Ok I have ONE more issue

[tracysbeans]

I was talking to someone about wanting to buy a Prius. I mentioned that I don't do much long distance driving. He said the Prius isn't good for alot of short distance driving.

Is that true? I live within blocks of many places I shop. I LOVE that and many times I even walk to go shopping. (I can't all the time because of the amount of stuff I get ) I also live in the same building as my business so I don't do any driving to a job.

I do drive just not like crazy and not long distances.

So....is what he said true? I certaintly can't or wouldn't want to move the stores I shop at.

Tracy

Edited to add: I'm sure glad I have you guys/gals to talk to. :P I think this is my last issue on getting a Prius.

[efusco]

Originally posted by tracysbeans@Dec 28 2005, 09:16 PM
I was talking to someone about wanting to buy a Prius. I mentioned that I don't do  much long distance driving. He said the Prius isn't good for alot of short distance driving.

Is that true? I live within blocks of many places I shop. I LOVE that and many times I even walk to go shopping. (I can't all the time because of the amount of stuff I get  ) I also live in the same building as my business so I don't do any driving to a job.

I do drive just not like crazy and not long distances.

So....is what he said true? I certaintly can't or wouldn't want to move the stores I shop at. 

Tracy

[snapback]180321[/snapback]

The Prius is fine for short trips, but you will certainly not get the mileage on your window sticker if you're only driving a few blocks.

Ideally trips over 5 miles allow for full warm-up and time to 'settle in' and maximize your mpg.

Don't sweat it, it's not a big deal, just realize your mpg won't be great b/c of the short trips.

[galaxee]

short trips won't get you the EPA numbers. i had a 2-mile commute when i first got mine and got about 42 mpg. of course, winters in the frozen tundra will also hit your mileage but you'll still end up on top with a prius.

just don't expect to see 55 mpg with all those short trips.

[tracysbeans]

Ok thanks for your input on this. Hey anything I can get better mileage wise will be ok. I'm not expecting anything near what the sticker says. I'm not looking at buying the Prius JUST for the gas mileage.

This person just made it seem like I shouldn't get a Prius at all if most of my driving was short distances. He made it seem like that would somehow affect the car If it's not going to hurt the car in anyway then I'm fine with not getting as much mileage out of it.

Hey, maybe once I get the Prius I will force myself to go on some vacations

[Jack 06]

tracysbeans, if you only have ONE more issue, we'll all be unemployed. :P

No, short-hop driving won't harm the car. But ALL cars should be fully warmed up and "aired out" (longer drives, speeds over 50) once in a while. Assume you'll do that.

Once you got the car, you would undoubtedly want to drive it more than just your usual shopping haunts. But only you know if there's anywhere else to go.

[jrohland]

It might be helpful to know where in the world you are. Anyway, the Prius is starting to become popular as a taxi cab. This tells me it works well for many short trips. Of course, cabs run all day so warm-up is not at issue.

It is a hatchback with folding rear seats. When you couple that with the no key entry, rear doors and a low lift over to access the rear cargo area, you get a nice shopping car.

jrohland

[tracysbeans]

Originally posted by Jack 06@Dec 28 2005, 10:47 PM
tracysbeans, if you only have ONE more issue, we'll all be unemployed. :P

No, short-hop driving won't harm the car.  But ALL cars should be fully warmed up and "aired out" (longer drives, speeds over 50) once in a while.  Assume you'll do that.

Once you got the car, you would undoubtedly want to drive it more than just your usual shopping haunts.  But only you know if there's anywhere else to go.

[snapback]180354[/snapback]

Well I just meant I have one more issue BEFORE I would get the car. I was already told you guys/gals will ALL have my back if I have any issues once I GET the car!

Yeah I think you are right I think I will like this car and want to take some long drives with it.

I would like to go on some vacations BUT I'm TO busy working to make $money$ Gotta get my business mortgage debt paid off! :P

[jwe8f]

tracysbeans, you don't say where you're from, but I'm going to take a wild guess, and say Green Bay, WI.

Cold weather and living within blocks of the places you travel will give you the mileage (and probably emissions) of a normal car for most of the year. Cold AND very short trips will probably drop you into the 30's.

Hate to be the naysayer of the group, but I know money is tight for you, so if you never go further, consider a cheap, normal car.

The only other option I can think of offhand is to install an EV switch and do half of those trips on battery power.

BTW, the Prius works well for a taxi because it is well warmed up.

[tracysbeans]

Originally posted by jwe8f@Dec 28 2005, 11:06 PM
tracysbeans, you don't say where you're from, but I'm going to take a wild guess, and say Green Bay, WI. 

Cold weather and living within blocks of the places you travel will give you the mileage (and probably emissions) of a normal car for most of the year.  Cold AND very short trips will probably drop you into the 30's.

Hate to be the naysayer of the group, but I know money is tight for you, so if you never go further, consider a cheap, normal car.

The only other option I can think of offhand is to install an EV switch and do half of those trips on battery power. 

BTW, the Prius works well for a taxi because it is well warmed up.

[snapback]180371[/snapback]

Yep, cold Green Bay, WI!

Ok so can you tell me more about this EV switch? That might be good for me then.
Believe it or not even though I'm just past 40 I do drive a moped (I have a motorcyle too but don't like driving it cause of how hard it to shift) I just can't drive my moped shopping cause the trunk is pretty small on it. If I had it my way I would be driving an all electric car. I even had one all built but we can't drive them here

So are you saying I should use the Prius as a Taxi to make some extra money LOL

[tracysbeans]

Originally posted by jrohland@Dec 28 2005, 10:48 PM
It might be helpful to know where in the world you are. Anyway, the Prius is starting to become popular as a taxi cab. This tells me it works well for many short trips. Of course, cabs run all day so warm-up is not at issue.

It is a hatchback with folding rear seats. When you couple that with the no key entry, rear doors and a low lift over to access the rear cargo area, you get a nice shopping car.

jrohland

[snapback]180356[/snapback]

Oh sorry. I have updated my location now. I'm in cold Green Bay, WI.

That was the first thing I checked out on the Prius is the rear cargo area

I will also be keeping my old 1992 Ford Escort in case I have to haul something big and need more room. (That car has a ton of room in the back and can withstand any damage I might do hauling something Learned that lesson after trying to haul a couple odd big things in my daughters new car <_< )

I also have a Ford Hornet RV if I really need to haul some stuff