Once you go Prius it is hard to go back ever

I felt the same way going to the Volt.

1 gallon of gas in September and 1400 miles. I might not stop at a gas station until 2013.

 

Agree. My next car will be at least another hybrid, PiP, or BEV depending on what is available and what my current needs are.

 

245,000 miles, 12 years, and 3 upgrades later, it would be a huge step backwards to imagine not owning a vehicle which takes advantage of a battery-pack.

The horrors of "technology" back in the 20th boggle the mind now. Why would some still embrace such primitive approaches to efficiency & emissions?

 

When gasoline was below $1/gallon it was pretty hard to justify a $10,000 hybrid premium to get 50mpg vs 20mpg. A 200,000 mile 20mpg vehicle would consume $10,000 of gasoline and a 50mpg hybrid could only save $6,000 of gasoline.

Gas price drops below $1 - Feb. 21, 1999

 

The window-sticker MSRP for my nicely loaded 2001 Prius said $19,995. Gas was $1/gallon for gas then too.

What premium?

 

The 2001 Echo was $10K, and it was 34mpg +

2001 Toyota Echo Summary

What is interesting in hindsight is that the KBB today is only $1K difference between the 2001 Prius and Echo.

From cars.com review archives:
2001 Toyota Prius Review by Rick Popely

 

That's not constructive. Echo was stripped down. It was smaller too. Goodbye.

 

In a similar vein, I bought a vehicle with automatic off headlights in 1977 and have never purchased a vehicle without it since. You can't go back to worrying and forgetting once you realize you don't have to.

 

I still own an 07 Prius. Had to do a coolant flush and fill this weekend. This is still one of the best places to discuss fuel conserving strategies and technology advances. Many PriusChat members own other hybrids and EV vehicles.

"Prius" is more or less a generic name for hybrid at this time, like "Xerox" was for photocopiers, until they lost their advantage and Canon took over the spot.

 

I hope the people who fill up their vehicles once or twice a year put a fuel stabilizer on their tanks.

I can't believe the price of gas. Crude was at $91 a barrel and we are paying more than it used to cost when crude was way over $100 a barrel. This BS about refinery problems and a minimal hurricane is sickening.

 

The subject has been discussed quite a bit. The Volt's computer keeps track of how old the gasoline is and if you have a tank of gasoline that is more than a year old it will force a complete burn. It keeps the gas tank sealed to combat moisture and exercises the gas engine to keeps things lubed if you don't use the engine for more than a month or so.

At 1 gallon a month, I should be good although I might add a couple gallons every other month just so that I remember where the gas cap is.

That 1 gallon of gas is costing me more than my month's worth of electric charging.

 

Prii are very addictive.

 

Keep an eye on this thread. Seems a bit promising for PiP owners wanting more EV range.

Installed kit from Plug in Supply getting 28 miles! | PriusChat

 

What is the cold?

 

Mileage is addictive, getting better and better mileage with each car by significant margins...the Prius not so much so.

Tricks like no automatic headlights, lousy seats with no easily added power option, no auto/day/night mirror, 1950's nav system...have me thinking trade to higher mileage hybrid after a year.

Ford Fusion or Energi Plug-In is looking like a nice upgrade from the Prius...all of the above and some other fun gizmos you'd expect on a high tech car.