Prius V Thoughts?

[asian_XL]

NA Prius V only has 5 seats? what's the point having it in North America? too tight to fit an American at the back seats?

Hybrid is not a joke at all, poor marketing has made it fail.
Try renting the new 2012 camry Hybrid or CT200H for a week, you will love it.
Regardless the new camry looks hideous, but the smoothness when it runs on battery is truely amazing. Toyota 4 cyclinder gas engine is designed to be weak and gas saving, in actual it's decent enough for daily driving. If you compare diesel with Hybrid engine, I would prefer to pay more for smoothness in the city. If you live far far away, then diesel could be your choice.

BTW, who actually has driven a diesel here?

[Over9K]

I'm sure many have....diesels are a hell of a lot more practical then hybrids.

Either go full electric or stay with crude.

[CorneringArtist]

Anyone else think that Toyota has the ability to compete in the diesel market if they brought over some of the diesel versions of cars from Europe (Corolla, Rav4, and the Yaris all have diesel versions there)? Or would diesel fuel costing as much as premium cause an issue?

[heleu]

If you're looking for a hybrid and need the space, it's a good value. For the extra space compared to a regular Prius, you're not paying much of a fuel economy penalty.


i.e. you're going to see all the cabs driving this really soon.

[gars]

Man... I calculated - I get about 10l/100km - which I could probably improve on if I don't drive with such a heavy foot. and I drive about 300km a week - and 91 gas at $1.6 a liter, I spend $2500 a year in gas. And the thing is - 10l/100km isn't even heavy gas usage.

If I had a Prius, at 4.5l/100km, I'd be spending $900 a year in gas...

those savings are very tempting.

[taylor192]

This is a car forum - we don't concern ourselves with gas mileage. For every 1L/100km you save, I'm going to smash the gas and burn the equivalent passing your slow car. Help me save gas by not buying a slow car.

Thanks in advance.

[Over9K]

Originally Posted by gars

Man... I calculated - I get about 10l/100km - which I could probably improve on if I don't drive with such a heavy foot. and I drive about 300km a week - and 91 gas at $1.6 a liter, I spend $2500 a year in gas. And the thing is - 10l/100km isn't even heavy gas usage.

If I had a Prius, at 4.5l/100km, I'd be spending $900 a year in gas...

those savings are very tempting.

Yea, if you're pussy footing it around town.

Not gonna see that kind of mileage when driving it with traffic.

[gars]

Originally Posted by Over9K

Yea, if you're pussy footing it around town.

Not gonna see that kind of mileage when driving it with traffic.

A prius has the best mileage when it's stop and go traffic. Even better when it's stuck going 10km/h in heavy traffic because it uses its electric motor more.

That said, I'd never actually get one. But the potential savings are always tempting.

I'm sorry I'm not a baller like some of you, but even thinking about some guys with their cars averaging 20l/100km... I can't imagine for the life of me having to spend an extra $2500 a year on gas. I've got other bills to pay!

[freakshow]

My biggest issue with people who buy hybrids is that they buy one for the $ savings. That's fine, maybe you don't enjoy turning money into exhaust fumes as much as I do, but don't go out and buy a new one! Buy a used car at least so that you're actually maximizing your savings..

[ilvtofu]

Originally Posted by Over9K

Yea, if you're pussy footing it around town.

Not gonna see that kind of mileage when driving it with traffic.

I had a camry hybrid for a week as a courtesy rental (from budget iirc) cause they ran out of courtesy cars. Avg'd 6L/100km in the city, amazing for such a big car, just drove like I always do. I imagine the Prius to have even better gas mileage because of the newer tech and more efficient design. Driving in richmond is less aggravating in a HSD car especially in parking lots like aberdeen where a c-lai can take over a minute to park... Can't deny that having that engine off feels great. I'm considering getting a used prius or camry hybrid when my car is paid off in october, they don't hold their value all that well probably because of the battery.

Originally Posted by asian_XL

NA Prius V only has 5 seats? what's the point having it in North America? too tight to fit an American at the back seats?

Hybrid is not a joke at all, poor marketing has made it fail.
Try renting the new 2012 camry Hybrid or CT200H for a week, you will love it.
Regardless the new camry looks hideous, but the smoothness when it runs on battery is truely amazing. Toyota 4 cyclinder gas engine is designed to be weak and gas saving, in actual it's decent enough for daily driving. If you compare diesel with Hybrid engine, I would prefer to pay more for smoothness in the city. If you live far far away, then diesel could be your choice.

