Assuming your frontier is a D40, it has 265hp and weighs ~4,300 pounds. Prius Gen3 is 134hp and ~3000 pounds. that is 169hp/ton for the frontier and 89hp/ton for the prius. When floored the frontier is faster that the prius floored. how often do you drive with you foot on the floor though? The prius is not a fast car, but it's also not a geo metro. it is perfectly adequate for transporting people and items.
Thanks for the suggestion, Cody.. but if I buy a Prius, I think I'm gonna go new....(PHV). Thanks Flanin, I'm really not one to "put it to the floor" too often. But I've just gotten the impression that to get the most MPG out of it, getting on the accelerator is not recommended. I just like to get some quick acceleration every now and then (changing lanes, etc.), but I guess what I'm really concerned about is the day to day commute.. If I drive "in a hurry" with my Prius, best I can hope for would be 45+ MPG (based on my research).. and not the 50+ that most of the vets on this site get. Believe me... 45+ will be fantastic.., but I guess I'm wanting some cake.. and eating it.. etc... Will the Prius make me a more patient, safer driver if I shoot for the 50+ MPG mark? I think it just might... But will I be "frustrated" with the drop off in power / performance or having to go a bit slower.. i.e. drive more patiently with the Prius??
Coach, What is your current commute like? How many miles? How long does it take? What kind of roads? What speeds? # of traffic lights? As an example.... My commute is ~ 35 miles and takes me about an hour to do. About 2 miles of surface streets to the highway, 32 miles of highway (avg speed 60 mph) with about 3 miles of stop and go traffic, and then 1 mile of surface streets to work. I do go through an elevation change (400 feet) (downhill to work, uphill home). Not much A/C usage as we've had a really mild summer. My tires are pumped up to max PSI in the front and Max - 2 PSI in the rear. I notice no difference in ride harshness and the car handles better. If I drove 75 mph and accelerated a bit more aggressively, I'd probably get between 45 - 50 mpg. As it stands, I get 60 mpg (and that is with 10% ethanol gas). V8 Cobrakid drives more aggressively (and maybe faster than 75 mph ) and he gets between 40 - 45 mpg. Check out various threads in the Gen III fuel mpg forum and you will get a range of drivers, their commutes, and driving styles. Your test drive or rental will answer your questions. But if you give us some info. we can adjust your expectations accordingly.
I have found myself being a lot more patient with other drivers, being less stressed, leaving bigger spaces between me and the car in front and overall going slower. The car is fully capable of going much faster than i drive or drove in my previous car, but it has made me WANT to slow down, to max my mpg, and because i enjoy driving it. There's a bit on the way home from work where i can go about half a mile at 60mph and 100mpg, that makes me happy every day.
It would be interesting to the know the model year of your Frontier so we can get some accurate hp and weight figures. As for "go new....(PHV)", does that mean you're going to wait until the PHVs ship? As for the mileage to shoot for an all, is it THAT important to get say 45 mpg vs. 50 mpg? There aren't any currently sold (as new) mass market cars available in the US that get better mileage than the Prius. See Most fuel-efficient cars for CR's test results. We really do need to know more about your commute. If it's just short city drives, you will get "poor" mileage. As for whether you'll be frustrated with the performance in general, I don't know. My 110 hp Prius replaced my 255 hp 02 Nissan Maxima. I still have my 287 hp 350Z. My Prius is more than adequate around town and adequate on the freeway. The highway is where the difference is most noticeable and I do miss the effortless power and lack of NVH on the freeway in the Max. (My Z is faster but produces WAY more NVH, so it doesn't feel effortless.) Prior to ever being interested in a Prius, I was spoiled by the Maxima and I thought I could never buy <200 hp car again.
I think most folks here try to help. Most are very sincere in their questions and answers. However, I think "coach" is leading you on. He's been down this road before...going all the way back to February of this year. Some folks think he's a troll. I'm not sure myself? But when he started the thread, entitled, "Manhood Challeneged", I knew he was anything but sincere, and was simply fishing this web site for reactions... My advice: Save your energy for those that are genuinely looking for honest advice. Folks, he's fishing. Probably some retired union guy looking to get a rise....
I think that there is a compelling alternate view. coach81 has said virtually the very same thing on at least one other forum, completely unconnected with anything automotive. It would appear that he is consistent in his story of wanting to make a fundamental change and is experiencing more than a little resistance. By all outward appearanes, he is engaged in the initial stages of preparing for a voluntary change; information gathering. Next would come evalution, and a decision to change or not. He would not be at the point of making the change, but he'd be ready to, other conditions being favorable. Granted, he seems to be hedging his bets in saying the PHV is his preferred vehicle. Its, what, 2 years away? Well, OK. There is a least one other very important person in his household who should also be prepared for, if not fully supportive of, the change. That may take a while. Such is life. Heck, it wouldn't cost anything to help the coach climb the learning curve. Other folks, especially lurkers who have many as yet unvoiced questions and concerns, could also benefit. So, why don't we wait and see how it goes. YMMV
Daily commute is about 25 miles I would say. I typically drive over the speed limit by 5 MPH.. avg 45 I'd guess. Takes about 20- 25 mins, all city driving, with plenty of stop signs and traffic lights. Kinda hoping this is what happens to me.. 2002 Nissan Frontier SE fully loaded. Yes I am crossing my fingers, and hoping the truck can last (and allow me to save up for) until 2012 PHV Prius. I am currently researching the PHV, and the Leaf.. Thank you, Rokeby!
(Without owning a 3rd gen) I'd guess you should be able to achieve at least mileage in the 40s. Another point of comparison is Fuel Sipper Smackdown 2: Which Car Gets the Best Fuel Economy?. From looking at http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/Spec_Glance.aspx?year=2002&make=Nissan&model=Frontier&trimid=-1 and http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/spec_Exterior.aspx?year=2002&make=Nissan&model=Frontier&trimid=-1, it looks like the OP's Frontier has a 170 hp V6 engine and the curb weight is all over the place ranging from ~3600 lbs to ~4200 lbs. depending on the config. IMHO, I think the 2010 Prius shouldn't feel that slow, esp. if one uses the power mode (to adjust accelerator pedal mapping).
Wow.. solid Edmunds article! Very impressive showing for the Prius! I test drove both the Prius and the Insight.. the Insight felt like a go-kart, the Prius felt like a solid, but not spectacular car. I just wish I could test drive one for more than 5 mins.. If only I could rent one for a week or so.. but I can't seem to get one!!! Another thing I have noticed.. just out of curiosity I looked for used ones around my area.. NONE.. Very interesting...
I wish I knew someone closer. Used Toyota Prius | For Sale | Grenada, Mississippi Ask for salesman Eric Ferguson, mention Jimbo Palmer in Greenwood. (yes, it is a 300 mile drive, sorry) I know nothing about either of these: Toyota : Prius: eBay Motors (item 260673692704 end time Oct-12-10 13:46:31 PDT) Toyota : Prius: eBay Motors (item 160487736625 end time Oct-07-10 18:48:47 PDT)
I simply cannot find a Prius to rent... the rental car companies never return my calls.. so frustrating...
Get on the reserve list, if you haven't already. Maintain patience. When they start being delivered, you will probably have to go to Virginia to get it.
