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Anyone move from a SUV to a Prius? In need of a "support group" :)

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by UoD, Jun 7, 2011.

  1. UoD

    UoD Junior Member

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    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Long story short, I am about to take the plunge. My 2005 V8 4Runner drinks too heavily. No matter what I do, I can't get her to kick the habit. As much as I love my drunkard, I just can't live with her anymore.

    So -- I find myself pricing out a new 2011 completely base Prius II. I was lucky enough to find a dealer in my area that isn't selling them for $2k over sticker. To my amazement, I actually got a price quote that is about $500 under sticker. It was nice to find this owners group online. I was *very* heavily involved in the t4r.org owners group for years after I purchased my 4Runner -- and, maybe one day soon I'll do the same here.

    The *only* thing that is preventing me from taking the plunge is thinking about all of the stuff I like to throw in the back of my 4Runner. It's nice to be able to run to Lowes/Home Depot and grab pretty much anything I need without having to worry about getting it home. I also Mountain Bike / Road Bike --- so, I need to be able to haul those around. And finally, three dachshund, a fiance, 2 pieces of luggage, and a set of golf clubs need to fit in this thing when I go to visit my parents?

    So --- here's some info I'd love to have if anyone has the time to share it :

    1. For anyone here that has gone from an SUV to a Prius --- anything you regret about the decision? Are my cargo requirement too much to ask of this thing?

    2. It appears that I can throw a 2" Class III hitch on the back of this thing and use my existing Yakima hitch mount bike rack. Curt and Quality S appear to be the popular choices. My worry is the ground clearance on the rear once I get this thing on there. My driveway would be a little rough on a car with short clearance. Is one of those two better for ground clearance than the other? Also --- any MPG worries with the added weight of just the hitch on the back?

    3. I assume the stock stereo receiver is pretty simply to switch out, right? From what I have read here, the stock system is pretty bad. I need my tunes, and I need them to be crystal clear :) Switching this out would probably be my first endeavor.

    4. I may decide to go crazy and throw some aftermarket alloy rims on this thing (the plastic covers are likely to bother me at some point). Nothing flashy --- not looking for bling. Anyone do this --- and put some larger tires (16" or even 17") at the same time? Any concerns with doing this?


    Sorry for all the questions --- and, thanks in advance for any responses. I promise to return the favor to other new members after I take the plunge.
     
  2. Judgeless

    Judgeless Senior Member

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    I went from a 2000 4Runner that I purchased new and sold it with 305,000 miles. I used to get about 16 MPG not I get around 56 MPG. Here is a pic I used to sell it on Craigslist. 4Runner Pictures taken 09-30-09

    There is a lot of room in the Prius to carry things from Home Depot. When it comes to really big loads like 40 bags of mulch I rent the Home Depot truck for $19.95 (90 min). That sure beats a SUV payment. I rented the Home Depot truck to bring a mattress home from Sams club a year ago. They do not car how you use it.

    I would not recommend a hitch on a Prius unless you plan on using it for a bike rack. The car was not meant to tow.
     
  3. UoD

    UoD Junior Member

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    Ahh -- the Home Depot truck --- genius :) I forgot all about that thing being available when I need it. That makes the decision a bit easier for sure.

    The hitch would be purely for a bike rack. I would have no need to attachea trailer to the Prius. I *might* have a need for throwing on a small cargo box (something like the StowAway hitch mount cargo box) when taking a long trip. I wouldn't be loading it up heavy or anything --- probably just toss the suitcases in there to get them out of the way so the dogs have more room. I assume the Prius would be able to handle the hitch + small box + maybe 100-150 pounds of load in the box. Does that sound reasonable?
     
  4. skruse

    skruse Senior Member

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    I moved from a 4Runner (190k mi) to a Prius. Yes, I miss the 4Runner (24 mpg), especially in winter with snow. The consistent 50+ mpg makes a huge difference.
     
  5. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    I moved from a Subaru Forester (24 MPG) to a 2009 Prius V (45 MPG) I am weighted down with $2400 more in cash each year, but I suffer through it. ;)
    8 foot 2 by 4s, 1 by 8s etc. fit easy, a 10 foot 2 by 4 is possible entirely inside.

    At least in the 2009, you are limited to 825 for passengers and cargo, including the weight of the hitch.
     
  6. stefano5777

    stefano5777 Member

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    I moved from a 04 range rover (12mpg) to Prius and can honestly say the only thing that a miss is how quiet the rover was compared to Prius other than that how could I complain 23.5 gallons of super per 280 to 300 miles before and after 650 to 700 miles every 10.5 gallons of cheap stuff
     
  7. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    :grouphug:

    I left my truck and Outback behind with little problem. There is enough in this car to keep your interest for years to come.

    Welcome aboard! Get find on the deal!
     
  8. cyclopathic

    cyclopathic Senior Member

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    not an SUV but a minivan owner (one with fold in middle/rear seats). You'd be fine with Prius, really! Do not worry Prius has better space then avg sedan and the space is very usable.

    For your biking needs just put rear seat down, through a blanket and put bike in. Floor hooks to keep it from sliding.

    Lowes trips will not be an issue unless you bringing 2x8 plywood/rocksheet they will not fit. Also weight is more limited we had loaded enough ceramic tile to worry about bottoming out.

    With dogs not sure, but there is enough space for carrier and golf bag to fit with rear seat down. There is a problem with dog hair getting into traction battery you will need to install filter.

