On the fence on buying a Hybrid after owning two sports cars, will I be disappointed?

[lefat1]

Originally Posted by sluday

I would get package 5. Don't really want the leather.

you can get touring in various packages

[patsparks]

Who said get a Prius and a Motorbike for thrills? Give that man (or woman) a cigar. (don't smoke, stunts your growth you know)

I just got back from a trip to Alice Springs Central Australia from Adelaide on the south coast and it was great. Mostly cruising at 116km/h in South Australia and 135km/h in Northern Territory but did get up to 172km/h and held it there for several kilometres so it will get along. Passed several tripple road trains an the 1 lane each way highway with no issues. I like the way my Prius handles but I think we get stiffer spring rates in Australia and we get Michelin MX1 tyres 195 60h-15.

[Codyroo]

I second/third the idea of getting the Prius as your daily driver but you might want to keep a sports car (if you can afford to do so) as a weekend/fair weather driver. But I would guess that as gas continues to creep up in price, you'll really come to appreciate the beauty of a car that gets 50 mpg rather than 20 mpg.

[xsmatt81]

the prius is not a sport car, but has plenty of power for passing. Top speed is 107-112mph. in fact with 300ft/b of torque off the line from the electric..it is quite quick at first.

A great all around car, lots of leg room to boot. IF you want something with more muscle and sporty, that will save fuel it would be a good idea to also look at several of the euro diesel cars,like the jetta TDI for example. They get great mileage and have alot more power mostly

[sluday]

Wow, you guys really hit the nail on the head with your responses. Now my next question is should I wait a few months for the 09 models to come out? Will the 09's be a carry over year? If they are then dealers should be discounting the 08's soon. If it is a carry over year the only reason to get the 09 would be that the resale value would be slightly higher. If a dealer will not discount the 08 and the prices are the same on the 09, then maybe I should wait.

[xsmatt81]

yeah wait. There are going to be changes for 09's for the better

[Bohous]

Originally Posted by sluday

Will the 09's be a carry over year? .

I'm not sure what changes xsmatt81 is referring to but '09 is a carryover year. There might be some tweaks but will not be a new generation.

[Rhino678]

When I was trying to make a final decision I rented a Prius for the weekend. Never could realy tell anything from a test drive. My final choices were the Prius and an Altima. I rent one each for two weekends. Cost a couple of hundred but it was money well spent. Altima was a toy and I still am really happy with my Prius.

Rent Rent Rent ... answer your own questions for sure for very little money.

[F8L]

454 SS


Vortech supercharged 351w 10sec 1/4mile


717rwhp twin-turbo 5.3L


Dyno sheet from the Z71

12.5@111mph 1/4mile and 28mpg freeway


11.12@123mph 1/4mile and 18mpg avg.


After all these cars I can honestly say that the Prius is my favorite one so far. Once you change your mind about what is important in this world the love of high speed driving starts to take a back seat to responsibility. If you must entertain yourself then simply purchase a used sports car for occational weekend driving or track days.

[Rae Vynn]

Seriously, the ICE is a 2 lt, with like, um, is it 75 horse? but the electric motor kicks in some SERIOUS torque, when you punch it!!

I haven't actually laid rubber, but I've picked up and MOVED entering the freeway, enough that a coworker that carpooled with me (a total gear head with a cougar of his own) was IMPRESSED!!

I did replace the OEM tires, and installed a BT Stiffening Plate, which, I feel, greatly improved handling on the highway (tires first,... then the plate).