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Ok I have ONE more issue

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by tracysbeans, Dec 28, 2005.

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  1. tracysbeans

    tracysbeans Member

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    I was talking to someone about wanting to buy a Prius. I mentioned that I don't do much long distance driving. He said the Prius isn't good for alot of short distance driving.

    Is that true? I live within blocks of many places I shop. I LOVE that and many times I even walk to go shopping. (I can't all the time because of the amount of stuff I get ;) ) I also live in the same building as my business so I don't do any driving to a job.

    I do drive just not like crazy and not long distances.

    So....is what he said true? I certaintly can't or wouldn't want to move the stores I shop at. :huh:

    Tracy

    Edited to add: I'm sure glad I have you guys/gals to talk to. :p I think this is my last issue on getting a Prius. :blink:
     
    #1 tracysbeans, Dec 28, 2005
  2. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    The Prius is fine for short trips, but you will certainly not get the mileage on your window sticker if you're only driving a few blocks.

    Ideally trips over 5 miles allow for full warm-up and time to 'settle in' and maximize your mpg.

    Don't sweat it, it's not a big deal, just realize your mpg won't be great b/c of the short trips.
     
    #2 efusco, Dec 28, 2005
  3. galaxee

    galaxee mostly benevolent

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    short trips won't get you the EPA numbers. i had a 2-mile commute when i first got mine and got about 42 mpg. of course, winters in the frozen tundra will also hit your mileage but you'll still end up on top with a prius.

    just don't expect to see 55 mpg with all those short trips.
     
    #3 galaxee, Dec 28, 2005
  4. tracysbeans

    tracysbeans Member

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    Ok thanks for your input on this. Hey anything I can get better mileage wise will be ok. I'm not expecting anything near what the sticker says. I'm not looking at buying the Prius JUST for the gas mileage.

    This person just made it seem like I shouldn't get a Prius at all if most of my driving was short distances. He made it seem like that would somehow affect the car :eek: If it's not going to hurt the car in anyway then I'm fine with not getting as much mileage out of it.

    Hey, maybe once I get the Prius I will force myself to go on some vacations ;)
     
    #4 tracysbeans, Dec 28, 2005
  5. Jack 06

    Jack 06 New Member

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    tracysbeans, if you only have ONE more issue, we'll all be unemployed. :p

    No, short-hop driving won't harm the car. But ALL cars should be fully warmed up and "aired out" (longer drives, speeds over 50) once in a while. Assume you'll do that.

    Once you got the car, you would undoubtedly want to drive it more than just your usual shopping haunts. But only you know if there's anywhere else to go. :lol:
     
    #5 Jack 06, Dec 28, 2005
  6. jrohland

    jrohland Guest

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    It might be helpful to know where in the world you are. Anyway, the Prius is starting to become popular as a taxi cab. This tells me it works well for many short trips. Of course, cabs run all day so warm-up is not at issue.

    It is a hatchback with folding rear seats. When you couple that with the no key entry, rear doors and a low lift over to access the rear cargo area, you get a nice shopping car.

    jrohland
     
    #6 jrohland, Dec 28, 2005
  7. tracysbeans

    tracysbeans Member

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    Well I just meant I have one more issue BEFORE I would get the car. I was already told you guys/gals will ALL have my back if I have any issues once I GET the car! ;)

    Yeah I think you are right I think I will like this car and want to take some long drives with it. :D

    I would like to go on some vacations BUT I'm TO busy working to make $money$ ;) Gotta get my business mortgage debt paid off! :p
     
    #7 tracysbeans, Dec 28, 2005
  8. jwe8f

    jwe8f New Member

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    tracysbeans, you don't say where you're from, but I'm going to take a wild guess, and say Green Bay, WI. :)

    Cold weather and living within blocks of the places you travel will give you the mileage (and probably emissions) of a normal car for most of the year. Cold AND very short trips will probably drop you into the 30's.

    Hate to be the naysayer of the group, but I know money is tight for you, so if you never go further, consider a cheap, normal car.

    The only other option I can think of offhand is to install an EV switch and do half of those trips on battery power. :)

    BTW, the Prius works well for a taxi because it is well warmed up.
     
    #8 jwe8f, Dec 28, 2005
  9. tracysbeans

    tracysbeans Member

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    Yep, cold Green Bay, WI! :(

    Ok so can you tell me more about this EV switch? That might be good for me then.
    Believe it or not even though I'm just past 40 I do drive a moped :lol: (I have a motorcyle too but don't like driving it cause of how hard it to shift) I just can't drive my moped shopping cause the trunk is pretty small on it. If I had it my way I would be driving an all electric car. I even had one all built but we can't drive them here :angry:

    So are you saying I should use the Prius as a Taxi to make some extra money :unsure: LOL
     
    #9 tracysbeans, Dec 28, 2005
  10. tracysbeans

    tracysbeans Member

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    Oh sorry. I have updated my location now. I'm in cold Green Bay, WI. :(

    That was the first thing I checked out on the Prius is the rear cargo area ;)

    I will also be keeping my old 1992 Ford Escort in case I have to haul something big and need more room. (That car has a ton of room in the back and can withstand any damage I might do hauling something :( Learned that lesson after trying to haul a couple odd big things in my daughters new car <_< )

    I also have a Ford Hornet RV if I really need to haul some stuff B)
     
    #10 tracysbeans, Dec 28, 2005
  11. jwe8f

    jwe8f New Member

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    An EV (Electric Vehicle) switch can force your vehicle to go into pure battery mode for 1 to 2 miles under low performance conditions, like you might find driving in a city (no fast acceleration, <34 MPH). I think this applies to you, and would give you the all-electric vehicle you were talking about. This is only a really good option for you if your trips are indeed blocks long. You might use EV to get there, and gas to get back. Since the EV switch isn't already installed on US models, you would have to add it yourself.

