Are you satisfied?

[indi]

Hi,

I'm considering getting a new car and prius is on the top (or second) of my list. Fuel efficiency is my main concern. I know that prius is a great car, but in terms of fuel efficiency, it seems that it doesn't live up to expectation (based on what I read from the forum)...what do you think? If I can get some advices and comments from you guys, that would be great!

My usage will be 50/50 city/hwy.

Many thanks!!!
Indi

[efusco]

There are a huge number of variables. If you want to jump in the Prius and drive like you do now and give little or no thought to the process then you're probably going to see numbers in the mid-40s (mpg). If you're willing to slow down, learn the ins and outs of the Prius and try to drive for best efficiency then you can and will see numbers close to or better than those that the EPA got.

Why is gas mileage the main factor for you? What do you expect/need out of the vehicle? How long are your 50/50 trips? What's your driving style now?

[clubmedic]

I'm not getting the EPA #'s (yet), but I have no complaints. I understand how the EPA numbers are put together, and how out of date the calculations are. Most cars don't meet these #'s, but it's more noticable with higher mileage vehicles (there have been plenty of posts about this).

It's a safe car, a fun car, and high in the 'geek-factor'... perfect for a high-school physics teacher <g>. If it fits your needs, it's a fine car.

[Tideland Prius]

Well, I'm getting twice what our 4 cylinder Camry gets on avg so that's good. (5.0L/100km vs 10.0L/100km) and now I'm being treated to <5.0 on the MFD =). Jayman can easily get into the 4.0s. Where do you live? West coast? East coast? Prairies?

[hdrygas]

Well all I can say is that it gets better and better each tank. The car is teaching me to drive, and beyond that I am a calmer driver. I am a little slower and more observant of the people around me. I am averaging better than 50 m.p.g. for my life time average after more than a half year and that is twice as better as I was doing. I also have the satisfaction that the emissions from this car is more than that.

[Atoyot]

I love it, and can't believe I waited so long to get one. efusco is 100% correct in how you drive it determines your mpg, but I want to add something to what he said. This car can change you without you even wanting to change. I used to drive a 2003 Toyota Matrix and always drove 80 mph on the freeway and tollway here in Houston. Since getting my 2005 Prius I am now only going 67-68mph in order to get better mileage and I do it willingly. In fact, I smile as people zoom by me on the left, as I drive in the right hand lane now, and take pride that I am polluting less than any car around me and getting better mileage all the while in absolute comfort with the auto airconditioning. I used to be always worried about cops, but now I don't even think about a ticket. That should get figured into the cost comparisions in my opinion. :mrgreen:

Get one, you won't be sorry. Right now, after about 3300 miles on my Prius I am starting to see the mileage go up. This tank is 230 miles into it and I am getting 51.3mpg. My drive is 80% freeway and Tollway and most of my trips are about 40miles long.

You also need to read http://john1701a.com website as it is a great historical log of life with a Prius.

[DaveinOlyWA]

well my worst tank was 42.9 mpg. during that tank i did 6 trips of one mile in length every day, 5 days a week. it was winter time, so if that is probably as bad as it will get for me.

right now, i have 209.4 miles and computer says 54.9 mpg, i have 7 bars. you can look at my signature and decide if that is good enough for you. realize that my mileage is probably at least 2-4 mpg higher now from a combination of break-in and driving smarter.

but we also have to look at the fact that any other car would be lucky to get 35 mpg...to me, i dont think i could do that badly even if i tried.

[indi]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco\";p=\"79177)</div>

Why is gas mileage the main factor for you?  What do you expect/need out of the vehicle?  How long are your 50/50 trips?  What's your driving style now?[/b]

Here in Vancouver BC the gas price has passed a dollar per liter and it will keep climbing...it will be mostly city driving during the week but I'd love to go on some road trips here and there and the expenses on gas will be daunting...

I used to drive a Corolla and the gas mileage was awesome...but getting another Corolla is just plain boring...there are two main factors in my choice of vehicle: gas and environmental friendly (in that order...based on my income). I'm not sure the dollars saved on gas will justify the cost of the vehicle over 10 years (assuming that I'll keep the car for 10 years).

[V8Cobrakid]

Indi: i love my car. I drive almost 200 miles a day. It's simply the best car for the job. I have never had a full tank under 40mpg.

Remember, there is a break in period for the MPG to climb. Mine was between 15k and 20k.. then i was able to achieve 60mpg on a full tank. Screen calculated 59.7 i think ( on my signature ) with my calculations it was more like 63mpg.

The more you drive, the better the car gets.

Trying to justify the cost with gas saving? so far with 29k miles on my car, i have saved well over 1,000 dollars (USD)

The car is estimated to last 500,000 miles. The battery should last 19 years ( Toyota estimate ) If you were to drive 200,000 miles in the next ten years, you will save a lot of money. your cost for gas is also a lot higher than mine, right?

[Ray Moore]

Last tank was 654 miles at 58.9 MPG. This tank so far is 250 miles at 58.7 MPG. If I set the cruise control at 75-80 mph with a full car, I get 40-41 MPG. Am I satisfied? You bet. In fact I'm starting to look for one for my wife. If she gets only 50
MPG, her gas and maintenance savings will pay for 250 of the 400 dollar a month car payment.