I drive a 2006 Toyota Prius, a hybrid vehicle. I have decided to change my driving habits, and this is one way that I have decided I can have some impact, for the better in helping our country become less dependent on foreign oil and consider alternative energy sources.
I’ve enjoyed my Prius so much, that we sold my wife’s car, and bought the Toyota Camry Hybrid. We will never return to a traditional gasoline powered vehicle again. This last week, I took my Prius down to Los Angeles (actually Long Beach), a little over 200 miles. On that trip I averaged just over 60 miles to the gallon. The proof is in this photo I took of the mileage screen after I pulled into my destination.
Yes, you have to change your driving habits to achieve this type of mileage; but, it is a small price to pay. Yes, I arrive at my destinations in a bit longer time than I used to; however, I use almost half the gasoline I used to use before I bought my Prius. So, I save money, help reduce (however slightly it might be) demand on oil, and help our own energy independence. In my view, hybrids are worth the investment. I recommend them to anyone considering the purchase.
Good for you, Guy. I expect that like me you also arrive at your destination in a better, less stressed frame of mind; for me, it more than makes up for going a tad slower.
Please can I just say that is is nothing to do with dependence on foreign oil? Lots of countries – most, in fact – are dependent on foreign oil but don’t go around declaring war all the time. It is a US foreign policy thing, and also to do with the fact that Americans use far more energy, and cause more pollution, than any other country in the world.
Actually this is about global environmental issues, that affect all of us. On those grounds, keep up the good work 🙂
JerryW
Yes, I believe I do arrive a bit less stressed, and on the way travel a bit safer as well. I do have to disagree with you just a bit on the foreign oil.
But for our country’s dependence on foreign oil, we would not be making some of the foreign policy decisions we have made, and continue to make.
Ask these questions: IF the United States were energy independent would we have led a coalition in the first gulf war? Would we have so many U.S. troops stationed Saudia Arabia? Would we have gone into Iraq in 2003?
I think the foreign oil dependence is a large factor in this equation.
Thanks for stopping by!
How does it feel sitting in it? Can you see? I’m very short and I think I would have trouble seeing in that car. I have to push my seat up as far as it will go and raise it to reach the peddles and the steering wheel.
It just looks uncomfortable to me. Can’t they make it look more like a Blazer :)?
My dream car is a white Mercedes Benz with white leather seats. And when I’m in heaven, that’s what I’m going to drive.
Hey Guy, was just wondering if you’d tried the Al Gore III test of pushing your Prius over 100 mph 😉
All seriousness, though, I think you for making an environmentally sound purchase. And I imagine you’re saving a little chunk of change at the pump!
Annegb,
I love this car. It is roomy inside. My wife, who is short has no problem driving it. Surely a White Benz would be a nice car. Perhaps they might come out with some hybrids as well.
Hey OdEdna,
Thanks for dropping by. I’ve never pushed the speed that high–though I have no doubt it would easily make it that high. I love my Prius and will never go back to straight gasoline technology. Over the remainder of my driving life, I believe I will see monetary savings for making the switch.
What do you drive?
hey Guy,
Jaime and I are looking into getting a Prius sometime next year. Are they totally worth it?
Hi Dan,
It’s a great car! I can’t speak enough good about it. It’s roomy, enough room for four full sized adults, 5 if you absolutely have to. It has all the power you need. I’m sure you’ve seen the media accounts of those who have driven it in excess of 100 mph.
Mileage is great as you can see from this post. Of course you won’t be getting 60 mph every time you drive; however, if you are able to use the car on trips greater than 10 miles there is no reason you cannot average over 50 mpg on those trips. Around town, you mileage, particularly on trips of shorter than 10 miles long, will dramatically drop. Still, the worse mileage I’ve had on my Prius is probably around 39 mpg or thereabouts. Usually I’m in the high 40’s or higher if I go on longer trips like the one in this post.
Good luck to you both!
[…] speed. I traveled about 60 miles per hour rather than the 55 mph reflected in the most recent Prius post; but, still 55 miles per gallon is nothing to laugh about, particularly with oil now hitting about […]
[…] According to this car loan calculator, the monthly payments would be around $330 a month. Right away, this “$17,000 car” is closer to $19,700 with all the interest included. How much would he save in gas? Considering the average American drives 15,000 miles a year, his truck would consume $3,225 (gas at $4.30). With the Prius, he only spends $1387 on gas. What a deal right? Wrong! Add in the $330 a month, and he spends $5437 during the course of the year, over $2,000 than he would have spent if he stuck with his truck, which only gets 21 MPG… Of course if you change your driving habits, it is possible to get 60 MPG with a Prius, look at this post from Guy’s Blog. […]