LOL The WORST ever that I got in my HCH manual was 35 when new and the next tank bumped to 41. Out of the box, my 2005 Prius has never fallen below 44.3. Methinks that all of that camera and timing equipment, plus the checks from the domestic builders, weighted the testers car down.
I have had my Prius for 1 year and the best I have ever got in gas milege is 41 around town and 48 on the Hwy.. how do you get such mileage? My tires stay full and I keep in maintained regularly...
daniel, What are your typical driving conditions (i.e. terrain, elevation changes, lots of short trips vs. longer ones, ambient temps, etc.) and how do you drive the car (i.e. aggressively with higher speeds, quick starts and last-second stops or do you slow down a little, and accelerate and decelerate moderately)? Also of importance, do you attempt to "pulse and glide?" These things and others have a very significant effect on your MPG outcomes.
If Prius gets such bad depreciation, according to NBC, why then does Consumer Reports place it at the top of all vehicles for lowest depreciation. Check out this link: http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/ne...%20depreciation
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(wstander @ Aug 17 2005, 08:38 AM) [snapback]117364[/snapback]</div> Interesting; my insurance was also more than I thought it would be. That was surprising, but then again the Carrera was incredibly cheap to insure, so I guess it all evens out in the end.
<_< My conservative records indicate in two years I've saved $453.13 in fuel costs alone [compared to our 4-cyl Camry] and with the 5,000 service interval compared to the 3,000 mile on the Camry, another ~$150 in oil changes. This is a l-o-n-g way from their $81 a year. ...and we only drive about 10K miles a year. Article must have been written by a GM/Ford spy.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(danielwr @ Oct 17 2005, 06:45 PM) [snapback]142275[/snapback]</div> 48 on the highway is about what I see, but my day to day commute (suburban 55mph roads with some stop and go) I'm in the mid 50's. Do you have lots of short trips with a cold engine? I was in the higher 40's until the car seemed to get a few thousand miles on it, and I don't especially try to pulse and glide, although I do try to be smooth on take off and stopping, i.e., coast when traffic permits to a stoplight. For the most part, though, I just get in, turn up the stereo and drive.
I've read hybrid reviews for about five years and you wonder if 90% of them are gearheads or just do the unprofessional thing and Google past articles on the car. Anybody can drive a hybrid, but it does not seem to be common knowledge it takes at least a few weeks to study the dashboard and learn the little nuiances that can get you about 20% (give or take) farther. Even if you like to go over the speed limit, understanding the dashboard will save you gas. This kind of focused, pro-active driving clashes with a society that often drives in a trance with a phone glued on their right ear.
