OMG, I love my Prius!

[spinbaby]

I just took my brand-new Prius on its first trip to work this morning and got 52.6 MPG.

I'm ecstatically happy.

[bullwinkle428]

1. It doesn't take long to start seeing impressive numbers, does it?

I rented one for a week while on vacation last summer, and didn't have trouble exceeding 50 mpg on the highway! If you want to learn some of the more advanced hypermiling techniques used by Prius owners to boost their fuel economy even further, check out priuschat.com and cleanmpg.com. Just the little bits and pieces I've picked up there have allowed me to see the gas mileage in my conventional 4-cylinder Honda go from around 31 to just over 37 mpg on my last tank!

[spinbaby]

3. I really wasn't expecting that kind of mileage

I know there's a break-in period for the car and that it takes a while to learn how to maximize your mileage. That I achieved that kind of mileage right off the bat astounded me. I'm getting more than double the mileage of my last car.

[bullwinkle428]

8. If I may ask, were you able to get a decent deal on the car?

I understand that some dealers were in the position to offer the car for less than MSRP starting a few months back once they ramped up production. Prior to that, nearly everyone had to either place themselves on a waiting list or get really lucky by showing up at the dealership and finding a car when someone that pre-ordered changed their mind. My gut feeling is that $100/bbl. crude oil is coming sooner rather than later, and my next car is going to be a hybrid for sure...

[spinbaby]

9. I don't think so

I paid MSRP and had to wait a week to get it. They're available, but local dealerships seem to only have one or two loaded models on the lot. I didn't want the fully loaded model with Bluetooth (no Bluetooth phone), garage-door opener (no garage), 6-CD changer (that's what the iPod is for), fog lamps (what fog?), etc.

[Squatch]

5. Some of the things they condone are downright dangerous.

[bullwinkle428]

6. First of all, they don't condone "drafting", which seems to be

the biggest red herring that critics like to hang on them. They emphasize that point over and over again on the site, just to make sure there are no ambiguities regarding that technique. It seems kind of disingenuous to dismiss the entire body of ideas on hypermiling because of a couple of controversial things that a few people subscribe to. A few of them like to shut off the engine on downhill stretches, and I would never suggest that to anyone nor would I do that myself.

As far as techniques that I've personally adopted, they would include boosting the tire pressures by about 5 psi (still well below the maximum rated sidewall pressure) and checking them a couple of times each week, gentle acceleration, short-shifting (as recommended in the owners' manual), using the cruise control (which I'd been doing forever anyway), not exceeding 70 mph on the interstate (70 mph speed limit here in Iowa), anticipating light changes, minimizing use of A/C (not easy when temperature approaches 90°!), changing my air filter regularly, and using a synthetic blend motor oil (may try full synthetic next time).

[coffeenap]

2. Mine is 3 years old & dear teen kid has put some lovely scrapes on

it, but it is still the best! Have you had it on the highway yet? It was a pleasant surprise to find I could pass any semi anywhere and still have power to spare. Have fun!

[swag]

4. Them cars are neat.

My 2005 is still wonderful.

[trof]

7. I am so envious. Going to look at them next week.

Dealer still has some 2007s on the lot.
I've read that the 2008 will be essentially the same model.
I'm hoping for a deal if I'll take a 2007 off his hands.

[Initech]

10. The Prius is sweet but I'm not a fan of hatchbacks.

I wish I could afford an Altima or a Camry hybrid but there's no way in hell I can.

[CabalPowered]

11. I just replaced the stock speakers in my 2005

The difference is amazing! The speakers that came out look like junk you'd find in a Yugo.

:headbang:

[tmlanders]

12. I have serious Prius-envy! n/t