Looking to get a Prius - any tips

[WildWayz]

Hi all,

I test drove a Prius MK3 T-Spirit at the weekend and fell in love with it. I am looking to go down the route of leasing the car, which will be about £330 a month (with a £1,000 upfront payment). The term is 3 years.

Most of my driving is from home to work, which is 7 miles each way, tiny bit of motorway driving, but most of it is start-stop stuff.. (I work in Leeds). I also go to see my parents about once a month - 400 mile round trip.

Annual mileage is about 10,000 - maybe less.

Would a Prius be right for me?

The Toyota Dealer said that the expected delivery if ordering a car from them is March/April - is that normal?

[Jim Clark]

With the price of gas in the UK, a Prius makes a lot of sense.

[patsparks]

Are there other benefits for you like no congestion tax and no road tax?
What is the alternative to buying a Prius? Do you own a perfectly good car already?
Do you put any value on being a good global citizen?
What is the price of petrol where you live/work?

Most important, what do you think is the answer?

[WildWayz]

I think to me, it is such a high price, I need to make sure I am making the right decision. There are some Mini's that aren't hybrids that achieve 80+mpg.

I DO like the idea of no road tax etc but I have also heard reports of people getting nowhere near the published MPG (I know it is done on a rolling road, ideal conditions etc).

[codybigdog123]

Originally Posted by WildWayz

I think to me, it is such a high price, I need to make sure I am making the right decision. There are some Mini's that aren't hybrids that achieve 80+mpg.

I DO like the idea of no road tax etc but I have also heard reports of people getting nowhere near the published MPG (I know it is done on a rolling road, ideal conditions etc).

...and there are some Prii owners that get over 100 MPG. I think a lot depends on one's driving methodology. I now have well over 3000 miles on my Prius, and have never gotten below 51 MPG on my daily, 60 mile round-trip comute to/from work...and during the Summer months, routinely got over 60 MPG.

But high mileage diesel vehicles are far from being clean....and in some cases, not that safe.

Lusting for Europe's Illegal 60-MPG Cars | Hybrid Cars

[WildWayz]

You're right - I just tend to over-analyse things. Fact is, my car costs me £50 to fill up (Nissan Almera Tino) and I get 300-320 miles out of the tank.
The Prius will get me over double that!

PLUS the IPA rocks on the Prius!

[johalareewi]

Originally Posted by WildWayz

Hi all,

...
The Toyota Dealer said that the expected delivery if ordering a car from them is March/April - is that normal?

It depends on what you want. The Gen3 Prius is very popular so unless you can bag an ex demonstrator, you are in for a wait. This could be until March/April but you need to ask your dealer to see what stock is in the supply pipeline. With a bit of flexibility (model, colour, options), you could reduce that to Jan/Feb. It may also pay to shop around because many dealers have sold their quota and can't sell any more until Q2/2010 so to get one sooner, you need to find a dealer with some quota left.

[WildWayz]

Thanks!

Will defo look around. If I have to wait, I have to wait.

[codybigdog123]

Originally Posted by WildWayz

Thanks!

Will defo look around. If I have to wait, I have to wait.

It has been my experience in life, that usually things in short supply and/ or high demand are worth waiting for....and at the very least, should you not enjoy the Prius, will benefit from a it's high re-sale value.

[WildWayz]

I just called the leasing company and they checked out, and the model I am after (T-Spirit) will be delivered end of Jan if I order now
That's excellent! Will have to order in early Jan though - need to get the initial payment sorted out first.