Prius Mileage

Of course not. The EPA test is flawed.

• The EPA numbers for the '05 Prius are:

The EPA mpg tests are designed to allow a buyer to compare one vehicle with another. They are done using dynamometer loading, which means there is no air resistance. In addition, they are done at a constant temperature and without using air-conditioning, heating, lights, radio, etc.

I would not expect them to show exact on-the-road performance. They are very valuable for comparing one vehicle with another.

My new Prius got 48 mpg on the first tank -- mostly highway driving. This is just about exactly twice the mileage of my 2001 Subaru Outback. I had to wait for almost six months for the Prius -- the demand here in northern California is still very strong.

earle

Do you think 48 MPG is worth what you had to pay to drive that car home? Seems to me a Corolla will get over 30 MPG and the huge difference in the drive home price will buy ALL of your gas for the four years of the average finance contract, let alone make up the difference in fuel consumption for even longer. What about the "fuel cost" for replacement batteries in five years or so?

mike hunt

• First of all, the electric system: In California, the batteries and Motor/Generator system are guaranteed for 100,000 miles or ten years.

Second, the Prius is not a Corolla.

earle

You ignored the questions asked. As to the battery warranty, does that mean you hope the batteries will need to be replaced before the warranty expires? The fact is at some point there will be a substantial cost, currently over $3,000, to replace the batteries. Who pay that cost is incidental but it needs to be in figured into the overall cost calculation.

Yes the two are different cars but they are comparable in size and the Corolla costs much less to drive home when similarly equipped. Anyone considering purchasing any brand hybrid needs to look at what else in available on the market, to make an intelligent chose of vehicles, in the same size/price range. Seems to me a hybrid does not make sense for the average new car buyer that replaces their vehicle in three to four years. For that mater for the long term buyer either, because of the extraordinary expense for the battery pack on a ten year old vehicle with over 100K on the clock and of little resale value. Perhaps it works for one who may have extra funds and wants to save oil, or save the planet. The average buyer sure can't save money by purchasing the current hybrids in the current market place that's for sure. ;)

mike hunt

Earl J>

Your questions are largely beside the point for Prius owners. While Prius buyers _are_ interested in fuel economy, they're not interested in fuel economy because they have to worry about the price of gas. Only the poor have to worry about the price of gas, and the poor don't buy Priuses.

Instead, Prius owners are interested in supporting a technology that will eventually spread to a broader range of vehicles, thereby increasing fuel economy among a large part of the population. Fuel economy aside, Prius owners are also interested in buying a practical car that will leave a cleaner ecological footprint than other cars.

Absolutely the truth! Your comment is right to the point!

I own a 2004 Prius and this is not true. When you are standing still, and the AC is on, the engine only runs when the hybrid battery is low. When heating the passenger compartment is on, the engine must run until a reserve of heat is generated. The engine then turns off until needed again. Kim