Help.. Is the Prius the car for me?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(chitown guzzler @ Feb 25 2007, 02:28 PM) [snapback]396289[/snapback]</div>

Without changing your driving style you'll still get in the 40s for mpg. Keep the tires a little hard at 42/40 will help.

You'll be able to carry four passengers.

And you'll be surprised at how much you can haul with the hatchback. Even more with the rear seats down.

Keep in mind the clearance is low so don't count on dirt and unpaved roads.

And how knows? With the nav screen to prompt you you may find your driving style becoming a little more gentle to try to increase the mileage.

 

I live in Chicago and average 40-45 in winter and over 50 in the summer. This is recognized with mostly short commutes, which are mpg killers. My trip to work is about 9 miles one way. You'll see even better mileage with your longer trips. Cargo weight will bring this down, however.

For winter weather, see the thread about blocking off your grill for increased fuel efficiency.

 

And, to expand on what Godiva said . . .

If there were any car to make you want to slow down and smell the roses (or at least not kill them), THAT would be the Prius Meditation Chamber!

Many Prius drivers have reported becoming safer and more relaxed drivers. The built-in MPG video game has helped show many the way toward driving nirvana.

I think the Prius would be a great fit . . . that is provided you take a test drive and find out if you fit. :huh:
It's smart to have two very dissimilar vehicles . . . the truck for hauling stuff, and the Prius for haulin' nice person.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Sufferin' Prius Envy @ Feb 25 2007, 01:59 PM) [snapback]396300[/snapback]</div>

FWIW, this is similar to our situation, in that we own a Honda Odyssey minivan, which we use on those about weekly occasions for when the entire family of six needs to go somewhere together. But my commute vehicle and my wife's errand vehicle are both Priuses. So we have 3 vehicles, 2 of which consistently get around 50 mpg (mine, commuting, gets about 52 mpg -- my wife's gets at least upper 40s). The minivan rarely gets used. I do find that I've slowed down because of the game-like nature of trying to maximize mileage.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(chitown guzzler @ Feb 25 2007, 03:25 PM) [snapback]396311[/snapback]</div>

Hello, and welcome! Yes, ti sounds like it would probably be a good fit. Have you taken a test drive yet? Do you fit inside? That's my main concern (that you may be a little cramped). Keep us updated!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(chitown guzzler @ Feb 25 2007, 03:28 PM) [snapback]396289[/snapback]</div>

You may also consider Camry Hybrid. It is wider and may be more comfortable for you.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(chitown guzzler @ Feb 25 2007, 05:32 PM) [snapback]396377[/snapback]</div>

You can put ten footers in the Prius. On more than one occasion, I've carried 10' pipe and steel. Earlier this month we carried a 10" radial arm saw with table and stand, and still had room for three adults and luggage for a weekend trip. It's somewhat surprising what you can fit inside.

Tom

 

The versatility of the hatchback was the main reason I bought the Prius instead of the Civic. It's not like you are going to be able to haul a half ton of cinder blocks in it, but once you fold the seats down there's plenty of room. One of the first things I did with mine was haul one full set of mounted snow tires plus a new set of wheels so that I could have them swapped over. No problem.

Speeds in excess of 70mph or so will crush your gas mileage, but that applies to just about any vehicle. It sounds like you want to change your habits which is a great start. Having that instant feedback tends to have a positive influence over the right foot, as others have pointed out. I say pick your favorite Toyota dealer and spend some time poking around and test driving.

 

I downsized from a full size Chevy conversion van to a Prius on New Year's Day in the Western suburbs of Chicago. My husband is 6'2" and probably 30 lb. heavier than you. We rebuilt our house when we first bought it and understand all the concerns you have regarding hauling construction stuff.

The narrower seats bothered me for awhile because the van was MY car and it was a very plush vehicle. Those cushy seats were great for us who grew up on milk laced with growth hormones... The armrests in the van also gave me a sense of security for lack of a better description.

I'm getting used to the Prius seats and with a little more driving experience I think I'll no longer feel like I'm falling out of the seat when I'm turning. That feeling may be tied into the difference in the turning ratio between the van and the car, also. My husband hasn't said a thing about the seats feeling uncomfortable at all, maybe because the first car he bought was a Mazda wagon and he now drives a Ford Windstar. Perhaps the seat comfort is a matter of perspective.

There is one cautionary tale we have for long-legged people. On a 5 hour trip to St. Louis (we stopped only once or twice) my husband shifted his body around and accidently moved the drive shift lever into neutral when he bumped it with his knee. For a few seconds great disapppointment and visions of having bought a lemon flashed through our minds.

