Jeep Junkie thinking of purchasing a Prius - HELP ME!

Hey Jeep girl!
I just on a waiting list for my new Prius, and I think I understand your dilemma. I'm passing up an Acura RSX or Scion tC for the Prius. Part of me says I'll be missing out on the sports car vibe, but the Prius makes so much sense I just can't pass it up. So...I'm 'giving in'...but I think I'll be REALLY happy when I get it. The fuel economy and reliability record sold me (I've been a big Toyota fan for years). And it will be a real attention getter. It really makes a statement. Hope this helps! Scott W. 3-12-05

 

Hi "Jeep Girl"

Far be it from me to attempt to *sell* you on the Prius. My advice: Just go to the Prius forums and read the posts. The Prius technology is (to me and some others) absolutely fascinating, the fuel savings (particularly in the light of apparent upcoming fuel prices) are welcome.

 

Don't forget to test drive the Prius. I sold my Cherokee without regret.

 

Well, if you're asking for a purely subjective opinion: the Cherokee's only advantage was better visibility. Overall the Prius is the most satisfying car I've ever driven. Despite being a techno-ecogeek I do enjoy speeding away from most SUVs and light trucks at traffic lights, especially when going uphill.

 

Sport cars... a lot of people state things like this. I myself would almost be more tempted to get the Scion TC.. sexy car. Slap some low profile wheels on the prius and you can out handle most cars. I do it all the time. I still get over 40mpg too.. better than any other car out there.


If you're wanting HP.. the prius has it. Don't shun me.. but earlier today i was able to keep up with an Acura TSX R and a Mitsubishi Eclipse. We were going down the highway at very high speeds at times. I do have the 17" low profiles though. At the end of my racing experiance, i was still above 40mpg average.

the prius achieves over 25mpg while holding a constant 100mpg

So.. fuel economy. The car does have a break in period.. of almost 20k miles. It will out last any other car though.. plain and simple.

Visibility.. most of the cars out there are.. cars.. some trucks.. some SUVs.. but most are cars. you sit kinda high in the prius. After a while.. you can see plenty. You're not above the world, you're in it.. you're just taller than most cars of this type.

I travel almost 200 miles a day. I've tested my prius in every condition except desert and snow. I could probably answer a lot of questions you may have. There is a large group of us here at Priuschat who can answer your questions with experiance.

 

I'm a bit of a slob. In the past we always drove anywhere in my wife's car when went somewhere together because my car was a bit messy/cluttered.

Even when I had my BMW 325si convertible, we still tended to use the wife's corolla.

Now, I keep my Prius very neat because I always want to drive it, I want to be the one that gives rides for my friends. I've never enjoyed driving a car this much before. I love the smoothness, the quietness and the power and the gadgets are neat too.

Plus, nearly zero emissions are really cool too.

 

I am another that drove a 4wd car previously and am happy enough with my Prius. I was lucky enough to keep my Ford Explorer for what it does well for me, that is tow my pop up trailer and go to forest service road sites on dirt roads to fish. My Explorer is not CJ with a winch but it gets me to the places I need to get to. If you really use the Jeep the Prius is not a substitute but if you do not you could love the Prius.

 

Hey Girl,

Well, I am pretty sure that the Prius folks won't be able to meet your Jeep folks numbers but that is really because they don't have to. Remember, the Prius is the highest customer satisfaction rated car in Consumer Reports history (over 90%would buy one again). It also is exceptionally safe and so far, the resale on them has exceeded any other car in it's class (by that I allude to size as there is nothing in its class where fuel economy is concerned).

Also, since you won't need to ever get the car smogged here in sunny and stringent emmissions California you will have a savings there. Add that to the fuel economy, the $2000 you get off your federal taxes, and the free parking at any parking meter in the City of Los Angeles until May and things add up way past whatever discount you may get off the buy in on another vehicle.

Oh, and some insurance companies will give you additional discounts because of the increased safety features inherent in this car. Not to mention the impending passage of AB2628 which will permit single occupant use of the HOV or diamond lanes (with the appropriate permit) by hybrids. And, there is a car wash in the valley that was giving free car washes to hybrids as well.

And did I mention that this car is just plain cool? Remember that here in LaLa land you are what you drive and more here than anywhere else (I believe) that seems to matter.

In the "business" this car say's all the right things. Based on the number of cars that have already passed the 80, 90 and 100,000 mile points, I think it would be fair to say that with the amount you drive, this car will outlast potentially anything else you might get into.

I think you would be very, very happy with a Prius. I even think that you might like it more than your current Jeep. I also think that you would be safer driving it than you would a Jeep and I am quite sure that if by some fluke you got one and decided that you hated it you would have no problem reselling it for what you paid pretty quick and easy.

Come on, give it a try. Until you had your Jeep you weren't a "Jeep Girl" and until I had my Prius I was not waxing poetic almost every night about the wonder's of my car.

I would also say that if you can, go for the Package #6 or BC package with all the bells and whistles. The NAV system is just slicker than snot and the only thing that I wish my car had.

I've offered before, and am offering again to let you drive mine if it will help you decide.

Personally, I think a Prius would look just great on you!

Take care,

Tisza

 

When you have and drive a Prius, everything else on the road around you is obsolete.

I am curious as to why you love the Wrangler. My father in law had one and it was a harsh, punishing ride, had the handling of an old truck and the fuel economy of a 70's Cadillac, had thin cheap seats, a million rattles and was as drafty as an old barn. Maybe things changed for the better, he had his 12 or so years ago.

I have to agree with another contributor here, once you have SKS, you do not want anything else. I actually walked up to my old truck and tugged on its door handle, expecting momentarily for it to open. Oops, stuff from the last century...

You feel current and up to date in a Prius.

Your cool.

 

If reliability is UBERIMPORTANTE then check out Consumer Reports on vehicle reliability, initial defects and owner satisfaction.

 

There might be little hope for you, given that you're foolish enough to have leased (not even bought!) a Jeep Wrangler in the first place. As a "Jeep junkie" you must be addicted to lousy gas mileage, poor handling, and a bone-jarring ride. You're bound to be disappointed by the Prius on all three counts.

 

Actually, I have to agree with Bardgal. "Nothing hotter than a sexy gal driving a Jeep."

Hate to loose that visual by having her buy a Prius <G>

However, it really boils down to what she needs/wants. I miss my Explorer's ability to plow through snow drifts and deep puddles (haven't tried the deep water with my Prius, but the unplowed street almost bogged Voltaire down once this winter). I wouldn't go back to the Explorer, not on a bet, but with any change in vehicles you have to give up something to get something else. It's a matter of priorities.

Good luck with your decision.