    The taxi reference was in reference to a prior post.

    You live in a city, within blocks of the places you frequent, but will soon have 3 vehicles?

    Since you have eliminated the biggest reason for having a Prius, can I ask why you are interested?
     
    #11 jwe8f, Dec 28, 2005
  12. tracysbeans

    tracysbeans Member

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    Ok so how much would I be looking at to get a EV switch. Would I be able to get someone to install it for me. Sounds like that would work good for me. I have to drive to the stores most of the time because I couldn't carry all the stuff I buy.

    Yeah I will end up with 3 vehicles. Didn't plan it that way and the other 2 cars won't be insured unless I need to use them. I'm keeping the Esort just because I could only sell it for a few hundred dollars so I figure I will just keep it as a backup car. My insurance agent is cool about letting me put on a 24 hour deal if I need to use it for emergencies are to haul something.

    The RV obviously I can't drive as a normal everyday car. (It won't even clear the drive thrus ;) ) The RV was bought a few years ago with the intent on being used for traveling. Just haven't had much time to do that. I should sell it this spring. Not sure. If I don't sell it I plan to at least get some new tires on it and start driving it. It only has 30,000 miles on it.

    Ok now to your question on why I want a Prius. Actually I would prefer and all electric car but the one I was going to order can't be legally driven here. So I though the next best thing was the Prius to help save on gas. Yes as little as I drive it probably won't save me anything and I have though of that. I was looking at buying a 2006 Ford Focus for $13,000 but I also looked at the resell value that Toyotas hold so was going to buy a Camry. Then I found out about the tax credit on the Prius and found with that credit the are pretty close to the same price. Maybe I should be buying the Focus. I'm still looking at that right now.

    Sorry to be so long winded. I appreciate you letting me know about the EV.

    Tracy
     
    #12 tracysbeans, Dec 28, 2005
  13. jwe8f

    jwe8f New Member

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    Coastal has an EV mod for about $50 that you can install yourself in an hour or so, and uses the cruise control stalk as the activator. Pretty invisible...
     
    #13 jwe8f, Dec 29, 2005
  14. tracysbeans

    tracysbeans Member

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    I'm suppose to install that myself??? :eek: (I'm not good at that kind of stuff EVEN with written directions, pics etc! )
     
    #14 tracysbeans, Dec 29, 2005
  15. jwe8f

    jwe8f New Member

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    You have to pull apart a section of dash, install 1 pin in a connector, and clamp two other wires. Beyond that, you will probably need to find a friend that will help you out...
     
    #15 jwe8f, Dec 29, 2005
  16. tracysbeans

    tracysbeans Member

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    Yeah I would definalty need to find someone to help me out with that. So Toyota wouldn't install it for me?

    Do you have it on your Prius?

    What color is your Prius and can I ask you why you bought one? Do you use your Navigation alot?
     
    #16 tracysbeans, Dec 29, 2005
  17. DaveinOlyWA

    DaveinOlyWA 3rd Time was Solariffic!!

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    its kinda funny how people seem to think that short trips only affect the Prius...well that simply aint true.

    sure its easy to see as much as a 30% decline in mileage in cold weather while doing short trips. so on paper it may not seem as drastic to go from 30 to 21 mpg as it is to go from 50 to 35 mpg... but the reduction is the same and so keep in mind when you try that cheap small car what it will be like in the winter because 35 mpg is a heck of a lot better than 21
     
    #17 DaveinOlyWA, Dec 29, 2005
  18. tracysbeans

    tracysbeans Member

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    I see so with either way I go Prius or a Camry I will still get better mpg in the Prius right?

    And who knows now that my daughter is 18 and will (hopefully) soon be off on her own I will probably do more traveling. (At least I hope to!)
     
    #18 tracysbeans, Dec 29, 2005
  19. jwe8f

    jwe8f New Member

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    Toyota does not have an official mod kit for the US.

    I have it, I installed it myself, I like it for the ends of my trips.

    I have a brown Prius. I bought it for the mileage and technology. Since you will be driving only blocks, and buying a package 1, you will enjoy neither. I LOVE my Nav. :)
     
    #19 jwe8f, Dec 29, 2005
  20. jwe8f

    jwe8f New Member

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    I agree with ya 100% brother, but unfortunately, people don't notice reduced mileage on 'normal' cars, and this person has a car in mind that would be $5,000 less AFTER the tax break. In my humble opinion, this person will not benefit from owning a Prius.
     
    #20 jwe8f, Dec 29, 2005
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