BTW, who actually has driven a diesel here?

Lol that back seat looks useless even for asians, maybe for <5 year olds but there looks to be virtually no legroom. I've driven the ml320cdi and gl320cdi quite a bit, they are both very impressive in terms of fuel economy and power. Avg between 11-13L/100km in the city even with a car filled with luggage and passengers. The transmission doesn't feel as good as in the gas versions though. Also tried the mkv jetta diesel, not as smooth as the camry hybrid but WAAAYYY better as a driver's car. If I were to have only one car I might choose the vw but as a commuter I prefer the toyota, full EV mode makes you feel like a king in traffic jams/red lights. Not to mention you keep a pretty low profile in a camry or prius

[UFO]

When we need a bigger car, the Prius V is something we'd consider once its depreciated a few years. We have a Yaris and a Fit right now; the Yaris has always been great on fuel, I was expecting the Fit to be better than it actually is but it is sturdier and better built than the Yaris. DD Camry hybrids on average use as much fuel as a Yaris, provides more creature comforts and is obviously a much better built car overall.

I don't want a van, an SUV, or a Mazda 5, but would like the utility of a hatch. A 2006 Impreza wagon fits the bill too, looks cooler, is no faster than a Prius, gets 10-11L/100km with the AWD with all the 'crazy' snow we get here, kind of a waste IMO. For a regular DD, its hard to justify that drop in fuel economy compared to what we're currently using; the Prius is uglier but it uses half the gas of the Impreza, I can deal with that. Majority of our driving is in the city, in traffic. How much can you stomp on the throttle anyways? 0-60km/h redline shift FTW! lol

I love cars but an M3 is just not a priority for me now. In real life, cars are just an appliance to get us from one place to the next. As long as I can rely on it to start every time I need it to and holds the crap I need it to, I am satisfied.

[AWDTurboLuvr]

Originally Posted by taylor192

This is a car forum - we don't concern ourselves with gas mileage. For every 1L/100km you save, I'm going to smash the gas and burn the equivalent passing your slow car. Help me save gas by not buying a slow car.

Thanks in advance.

Well, a Prius is still a car. If you can't discuss various types of vehicles, then you shouldn't be on a forum. While it may not be an enthusiast's choice, it still is a major player in changing the way the public perceives automobiles. TBH, the slowest cars around here seem to be c-lais in their large ML550's or X5, mindlessly driving about our city.

[UFO]

^because they use too much gas if you stomp on it? Buys big $100k car, does not want to spend $100/tank for 400km

I think I've given c-lais too much credit for driving skills already.

[PornMaster]

I always thought the camry hybrid and prius held value pretty well

it may just seem like a better price because the options, no?

like a camry hybrid can go from 25k new to 36k new

I did a quick search and a used 2011 camry hybrid is priced at 23k and doesnt seem fully loaded

[Over9K]

Originally Posted by gars

A prius has the best mileage when it's stop and go traffic. Even better when it's stuck going 10km/h in heavy traffic because it uses its electric motor more.

That said, I'd never actually get one. But the potential savings are always tempting.

I'm sorry I'm not a baller like some of you, but even thinking about some guys with their cars averaging 20l/100km... I can't imagine for the life of me having to spend an extra $2500 a year on gas. I've got other bills to pay!

Eh, I make 15 an hour, getting 200km out of a 60L tank, not bad.

Anyways, ever consider a Leaf?

[ts14]

9GAG - Positive Impact of High Gas Prices

[Senna4ever]

I had a 2005 Prius since new, and it was a practical car. In no way is it an enthusiast's car. I averaged 650km per 40L, so my monthly fuel costs were about $80. The Prius is more than adequate for city driving - it's relatively comfy, but NVH levels are a little on the high side, although not as loud as a Honda Fit or Toyota Yaris. It was reliable as hell, I followed the maintenance schedule religiously and nothing broke mechanically at all.

I just recently bought a Volvo V50 because I wanted a more fun car to drive, but still have some cargo carrying capacity, but the fuel economy shocked me coming from a Prius...I get about 450km per 60L tank now. Ugh.

