Does anyone own a PRIUS car? If so, how do you like it? . .?

Question

Made by Toyota, runs on battery and gasolene.

Answer 1

Using standardized governmental tests (standardized so you can compare against other cars), the Toyota Prius is best in its class (midsize vehicle) in both the US and Canada, and is also highly ranked (vehicles aren't sorted by class, but only by fuel economy) in the UK.
US: http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/best/bestworstNF.shtml
(60MPG city, 51MPG highway)
Canada: http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/transportation/personal/buying/energuide-winners.cfm?attr=8
UK: http://www.vcacarfueldata.org.uk/

You can see what vehicle owners are getting for fuel economy at:
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/mpg/MPG.do?action=browseList
http://greenhybrid.com/compare/mileage/

The governmental fuel economy tests are NOT done with any AC or heater controls on. ALL cars perform worse than EPA with their climate control systems on. The only time I've seen a 10MPG (US) hit with AC or climate has been when doing short trips while stuck in non-moving traffic. A 10MPG hit (only 40MPG) on a EPA 50MPG car is a 20% hit. Meanwhile, if you have an EPA 25MPG car a similar 20% hit is only 5MPG (down to 20MPG). It just seems worse.

The Prius has been holding its resale value pretty well. It also scores in the Consumer Reports best picks lists for both reliability and as used cars.
http://autos.msn.com/advice/CRArt.aspx?contentid=4023544

Hybrid system warranty is 8 years/100,000 miles in the US. Warranty is full coverage, NOT pro-rated. If you live in a California-emissions state, the hybrid battery is further covered out to 10 years/150,000 miles.

If you can, try and have your Prius delivered by Sept. 30, 2006, so that you can get the full US Federal Income tax credit of $3150. Starting on Oct. 1, 2006, the credit will drop by 50% to $1575.
http://www.toyota.com/prius/tax.html
http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=157557,00.html

Don't forget to check and see if your state offers any incentives (income tax credit or deduction, reduced sales tax, single-occupant HOV lane usage, reduced tolls, etc.) as well.

Insurance is about the same as a regular car.

Maintenance is about the same as a regular car - use your favorite mechanic or DIY.

Same gasoline as a regular car... (just less of it! 8) )

I've never seen anyone do a cost-benefit analysis for a v4 vs v6 vs diesel engine, so why do one for a hybrid drivetrain? Most cost analysis articles neglect trade-in value which the Prius does very well in maintaining. (in some areas, used Prius are still selling for new prices for availability and rising gasoline prices!). Don't forget to include federal and any state tax incentives in your calculation (Consumer Reports forgot, and had to issue a retraction that hybrids are cheaper to own/operate than their gasoline cousins). Edmunds.com still doesn't take into account the true depreciation value (as seen by manually looking for a Prius trade-in value) when calculating their TCO, but they still say that hybrids will pay for themselves even when using their lower than actual trade-in amounts: http://www.cnn.com/2006/AUTOS/08/22/bc.autos.hybrids.reut/index.html

For safety features, if you can afford them, I highly recommend the side and curtain air bags, and the vehicle stability control. Other than that, the Prius does pretty well on safety tests on its own.

Answer 2

Cadillac or Jaguar, they're so nineteenth century. A Prius a minimum of seems as if it belongs contained in the twenty first century truly than basically being a drained reproduction. Aerodynamic styling is continuously sturdy searching.

Answer 3

I've had my Prius since April of this year. Love it, love it. I'm getting 44 miles to the gallon. when I drive aggressively (changing lanes, quick starts) I get 42!! smooth ride, great acceleration.

Highway driving I get 49 mpg. I'm still learning how to get the best mileage... but 44 city isn't bad... not at all :-)

Answer 4

I don't own one, but know two people who do. They love it. I think it's small and underpowered, but if you are the kind of person who wants a small hybrid, the Prius is a top choice. It's reliable. It's comfortable. It handles for crap, though. Stick to straight roads!