He still really likes the car and I think he wishes it was time for him to replace his minivan with a Prius. I LET him take mine to work to show off one day. He came home gushing about how he'd commute on Butterfield Road (Rte. 56) instead of the tollway if he had the Prius. It's most efficient with the fuel at speeds between 30 and 50 and outdoor temperatures above 30F. We still got 40-44 MPG doing 70 - 75 mph on the way to St. Louis. I can't believe you do 80+ mph in the Chevy tank! I did that on the long lonely roads of South Dakota once and thought the van was going to vibrate to pieces. The poor little camping trailer we were towing couldn't handle the rpms and August road heat and blew a tire near Wall...

I can't really comment much on the cargo capacity of the Prius. We're halfway to having an empty nest, and except for hauling stuff back and forth to two colleges a few times a year, we don't move big loads. I was looking for a car that could hold at least three large coolers full of dry ice and a couple of packed book bags for me. The Prius cargo capacity meets my needs.

Other comparisons/contrasts between the Prius and the Chevy van?

Inertia is different, particularly when going downhill or stopping. Van picks up speed faster when coasting down low grade "hills" but also takes more time to stop, on level ground as well as on hill. Altering my driving style to maximize the Prius efficiency didn't take that much for me because I've always had to approach intersections with caution, not being one to trust my van brakes to bring me to sudden stops, although they never failed me.

Missed the BIG side mirrors at first but the Prius has better overall view in my opinion.

Sitting lower in the car than the van has been pretty much a non-issue.

Projected reliability of the Prius is way better than a Chevy Van.

Insurance went down, not up.

Price was $8,000 less than what we paid for the van 12 years ago.

Prius is a pleasure to park!

Euphoria at the gas pump with the Prius! (or is that a sense of smugness?)

PriusChat is addictive... Is there a Chevy Van Chat? Who cares!

This is a rather long reply but I hope all the info helps you.

 

I was a very aggressive driver before buying my Prius; like you, I drove very fast as a younger man (Firebird and Camaro Z-28 were my first 2 cars - yes, I'm Italian and from NJ, all the stories are true) because I was immortal and 30 years ago gas mileage and pollution were not such hot topics as they have become.

Before we bought the Prius my wife used to call the handle on the roofline above the passenger seat her "Oh S**t!" handle. I was driving a 97 Dodge Grand Caravan at the time, and although it IS the ultimate chick magnet :lol: , it wasn't exactly sports car material, though I drove it like one.

My wife's made mention of how my driving has improved; that's wifespeak for "My life doesn't flash in front of my eyes anymore". The feedback you get from the Multi-Function Display (MFD) combined with some of the techniques you read about here really change your perspective on driving, for the better. That, plus, it's very quiet and serene and chock full of neat stuff.

I would absolutely attend the Prius meet Tony mentioned - what a great way to get REAL opinions in person, and see the different option levels.

Best of luck and kudos for wanting to do something for the environment! Will the other contractors make fun of you for driving something under 3000 lbs? :lol:

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(qbee42 @ Feb 25 2007, 05:37 PM) [snapback]396380[/snapback]</div>

I got an idea for a new serial killer movie when I read that sentence. So, did ALL the adults make the return trip home?

 

Chi town-
I've gone form Mancow in the Morning to 95.5 Smooth Jazz. That's what the Prius will do to you. It's like getting a Paxil prescription without seeing the doctor. :lol:
-WesternBurber


PS- NOBODY laughs at a 6'2" 250 man!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(chitown guzzler @ Feb 25 2007, 11:28 AM) [snapback]396289[/snapback]</div>

Well I've had the car for less than 24 hours, so I'm not exactly experienced, but I do think it can carry quite a bit. The back of the front passenger seat can lean all the way down, so with the rear seats down you could get an 8-foot ladder in there.

I'm also replacing a minivan--a Ford Aerostar. Besides saying good bye to 13 mpg, I love the turning radius of the Prius. The Ford minivan needs about six traffic lanes to make a U turn.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(chitown guzzler @ Feb 25 2007, 08:33 PM) [snapback]396465[/snapback]</div>

People ask that a lot, and the answer is no. The Prius is going to do better than the non-hybrid equivalent because you will still have the smaller, more efficient engine and electrical systems working for you. (Although the engine is more efficient at lower RPMs...the valve profile changes when you really stomp on it in order to give you more power. Too much information?) Aggressive driving just means the car won't reach its full fuel economy potential. What did consumer reports get out of it...38mpg? They must drive like madmen on crack to get that, and I would be really impressed if you did worse once it gets broken in. We're talking a medal-worthy performance.