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Which Prius or (any hybrid) would you recommend?

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by BornInEuro, Jun 25, 2015.

  1. BornInEuro

    BornInEuro New Member

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    Hi I'm new to this fourm.

    I am looking for the best Prius for my type of driving.

    I am 6'2" 240 pounds, and I do a ton of stop and go traffic. I travel 20miles round-trip each day for work.
    I don't mind that its a FWD car, some winter tires and careful driving should do the trick :).

    I really like the 15' Prius C & V. But I would love all opinions and recommendations.

    Regards,
    BornInEuro
     
  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    you're a big guy, you should sit in them to compare which will be most comfortable....then decide from there
     
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    welcome! probably the v, does it come with electric seat? but for comfort, i'd recommend the hycam.
     
  4. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    If in New York be sure to consider if you are interested in certain HOV priviledges (eg; LI Expressway) and green EZPass discounts for the bridges...the cut off for these is 45 MPG EPA so v and Hycam may not qualify. Also we expect new regular Liftback model soon you may want to see if that is more comfy for you. Seat comfort can be a complaint with Prius but 20 mile round trip is not so bad for comfort.
     
  5. walter Lee

    walter Lee Hypermiling Padawan

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    When are you looking to purchase a vehicle? if you can wait the new 4th generation Prius will come out at the end of the year.
    What is your price range? The Prius c is the least expensive ...The Plug in Prius is the most expensive.
    Have you already test driven any cars? if so cars have you test driven and what is your opinion of them?

    Is anyone else going to drive the vehicle beside you? if so who? and do you know what they would want too? If a car has more than one driver - electric driver seat adjustments might be a useful option
    Will the Prius be your only vehicle? if not - what other vehicles will you have access to?

    How much City vs Highway driving do you do? The Prius C is the better urban mover. The Prius Hatchback is the better Highway mover.
    Do you drive in hilly or mountainous areas often? The Prius fuel efficiency drops going uphill and increases going downhill.
    How often do you have to look for a parking space inside the city? The Prius c is easier to park.
    Do you have a garage at home or access to an electrical outlet where you park at work? The Plug in Prius needs a garage or a electric charging station.
    How often do you need to carry passengers or cargo? A Prius V has more cargo space.
    Will you need to tow anything? A Prius is not recommended for towing

    options I would recommend for a new Prius
    =================================
    If you live in a wet-snowy area - get weathertech rubber floor mats and cargo floor mats.

    If you smoke in your car - you'll need these wind deflectors for the side door windows so the smoke can leave the cabin while keeping the rain out when the window is cracked open

    If you have crazy aggressive drivers in your area - install a dash cam up front like the Russians do.

    a Priuschat store sunshade which is customized to fit the Prius exactly will work better than the regular sunshade you buy at the Toyota dealership..

    Change your transmission fluid early to extend the lifespan of the transmission.

    The material on my hatchback arm rest shows signs of wear - getting front leather seat and armrest cover might be nice.

    Flat exterior paint colors are easy to repaint/fix - metallic exterior paint colors are very difficult to repaint well.

    The Prius 12v power accessory adaptor is not powerful enough to run most 12v portable tire air compressors that run off a 12v power adaptor. If you need one - it must come with its own 12v power supply or you have to get a handpump or a 120vac air compressor.

    The oil change access door underneath a Prius tends to fall off because the plastic tabs used to keep it on have a high failure rate - ask a local mechanic to permanently attach/hinge the oil change access door for you.
     
    #5 walter Lee, Jun 25, 2015
    Last edited: Jun 25, 2015
    ftl likes this.
  6. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    Prius liftback and c are made by 5'8" and shorter individuals for people of that height, and less so the v.
    I don't care what people say about the headroom and seat travel if the seat itself is small, which it is, it is made for much shorter than 6 ft individuals.
    Camry designers found a way to save on costs by making small seats as well.
    That way they can offer bigger discounts.
    Big guy like you will be more comfortable in an Accord, Sonata or Optima and more.
    Look up best sedans for tall drivers.
    You will not find a Camry on those lists.
    Camry is undersized because Toyota makes full size Avalon.
     
  7. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    I'd say Camry Hybrid or Avalon Hybrid because they have larger, more comfortable seats and get 38-40mpg combined. They're also quieter and roomier. If you want a Prius, the regular Prius Liftback is a good size between the smaller Prius c and the larger Prius v. The Prius v is slightly easier to get into (you sit about 1" higher IIRC).
     
  8. Munpot42

    Munpot42 Senior Member

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    I'm not a tall guy, but I have to agree, don't overlook the Camry Hybrid or Avalon Hybrid, I have an Avalon and I find in comfy. You owe it to yourself to go to a Toyota dealer and sit in each.
     
  9. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    I am 6'2", long legs and really gave 2015 Camry (hybrid) a chance by renting 2 times, Had to walk away even though I could sell Prius and buy a new car now.

    Camry is not going to be more comfortable because of a larger driver's seat than a Prius, in fact, the Camry's bottom cushion between bolsters is shorter and narrower than that in a Prius, Corolla and Accord. Camry bottom bolsters are stupid wide, jut into my legs and cushion rolls off before it can do any decent support. Maybe they save Toyota manufacturing costs and I suppose a measely amount of weight. Great place to shave weight from. :oops:

    2015 Camry XLE top of the line
    P6260780.JPG

    Camrys front cushion edge rolls off a lot compared to Accord at bottom
    P6260782.JPG

    2015 Prius - seat bottom cushion actually longer than Camry and a little wider at front

    P6260788.JPG
    2015 Corolla LE seat larger than Camry

    P6260791.JPG

    even 2015 Honda Accord LX base model and all higher trims has longer and wider area to sit -

    P6260792.JPG

    Accord bottom cushion does not roll off nearly as much as Camry seat which lacks support for longer legs and Camry seat cushion is narrow from back to the front.

    P6260793.JPG
     
    #9 cycledrum, Jun 27, 2015
    Last edited: Jun 27, 2015
    ftl and Tideland Prius like this.
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i guess sit in them and see what you think. of course, the o/p is looking for the best prius for his type of driving. although he did post his height and weight, he didn't say 'most comfortable'.

    that was superimposed on my brain from post #2, and i ran with it.:oops:
     
  11. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Wow. A smaller car has a longer seat cushion lol.