[!Aznboi128]

Get a Tdi, it be efficient and it costs less to purchase

[Sileighty_180sx]

I just want to share my experience with you:

Both winter condition with heat on all the time, city driving to work during rush hour:
Previous car: Stage 2 Legacy 5EAT 14.8L / 100km (0-60mph 5.9sec)
Current Car: CT200H 5.5L / 100km (0-60mph estimate 10.3 sec)

Comments:
1) CT200H is damn slow, yeah I agree but I cannot drive fast either during rush hour. Max can go to 60 km/hr on Knight Street. Unless you want to drive like an idiot like some people going through traffic and cutting every single car.

2) Save ~ $2500 per year on gas based on 18000km / yr @ $1.30/L
18000km / (100km) * 14.8L = 2,664 L x $1.45 / L (using 94 octane) = $3,862
18000km / (100km) * 5.5L = 990 L x $1.30 / L (using 87 octane) = $1,287

3) A lot of people suggest yaris, mazda 2, fit, or very low displacement vehicle.
- Yes I agree with them, if you want to go for that extreme $$ saving. You should go for that. But mind you, what you pay = what you get. The CT200h doesn't have the best interior, but it certainly looks better than fit, yaris, mazda 2 inteior. This is pretty subjective. You need to know what's your priority and what you can give up.

4) I am paying $40 per tank now, can run for 550km. I start to like it especially this week gas start going back to $1.33 / L.

5) Ideally, two cars would be nice.

Good Luck !

[godwin]

Get a VW TDI from the States.. just as efficient.. Even less to purchase and more options.. (you can get 2 door ($1k cheaper) and Tech package (including bixenon/LED etc)).. basically you are getting a fully loaded TDI + more (since 2Doors and Bixenons are not an even option for TDI in Canada) from the States with the base price of a Canadian Golf.

If you are not writing it off as an expense and don't want to do accounting gymnastics to get a US car.. that's the way to go.

Originally Posted by !Aznboi128

Get a Tdi, it be efficient and it costs less to purchase

[Sileighty_180sx]

More comments:

6) I agree with what other says about importing vehicle from US is cheaper but it takes time and effort. Another reason I got the CT200H because the Canadian MSRP is quite close to US (both base model). Some Canadian manufacturers do not cover US vehicle warranty. Also, if you need to finance a US vehicle, it can be done but not as easy. I believe some of us here might need to finance a vehicle.

7) CT200H warranty is not bad:
Warranty for Lexus Hybrid Vehicles
Hybrid-related components
96 months/160,000 km (applies to the battery control module, hybrid vehicle control module, hybrid vehicle battery and the inverter/converter).
Basic Warranty
48 months/80,000 km
Powertrain and safety restraints
72 months/110,000 km
Roadside Assistance
24-hour roadside assistance for the first 4 years (unlimited kilometrage), after the original registration date.
Corrosion/Perforation
72 months/unlimited kilometres
Tire warranty
48 months/80,000 km

8) VW TDI is good as I read review on the internet. Many website says it is quite reliable. I thought of getting it because of the attractive DSG and torque. But unfortunately, few of my close friends and colleague own Audi (A4, A3) and VW (golf). They are probably the unlucky one that had problems with their vehicle after 4-5 yrs (just right after warranty expired). So end up going back to the Lexus / Toyota path.

I am planning to keep my car for 7-8 years (based on my previous experience). So the warranty period for the Lexus seems fit into my scope. Hopefully, the battery will cost less by then. Dealer said the battery should be trouble free for 8 yrs (may be that's why they give 8 year warranty). Based on today cost, dealer said is $3000-$3500. Some US site said around $2000 to $2500 USD. So it is not as bad as I thought.

9) Talking about depreciation, it might be better to go for Yaris or Fit. My colleague's yaris and my friend's fit depreciated $10000 in 5 years vs most of the $30k plus vehicle probably depreciate $10000 in the first 2 years. This is something you can consider as well.

10) I love to listen to negative comments before I buy the vehicle. Go on the Prius forum or and read the owner's review. Most of the owner's comment are useful because they actually own the car. They know what is good, what is bad, what to avoid and what to watch out for.

11) Buy what you like the most because you are driving it all the time. Others can give you comments but they do not understand your needs.


Hope this help!

[Death2Theft]

Gotta step it up like they do in europe and get diesel hybrid with the diesel part fwd and the electric part in rwd for awd when needed
Where can u rent that lexus for a week?