REVscene - Vancouver Automotive Forum

driveopolis · 08-19-2013, 09:58 AM

So which of you here are rockin' a Prius? If not, would you?

Recently I drove around a bit in a Prius C for my video review below.

It's not fast (ok, it's quite slow) but as a practical, efficient daily driver with great cargo space... it would go really well alongside a sports car or sport bike. Really inexpensive too.

So would you take the efficiency and practicality and environmental positives (we're in Vancouver after all) and trade off performance and response? Or is it just too dorky and slow? Maybe mod it out?

If you are already rockin' a Prius... is it your only car and if not, what else is in the garage alongside your Prius?

Anyway, onward with some video!

dinamix · 08-19-2013, 10:06 AM

I dont understand why they make hybrid/electric cars so ugly. Id rather get a tdi than a hybrid.
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CorneringArtist · 08-19-2013, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dinamix

I dont understand why they make hybrid/electric cars so ugly. Id rather get a tdi than a hybrid.
Posted via RS Mobile

This. Toyota's going to get murdered once Volkswagen can use their TDI engines with their hybrid system.
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J____ · 08-19-2013, 10:09 AM

I hate prius' with a passion. No offense to the OP

BBMme · 08-19-2013, 10:27 AM

I thought about it, but I went with the TDI in the end
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fliptuner · 08-19-2013, 10:45 AM

I was getting better fuel economy from a '93 VW TD on coils and wider tires - the TDI's are better still.

Based on what's available in our market, I'd stick with a TDI or possibly a scooter or small displacement motorcycle.

J____ · 08-19-2013, 10:58 AM

Honestly, the saved fuel cost does not justify the relatively high price of the car than say a honda fit or a corolla. By the time you see the cost saving outweigh the premium of the vehicle, you'd have to drive the vehicle 10-15 years. By that time the maintenance money spent on the breakdown of the batteries and high tech electronics is going to make even less sense. It's like my excuse to by a 78 datsun 280z to use as a winter beater to "save money" in the end it just turned into a money pit that cost more than a brand new car... but at least a 280z doesn't look like a peanut passed through a blowfish's rear end...

Gucci Mane · 08-19-2013, 11:07 AM

IMO, the chevy cruze diesel is a much better alternative than a prius. all optioned out, its essentially a baby cts.

melloman · 08-19-2013, 11:17 AM

Build it like this:

Spoiler!

fliptuner · 08-19-2013, 11:42 AM

That's the thing though. You stance it, wider (probably heavier) wheels and the fuel economy starts going down the shitter.

I mean it looks better but defeats the purpose of a gas/electric hybrid.

Diesels however, due to the amount of torque they produce, will keep about the same fuel economy with similar mods.

donjalapeno · 08-19-2013, 11:58 AM

Prius starting price = $26000

Passat TDI = $26575

I would much rather spend 575 more and drive this...

Presto · 08-19-2013, 12:15 PM

After my Sentra (SpecV) got wrecked in 2004, I had to go shopping for a new car. I was going to get another sporty econobox. I enjoyed the acceleration and handling of my Sentra. My friend convinced me to look at the Prius, since I drove so damn much, and gas was getting expensive. I was hesitant, at first. I figured the Prius was a zero in performance, and not the car for me.

I went for a test drive, and loved it. It felt like I was in the future. What impressed me initially was the torque, CVT, and the quietness of running on electric only. It only grew on me as I drove it more. I brought it home, installed my stereo, and upgraded the suspension. I take corners at speed, and it's decently planted.

Of course it's cheaper to get a Corolla or Fit, if you're solely focused on fuel costs, but that's comparing a compact econobox to a well-optioned midsize. People are still casting FUD about the batteries, but there haven't been any major issues with them. There' still plenty of 1st gen (2001) Priuses kicking around, and no harbingers of widespread battery deaths. I have been following the maintenance schedule, and have had no issues with my Prius.

My next car will probably be Lexus CT 200h.

EDIT: Oh, there's that gas thing too. Seeing the price at the pump, these days, makes me glad that I drive a car that sips 87 octane. The Sentra was a premium fuel guzzler that consumed at more than twice the rate..

kwy · 08-19-2013, 01:03 PM

How does it feel?

Y'know..to not have a soul..

