Bought 2006 Today (first prius).

Jim, thanks for your response. Perhaps I was unclear or my understanding is off. But, when coasting down in areas of the shawagunk range here in the Hudson valley of NY (new paltz area). I engaged B to use the "engine braking" ( im not thinking the car brakes for me) so that I would not pick up speed precipitously. Ex. I know Im coming to a relatively long and steep downhill section, I have been approaching at speeds and throttle position to optimize MPGs, I come into the downhill section already coasting a bit at like 40 in a 55mph area. Right when the incline starts and I start picking up free speed I engage B and come off the go pedal and "coast". Instead of picking up speed very quickly like I might in a another car or the prius in d the drag slows down how quickly I build up momentum. Starting at around 40-45 I let myself exceed the speed limit a bit and then apply the brake lightly and strategically (before a sweeper) to scrub of what might be unsafe and illegal speed and being in B I don't quickly go up to 70+ or whatever.

I guess Im being OCD about preserving the pads and drums in my mind. It just seems to modulate the speed easier and allow me to just stay off the brake pedal a lot more .

Also, I am not very computer nor forum savvy so kindly tell me what I should update in my profile.

To be completely Honest I have not checked my TP yet and have heard different things about it. In regards to this, the previous owner gave me a good monitor with the car and when I asked him about pressure and going over he said he always kept it at recommended. I am used to very grippy cars with high cornering ability that are either rear wheel drive with no excessive understeer and the ability for throttle induced oversteer or cars like my Subaru wrx sti that although tending towards understeer had to be pushed very hard to be an issue. With that in mind and considering the prius is not a car known for handling Im not sure I would want to increase TP at the expense of grip or really have the front plow or wash out if I over cook a turn. But I am open to understanding why higher TP is useful in mountainous or hilly terrain.

ZF

 

Wie Ghets Fred,

Thanks, between the other reply and yours I now fully comprehend the braking/ regen thing . It is also now VERY clear to me how these cars go so long without needing brakes if driven properly.

This is a good forum. Lots of very nice, informed and helpful people.

Cheers!

Randy

 

I did in fact read a thread about dog hair where someone was having a battery issue and was told to check the vent for dog hair. Was thinking I should make a mental note. Good looking out and reminding me. Short Haired dogs like AB do let a lot of small hairs go which could easily get in there.

MORE GOOD ADVICE!! Thanks!

 

I think I actually have package 8. I have leather , JBL, NAV with back up, proximity key or whatever.

Did my first Hwy cruise toady traveling on I-87 here in NY which is a 65 mph road, car felt good. I think I pushed it as far as 85 Mph briefly. Crusies nicely at 70 and wasn't squirely or anything. No wind though.

I did mat it at like 65 and 70 just to see what it was like. Seems to take a 1/4 second or so to react and then sort of pulls. 75 mph seems like the max I would ever cruise at. In my Corvette or other cars I never go over 78-79 for any distance anyway.

I had to commute 100+ miles today. Going I didnt take toll roads (interstate) and the round trip even with some full throttle tests , a little bit of brisk driving on the slower roads and some cruising at 75 the computer averaged me right around 50. So I guess factoring for error even if my actual MPGs were 45 mpg (with the AC cranking) It was pretty good.

Its really surprising in a way. Most of my life I have driven Manual Transmission cars, Quite a few high horsepower/ hi performance cars. Had motorcyles that went zer0-60 below 3 seconds etc. Even with the sort of numb electric steering in this car and the low hp output I don't feel in anyway that Im sort of lacking anything. I actually think that unless a car is specifically a 'sports' car, most cars today , like the sonata I have that has a 250 or so HP motor are overpowered. Their really is no need for all that power in a big front drive sedan with the sort of chassis and suspension they have. And then with real performance cars today the performance envelopes are so high you cant really have fun with them anywhere but a racetrack because the limits are so high and pushing them on public roads is way too dangerous and way too illegal.

I am hoping the ELIO motors 3 wheel 2 seater becomes real and is somewhat fun to drive. I think I would enjoy one with a manual trans, for running around back road twisties and the ability to get the 85 hwy mpgs they are shooting for.

Being that my paint job has a lot of scratches , chips, swirls etc and being black I think I may do one of those DIY plasti dip paint jobs one day to a very light color one day. To at least be a little more reflective, being that it will not be garaged and I guess heat is good for the battery pack.

So far so good. Absolutely NO buyers remorse and it appears I got lucky on my used car purchase.

What will be interesting is when winter comes and I put the steelies and snow tires on.

ZF

 

As far as Elio. It is vaporware as of now for sure and very speculative. However I think it may come together. "IF" it does I don't think it is comparable or competes with the prius. The Prius is a "Normal" car in that it seats Four. has a trunk and does what other four door cars like it do, just generally more efficiently and uniquely.

The BIG difference between prius and elio is price. They are shooting for 8 grand new. AND with the financing they are saying they will offer where you pay ZERO up front and then use a credit card to buy gas at 3X the price and 2/3 of that becoming the "car payment" that makes it very attractive for certain people to have a "vehicle" to get them to work, school etc. I can see other applications for it as well. But It is not for everybody. But for all the people who are single commuters it could have a great impact if something like this could be pulled off.

Fit and finish will certainly not be on Par with Toyota. Being a very simple machine, build quality? I do not know. It just needs to work and not rattle apart to be where it needs to be IMO.

As far as MPGs, it may not hit the targets they are claiming but I do believe the basic design idea, weight, aero and powerplant they are proposing should be able to at the least get as good if not better fuel economy then the prius. Especially HWY

The thing I find the hardest to believe is that they are shooting for very high crash testing scores.

I have actually been dreaming of and wondering why nobody made a very simple aircraft style seating high mpg car/vehicle strictly for commuting for 10 years or more.

Smart Cars? I have NEVER grasped why anybody would buy one when you figure the price and fuel economy. The only positive I can see with them is City parking.

Even if the emissions aren't as good as the prius. For every Elio that was Sold that stopped somebody from driving a old crap box or really inefficient car the overall benefit would be great.

I hope ELIO hits its targets. I always root for underdogs and people who try and do something unique or different.

I see Elio as the Anti-Tesla. I like Tesla and admire Elon Musk for doing stuff he was told was impossible. But by anti-tesla I just mean it is the opposite approach of using old tech and just simplifying it and stripping it down. And making it priced to be available to a whole different demo.

I think having multiple ways at going after efficiency in transportation can only be a good thing.

Like I said if they are kind of fun as well as far as handling. That would be awesome .

Lastly, yes the instant and big torque of electric motors is wonderful. I didn't realize in the prius it was 300FT pounds . Makes sense considering the ICE motor is like 75hp and it moves a 2900 pound car so well.

 

Im just paranoid about tickets and don't have radar detector. But on parts of 87 where I know there aren't any place for cops to hide I will do 90+. And if nobody is on the road I will run her up to a 120-130 for a burst. Took it to over 150 indicated once.

C-6 is sweet although I have never driven one. Owned a 3 and 4 as well as 2 LS-1 F-bodys (SS and a firehawk) I need to go to the chevy dealer with my car and take a test drive in the 7. I went when the SS Camaro came out and when your over 40 and pull up in a Vette they just flip you the keys and say have fun.

Im not sold on the 7s rear but everything else about it seems great and its amazing how they have kept the price "reasonable' for what it does. The C-6 was already a great improvement and value.