Guinness
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| posted on 24/2/07 at 06:10 PM |
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Anyone driven a Prius?
Been looking round the garages for a new tin top today. Saw the Prius at Toyota and I'm tempted.
Have booked a test drive for next weekend, but has anyone actually driven one yet? I have an automatic at the minute but have never driven a car with
CVT before.
The other thing that is concerning me is that there are quite a few on Autotrader, but all the ones within 100 miles of me have less than 7,000 miles
on the clock. Why are people getting rid of them? Or are these ex demo from main stealers (most are 1 owner and at a main dealer)?
Yours faithfully
Mike
(Going green so I can spend more money on the Indy!)
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speedyxjs
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| posted on 24/2/07 at 06:14 PM |
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Iv never driven one but i think theres a new prius coming out soon which does 109MPG!
Theres a upgrade the current one to do that sort of figure but the conversion costs £9000.
If i were you i would ask when the new one is due out.
How long can i resist the temptation to drop a V8 in?
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Catpuss
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| posted on 24/2/07 at 06:28 PM |
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From what people have said & comments on Top Gear, the normal one gets worse MPG that a Golf turbo diesel & it has the accelleration of a
slug.
There were also some comments on the cost of the battery pack that gets changed every few years.
To me it sounds like "ooh I'm electric" hoping no one will notice the other problems. Supposedly production has quite an
environmental impact too.
Perhaps the new one will sort out alot of these problems.
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scottc
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| posted on 24/2/07 at 06:38 PM |
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yeah I heard to be financially viable ie to save money you'd need to do something like 130K miles in it. only problem is the batteries
don't last that long, and so once you factor in the price of the batteries you have to do 180K miles, but again the batteries need replacing
before that point so you'll need to do...........
get the new lexus instead 
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scottc
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| posted on 24/2/07 at 06:42 PM |
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If you're only doing it for the money, sell the current motor, buy a 4yr old diesel fiesta and you'll be quids in.
I'd rather have £5,000 now than £500 per year for 12 years.
(figures are just an example)
btw you can have SWMBO's KA for £3k if you want, I'll even deliver it. Does 40 - 50MPG
[Edited on 24/2/07 by scottc]
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COREdevelopments
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| posted on 24/2/07 at 07:28 PM |
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i have driven many as i work in a toyota dealer. personally i wouldnt have one, probably down to the fact that i dont like the look of them and hate
the fact that got no gears.
as for driving one, it is very strange at first, with all the dash system layout like driving a spaceship. if you will be doing alot of motorway
driving then i would advise not to get one as they scream at 80 because of the drive system,
however as for acceleration they will surprise a few cars at the traffic lights, the torque from the motors is instant and pulls quite well.
i agree with scottc buy a banger, preferably a toyota would be my choice
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Mr Clive
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| posted on 24/2/07 at 07:29 PM |
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I would get a decent, modern turbo diesel if I was looking for a general use tin top. forget all the hybrid hype.
My dad has a 1.4 TDi fabia. Its not dog slow, will cruise happily on the motorway and will do 50mpg+ consistantly.
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bigandy
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| posted on 24/2/07 at 07:49 PM |
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Even better go for the VRs fabia. 1.9tdi, 130Bhp, and we are getting around 60MPG on average (300 miles per week-ish, mainly commuting), and I have a
heavy right foot 
Cheers
Andy
Dammit! Too many decisions....
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smart51
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| posted on 24/2/07 at 08:02 PM |
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The problem with quoted hybrid MPG figures is that they're a complete lie. They're allowed to charge the batteries up to full before the
test, something you the owner can't do with a Prius. The high charge means that they go for further on the Urban Cycle before switching to
petrol power. The quoted 60 MPG for the Prius Mk I and 65 MPG for the Mk II are higher than they should be if the test was done "fairly".
