Great article for the hybrid newbie. had to laugh reading the "readers comment" made by "Artie"... there's one jack@$$ in every bunch, isn't there? I was disappointed I couldn't respond to him in order to talk about what HE failed to mention, that ALL cars get lower mileage than the sticker projects.... oh well...

It was nice to read an article about hybrids that really sums it up well. I have a few friends who seem all upset that I bought a prius - not sure if they think I spent way too much money, or if they're jealous of my mileage :lol:, I may send them this! Thanks.

Well, the only part I have a problem with is the first one that you quoted here.

It isn't that I don't *have to* plug it in... it is that I do not *get to* plug it in!

The implication here, is that nobody in their right mind would ever want to plug in their car. Well, it sure beats going to the gas station, and plugging in the fuel nozzel! And the implication in that first myth is that the battery is completely charged by braking... and that all braking energy can be reclaimed. It even seems to imply that plug-in cars would put "special requirements" on the driver. <_< Debunking one myth while supporting others? hmmm.

Oops. Sorry. Off my box... Umph.

My thoughts too.

Nice article...
I sent them this email to add to their reader comments. I'm paraphrasing just a bit.

"How about some real world numbers. Since purchasing our 2005 Toyota Prius ten months ago and 15k trouble-free miles, we've logged 300 gallons of gas and averaged 52mpg per tank since day one. Assuming an average price of $2.30 per gallon, our gas bill for the Prius has been about $690. If we had driven those same miles in our small truck that averages 22mpg, that figure would be about $1560. Had we driven those same miles in our now sold 13mpg conversion van, that figure would be about $2600.

For us, the Prius has been the perfect car. The best built, the best mileage, the lowest polluting, and the money we've saved at the gas pump, we've applied to our retirement. Seems smart to us!

As for insurance, we pay less than $800 per year for the Prius. Simply put, this is the best vehicle we've owned".

Yeah, the comments by "Artie" were pretty naive.

Artie sounds like a real schmuck!! Prius envy always seems to rear its ugly head.

that's about the same as I pay for insurance on my Prius. A very reasonable cost if you ask me. Rock on!

I have to wonder if Artie is a Prius owner himself or if he's just parroting the common complaint from people who don't know how to drive to get good mileage anyway. One of those guys who's always demanding that the writer get all the facts when he himself has none of the facts himself.

Real-world-numbers: 48mpg, saving me $335 since Oct. 22. And I almost always drive over the speed limit.

Ditto... 150 mi RT from OBX to Chesapeake and back every day. After initial break-in period, 48 mi/gal @ 63 mph ( to stay under the radar of my friends in the Currituck SD ) B) .

:lol: :lol: :lol:

This is my biggest complaint. They don't let me plug my Prius in in order to take advantage of cheaper energy.

That's a nicer drive these days. I used to live in chesapeake. I drive from VB to Langley AFB in Hampton each day. 80 mi. round trip. But I car pool with a guy I work with.

My previous vehicle was a 2003 Chevy Silverado that got just under 20MPG. I drive about 3,000 miles a month so I save about $230 a month on fuel.