find driving extremely fun now! Back to the original post though, I hope my friend at Rochester Toyota shares the information with some of his sales associates. He did mention if they ever get a prius on the lot for more than a day, he could more than likely sell them easier if they didn't sell themsevles already. Sams-I havent driven the car in the winter, but from the sounds of it, the car doesnt do as well since it takes longer for the car to warm up. Anyway, enjoy your prius! Happy Prius Owner Brandon
