Is a Prius right for me?

ojc11 · 09-14-2009, 11:37 AM

I am shopping for a new used car. The route I travel to work is an up and down, curvy mountain road. Would a prius give me more mpg than a honda civic?

qbee42 · 09-14-2009, 11:43 AM

Unless your commute is very short, a Prius will give you better mileage.

Tom

richard schumacher · 09-14-2009, 11:50 AM

"Very short" is about 3 miles or 10 minutes.

ojc11 · 09-14-2009, 11:53 AM

Hey Tom I was just reading your comment on a different post regarding mileage. I drive 62 mi. one way. I had an 02 civic sedan(gas) and it was giving me around 36 mpg. On the route in the winter time it snows up there would this decrease mpg on a prius.

ojc11 · 09-14-2009, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by qbee42

Unless your commute is very short, a Prius will give you better mileage.

Tom

Well I'm new to chat rooms so I am responding twice. Duh! any how my drive is 62 mi. one way. My 02 civic sedan was giving me about 36mpg. I am leaning towards a civic because it is all I know, but I like what I hear regarding the prius and it would be cool to go green or greener. My budget only allows under $10000 and I would like to get an 05 or 04 prius. The all have about 100000 mi what do you think?

krousdb · 09-14-2009, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ojc11

Well I'm new to chat rooms so I am responding twice. Duh! any how my drive is 62 mi. one way. My 02 civic sedan was giving me about 36mpg. I am leaning towards a civic because it is all I know, but I like what I hear regarding the prius and it would be cool to go green or greener. My budget only allows under $10000 and I would like to get an 05 or 04 prius. The all have about 100000 mi what do you think?

On winding, hilly roads the Prius has the advantage of capturing regen, which the Civic does not. At 100,000 miles, a Prius is just barely broken in. I saw an 04 advertized on PC recently for under 10k.

ojc11 · 09-14-2009, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krousdb

On winding, hilly roads the Prius has the advantage of capturing regen, which the Civic does not. At 100,000 miles, a Prius is just barely broken in. I saw an 04 advertized on PC recently for under 10k.

Thanks for your response. I noticed that you have an 04. How has it treated you? Any recalls, problems, issues?

qbee42 · 09-14-2009, 05:00 PM

For that sort of drive I would expect something in the low 50s in the summer, dropping to the low 40s in the winter. Driving technique makes a difference, so a lead footed driver can do worse, but with good technique the figures could go up to the high 40s and 50s, maybe even better.

Tom

**Tideland Prius** · 09-14-2009, 07:35 PM

Anything that decreases mpg in a normal car decreases mpg in the Prius. It's not like the Prius magically uses more fuel while a normal car under the same conditions won't. Also, with a mountain road, you have the advantage of having the engine off on the other side of the mountain while in a normal car, the engine is still running. Also, part of the downhill part (depending on how long it is) will be done with regenerative braking which means your brake pads aren't being used. This could also save you money on brake pad replacements.

ojc11 · 09-15-2009, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tideland Prius

Anything that decreases mpg in a normal car decreases mpg in the Prius. It's not like the Prius magically uses more fuel while a normal car under the same conditions won't. Also, with a mountain road, you have the advantage of having the engine off on the other side of the mountain while in a normal car, the engine is still running. Also, part of the downhill part (depending on how long it is) will be done with regenerative braking which means your brake pads aren't being used. This could also save you money on brake pad replacements.

How does regenerative braking work.

09-14-2009, 11:37 AM	#1
ojc11 Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: temecula Posts: 12 My Car: Other Non-Hybrid Model: N/A Package: N/A Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Is a Prius right for me? I am shopping for a new used car. The route I travel to work is an up and down, curvy mountain road. Would a prius give me more mpg than a honda civic?

09-14-2009, 11:43 AM	#2
qbee42 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 10,486 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #7 Thanks: 95 Thanked 392 Times in 290 Posts Friends: 10	Re: Is a Prius right for me? Unless your commute is very short, a Prius will give you better mileage. Tom

09-14-2009, 11:50 AM	#3
richard schumacher Destination: Eschaton Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: United States Posts: 5,512 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: N/A Package: #6 Thanks: 99 Thanked 93 Times in 66 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Is a Prius right for me? "Very short" is about 3 miles or 10 minutes.

09-14-2009, 11:53 AM	#4
ojc11 Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: temecula Posts: 12 My Car: Other Non-Hybrid Model: N/A Package: N/A Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Is a Prius right for me? Hey Tom I was just reading your comment on a different post regarding mileage. I drive 62 mi. one way. I had an 02 civic sedan(gas) and it was giving me around 36 mpg. On the route in the winter time it snows up there would this decrease mpg on a prius.

09-14-2009, 05:00 PM	#8
qbee42 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 10,486 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #7 Thanks: 95 Thanked 392 Times in 290 Posts Friends: 10	Re: Is a Prius right for me? For that sort of drive I would expect something in the low 50s in the summer, dropping to the low 40s in the winter. Driving technique makes a difference, so a lead footed driver can do worse, but with good technique the figures could go up to the high 40s and 50s, maybe even better. Tom

09-14-2009, 07:35 PM	#9
Tideland Prius Moderator of the North Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 19,633 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: N/A Package: Technology Package (Canada) Thanks: 229 Thanked 346 Times in 245 Posts Friends: 23	Re: Is a Prius right for me? Anything that decreases mpg in a normal car decreases mpg in the Prius. It's not like the Prius magically uses more fuel while a normal car under the same conditions won't. Also, with a mountain road, you have the advantage of having the engine off on the other side of the mountain while in a normal car, the engine is still running. Also, part of the downhill part (depending on how long it is) will be done with regenerative braking which means your brake pads aren't being used. This could also save you money on brake pad replacements. __________________ 2005 Tideland Pearl Premium Package 25/10/04 VVT-i Emblem, Sport Pedals, All-Weather Mats, Cargo Mat, EV Mod, JDM Prius Footwell Lighting, DICE iPod Kit 2008 Deep Black smart fortwo passion coupé - sold (6.1L/100km) 2010 Blue Ribbon Metallic Technology Package 29/08/09 All-Weather Mats, Homemade Console Pads, LED lighting "Ask an Expert" on Facebook I am not employed by Toyota, and the opinions expressed by me as a Prius Expert are not those of Toyota.