I finally got my new 2008 prius - blue turtle!

[Blue Honu]

Hi Everyone,
I'm new to the forums. I've been lurking here for a year while I researched my new car. I had my choices down to the Honda fit or the toyota prius.

We test drove the honda fit and the civic first (glad I did) because when I sat in the prius it was all over, I had to have a prius.
We drove it home last night and are going back today (2 hour drive) to finish the paperwork since it was so late yesterday. The dealership was so nice!

I bought the blue one - Seaside Pearl,(love the color). In a package 3. I was going for package 2, but the blue was only available there in 3 or 5 . Another lady was buying the #5 and I got the #3. So two left the dealership late yesterday!

I'm already averaging 47.8 mpg after 109 miles.

This blue prius is going to be a dirt road sport since I live 4 miles away from the black top. Anyone else driving their prius down a dirt gravel road?

Glad to be here,
Blue Honu (Turtle in Hawaiian)
Tina

[NYPrius1]

Tina,
Welcome To Priuschat.
I had my driveway paved a year before I purchased the Prius.
Enjoy!!

[HardCase]

Congrats and welcome! The dirt road shouldn't be a problem as long as it doesn't have a high center-hump or major potholes. The Prius is fairly low-slung, has only a few inches of ground clearance (I'm thinking about 4").....which is better by a bit than my Honda Prelude.....but as long as the road/driveway is kept in reasonable repair you won't have any problem with it.

[jdchappie]

Hi and welcome, I use mine on a rural mail route with 19 miles of dirt roads every day. If another vehicle is approaching and the dust is flying back off on the gas until the engine shuts off. The engine can't suck dust in if it's not running. Close the windows and hit the Recirculate button on the steering wheel to keep it out of the car. What I did notice is the plastic panels under the driver and passenger side of the Prius will collect dirt and mud until they droop. I added a little extra bracing and keep it cleaned out. The clearance on a Prius is listed at 5.2 or 5.3 inches. Enjoy, Jerry

[longbow]

Originally Posted by Blue Honu

This blue prius is going to be a dirt road sport since I live 4 miles away from the black top. Anyone else driving their prius down a dirt gravel road?

Glad to be here,
Blue Honu (Turtle in Hawaiian)
Tina

I have a mile of sand/gravel to the blacktop. Most of it is still snow covered at the moment. It should be all sand by next week. The last 1/3 of a mile is a pretty steep hill and the Prius had no trouble getting up it in snow and ice conditions....

Great little car!

[N3FOL]

Hi Tina. Welcome to the forum and congratulations on the new Prius. Mpg #'s looks great! So what vehicle did you get rid off for the new Prius?