2009 Prius Base - $19k

[Impulse]

Originally Posted by Matt Herring

Grill block (photos are included...it was raining...sorry guys): was extremely easy to do. Blocked the top grill and one row of the bottom grill with foam pipe 3/4" insulation cut in half.

That is a great idea, its exactly what I need to fill in my 03 Corolla grill. I have been trying different materials all week!

[Matt Herring]

Originally Posted by Impulse

That is a great idea, its exactly what I need to fill in my 03 Corolla grill. I have been trying different materials all week!

Well I can't take credit for it as I copied the idea from a few guys that have done the same thing on their cars. It's cheap and it's easy...so it's a great way to get it done.

Searching for my next "cheap and easy" mod

[Matt Herring]

Anxious to get my first tank in the fuel log (but like not having to fill up for a few weeks at a time). Have 325 miles on this tank so far and somewhere between 54 mpg (SGII) and 57 mpg (dash). Have 4 bars left indicated on the gas tank (a little less than half a tank).

[Matt Herring]

My first, and only complaint, about my Prius.

The rear window is separated into two window areas (the top with the wiper and the bottom more vertical window). When driving at night (and someone's behind you) their headlights bob in and out of the area between the two windows and it sometimes is a bit of a shocker when it looks like someone is flashing their headlights behind you because the angle of their headlights goes from the top window (can see their lights), through the middle non-window area (can't see their lights), and then either back to the top window or into the bottom window (bottom window if they're right on my arse).

Because I'm normally driving just below or at the speed limit there's usually someone behind me at all times and I've thought they were flashing their headlights at me a few times (guessing I was driving too slow for them). But it's never been the case as of yet.

Wondering why Toyota designed the rear window this way (guessing it was to provide more stability for the window and to reduce weight)? The rear window is at a fairly extreme angle which limits sight lines and the separated window makes it a little more difficult to see.

[1337]

Originally Posted by Matt Herring

My first, and only complaint, about my Prius.

The rear window is separated into two window areas (the top with the wiper and the bottom more vertical window). When driving at night (and someone's behind you) their headlights bob in and out of the area between the two windows and it sometimes is a bit of a shocker when it looks like someone is flashing their headlights behind you because the angle of their headlights goes from the top window (can see their lights), through the middle non-window area (can't see their lights), and then either back to the top window or into the bottom window (bottom window if they're right on my arse).

Because I'm normally driving just below or at the speed limit there's usually someone behind me at all times and I've thought they were flashing their headlights at me a few times (guessing I was driving too slow for them). But it's never been the case as of yet.

Wondering why Toyota designed the rear window this way (guessing it was to provide more stability for the window and to reduce weight)? The rear window is at a fairly extreme angle which limits sight lines and the separated window makes it a little more difficult to see.

My Mercedes C230 Coupe has a similar rear window design. There is a very raked rear window and then a separate concave window right below it. My C230 is pretty aero optimized, with a factory Cd of 0.26. I think this rear window design is somewhat necessary for a Kammback-like rear shape.

Here's what my rear window looks like: http://l.yimg.com/dv/izp/mercedes_be...r_rearview.jpg

The CRX, which I think has the best Cd of any Civic-derivative has a similar rear window design, but without the concave lower window: http://www.pistonheads.com/pics/news...X%20rear-L.jpg

[Matt Herring]

Posted my first tank with the Prius and I'm pleased with the results! Still have alot of work to do to find my sweet spots and get better at steady acceleration up hills without revving rpm's too high.

Pulled 56.5 mpg over 511 miles...was nice to get 511 miles on 9 gallons of gas and then fill the tank for $17.72 (especially after getting 400 miles on 20 gallons of gas with my former 4runner vehicle).

60 mpg is the goal!

[PaleMelanesian]

Congratulations! That's a good first tank. 60 mpg? The weather is on your side.

[Matt Herring]

I should have said "60 mpg is the next goal"...not the "down the road" goal...baby steps for me!

According to weather.com the avg. temp over the 21 days of the tank was 53 degrees so just higher temps. and consistent eco-driving alone should get me to 60mpg. Currently dreaming up next mods?!?

[MetroMPG]

You're already 10+ % over your initial goal (from the fuel/$ saving calcs). 60 will be a piece of cake. Have I said yet that I'm envious?

[Matt Herring]

Every time I drive my Prius I wonder why I didn't do it earlier and why I ever consumed more than twice the amount of fuel I am now. $17 for 500 miles in the Prius...amazing compared to my old 4runner!