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Rented a Prius for a week

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by randerson9248, May 30, 2012.

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  1. randerson9248

    randerson9248 Junior Member

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    Took a trip from SF to LA and Las Vegas in a rented 2011 Prius.

    Does the attached look about right? I tried to drive about 62 MPH, less up hills, more down hill.
    No cruise control. All highway, with one pit stop. About 80% of the drive was without A/C.

    I aired the tires to 44/42. When I checked before the trip, they are at 34.5 psi all around.
     

    Attached Files:

    #1 randerson9248, May 30, 2012
  2. Michgal007

    Michgal007 Senior Member

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    62 mpg sounds pretty good to me!
    Welcome to PC.
     
    #2 Michgal007, May 30, 2012
  3. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    Yep! I agree. I've NEVER had a tank in the 60 mpg range in my Gen 2.
     
    #3 cwerdna, May 30, 2012
  4. phoenixgreg

    phoenixgreg Senior member

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    44/42 psi is a tad high, but I've run my tires at 40 psi with no problems. You can subtract about 3% off of the CONS (avg mpg) reading as Toyota makes it "optimistic". So, now that you've rented one, are you considering buying one?
     
    #4 phoenixgreg, May 31, 2012
  5. randerson9248

    randerson9248 Junior Member

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    The main reason for renting was to find out if I would like the car. I do like it. I can't find anything that really turns me off about the car. A few minor annoyances maybe, but no deal breakers. The navigation system leaves a bit to be desired.

    I will be buying one, but probably used. I'm in no hurry, so it may be several months. I find car prices to be lower during winter months. I'm thinking the same may be true for prius shopping. Winter gas prices are lower, I'm guessing used prius prices to be lower also.

    I'm hoping used 2010 and 2011 prices will be lower over the winter, also with another model year (2013) added.
     
    #5 randerson9248, May 31, 2012
  6. markabele

    markabele owner of PiP, then Leaf, then Model 3

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    Speaking of 2013. When will we start getting wind of what they might have changed/tweaked from the 2012?
     
    #6 markabele, May 31, 2012
  7. randerson9248

    randerson9248 Junior Member

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    With so many posts complaining about uncomfortable seats, I was surprised, as I drove from Las Vegas to SF area non-stop for 10+ hours and found the seats to be fine.

    Also, I was surprised by how little using the A/C affected mileage. On one 200 mile segment of the trip, I used the A/C 100% of the time. Got 63.3 mpg with 59 mph average for the 200 miles.

    After I took the 62.0 mpg photo, I drove 10 miles or so in city suburban area that had signal lights every 1/8 or so. I expected the mileage to drop from that, but it actually ticked up to 62.1 from the city driving. Amazed how easy it is to accelerate up to 35 or so, then back off throttle and get to electric only, and then lightly brake when coming up to next light and get quite a bit of the battery power regenerated. Then repeat.

    I was totally impressed by the car.
     
    #7 randerson9248, Jun 2, 2012
    ChipL likes this.
  8. ChipL

    ChipL Active Member

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    ^^^^
    Agree about the seats so far. But then again my days of driving from Boston to Baltimore non-stop are behind me. :( Now between my fiancé and myself, one of us has to make a pitstop at around 150 miles or so...
     
    #8 ChipL, Jun 2, 2012
  9. krausternet

    krausternet Member

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    I am thinking about doing the same thing, renting a Prius for a week to try it out. And I live on the peninsula. Where did you rent the car?
     
    #9 krausternet, Jun 11, 2012
  10. TWong1200

    TWong1200 Junior Member

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    The navi, IMO, isn't bad at all, aside from the fact that it's locked out while in ,option. But compared to my 07 GS350, it's miles better.
     
    #10 TWong1200, Jun 11, 2012
  11. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Looks pretty awesome to me. If you can make long trips with no stops like that then the mpg can be quite good. This assumes weather, temperature and tire quality is in your favor. :)
     
    #11 F8L, Jun 11, 2012
  12. randerson9248

    randerson9248 Junior Member

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    Rented from a Toyota dealer in Redwood City, forgot the name. $250 per week, maximum 200 miles per day.

    Found it. It was Toyota 101.
     
    #12 randerson9248, Jun 15, 2012
  13. WE0H

    WE0H Senior Member

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    I rented Prii starting some time in mid/late 2009 and finally bought one in late April 2012. As you found, the seats are comfortable and it is easy to nail some very good mpg numbers :) I was very impressed with the rentals even though they were all base stripper versions. Now my wife wants one for herself :) The price of used or new Prii are all over the place depending on where you are looking. Go to other states if you have to, to find the right price. Gas prices wont dictate the prices at dealers that are not out to screw you on the car sale. Look around a lot, you will find honest dealers and crooks. BTW, welcome to PC :)

    Mike
     
    #13 WE0H, Jun 15, 2012
  14. AZGeek

    AZGeek Semi-informed Member

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    I ran my 2004 at 42/40 (15 inch wheels), and my 2012 is at 46/44 (17 inch wheels). I don't think 44/42 is too high, but do know that you'll get better economy with those pressures than the factory recommendation.
     
    #14 AZGeek, Jun 15, 2012
  15. markabele

    markabele owner of PiP, then Leaf, then Model 3

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    Anyone that is in the Greeley, CO area. The Toyota dealership there rents a Prius for $20/day. I don't think there is a mileage limit either, but I could be wrong.
     
    #15 markabele, Jun 16, 2012
  16. krausternet

    krausternet Member

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    Thanks. I'm not too far from there.
     
    #16 krausternet, Jun 23, 2012
  17. smassey22180

    smassey22180 Junior Member

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    I just rented a Prius from Avis last week. $30 a day. I was in Tampa.
     
    #17 smassey22180, Jul 31, 2012
  18. WE0H

    WE0H Senior Member

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    What are your thoughts about the rental Prii? What year was it?

    Mike
     
    #18 WE0H, Jul 31, 2012
  19. markabele

    markabele owner of PiP, then Leaf, then Model 3

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    Did they have many? Any other hybrids or EV's available?
     
    #19 markabele, Jul 31, 2012
  20. smassey22180

    smassey22180 Junior Member

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    I saw a couple at the Tampa airport. 2 at the Sarasota airport. I dropped mine off at an Avis in a Sears in Brandon :). I did not see any other hybrids.
     
    #20 smassey22180, Jul 31, 2012
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