The 2009 is supposed to be getting somewhere around 113mpg
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=109981
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=109981
Honda is currently winning the hybrid image war in Japan with the tiny Insight coupe, which manages 102 mpg in Japan's standard fuel cycle. The Prius is just a whisker behind at 99 mpg (35 km/l). But now comes news that Toyota is determined to hit 40 km/l (113 mpg) with the next Prius. Of course, these are Japanese fuel-economy figures, which will not translate directly to real-world driving conditions in the U.S.
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What is the difference between driving in Japan, and US ? Do they always drive downhill or something ? I know they drive on the wrong side of the road, but is the Japanese car any different other than the steering wheel being on the right side ?
I am on my 2nd Prius (2004 then 2006). As it has been researched in the past, the break-even point of owning a Prius as opposed to a similar gasoline-only car model is somewhere around 2.5 years, but that especially includes the full tax credit, which has now been phasing out.
I love the Prius, especially the 2nd generation 2004-2009 (I did test drive the 1st generation, 2001-2003). The 3rd generation would come to the U.S. for the 2010 model (sometime in the 2009 calendar year, naturally). It has great cargo space and nice torque and battery-only use in very low mph driving & stop-n-go traffic.
I think I intend to keep the Prius until 100K miles and see if the 3rd generation is really a huge difference with the mpg because I do see a huge difference in my gas bill with my 2nd car. It's to the point that I fill up my 2nd car first (with a short work commute) before my fiancée gets to fill up the Prius (with a very long commute). That's why she's driving it for the summer, not me.
bigbet1234, with your cake business, yeah, the hatchback design really is good for opening/closing stuff into the open trunk (while I know the front of car still looks like a copy of Toyota Echo, bleh).
* CalvinTy
I love the Prius, especially the 2nd generation 2004-2009 (I did test drive the 1st generation, 2001-2003). The 3rd generation would come to the U.S. for the 2010 model (sometime in the 2009 calendar year, naturally). It has great cargo space and nice torque and battery-only use in very low mph driving & stop-n-go traffic.
I think I intend to keep the Prius until 100K miles and see if the 3rd generation is really a huge difference with the mpg because I do see a huge difference in my gas bill with my 2nd car. It's to the point that I fill up my 2nd car first (with a short work commute) before my fiancée gets to fill up the Prius (with a very long commute). That's why she's driving it for the summer, not me.
bigbet1234, with your cake business, yeah, the hatchback design really is good for opening/closing stuff into the open trunk (while I know the front of car still looks like a copy of Toyota Echo, bleh).
* CalvinTy
Cal, You obviously speak from experience. However, just talked with a very good friend who owns 3 used car lots, a detail shop, and a full service maintenance shop. My last 4 vehicles have been Toyota. Camry, Camry, 4runner, and Sequioa. Was looking at the Prius and he told me to stay away. Never gave me an answer why but I will ask tomorrow. The Tundras are getting called back as the frames are rusting after 3 years where they can take a hammer and crush them like paper. Personally I have always had good luck with Toy. but I trust this guy.
