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The Gen3's Fuel Economy is Amazing :)

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Fuel Economy' started by GrumpyCabbie, Mar 30, 2013.

  1. GrumpyCabbie

    GrumpyCabbie Senior Member

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    I've had a bitter sweet relationship with my Prius, but the fuel economy is soo good that it's easy to forget just how good it is, even here in the UK where economical diesels are catching up.

    Was talking to one of my neighbours today who'd just returned from a trip to Switzerland and proudly reported that his small eco diesel hatchback averaged the grand total of 49.6 mpg UK (40 mpg US)! Lol, I didn't want to hurt his feelings so just nodded, but it made me realise that my average of 63 mpg UK driving around France for two weeks (and I don't hang around!) was actually very good indeed. On my run to work everyday I get up and over 75 mpg on the open road. Imagine thinking 49 mpg was good!?!

    So it's easy to get blasé about the Prius, but really it is still well ahead of the non plug in competition. (y)
     
    #1 GrumpyCabbie, Mar 30, 2013
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  2. JMD

    JMD 2012 Prius 4 Solar Roof

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    With the Great Recession in full gear here in the USA I decided to look for ways to reduce expenses. I must say that the Prius lowered my gasoline bill $200 US per month. It is a amazing car.
     
    #2 JMD, Mar 30, 2013
  3. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    I originally started out with diesels to cut down fuel expenses, and they did, but with the Prii, not only did I cut my fuel consumption even more, I cut down on the price of fuel and the usage of fuel filters and fuel additives. Win, win.
     
    #3 El Dobro, Mar 30, 2013
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  4. JMD

    JMD 2012 Prius 4 Solar Roof

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    My wife got to see my gas purchases lowered over $200 per month she purchased a Hybrid also and saved $200 per month also. Total reduction in gasoline costs were $4,800 per year.

    We started a vacation fund and already have 2K in there. She increased her 401K %
     
    #4 JMD, Mar 30, 2013
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  5. css28

    css28 Senior Member

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    That's one thing I notice when reading tdiclub.com. Talk about swapping out fuel filters, dumping PowerService in with the fill-ups, etc. Some also proudly point out the lack of spark plugs but end up swapping out glow plugs.
    They're starting to acknowledge that the cars are not for someone averse to doing frequent maintenance on.
     
    #5 css28, Mar 30, 2013
  6. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    Yea, but they're having "fun", as opposed to the "boring" Prius. :p
     
    #6 El Dobro, Mar 30, 2013
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    well said grumpy. i don't even pay for gas, so the only thing i have to enjoy is the sport of trying to improve on mpg's. but the thrill of having the ice off in traffic, etc., and now 10-15 miles all ev and the mpg advantage of lithium, it just gets better and better! thanks for reminding us!:)
     
    #7 bisco, Mar 30, 2013
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  8. GrumpyCabbie

    GrumpyCabbie Senior Member

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    Sigh, the plug in Prius is but a dream for me. Toyota UK decided it was to be a premium car at the top of the Prius range and priced it at silly money. You'd need your head looking at to decide that paying an extra £11,000/$16,700 just for the benefit of 15 miles EV is worthwhile. Even at $8 a US gallon, it would take decades to ever make it viable. Even the Leaf is now costing LESS than the base Prius over here. Toyota UK have either messed up bad OR they just don't want to bother selling the PIP.

    Shame, it could have been such a great car and I watch on in envy at the experiences of PIP owners on your side of the pond.
     
    #8 GrumpyCabbie, Mar 31, 2013
  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    agreed, that is crazy. i paid about $4,000. more than a similarly equipped prius. i don't think they want to sell them everywhere yet, but why bother even making it available? we can't get them everywhere here, and even the dealers who sell them aren't fully equipped to service them yet. i guess it's just the nature of new technology.
     
    #9 bisco, Mar 31, 2013
  10. JimPHL

    JimPHL Member

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    GrumpyCabbie
    That premium on a UK PIP is enormous!
    Is buying a PIP in the US, then importing to the UK, a viable option?
    Jim
     
    #10 JimPHL, Mar 31, 2013
  11. GrumpyCabbie

    GrumpyCabbie Senior Member

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    Not if I don't mind the steering wheel being on the wrong side :)

    There's also import duties and 20% sales tax to include. It is popular to import JDM cars as they're RHD too, but there can be insurance and diagnostic issues with them. I'll just not bother buying a PIP unless Toyota see the light, which I doubt. A new Leaf has been reduced to £18,000 after grants, which compares well with the base Prius at £21,800. Infact, the Prius is only ever so slightly cheaper than the Lexus CT200 at £21,900. Get the same technology AND the Lexus badge for an extra £100.

    Still tempted by the Leaf though. Complete bargain.
     
    #11 GrumpyCabbie, Mar 31, 2013
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  12. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    What kind of electric rates do you have?
     
    #12 El Dobro, Mar 31, 2013
  13. GrumpyCabbie

    GrumpyCabbie Senior Member

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    A normal daytime rate is about £0.15p/$0.23c (inc tax) per kwh. It can go as low as about £0.06p/$0.09c per kwh on a night time rate, but then you pay more for the day rate. You can generally find a renewable tariff for the same rates.

    Solar PV is popular here surprisingly, so with your own solar array you can get free electricity. EV's do have benefits and are much cheaper to run. Thankfully they're making the Nissan Leaf here in the UK now, so that should reduce cost.
     
    #13 GrumpyCabbie, Mar 31, 2013
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