    If you have a choice get OEM rubber floor/cargo mats, would be much more practical for your.

    It may handle but IMHO you are better off getting good set of containers from Container store, anchoring them and laying rear seats down.
     
  9. nerfer

    nerfer A young senior member

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    I left a Subaru Outback for the Prius, and I was worried about space too, but it was rarely a problem. I can fit my bike in the back without taking the wheels off, just lower the back seat. People who've hauled two bikes report you need to take the front wheel off of the 2nd bike?

    I think the Curt hitch is only 1.25", not 2". They're better quality than the Coastel Tech hitch from what I've read here. I'm not sure if there's a good 2" hitch available.

    I've hauled 100" (8 feet, 4 inches) 2x10's from Home Depot with the hatch closed. At least in the Gen II, if you take off the head rest on the passenger seat, then they fold down pretty flat. I've put a 46" LCD TV in the box flat in the back. Couldn't do either of those with my wife's Honda Accord, even though that's a longer car.
     
  10. ksstathead

    ksstathead Active Member

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    Went from '03 Tacoma Quad Cab to '10 Prius. No regrets. On occasion you have loads that won't fit such as 4' x 8' sheet material (plywood, drywall, ...). The stores will cut for free, or rent their truck.

    I'd guess the hitch will clear most driveways, but yours could be an exception. Have not installed a hitch on mine, but may in future. Take one home on a test drive and measure the minimum clearance upon entering your drive.

    With only two humans, most of the things you mentioned should fit. It often amazes me what will fit. But you may have to compromise on occasion. Do a test fit on a test drive or just at the dealer.
     
  11. stefano5777

    stefano5777 Member

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    I moved from a 04 range rover (12mpg) to Prius and can honestly say the only thing that a miss is how quiet the rover was compared to Prius other than that how could I complain 23.5 gallons of super per 280 to 300 miles before and after 650 to 700 miles every 10.5 gallons of cheap stuff
     
  12. UoD

    UoD Junior Member

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    Lots of great replies --- definitely making me feel a little easier about the decision I am about to make.

    Great piece of info there ---- I wasn't even thinking about total weight. I tried Google'ing the 2011 weight capacity, but I have yet to find a number on that. Anyone have that info handy?
     
  13. ksstathead

    ksstathead Active Member

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  14. krelborne

    krelborne New Member

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    UoD, you are aware that a bigger one (v) is coming out within a year, right? I don't want you to have buyer's remorse.
     
  15. KK6PD

    KK6PD _ . _ . / _ _ . _

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    It's a no brainer, KEEP THE 4RUNNER!
    I have a 1995, still have it. I use it for trips to Home Depot etc.
    You can't haul plywood in a Prius
    I still have the Prius!
    I have the best of both.
    There is not a law that says you can't have both!
     
  16. Ragz

    Ragz Active Member

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    I went from a 2009 H2 SUT with 11.4 mpg. I love the Prius. Just much easier to drive, park.... The H2 is great for moving stuff and snow, but overall I made the change never looked back
     
  17. mikewithaprius

    mikewithaprius New Member

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    Yes, krelborne said it - there is a bigger Prius with more cargo space than 80% of small SUVs coming out in October. EPA overall is 42 mpg. I would wait.

    The abusive relationships are always the hardest to end :D
     
  18. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    In 2007 I went from the anti-Prius (2001 Nissan Pathfinder LE) to Pearl. Pearl actually has -more- usable room inside. Didn't miss the Pathfinder, which used three times as much fuel as Pearl.

    But the story has a second part.
    This past winter we received a record amount of snow. I came home from grocery shopping in January and saw the city had plowed my back alley (I just barely made it out to the road). Unfortunately they left a vertical "curb" of compacted snow/ice about 10" high at the entrance to the alley. Sigh. Get out of car, walk to my garage, get shovel, come back and shave a ramp!
    The next week I purchased a 2007 FJ Cruiser, but I KEPT Pearl. I only use Bruiser the FJ when I need off-road transportation/utility. Bruiser, like the anti-Prius, uses three times as much fuel as Pearl. Bruiser DID save Pearls under-parts from being torn off. ;)
    And in the interest of full disclosure, I did want an FJ. Saving Pearl was mostly an excuse, true but an excuse.
     
  19. UoD

    UoD Junior Member

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    Yes --- and that was was had originally driven me to start looking at the Prius as an option. The thing about this is that I am looking at going from one end of the spectrum (14mpg average in town) to the other (hopefully closer to 50mpg in town). While the Prius V does have a ton more cargo space, it also takes what appears to be a 20% hit in MPG. I am wondering if the trade off is worth it. Also, I am expecting the price to be much higher than what I am looking at now. I'll be getting a Prius II around $24,400. I am expecting the Prius V to be closer to $28k. At the $24,400 price, I am getting a new car with a 200,000 power train warranty .... and my payments will be equal to or less than the money I am saving in gas each month.

    While I have thought about it, it just doesn't make sense to keep it AND buy a Prius. The 4Runner would just sit there --- losing value and getting minimal use. If I had a 1995, it would be a different story. The money I could get from it wouldn't justify me selling it. Now --- my parents still have the 1995 4Runner that I drove when I was younger. Maybe I could convince them to sell it to me.
     
  20. cyclopathic

    cyclopathic Senior Member

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    do you have any demo cars on dealer lot? get your stuff (golf clubs, dog carrier, bike, etc) go to dealer and look if your toys fit.