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Friend car comparison shopping

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by sleonardelli, May 11, 2008.

  1. sleonardelli

    sleonardelli Junior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 5, 2008
    141
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    Location:
    Ruskin Fl
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    While I've told my friend I love my Prius, she asked me the following:

    "I am toying with buying either a Prius, Rav4, or another Volvo. Since there is no Prius’s to demo, do you have anything negative to say about that car? Consumer reports list the Rav4 as the best car out of the three. I might get the Volvo cheaper since it is a dealer demo (with 5K miles on it). The Rav4 and the Volvo have the same gas mileage 20/27, but of course the Prius is the best. If only I knew where I am going to work next year when I retire (from the Air Force). Right now I only drive 3 miles to work, so the bug is working just fine."

    Since she may get a job 3 miles from home after her retirement, is the Prius the best answer for her (other than the green-ness of it).
     
    #1 sleonardelli, May 11, 2008
  2. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2004
    7,663
    1,038
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    Location:
    United States
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    The answer depends upon the question. Does she want to minimize
    - emissions (pollution)?
    - fuel used?
    - her total cost of ownership?
     
    #2 richard schumacher, May 11, 2008
  3. Jiipa

    Jiipa MGySgt USMC (Ret)

    Joined:
    Feb 23, 2008
    314
    2
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    Location:
    Oahu, Hawaii
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    If I only had a three mile commute to work I'd walk or ride a bike. There is no car other than an EV that would get good FE for that short a distance.
     
    #3 Jiipa, May 11, 2008
  4. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    44,935
    16,159
    41
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    wow.. all 3 vehicles are good choices. Of course the Prius combines the best of all worlds - fuel efficiency, space and emissions.

    Doesn't matter which vehicle she chooses, they ALL will get poor mileage (relative to the EPA rating) if they're only driven 3 miles. The engines don't get a chance to warm up to operating temperature. The Prius still gets better mpg than the other two just don't expect 50mpg lol.
     
    #4 Tideland Prius, May 11, 2008
  5. lakedog

    lakedog Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 13, 2008
    28
    0
    0
    Location:
    Northern Indiana
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    A similar situation is my daughter who works about 1 mile from home, then runs back and forth to the bank for another mile. She averages around 37 mpg in her Prius around town.

    Even though her 2007 has under 5000 miles at one year old, she still makes some weekend trips and enjoys the usual great mpg and substantial resale value. Her motivation was to be "green", which she accomplished in 2 ways, footprint and color.

    Advice for your friend, it's hard to go wrong buying a Prius.
     
    #5 lakedog, May 11, 2008
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