Tom, Sorry Tom I haven't got back with you yet from the e mail. That account is still active, I just don't use it do to junk mail. The truth is my wife picked up the Prius this morning. I haven't taken it for a spin yet. I will up date my finding this weekend. Tom, Here is a great place for getting any question you might have answered. http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-main-forum/ Let me tell you though, I registered almost a week ago and just got a reply back today so I could confirm my account and post on the forum. I will say this, The wife and I will do alot of hwy mileage in the future. I still believe the Prius will out perform the fuel efficient cars you will look at at as an alternative. If I travel 75 mph and my gas mileage drops to 35 38 mpg so be it. One thing I like about the Prius is how spacious it is inside plus it's a 4dr. I will update my encounters later in the week. Again sorry about not getting back to your e mail.
As for the battery concern, There is no way to know the results yet. They are far exceeding the expectations. Now the talk is 150K plus.
I hear you George, however I doubt you find gasoline cars to get 40 mpg so the price of the diesel should be offset by the better mileage. The cost per mile is what is important. I think diesel engines also live longer. I have no answer to the smell except that I think this new generation of diesel engines for cars are much cleaner. It's just a thought.
Tom, Okay I've given the car a whirl. It now has about 400 miles on this tank of gas. The wife and I both use it to drive to work. We average about 130 miles a day. Her travel isn't hwy mileage but she can average 45 mph on her way to work. For me I travel 35 miles each way. 20 miles each way is hwy. So far on this tank of gas we're averaging 45.5 mpg. I'm really liking this car. It has a lot of space inside for a true hybrid and it's not a bad looking ride. On the hwy I cruise at about 75 mph. 2 thumbs up baby!
Cindy and I just spent the later part of the week and all day yesterday researching and driving cars. We finally found the car that fits our needs and fits us. Not only did I buy the first foreign car that has been in my driveway in 13 years, I bought two of them. :shock: Yes, the McCords are now both driving Honda Accords. They are rated at 31 mpg highway but appear to be getting better than that. I know that driving computers are not perfectly accurate. However, mine is showing ~34 mpg over about 100 miles. We'll find out the exact numbers at the first fill up. Both cars (his and hers) have the same exact options (leather, sun roof, and navigation system toping the list) and differ only in color. At just 31 mpg highway and present fuel prices, we will save ove $260 per month in fuel costs. We got rid of the Envoy and the 1500 pickup. It was time. We kept both of them for a little over 4 years. That is a little longer than our average vehicle replacement interval. Cindy's Envoy had 80000 miles while mine had a little over 55000. Driving the big truck while diesel prices were lower than gas kept the little truck's miles a bit lower.
So you were there to see us drive them off, huh??? :wink: Actually, Cindy's is silver or peweter... same color as my 2500 diesel truck. Mine is dark gray.
Have to say the price of gas is not a major concern of mine since I don't go anyplace. Except restaurants, of course and occasional visits to kids in the area. Bought a super charged Regal in '04 that requires 92 octane. It has just turned 14K. Bought a used Honda and Lexus both in mint condition for kids and grand kids for $6000 each. Honda had 96000 miles, the Lexus 145000. Put a new water pump and timing belt in the Lexus. Should be good for another 145K. Grand daughter loves the stereo system in the Lexus which plays 6 CDs.
The Honda Accord really is the best car out there. I sold my '98 coupe back on '06. It only had 95K miles on it, and the only repair ever required was some crazy fuel system fuse that made the car die when it blew. Aside from a few tiny rock chips, the car was almost like new. I put it on Autotrader with no idea what would happen. Sold it within 18 hours of putting the add in. I'd buy one in a heartbeat if I needed that kind of car again. For the record... Toyota makes great vehicles too, I just prefer Honda's combo of engineering, assembly quality, materials, and styling. I do like that new Camry tho. Probably the first time I've actually liked that car's looks.