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Mpg at 70+ mph

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Fuel Economy' started by Recian, Dec 3, 2020.

  1. Recian

    Recian Junior Member

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    So my current drive is 110 miles a day. Half is 70 mph+ the rest over 60. this seems to kill mpg on just about anything. My kicks gets 32 mpg in these conditions and I have to fill up every other day with its tiny tank. What would you suspect from a gen2 prius? I know what they're rated for but it seems epa tests stop at 68. Any higher on most low hp cars and it drops alot. I see many gen 2 for sale in my area for 2-3k and considered it just strictly as a commuter. I Can't afford gen3. A friend who had a gen 2 took his on a trip with alot of 70+ and said he got 41 but he alsi gets around 40 on his regular 8 mile a day drive.
     
    #1 Recian, Dec 3, 2020
  2. abdullah arslan

    abdullah arslan Member

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    I'd look for a 2010 one, a mostly highway driven one if you could find. I got a 2010 V 1.5 years ago for $3.6k. It gets 45-50 mpg in warm season and 40-45 in colder times

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #2 abdullah arslan, Dec 3, 2020
  3. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    70+, I don't think I've ever been below 42. 85+ mph runs including many miles at 95+ between Columbia/Atlanta 38-39
     
    #3 TMR-JWAP, Dec 4, 2020
  4. Moving Right Along

    Moving Right Along Senior Member

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    typically between 40-45 miles per gallon at 70mph, higher mpg when it’s warmer, as low as 35 mpg when it gets really cold (-20F)
     
    #4 Moving Right Along, Dec 4, 2020
  5. Recian

    Recian Junior Member

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    I'd prefer a gen 3 just overall looks, comforts and conveniences and I dislike the bladder tank bit they don't come up in my area for under 4k even with 250-300k miles
     
    #5 Recian, Dec 4, 2020
  6. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    I got some wise advice many years ago from, of all people, a car salesman. He said to wait till you can afford what you actually want. That probably applies even more so in this case. If you can afford a Gen 3 (or newer) and you buy the old car you can barely afford, you increase the likelihood of something breaking that you can't afford to replace. And the Prius has some pretty expensive stuff in it.

    On the other hand, if you like DIY repairs and have the cash reserves for repairs, the Gen 2 Prius is a pretty amazing car. It'll do fine at those speeds but might burn a little extra oil so you'll want to keep a close eye on the dipstick till you get a feel for it.
     
    #6 jerrymildred, Dec 4, 2020
  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    @bwilson4web did some speed vs mpg tests and made a graph of the correlation IIRC. It's pretty much linear: as speed increases mpg drops, at a steady rate. Maybe he'll post it?
     
    #7 Mendel Leisk, Dec 4, 2020
  8. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    Don't do this. Makes no sense/cents.

    Sell the kicks and get a vehicle that fits your needs.

    GOOD LUCK!
     
    #8 fotomoto, Dec 4, 2020
  9. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    32 is not really bad.......if you like the vehicle otherwise.

    It is entirely possible that you won't do much better with a 10 year old hybrid.......and you might be trading INTO other maintenance problems. If the previous owner was 100% satisfied with it, it wouldn't be for sale.

    You could slow down a little. :)
     
    #9 sam spade 2, Dec 4, 2020
    fotomoto likes this.
  10. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    110/32 = 3.43 x $2 = $6.86
    110/40 = 2.75 x $2 = $5.50

    A well-running Prius might maybe save you up to $1.36 per day with ~$2/gal gas.

    2nd generation Prius was a brilliant answer to this kind of commute back when they were new. Now they've all got expensive problems looming, and if you drop an oldtimer like that into a heavy commute you're going to win the wrong kind of lottery fast.

    It's all maybes and chances, but I don't think you have good odds of coming out ahead on the potential savings vs. the potential expenses.

    A simple, low-tech car nearly always wins out when the budget is constrained.
     
    #10 Leadfoot J. McCoalroller, Dec 4, 2020
    fotomoto likes this.
  11. Recian

    Recian Junior Member

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    Not possible. Minimum speed in my drive is 70 and kicks mpg drops into low 30s after 68. But it's 40 prior. Same year sentra bigger car bigger engine bigger tank does 40 on the same drive same speeds. It's pretty sad. I'd trade but I'm upsite down. If I was allowed by bank to trade in I'm sure it would be for a 19/20. I figured a cheap commuter could work. I know older cheaper cars need work. These are showing up in junk yards now too
     
    #11 Recian, Dec 4, 2020
    Last edited: Dec 4, 2020
  12. caliwaves

    caliwaves Member

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    I drove about 1500 miles over the past few days from SoCal to TX, and averaged around 43mpg cruising at 75mph. There were some incline and decline, and at times I'd drive over 80mph to pass a truck. Picture attached.
     

    Attached Files:

    #12 caliwaves, Dec 5, 2020
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