Adding TCH to Hybrid Fleet :-)

[TummyMan]

I am thinking about getting a TCH, I have rented a Prius, great car, seats a bit short on comfort for the long drive. The question I have is should I lease a TCH before I buy one or just go for it?

I am 280Lbs 6-2, if I were to buy one I want it fully loaded.

Last question, what kind of the mileage are people getting with the TCH?

Thanks.

[JHSmith]

Originally Posted by TummyMan

I am thinking about getting a TCH, I have rented a Prius, great car, seats a bit short on comfort for the long drive. The question I have is should I lease a TCH before I buy one or just go for it?

I am 280Lbs 6-2, if I were to buy one I want it fully loaded.

Last question, what kind of the mileage are people getting with the TCH?

Thanks.

Your last question is the easiest for me to answer:
2007 TCH, fully loaded.
To/from work (15 miles, rolling hills & 2 ravines) @ 50 mph:
With straight gas: 37 -> 39 mpg
With 10% ethanol (yech ): 33 -> 36 mpg
Interstate (Level)
55 -> 60 mph): 42 -> 44 mpg
65 + : 37 -> 40 mpg (very variable)

Should you lease or buy immediately? This one is HIGHLY subjective.
Will you ultimately buy in next 1-2 years? If so, purchase now may be option.
Not sure if you really want to buy a TCH, then lease for year may be appropriate. However, you MIGHT actually do better to buy TCH, then sell it in a year (IF TCH resale prices at that time are high.)

Only downside I have seen with my TCH might be the trunk due to Traction Battery placement. True, it takes up some trunk space, but that does not impact me that much. BIG problem is the loss of true "pass through" trunk to passenger compartment access. Granted, you can lay down rear sat backs, but it does not increase ability to carry longer items in trunk.

[dbermanmd]

Originally Posted by JHSmith

Your last question is the easiest for me to answer:
2007 TCH, fully loaded.
To/from work (15 miles, rolling hills & 2 ravines) @ 50 mph:
With straight gas: 37 -> 39 mpg
With 10% ethanol (yech ): 33 -> 36 mpg
Interstate (Level)
55 -> 60 mph): 42 -> 44 mpg
65 + : 37 -> 40 mpg (very variable)

Should you lease or buy immediately? This one is HIGHLY subjective.
Will you ultimately buy in next 1-2 years? If so, purchase now may be option.
Not sure if you really want to buy a TCH, then lease for year may be appropriate. However, you MIGHT actually do better to buy TCH, then sell it in a year (IF TCH resale prices at that time are high.)

Only downside I have seen with my TCH might be the trunk due to Traction Battery placement. True, it takes up some trunk space, but that does not impact me that much. BIG problem is the loss of true "pass through" trunk to passenger compartment access. Granted, you can lay down rear sat backs, but it does not increase ability to carry longer items in trunk.

about four weeks into the flight of the TCH and loving it. Very different than my Prius. Averaging 42.5mpg driving into and out of Manhattan every day to Westchester County.

Prius v. Camry

Camry is: more car like, more comfortable, more solid on the road.

Prius is "quicker" in that i get better mileage at faster speeds and can pulse and glide much easier than the Camry. not a big difference in "trunk" space if you dont mind not having a separate trunk. I miss the displays on the prius that the camry does not have in terms of hybrid use/milage - it is much more geared to getting better mileage than the camry.

conclusion: i love both cars. they are designed to do different things and they do them very well.

also.. love my DASH gps - amazing technology.