That means that my Peugeot 107, with a 61 MPG combined figure and my wifes Citroen C3 HDI with its 67 MPG (divide by 15% for comparison with petrol
for emmissions purposes) are both less polluting than the Prius in every day use. And the Toyota costs mare than the two added together.
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novacaine
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| posted on 24/2/07 at 10:16 PM |
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my dad had one from work once and said it was absolutly Sh!te, crappy accleration, naff fuel economy and a pig to drive, the CVH had WAY too much
creep compared to an auto.
steer well clear of them, not worth the money,
as was said above, get a disel, much better accleration, better economy and better for the environment, ( look at the emmission figs for the Prius,
its quite honestly crap compared to a diesel)
matt
And you run and you run to catch up with the sun but its sinking, Racing around to come up behind you again, the sun is the same in a relative way but
your older, shorter of breath and one day closer to death
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jlparsons
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| posted on 24/2/07 at 11:48 PM |
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I've not driven them but have spoken to them that have. Apparently if you drive with a heavy foot you won't get any benefit but you can
get 65mpg if you drive it accordingly. Otherwise you'll get 45 mpg.
That said, i get 55mpg out of my bmw 320d and if i floor it everywhere i get 25mpg... stands to reason.
Only worth having if you do lots of city driving, the regen braking then makes all the difference. On the motorway a diesel is better.
Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead is purely coincidental. Some assembly required. Batteries not included. Contents may settle during
shipment. Use only as directed. No other warranty expressed or implied. Do not use while operating a motor vehicle or heavy equipment. Subject to
approval, terms and conditions apply. Apply only to affected area. For recreational use only. All models over 18 years of age. No user-serviceable
parts inside. Subject to change. As seen on TV. One size fits all. May contain nuts. Slippery when wet. For office use only. Edited for television.
Keep cool; process promptly.
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sebastiaan
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| posted on 26/2/07 at 09:27 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by novacaine
( look at the emmission figs for the Prius, its quite honestly crap compared to a diesel)
matt
Erm... Where did you get that info from. Diesels are actually emissions disasters. they might be relatively low on CO2 (global warming!) but when
compared to any modern petrol engine, NOx (toxic rain, breathing problems for astmathics) and PM (soot, which makes you, well, die...) are both almost
off the scale. The simple fact that Nox and PM emissions limits for diesels are around 3 times higher then for gasoline
(see here) says enough.
To be fair, a particulate filter helps with the PM emissions though.
It all depends on what you want.
Clean car --> Petrol.
Fuel efficient car --> diesel (or hybrid).
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andyps
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| posted on 26/2/07 at 09:33 PM |
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Why would you want to buy a Pious? If you want economy, as others have said, get a decent turbo diesel. Even a jag S Type is more economical than the
Toyota. And if you are concerned about the environment get a Range Rover Sport as they are less polluting - see
here for full details.
Andy
An expert is someone who knows more and more about less and less
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smart51
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| posted on 26/2/07 at 09:36 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by novacaine
( look at the emmission figs for the Prius, its quite honestly crap compared to a diesel)
matt
The official figure for a Prius is 104 g/km. Find me a diesel that will beat that. ANY diesel.
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MikeRJ
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| posted on 26/2/07 at 10:37 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by smart51
The official figure for a Prius is 104 g/km. Find me a diesel that will beat that. ANY diesel.
I'm surprised you don't know of one!
The Smart Four-Two CDi emits only 88g/km, though not sure why it's only available in Europe?
[Edited on 27/2/07 by MikeRJ]
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andyps
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| posted on 27/2/07 at 03:23 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by smart51
quote:
Originally posted by novacaine
( look at the emmission figs for the Prius, its quite honestly crap compared to a diesel)
matt
The official figure for a Prius is 104 g/km. Find me a diesel that will beat that. ANY diesel.
But that is just during teh period the car is being driven. To look at its emissions it is important to consider the emissions during manufacture and
ultimate recyclability of the car and the components which will need replacing during its usable life.
Andy
An expert is someone who knows more and more about less and less
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