Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum - EcoModder.com - View Single Post - New Car Advice??!! (5-seater, 40+ mpg, 5 years old or less, $14k budget)

Rokeby · 05-25-2012, 10:54 AM

A.D.D.

It sure sounds like you want your cake and eat it too.

I would agree that a used Prius has the best chance of meeting your best of
all worlds and I-want-it-now desires… except maybe cost.

Some thoughts:
* As a general rule. DO NOT get involved with a salvage title Prius. There
are just too many things that can go wrong in any of the multiple
electrical/electronic systems. There are some very few folks who can
successfully keep such a car running reliably but they have prior hybrid
experience and access to Prius-specific diagnostic tools.

* The reason why used Prii are relatively expensive is they have an excellent
reputation for reliability, low upkeep costs, high MPGs, whiz-bang electronics,
and lastly the "green aura." It's highly unlikely that you can stay local and get
the killer deal you're looking for in or near Seattle. As others have said, I
suspect that you'll have to expand your search area.

*Prii go by Model numbers, the higher the model number, the more
electronic gimmickry, leather seats, OEM GPS, etc. Model 1 are fleet sales,
very basic, and hard to find. I think you would want a Model 2 or 3. No GPS,
but then he OEM GPS is considered to be one of the worst out there.

* There is reason to believe that Prii from states with very high summer
temps (AZ, TX, FL, etc.), that sit out all day in the sun may have reduced HV
battery life.

* If your daily commute is less than 10 miles one way, you will be lucky to
see 40 MPG due the Prius' warm up cycle. You'll easily see 40+ MPGs on your
outings though… unless you're hanging extraneous gear on the outside of the
car. Roof-top carriers and bike racks (on the roof or behind) wreck the car's
excellent aerodynamics, one of the significant features that contribute to the
cars excellent MPGs at speed.

* Although advertised as such, the Gen II Prius is not a real 5 adult person
car. The body is just too narrow. Maybe three children between 8 and 13, but
they'll be cramped. Two car seats is the practical limit. On the plus side,
there is plenty of legroom in the rear.

* If you plan on doing a much driving in the snow, you'll need real snow
tires. The Gen II Prius has a rather quirky traction control system that
severely limits drive wheel spin. Apparently 2008 and 2009 MYs allow some
limited spin, but earlier years effectively shut off power to the drive wheels.
(Do some searching at PRIUSchat to get more info)

Best of luck to you.

05-25-2012, 10:54 AM	#13 (permalink)
Rokeby Gen II Prianista Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Ballamer, Merlin Posts: 453 Thanks: 201 Thanked 146 Times in 89 Posts	A.D.D. It sure sounds like you want your cake and eat it too. I would agree that a used Prius has the best chance of meeting your best of all worlds and I-want-it-now desires… except maybe cost. Some thoughts: * As a general rule. DO NOT get involved with a salvage title Prius. There are just too many things that can go wrong in any of the multiple electrical/electronic systems. There are some very few folks who can successfully keep such a car running reliably but they have prior hybrid experience and access to Prius-specific diagnostic tools. * The reason why used Prii are relatively expensive is they have an excellent reputation for reliability, low upkeep costs, high MPGs, whiz-bang electronics, and lastly the "green aura." It's highly unlikely that you can stay local and get the killer deal you're looking for in or near Seattle. As others have said, I suspect that you'll have to expand your search area. Prii go by Model numbers, the higher the model number, the more electronic gimmickry, leather seats, OEM GPS, etc. Model 1 are fleet sales, very basic, and hard to find. I think you would want a Model 2 or 3. No GPS, but then he OEM GPS is considered to be one of the worst out there. There is reason to believe that Prii from states with very high summer temps (AZ, TX, FL, etc.), that sit out all day in the sun may have reduced HV battery life. * If your daily commute is less than 10 miles one way, you will be lucky to see 40 MPG due the Prius' warm up cycle. You'll easily see 40+ MPGs on your outings though… unless you're hanging extraneous gear on the outside of the car. Roof-top carriers and bike racks (on the roof or behind) wreck the car's excellent aerodynamics, one of the significant features that contribute to the cars excellent MPGs at speed. * Although advertised as such, the Gen II Prius is not a real 5 adult person car. The body is just too narrow. Maybe three children between 8 and 13, but they'll be cramped. Two car seats is the practical limit. On the plus side, there is plenty of legroom in the rear. * If you plan on doing a much driving in the snow, you'll need real snow tires. The Gen II Prius has a rather quirky traction control system that severely limits drive wheel spin. Apparently 2008 and 2009 MYs allow some limited spin, but earlier years effectively shut off power to the drive wheels. (Do some searching at PRIUSchat to get more info) Best of luck to you. Last edited by Rokeby; 05-25-2012 at 11:03 AM..