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New Prius Owner, Times 2?

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by Zhe Wiz, Mar 22, 2008.

  1. Zhe Wiz

    Zhe Wiz Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Ithaca, NY
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
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    N/A
    Long story alert! :)

    We leased a 2005 AWD Toyota Sienna in March of 05, 3 years, 15K per year. It was my wife's vehicle. January 08 we started looking for a replacement vehicle as the lease ended in March. We wanted better gas mileage and a smaller vehicle, as the oldest is no longer in the house. We're a 4 person household instead of 5 now. My wife prefers the "up high" feeling the Minivan and SUVs provide, so tops on the list for a replacement vehicle was the Ford Escape/Mercury Mariner Hybrid. We also decided to try out the Toyota Camry Hybrid, Prius, and possibly the Nissan Altima Hybrid if we liked the Camry's size.

    So first we visited the Ford/Mercury dealer. No Hybrid's to try, would have to order. We test drove a V6 Mariner. Not a bad vehicle, but my wife and I weren't really impressed. Still acceptable, however. Immediately after leaving that lot, we went to the Toyota dealership a half mile away. The salesman gave us the Prius (LAST on our list) to try out first. I jumped in, took off. Wow, this is a cool little car. Drove a ways and let my wife drive (would be her car afterall!). She drove it on the way back to the dealership. We were both impressed, but let's see what the Camry has to offer.

    The Camry was fine, but we couldn't see ANYTHING better in it than was in the Prius. The trunk was small, no additional leg room to speak of, probably a bit more width. Overall a pretty ho-hum car after driving the Prius. My wife and I went home to discuss. Much to our surprise, we BOTH preferred the Prius over the other two. A no brainer, let's get the Prius.

    So on February 4th we drove home a 2008, Barcelona Red, Pkg 6 Prius. My wife loved it then, still loves it now. I started begging to drive the Prius instead of my car - a 2004 Subaru Forester XT (turbo). (I also drive a 1992 Mitsu Eclipse GSX in the summer, but that's another story.) After a few days I started thinking, maybe I should trade in the Forester for another Prius. NO WAY I'd have believed anyone had they told me 2 months ago that we'd buy ONE Prius, let alone 2. But, to make a long story shorter, on Thursday, 3/20 we drove home Prius number 2. A Spectra Blue Mica, Package 6. Same as the wife's, only interior/exterior colors are different. Her interior is tan, mine gray. The only thing I wanted, but didn't get was a Touring model. Very hard to find, especially in Spectra Blue, so I finally gave up and took this one within days of its arrival. I can always upgrade the suspension later, painting a car is much more involved.

    So there you have it. 2 months ago we had an 05 Sienna getting 17MPGs, and an 04 Forester getting 20.4 on premium fuel. I was perfectly happy with my Forester. Today, two Prius (...es?) getting 40+. I tell everyone the gas mileage is just a bonus, we really, really, really love this car! Why? I'm not sure! That's the odd thing. The Prius just kinda grows on you. I like gadgets, that has SOMETHING to do with it, but not all of it, as my wife's not all that thrilled by the little techie things. I used to think it was a homely little car that only tree-huggers bought. Now I think they're cute little cars that are totally under-rated, if a car can be on all of those "best" lists and still be under-rated! :)

    Anyway, been on here a while and hope to be here for a long time to come.

    Jack
     
    #1 Zhe Wiz, Mar 22, 2008
  2. Rokeby

    Rokeby Member

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2008
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    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Jack,

    Welcome to PriusChat.

    We had a virtually identical buying experience. We came across from a beater '95 Maxima thinking the hybrid Camry was the answer. But the test drive was underwhelming. The car felt boat-like; the info needed to get high MPG fuzzy.

    Tried the Prius, we were sold. Part of it was the feeling of being up high, like the Dodge Caravan some years before. Other unquantifiable things also contributing to a general sense of rightness for our needs.

    Sounds like the bug bit you twice as bad! I'm sure you'll survive and prosper.

