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From Chevy Van Conversion to Prius...WAHOO!

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by caroleberen, Jan 20, 2007.

  1. caroleberen

    caroleberen New Member

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    Hi everyone,
    My husband and I just sold our (please take a deep breath) 2004 Chevrolet Express Van Conversion and bought a Black 2007 Prius, #6 Package. It is literally the first time since 1991 that we have not owned a big SUV type thingy. While I am still nervous about losing the space inside the car, (we have 2 teenaged daughters with lots of gear who have FRIENDS with lots of gear), I am reminding myself about the goodness we are doing to all the space OUTSIDE our car. We love the car (it's been 12 hours...so what do we know) and have NO IDEA how to use it, really. I am madly reading through as many threads here that my aging brain can handle. GLAD TO BE A PART OF THIS (I HOPE) EVER-GROWING CROWD!
     
    #1 caroleberen, Jan 20, 2007
  2. Beryl Octet

    Beryl Octet New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(crb @ Jan 20 2007, 12:07 PM) [snapback]378269[/snapback]</div>
    Welcome!
     
    #2 Beryl Octet, Jan 20, 2007
  3. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

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    Welcome and Congrats ! ! !
    We did the same ... in fact double duty. First we got our '04 Prius to replace the 98 Ford Exploader. Then last June we dumped our 2002 Range Rover for the Lexus hybrid SUV ... the RX-400h. Sure wish it had the smart ignition system. Other than that, we get 25.8mpg in it and 55.6mpg in the Prius. Take that middle east fossle fuel sucka's. :)
     
    #3 hill, Jan 20, 2007
  4. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
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    Do me a favor and when you install the swiveling captains chairs in the Prius, take a picture. :D

    Seriously, WELCOME to PriusChat!

    Here's a tip so as to (hopefully) make your feverish reading a little easier:
    On the bottom of every page is a link called "Lo-Fi Version." This will take you to a text-only view of PriusChat. This means that the pages load faster and it's easier to skim through threads. If you ever need to see the "full blown" version, there's a link on every "Lo-Fi" page that will load the page with all the pictures and everything.

    Enjoy the Prius.
     
    #4 TonyPSchaefer, Jan 20, 2007
  5. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(crb @ Jan 20 2007, 09:07 AM) [snapback]378269[/snapback]</div>
    Welcome to PriusChat and congrats on your purchase!

    It is quite exciting when you first pick up the Prius given that it's unique and different from anything else on the road. Take your time and indulge in the info. Don't feel the need to rush and pace yourself :). Most importantly, enjoy your Prius!
     
    #5 Tideland Prius, Jan 20, 2007
  6. Rangerdavid

    Rangerdavid Senior Member

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    Yeah! Welcome to the Club!!! :D :D I've had mine since July '06 and I'm still excited every day about driving it!!! :lol: :lol:
     
    #6 Rangerdavid, Jan 20, 2007
  7. Jack Kelly

    Jack Kelly New Member

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    Welcome, crb, and ...w00t!

    Mebbe you can do another conversion atop yer Prius, so as to accomodate yer kids?

    A McMansion on wheels: THE MCPRIUS!
     
    #7 Jack Kelly, Jan 20, 2007
  8. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(crb @ Jan 20 2007, 12:07 PM) [snapback]378269[/snapback]</div>

    Welcome! malorn will be disappointed GM lost another one. ;) I don't think the Prius holds as much as a van but there is a lot of usuable space. One of my criteria for my next car was that it had to carry as much as my Intrigue. I use the USPS plastic mail tub as the standard unit of measure. Like the Intrigue I can put 4 tubs across the back seat and 4 tubs on the deck. Those tubs must be loaded sideways. This in a car that is 6 inches narrower and 21 inches shorter. I don't pack above the cover but I saw a Prius FULLY loaded on my Indiana trip.

    The girls will have to practice packing and don't forget there is some usuable space below the deck. I am protecting the deck mat with a large cardboard box cut by using mat as a pattern. You may want to shop around for a rubber mat. You may also want the plastic piece that fits over the rear bumper and again shop around for that.

    Just drive the car and enjoy it! You'll get used to the strange noises. Be careful not to activate the ejector seat. :p
     
    #8 JimN, Jan 20, 2007
  9. caroleberen

    caroleberen New Member

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    THANK YOU everyone!
    JimN - will check on the rubber mat as I think the back will take less of a beating.
    Am loving this car and hoping that the rest of the US (at least) gets on the hybrid band wagon.
    (FYI...those Van Conversions can be SOME FUN, however....but I'm sure everyone's heard that old song..."Chevy Van", right?.... or at least read the bumper sticker....)
    YAY for HYBRIDS!
     
    #9 caroleberen, Jan 21, 2007
  10. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Welcome and congrats!

    I left the sports car and full-size truck world to join the Prius revolution and I couldn't be happier. I actually miss driving the car if I am away for more than a few days. You can fit a surprising amount of stuff in these cars. You can even get a good nights rest in one. LOL
     
    #10 F8L, Jan 21, 2007
  11. Locust43

    Locust43 New Member

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    I loved my Prius. I traded a Chevy Suburban in for the Prius and loved it, but I had to sell it because my kids are teens now and are bringing so much stuff and their friends with them places now and I am used to Suburban size so I sadly had to trade my Prius in for a Highlander Hybrid which is still a great car but it's not as cool to drive as the Prius
     
    #11 Locust43, Jan 21, 2007
  12. lchamp

    lchamp Veteran Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(crb @ Jan 20 2007, 12:07 PM) [snapback]378269[/snapback]</div>
    Welcome...we have had our prius for a little over a week and 700 miles. I read a lot of these threads before I bought the prius...after a week of driving the car, I sat down and read the manual. Learned a lot of little tips there, surprisingly. In many cases, I needed to have driven the car in order to understand the manual...all those little questions that arise when driving...

    At last fillup, we had been averaging 50.8 mpg...not bad for breakin mileage!

    Cheers,

    Larry
     
    #12 lchamp, Jan 22, 2007
  13. geeky teacher

    geeky teacher New Member

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    I share your excitement! Two months ago we also stopped driving our GMC G20 Gladiator Conversion Van and bought a Prius.

    We have two teenage kids still living at home too. My 17 yr old son likes to show off the Prius to his friends. At first I wouldn't let him drive it. But now I figure he is influencing the next generation of potential Prius owners, so I let him take it.

    I love my Prius but must admit I'd install those comfy Captian's chairs in my Prius in a heartbeat if they'd fit!
     
    #13 geeky teacher, Mar 4, 2007
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