Mitskuni · 08-19-2013, 01:13 PM

Family has a PriusV as much as it is a econobox and lacks in accel and speed it makes up for technology and gas efficiency. Nothing beats that and theres tons of cabs in vancouver that drives these.

Its not too bad but not for me. Great family car

Euro7r · 08-19-2013, 08:44 PM

Not my cup of tea, but it can be for others.

Not a fan of these Hybrid cars. Either I go all gasoline or electric. Hybrid are for people that can't make up their minds on whether they want gasoline or electric ?

Yodamaster · 08-19-2013, 09:39 PM

If the interior quality is anything like the 2012 Corolla...

Burn them, burn them all.

meme405 · 08-19-2013, 09:50 PM

Lomac · 08-19-2013, 10:10 PM

My dad bought a 2013 Prius C earlier this year. Admittedly it's a nice little car. Easy to park and great visibility. He recently made a trip down to Cannon Beach in Oregon and the only time he filled up was on his way back into Canada, and even then it was somewhere near Seattle. One would think that's not very impressive since my Accord can make the trip in about the same distance, but his gas tank is something like half the size of mine, so factoring that in, it becomes more impressive.

Personally I prefer my Jetta TDI for comfort, looks and fuel economy, but the thing about diesels is that they still burn fossil fuels (unless you're running biodiesel). I get the thought process behind buying one but until they make long distance electric cars, I'm sticking with a combustion engine.

tiger_handheld · 08-19-2013, 10:25 PM

PRIUS = T..A..X..I !!

BoostedBB6 · 08-19-2013, 10:28 PM

Prius, 99% of the ones I get parts for ARE taxis.

Great idea for a car, they just need to make them look nice.

Soundy · 08-19-2013, 10:51 PM

I believe it's ethically, morally, and Constitutionally wrong to use "Prius" and "rocks" in the same sentence (or thread subject, as the case may be).

dared3vil0 · 08-19-2013, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J____

[fit or a corolla]

Fit>corolla IMHO. Corolla is a POS appliance, the Fit atleast tries to make driving (more) fun (than the corolla)

white rocket · 08-20-2013, 12:55 PM

My wife got a 2012 Prius last year. Fully loaded with leather, nav, etc. I've always hated these things but she wanted great fuel mileage and pretty much zero maintenance. Bingo! This thing delivers! She gets about 750-800 kms combined city/hwy(more in the city due to motor shut off I'd imagine), cost to fill is like $50, enough room for four adults and luggage to Tofino for a few days, perfect for our dogs(hatchback), the leather/sunroof/nav are all very nice; I could go on and on. Even the torque off the line is pretty good for what the car is. We want to keep this car for 10 years and I don't see why it wouldn't last. All in all we are very happy with it.

Indy · 08-20-2013, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soundy

I believe it's ethically, morally, and Constitutionally wrong to use "Prius" and "rocks" in the same sentence (or thread subject, as the case may be).

I wholeheartedly disagree.

"I'm going to throw rocks at that ugly prius."

UFO · 08-20-2013, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J____

Honestly, the saved fuel cost does not justify the relatively high price of the car than say a honda fit or a corolla. By the time you see the cost saving outweigh the premium of the vehicle, you'd have to drive the vehicle 10-15 years. By that time the maintenance money spent on the breakdown of the batteries and high tech electronics is going to make even less sense.

The Prius C starts at a tick over $20k, comes standard with CVT. Once you add the auto trans and equip a Fit similarly to the base Prius C, the Prius C is less than $2k more expensive. So your argument would work with the regular Prius which starts at $26k but why are you comparing a Fit to this anyways? Compare it with the more similar in class Prius C.

I researched in depth about the electronics and batteries of hybrids as long term maintenance was a concern especially buying a hybrid pre-owned. From what I read, it's pretty much a non-factor as mentioned earlier. Those who are concerned about hybrid reliability then opting to go with VW instead, really?

Our Fit sport gets about 8.5L/100km overall, on the disappointing side for an economy sub-compact. We recently replaced a Yaris hatchback which got 6.8L/100km through the 7+ years I owned it, with a Camry hybrid which is so far getting about 5.7L/100km--more than 30% better than our Fit. Keep in mind the Camry weighs over 1000 lbs more than the Yaris, actually has a trunk big enough to hold real things, with backseats that you could comfortably host a threesome in.

And this is what a $26k Passat actually looks like, not the smooth suave stanced one that was pictured earlier

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