Bay Shore couple swaps gas-guzzlers for Toyota Prius

He owned a Chevy Blazer. She had a Lexus RS330. His sport utility vehicle had more than 100,000 on the odometer - and, admittedly, didn't get very good gas mileage.

[Jared]

So you rack up $995 dollars a month in car payments to save $300 in fuel. Nice work genius! Plus do you have any idea how much fossil fuel is burnt to MAKE a 3500Lb plastic car?

Advice: buy a used desiel or carpool with your husband.

[SAH]

In answer to the first comment, I should think that an SUV with 100,000+ miles and only getting 13 MPG is ready for a trade-in. As to the batteries in a Prius, they are warranted for the first 150,000 miles and can be recycled. I also doubt that a Prius has any more plastic than any other car on the road today. And finally, diesel engines are heavy, expensive, dirty, and can't get nearly the fuel economy that a Prius can. By the way, have you checked out the cost of diesel fuel lately?

[Brian Fellow]

Jared wrote:

So you rack up $995 dollars a month in car payments to save $300 in fuel. Nice work genius! Plus do you have any idea how much fossil fuel is burnt to MAKE a 3500Lb plastic car?
Advice: buy a used desiel or carpool with your husband.

Didn’t you just miss the point entirely. What does the car payment have to do with the gas mileage? Didn’t the Lexus have a monthly payment? Or the Blazer? Carpooling is a great idea though, when it’s possible. When it isn’t, get a freakin’ hybrid or other fuel-efficient ride. Also, support legislation for higher CAFÉ standards. Did you know that the 1908 Ford Model T had better MPG than modern cars?

[NIMBY Island]

Jared wrote:

So you rack up $995 dollars a month in car payments to save $300 in fuel. Nice work genius! Plus do you have any idea how much fossil fuel is burnt to MAKE a 3500Lb plastic car?
Advice: buy a used desiel or carpool with your husband.

You are correct. The Prius cost more, because it costs more to produce. The reason it costs more to produce is the added energy costs associated with the manufacturing of the hybrid’s components. So the bottom line is the Prius uses just as much energy over the useful life of the vehicle as a convention automobile that gets about 35 MPG. Hybrids are the politically correct car of choice, but in end on a global scale they are just as polluting.

[Gas Saver]

...waits for the first "and you have to replace the batteries every month, at a cost of $10,000!" post...

Seriously, another referendum on the efficacy of hybrids? They make business sense or they wouldn't be in use as taxis and rental cars in major metropolitan areas! I've personally ridden in them in DC, SFO, LA and Norfolk, VA.

Are they any better than something like a Yaris? Well, if you need more room *and* want great mileage, yes. A Camry hybrid is far roomier than a Yaris and still gets great mileage. It's also got many creature comforts a Yaris doesn't.

[The Almighty Blanco]

NIMBY Island wrote:

<quoted text>
So the bottom line is the Prius uses just as much energy over the useful life of the vehicle as a convention automobile that gets about 35 MPG. Hybrids are the politically correct car of choice, but in end on a global scale they are just as polluting.

It saves the consumers money, and hence the main point of story.

We should just go electric.

Electricity is cheaper than gas, and can come from renewable resources such as solar and wind power.
Electric cars pollute less than gas-powered cars (especially when renewable energy sources are used to generate the electricity).
Electric cars are much more reliable and require less maintenance than gas-powered cars. You don't even need to get your quarterly oil change! By using domestically-generated electricity rather than relying on foreign oil, we can achieve energy independence and will no longer need to engage in costly wars in the Middle East to secure an energy supply. Electric cars can utilize the existing electric grid rather than require the development of a new, expensive energy infrastructure (as would be the case with hydrogen).

[The Almighty Blanco]

Jared wrote:

Advice: buy a used desiel or carpool with your husband.

How about a hybrid desiel? LMAO

[Toyota SUCKS]

The Prius sucks, it is rated as one of the most UNreliable cars you can buy used...oh and did I mention...it is an AFFRONT to the word CAR, because the Prius is NOT a car...It is an appliance. Plain and simple. Toyota deisgners have NO TASTE, keep reading the reviews...TOYOTA SUCKS.

[How Come]

Toyota SUCKS wrote:

The Prius sucks, it is rated as one of the most UNreliable cars you can buy used...oh and did I mention...it is an AFFRONT to the word CAR, because the Prius is NOT a car...It is an appliance. Plain and simple. Toyota deisgners have NO TASTE, keep reading the reviews...TOYOTA SUCKS.

So what, do you work for Ford or something?

We've had Toyota's for over 30 years and have loved them all. They are reliable, low maintenance and have great gas mileage.

Never had a Prius so I can't speak to that model, but I'd like to test drive one someday.

[HybridPlugsdotco m]

Thanks you Newsday. The point is, do the math. The Prius won't work for everyone, but it might. If you do the math first you may find you could save a truck load of cash. Brindell's please read the PSI rating on your tires and see that they say 44psi. Check your tires pressure and check it against that. You should be seeing mpg ratings of above 50mpg. HybridPlugs.com

[HybridPlugsdotco m]

BTW, I'm saving over $500.00 each month by driving my Prius vs. my Yukon. That is enough in gas savings to pay for my car note, gas to drive it, insurance, inspections, and taxes. I had it 50,000 miles so far and they last, and last. Only oil changes and tire rotations, and the brake pads look brand new. It is too bad some people can’t stand hybrids, because since they are so reliable there are a lot more coming to a street near YOU!

[jimmyjo]

I just bought a new Prius . I've been researching and questioning for about two months now, talking to owners, reading forums, etc. I have bought only American for 35 years. Out of 25 owners that I have personally talked to, not a one of them has had anything bad to say about this car. I'm 6ft. 2 in. tall, 205 pounds, and I find it's roomy, easy to get in and out of. It drives and rides as well or better than my wifes Cadillac and will save me 60 gallons of gas a month. At todays price of $4.00 a gal, that's a pretty decent savings. Resale value of all Prius are increadable, 2 and 3 yr old are selling in California for more than a new one costs. You may not like Japanese cars, you may not like the looks, but sorry, I haven't seen anyone out there yet with any valid reasoning for putting this car down. But, that's just one man's opinion.