Should desert courier (300 miles/day) purchase Prius?

I don't see why she shouldn't consider a Prius.

The mileage argument is not relevant to the discussion, as it will affect any vehicle she purchases, not just the Prius. At present, there is no evidence that an aging Prius will be any more expensive to maintain than the average vehicle. (In fact, there is much hypothesizing to the contrary.)

Unless the Palm Springs desert is now averaging 180 degrees Farenheit, the heat-battery argument doesn't jive, either. The traction battery is comfortable over a wide range of temperatures, and is actively air-cooled. (Yes, this should still work at high ambient temperatures.)

There would be no start-up mileage hit for her short stops. This "hit" only happens when the vehicle is cold.

I'd say the only danger would be leaving the vehicle on during a stop (in order to keep the cabin cool for the driver, not the battery) only to discover that someone has absconded with her new Prius. Given how quickly the A/C can cool the cabin, this probably isn't an issue, either.

 

Boy, I think the Prius would be ideal for these conditions. The gas mileage in Palm Springs temperatures would be wonderful.

And I agree with xevious -- just leave the car off. (I forget -- can you run the air conditioning when the car is in Accessory ACC mode? (I'm forgetting the names of the 3 States of Prius "ON"...))

 

like the other poster i can't think of any reason why this person shouldn't give the prius a try. i live in southern cal and thus far have found my prius OK in temps from 65 on upward. it doesn't get that hot out there, does it?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bookrats\";p=\"84721)</div>

You could run the fans at Ig-On, but you need READY mode to run the high voltage A/C compressor.

 

i drive 200 miles a day. i leave my car on. i have a BC package.. nav helps... if i need to walk away from the car with the A/C on ( since it makes noise ) then i'll open the drivers door and lock it. take the fob with me. use the key to get back in. it's easy and the car will stay cool. you're only away from the car for a min or so. the battery will lower but you'll still get decent gas mileage.

 

[font=Verdana:97c0027515]Do you have to unlock your door with the metal key on the fob? Or can you simply press the unlock button on the key fob to re-enter your locked Prius with the engine running?

 

you have to use the key. the buttons don't work when you are out of the car while it's on.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(V8Cobrakid\";p=\"84871)</div>

i wonder if you left the fob in the car and used the spare to remotely unlock would it work?

i'll have to try that

 

if you have a BC ( what i have... BC is nav equipped ) then nothing works but a key when the car is shut and on. you have to use the key.. only the key will work.

 

You didn't say what type of car she's currently driving, BUT:

Point 1: With the numbers you gave, she'll save at LEAST 1/2 on gas.

Point 2: Minor point - but she'll polute 90% less.

Point 3: Previous points are valid that the Prius is likely the same or LESS on maintenance even after many miles.

Point 4: A point not yet made - She clearly does a lot of "stop and go" driving. The Prius RULES over other cars under these conditions.

Point 5: Again on the stop-and-go... Maintenance of the vehicle will likely be LESS since she's clearly doing a lot of braking. Prii use regenerative braking which LESSENS the normal wear on the pads. She will have less expense on having brakes done all the time.

So - I guess my main point is - She ABSOLUTELY should buy a Prius.

Yoda

 

sparks plugs are less.. oil changes are less.. gas is less. many things are less.. she will "quickly" recover the purchase cost of the car. I've saved several grand already. ( i drive about 200 miles a day )

 

I do not know... at 300 miles per day I'd probably be renting a car at some < $100 weekly rate with unlimited miles.

 

hmmm rentals aint that cheap around here. closer to $300 a week for something decent

 

hmm.. good idea.. car payment.. or rental?.. hmmm

 

This decision is a no brainer. Absolutely, yes.

Lets see:
there are 242 work days in a year
thats 75000 miles per year on a 150,000 warranty. So for two years youre set and the Vancouver taxi guy was still going strong after 180,000 miles.
Now for the fun part. At 45MPG vs 25MPG (being conservative) that saves about 3000 gallons of gas. At $2.50/gallon (CA prices) thats $7500 in gas savings.

Even if the battery DOAs at 150,000 miles, youre still way ahead.

The more Prii, the more better.

 

Won't all the mileage and the car itself be a tax write off for her business? Additional savings include no DMV smog checks until 2010 and longer if that law gets extended.