24th Oct 2007, 10:17
We bought our '07 Prius in May. My wife commutes 40 miles each way and after more than 11,000 miles still averages 55 mpg. She is pleasantly surprised about the car, accustomed to the roominess and high seating in her Rendezvous. She finds it comfortable, quiet, smooth and reliable. I was surprised by the level of content that came standard -- "thermostat"-type automatic heating/cooling settings, ABS, ESC, cruise. We love the SmartKey although my wife was baffled one morning when her Prius wouldn't start (she forgot to put the key in her purse). Just make sure restaurant valets hand you the key when they fetch your Prius! Our only complaint has been a "burping" fuel tank which we've solved by not engaging the fuel pump's automatic-off feature. The back-up TV isn't very useful for gauging distances to the car behind you, but that's not what it was intended to do anyway. We ordered our Prius with dealer-installed heated leather seats to avoid upgrading to the next factory option level requiring us to buy a bunch of items we didn't need or want.
12th Mar 2008, 15:26
We just ordered 2008 Prius touring with package #6 --- navigation, leather etc.
I am tired of 15-20 mpg. Can't wait.
14th Mar 2008, 16:49
I picked up 2008 Prius touring today--came in early---drove 35mi. with air on & got 44.1 ---don't you have to love it?
28th Mar 2008, 12:28
I'm very interested in buying a Prius and will probably pull the trigger soon. My main concern is how the Prius might handle in snow and ice. I live in western NY where the winter weather is pretty bad. Anyone out there have any experience driving the Prius in snow or icy conditions? I'd appreciate your thoughts. Thanks.
8th Apr 2008, 14:54
Now have 1027 miles. on 08 prius touring----44-45 mpg---haven't used all the stuff in package #6 yet.
22nd Jul 2008, 14:09
We previously owned a Lexus SUV that got 18-20 mpg. The Mother-in-Law purchased a black base model prius and we had a chance to really evaluate it. While our 08 Prius (package 3) with added leather, is not quite a Lexus, I have to admit that it is very close considering the price difference.
Like others, I miss the electric adjustable seat - but it is a small price to pay for consistently getting 50 avg mpg. In Arkansas, we tend to drive long distances to work... also we use our air conditioners for at least 6 months a year.
We have a small child and travel 100 miles per day to work. We estimate that we have saved about $300 per month on our fuel bill. If you drive quite a bit and want to watch your fuel costs be cut 40 to 50% (and still have a relatively luxurious ride), get a Prius.
Also, we cannot go anywhere without someone asking about our car. Most SUV owners look at our car with great envy. One great feature that ALL cars should have to increase mileage is a computer monitor that constantly shows how your driving habits affect your mileage.
I think the "delayed mileage gain" is due largely to learning how best to alter your driving behavior to get the most mileage. I wish I could add this aftermarket to my 2002 Camry so I would behave better while driving it.
Anyway, I have owned a 4cyl Camry, a 6 cyl Solara (best car for the money), a Toyota Tundra, a Lexus RX 300, a Nissan Pickup, and a Honda Civic over the past 20 years. I would recommend all of these vehicles.
I would rank the Prius in the top two or three of the cars (even if the gas mileage was no better than the 4cyl). With the added value of the mileage, it is difficult to beat.
I imagine that the Prius (which I think means "Comes Before" literally) is just the first in a long line of Toyota vehicles that will dramatically push the mpgs and green factor.
By the way, I almost always buy used vehicles. This Prius is the first new car I have bought in about 15-18 years. I would encourage any interested person to at least drive one for an hour or so before you make up your mind.
The Civic Hybrid drives pretty nice as well, but seems more like a "little car". I hope that Honda, Nissan, VW, GM, Ford, and all the rest can build competing vehicles. I just have not yet seen it happen in any significant way (with the possible exception of Honda).
Good luck Prius Hunting!
Happy in Arkansas.
11th Jan 2012, 15:04
Hmm, really, I tend to like the interior and exterior of my Prius; it is functional and usable in every possible way, the acceleration is more than enough for the great fuel economy, and the cargo space is enormous.
16th Sep 2012, 02:36
I just went from being an SUV driver for 15 years, to a 2007 Prius Level 5.
I don't miss my GMC at all. If you are worried about get up and go with the Prius, don't! When you floor that gas pedal, it goes zooooom! The electric motor has something like 290 ft/lbs of torque.
Anyway just wanted to add that I love my 2007 Prius to death. I've been averaging 49 MPG and I'm a "spirited driver" so to speak... LOL... in other words, a lead foot. If I drive normal and not like a speeding nut job, the Prius returns 52 MPG easily. I could probably change my driving attitude all together and get more than that, but at 49 MPG, I'm not complaining at all!!!
31st Aug 2016, 01:02
I totally agree. The seating position is comfortable and your view is awesome. Controls take a little time to get used to, but nice once you do. Killer stereo on my 07 package 3. And blinding fast around town. I don't think the guy ever even drove one.
Three months in and I don't think I can ever drive anything else for my daily driver. And I have owned over 200 cars, so I am not considered an automotive loyalist!
Comfort is putting your car in park at stoplights, taking your foot off the brake and cranking tunes for a couple minutes, not holding the brake and belching fumes! Comfort is leaving your dog in it for twenty minutes on a hot day and letting the car start and stop itself while I am gone, because my A/C compressor is electric, although I still worry the old girl might freeze to death if I am gone too long. A/C is very, very cold! I am over anything that does not use electricity. Hybrid or all electric. The only way to go.
2nd Sep 2016, 15:25
Now if they can only improve the design on this car. Seems designed inside out. Room with a sloped front vs styling. I feel the manufacturer could do much better. My 77 Celica GT was a very good looking brand new car. A 1980 hit and it went to potato shapes. I would buy another to run around in, but it needs some style.
18th Oct 2007, 10:05
We've been looking at the Prius to buy soon, and finally test-drove one yesterday. When I first saw the new design (sometime in the last year or two), I thought they looked like a space-age eco-maniac vehicle. However, the more I see them, and especially as we are considering a purchase, the styling is starting to grow on me. The Prius is designed for aerodynamics. We had a 2000 Dodge Neon a few years ago (which my husband totaled) and the Prius is starting to remind me of that car in it's exterior shape.
I was pleasantly surprised by the way it handled (not like a sports car - which I wouldn't want anyway) as I have read that the handling was not up to par. I was a little distracted by all of the electronic display features, and wondered what the purpose of most of it was. I think I would like them to have done away with a lot of the fancy electronic gimmicks and lowered the price of the car. Aside from that, I think we will bite the bullet and pay for it anyway, as the savings in gas will offset the cost (I hope). I am REALLY looking forward to being able to drive anywhere without wondering if I can afford the gas to get there. I have family (my mother and 2 daughters) that I don't see often enough just for that reason.