If so, what's the verdict? I need to get rid of this gas guzzler van of mine. I drove a Prius today and really liked it. Would save $2500 in gas. Is it worth putting that into a car payment!! By the way, there is a 3 month wait to buy.
Any info. appreciated!
[ July 21, 2008, 08:16 PM: Message edited by: Amy Brown ]
Posted by Joey Madden (Member # 1192) on :
Even though I only striped for Toyota 12 years and found the Prius to be a fine vehicle, I've also used some common sense and bought a first generation Scion. I thought to myself for an extra ten thousand dollars I could get a Prius, but how much money would I actually save and how long would I have to own it in order to make the ten grand worth it. This is the question you have to ask yourself, is it worth the extra ten grand to go an extra 10 to 15 mpg possibly as they claim. My answer may be different than yours. The first generation Scion XB 05 and 06 gets 35 mpg average on my vehicle where as the newer 07 -08 XB gets 30 mpg at the most and doesn't offer more except in Toyota hype. Changing from a van to a Prius doesn't make too much sense to me unless gas mileage is all you think about. If its all about gas mileage than a Yaris will come in handy for around 13 grand new and get the same mileage as my Scion. I just can't see spending 23-24-25 thousand just for gas mileage and a push start button.
Posted by Frank Smith (Member # 146) on :
If you're in the market for a brand new car, why not consider a Honda Civic GX? I think it costs about 3 grand extra, since it runs on compressed natural gas, but you'll save big on fuel. Compressed natural gas is measured in "gallon equivalents" and costs anywhere from about 73¢ a "gallon" in all of Utah to $4 a "gallon" in the Hamptons. Just remember to fill up because the tank range is only 250 miles and there's no gasoline back-up.
You'll save bigger with a GX than with a Prius until natural gas rates go up, and natural gas is a "just in time" commodity. Even though our nation is probably past peak natural gas production, I still think it'll always be a lot cheaper than gasoline.
Posted by bruce ward (Member # 1289) on :
3 month wait!!! there are a ton on ebay now. you must be shopping local.
Posted by David Fisher (Member # 107) on :
I took the current model for a drive about mid last year while looking for something to replace the current runabout. It's the right size and is very cleverly designed but I couldn't justify and extra 20k for a warm and fuzzy feeling. I figured I could use it from a marketing standpoint - it still wasn't viable. The battery pack has a 7 year warranty so I asked the service manager what a replacement was worth and he couldn't tell me. I asked him what happened to the spent battery pack because they're full of nasties, he couldn't tell me if there was a disposal method in place, although I assume there must be with EPA laws etc. It was great to drive, so was the Honda Civic Hybrid but both were prohibitively expensive to get into the drivers seat. The guy that services our vehicles is well equipped to service almost anything with a suck/squeeze/bang/blow motor, his opinion was that anything apart from servicing the petrol motor would be Toyota's job. The savings in petrol over a 3-5 year term didn't come close to being worthwhile. Until there are some tax benefits to be had or the "early adopter" cost penalty comes down I won't be buying one even though I like the idea. Maybe next generation.
Posted by bruce ward (Member # 1289) on :
speaking of gas. alot of the new models of cars are coming out and they are getting right at 20 mpg or a little over it.
i have an 03 f350 dually crew cab 7.3 deisel that gets 17mpg, i have a 96 ford ranger 4 cyl that gets 20 mpg..GO FIGURE!!! the GMC van i have gets about 13 mpg, i am not in that one much these days. the dually is for road trips only. thats pretty damn good mileage for a truck that damn large.
you want good gas mileage? we need to start importing those 4 cyl deisels from overseas and stop worrying about all these smart cars that run on tree branches and what not
Posted by Barb Shuster (Member # 7924) on :
I have owned a Prius for 2 yrs now and I absolutely love it! I got it after owning a Blazer and driving back and forth to the city when I worked there (45+ miles a day). I would be happy to answer any questions you may have about them. I get a consistent 44.5 miles to the gallon. It is extremely roomy and is considered a hatchback. I fold the back seat down and there is plenty of room for all but the largest of pick-ups and deliveries. Words of caution: They are not good on ice, but since you live in Florida that shouldn't be a problem. They are VERY quiet and extra care should be taken around animals and children. Living in the country I have unfortunately have hit a cat, rabbit and a bird. They just can't hear the car and run right own on you. You must get maintenance every 5,000 miles - I always go to the Toyota dealer as I don't trust anyone else to work on a hybrid. Mine has a back-up camera...but it doesn't work if you don't use it. So I have backed in to a few things...but that is just my own in attention. To wrap it up, I love the car so much that I will probably never own another type of car. Hope this helps.
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
I have looked at many vehicles. The price tag evens out in gas savings. My current van needs so much work and it's two years from being paid off. I need to offload the thing.
The Smart car doesn't work for a family and has poor crash test ratings. The Hondas just don't do it for me. Scions had poor crash test ratings as well.
Toyota seems to be the way to go in my eyes. You get what you pay for. I bought a less expensive car and I spend more in maintenance than it would cost to buy something good from the get go!
Thanks to those who respond, (Barb, thanks for the phone chat!)
Posted by Joey Madden (Member # 1192) on :
Amy, I don't know who you were talking with in regards to crash rating on the Smart Car but its ratings are tops as seen here > Smart Car crash test rating and as far as Scion XB here it is as well Scion XB crash test rating
Smart car u-tube crash Oh well some people are just jealous because the voices only talk to me
[ July 22, 2008, 04:54 PM: Message edited by: Joey Madden ]
Posted by Amy Brown (Member # 1963) on :
As for Scion, it's not listed there, however, the gas mileage is not much better than my van.
I do value your opinion Joey!! If you knew what I've been through with the flipping car crap the last three years you would know where I am coming from!!
Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
Amy....
The Prius has a very good track record....here's the scoop from Consumer Reports:
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
TODD.........FIX THE RESOLUTION...you got the whole thread outa wack.....and iam on a 19" wide screen!!!!
Posted by Dave Grundy (Member # 103) on :
Just a humble opinion...
If you need a gas guzzling vehicle to pick up materials and deliver finished signs..keep it and add the costs into the price of the finished product. Your suppliers are already doing it to you.
If you just need a new car, get one that looks a bit nicer than a Prius!!! UGLY!!!
In the last 3 weeks we have experienced fuel prices from $3.95/gal to $5.99/gal(price gouging in an area of few options). And in real fact it has not been a problem since prices in Canada were around $5.25 when we headed out.
I'm sorry if I sound "rich" because we are not.
BUT we DID price our work correctly and also put a ton of money into retirement savings.
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So I have backed in to a few things...but that is just my own in attention. To wrap it up, I love the car so much that I will probably never own another type of car. Hope this helps.
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