2009 Toyota Prius

[anniemcu]

not too shabby - about 3/4 the performance (mpg) of the prius at about 3/4 of the price, give or take.

looks to be not much smaller than the prius, either.

did you get the manual or the automatic?

I got the manual. It's got a lot more room in it that it looks like it could. I've nicknamed it "the TARDIS".

With three people, one guitar (I thnk two would be easy enough), the bass (half size, but with enough room to spare that I am sure I could have gotten the 3/4 in with not too much trouble) and a goodly bit of assorted other stuff, quite comfy. My son is 6'4" and is comfortable in front or back seats.

The rear seats have several ways to fold to be out of the way and make room for different needs.

I highly recommend a Fit. The only thing I don't like is the low beams on the headlights. Other than that, I'm very happy with it.

 

[R D Maynard]

I live in Berkeley, CA, where - outside of the south-side ghetto - about every third car you encounter is a Prius, "Smart" car or the like. What I've found is that most of the people driving this type of car should be taking public transportation.

When coming up on a Prius from behind, I always prepare to pass. Although there's only one street in Berkeley with a speed limit higher than 25, these clowns almost always drive 5-10 mph below the limit.

When encountering a Prius at a 4-way stop or a left-turn lane situation, I always act as if my vehicle, a GMC pickup, is invisible. That way, when the Prius driver turns in front of me when I have the right-of-way, or, conversely, sits motionless at the intersection for no reason when she has it, I am not caught off guard.

I can only assume that these folks are rapt in awe at their 15th reviewing of a Noam Chomsky book on disk or are just beginning to feel the effects of their meds.:scowl:

 

[frostymoose]

No, I mean 60 miles to the gallon.

One more thing to note: An Imperial gallon is equal to 1.2 US gallons.

 

[hbarcat]

on a lark, i expended serious effort this last tankful with my prius in trying to maximize my gas mileage. went over 530 miles before i refilled the tank, averaging over 52 mpg. that's bumper-to-bumper traffic, short drives of a mile or less, along with a daily 20+ mil each way commutes.

this didn't cause me to arrive anywhere late, or hold up traffic or otherwise be obnoxious. just required a little bit of patience, and a little less driving aggression than one might normally express while driving.

On a whim, I bought a '91 Subaru Loyale wagon with 140,000 miles on the odo and proceeded to drive it around for 3 years. I was getting a consistent 33 MPG out of it in mixed driving (city and Hwy) and I hauled large amounts of gear around in it, navigated numerous snowdrifts and ice patches with ease in 4WD mode and had plenty of room for my wife and daughter (in her child seat).

I paid $2,400 for the car and sold it for $500 with more than 240,000 miles on the meter.




I have no idea if this has more or less "impact on the planet" than someone who buys a brand new Toyota Prius and spends the next three years carting their family around in it.

 

[anniemcu]

thats interesting, why are these american measurements smaller than british ones??? Is there a slight inferiourity complex meaning americans have to make measurements smaller then?

It's a long tradition of pouty truculence that has, unfortunately, become an American value.
(I get to say this because I am anchored in both the UK and the US. )

 

[Philbiker]

2nd tank, filled by me, to the point where it was sitting right at the base of the fill opening, netted a much more pleasing 40.4MPG!! And that included a road trip and air con, as well as a week of to and from work. (Figured by actual gallons used and actual mileage driven, not by the MPG gauge in the car, though that was only off by 1.5MPG)

It is VERY BAD for you to fill the tank this high. When the pump clicks off, take the nozzle out and put it away. DO NOT TOP OFF!!!!

The Fit is an Ultra Low Emissions vehicle, and with that kind of mileage, driving sanely, not obsessively, certainly takes some shine from the Prius, and a lot less money from the buyer. And my bass fits!

Low emissions not counting the unburned gasoline fumes from overfilling the tank.

 

[anniemcu]

It is VERY BAD for you to fill the tank this high. When the pump clicks off, take the nozzle out and put it away. DO NOT TOP OFF!!!!Low emissions not counting the unburned gasoline fumes from overfilling the tank.

OK. Would you mind explaining that to me? I believe you, but I would like to understand the reason.

 

[Philbiker]

OK. Would you mind explaining that to me? I believe you, but I would like to understand the reason.

Check your owner's manual. Or check google. A buddy of mine was recently shocked to discover that he had to pay $500 for a replacement overflow vapor cannister for his car because he topped off all the time.