    Use the Google search function to dig into the wealth of info here to get the most out of the car. That'll keep you occupied for a month or two.
     
    #2 Rokeby, Mar 22, 2008
  3. Whiteyprius

    Whiteyprius Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2008
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    Location:
    North Carolina, USA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Great story - Congratulations on the twins! My wife would love to have one too - I never thought she'd even think about giving up her Voyager! Lots of good info here on PC - A couple of quickies: 1) Use 40/42 lbs in the tires - many go higher but the ride suffers, 2) Don't be tempted to use "B" to slow down the car - that wastes electricity producing opportunities. (DO use "B" when your MFD reads that the battery is chock full and you're still going down a really big hill. That's when it will save the brakes shoes - but until then, the generator is producing electricity while giving you braking power.) Welcome to PC!:welcome::welcome:(one for each of your Prii)
     
    #3 Whiteyprius, Mar 22, 2008
  4. twofer

    twofer New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 18, 2007
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    Location:
    pennsylvania
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    I also ended up with 2 Prius's. I bought one in 2005 and put 60k miles on it so gave it to my wife and bought a 2007. I have been retired for 12 years and put a lot of mileage on a car. We spend a lot of time travelling . I still use the older car for long trips and the newer one for local travel. We traded in from a Sebring convertible and a Town and Country van. I figured since my kids have vans if I need one I can borrow one. Pay backs are great. I love the Prius and I find it reliable and comfortable to drive. Have fun with yours Twofer
     
    #4 twofer, Mar 22, 2008
  5. SONOmel

    SONOmel New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 20, 2008
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    Location:
    nebraska
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    We have two Prii as well! We bought the first one in January, a 2004, silver with gray interior and navigation. This replaced my husband's car, a 1997 Grand Prix with 200,000+ miles that went to auto heaven. We really liked all the money we were saving on gas. Then there is also just something about these little cars that is addicting...So last week I got one too, seaside pearl, package 6. We traded our 2003 Honda Pilot EX-L for this one. Gave up the DVD player and extra seats plus now my 3 kids have to sit together nicely, ha...I really don't miss the Pilot's gas mileage, about 17/20, so I can live with a little bickering about which kid has to sit in the middle:fencing:Congrats on your 2nd Prius. May it bring you great joy and wisdom!
     
    #5 SONOmel, Mar 22, 2008
  6. Bill Merchant

    Bill Merchant absit invidia

    Joined:
    May 3, 2005
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    Location:
    USA | Oregon | Portland area | 97004 |
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Welcome to PriusChat, Jack! We all should start a 2-Prius club. I got a silver Prius in 2005. After a couple of years, my wife got really tired of her Sienna, so she took the 2005 and I got a silver 2007. Seems like there are several 2-Prius families out there!
     

    Attached Files:

    #6 Bill Merchant, Mar 24, 2008
  7. Darwood

    Darwood Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2005
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    Location:
    Minnesota
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Add me to the list.
    Sometime this week we are expecting delivery of Prius #2 to our family after 3 years of driving our 05.
    Why does the profile force me to list only one of them?

    Hey Bill, why the heck did you go with 2 that are the same color?!!

    Our only requirement was that it not be the same color as our 05.
     
    #7 Darwood, Apr 7, 2008
  8. Bill Merchant

    Bill Merchant absit invidia

    Joined:
    May 3, 2005
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    Location:
    USA | Oregon | Portland area | 97004 |
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Darwood, they are NOT the same color! One is Millennium Silver and one is Classic Silver! ;)
     
    #8 Bill Merchant, Apr 9, 2008
  9. sdtundra

    sdtundra Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 11, 2008
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    Location:
    Sacramento, CA
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    The one on the right looks lower...or is it just me and the fact that its 12:41AM?
     
    #9 sdtundra, Apr 9, 2008
  10. Bill Merchant

    Bill Merchant absit invidia

    Joined:
    May 3, 2005
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    Location:
    USA | Oregon | Portland area | 97004 |
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    In my picture? It must be 00:45.
     
    #10 Bill Merchant, Apr 9, 2008
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