New to Yaris ? Check in here !!

[vicpai]

People getting 55 and 60mpg with their Priuses is simply not the norm. To get these unrealistic figures, you have to drive like an insane madman, or maybe cruise on a lonely 2 lane road with no other traffic around. These scenarios are simply not feasible in the real world, especially for people living in major cities like Los Angeles, where I live. So unless you live someplace like Podunk, North Dakota, you're not likely to come anywhere close to the EPA estimates. (FYI, I'm originally from that area )....and aside from this, Hybrids are far more adversely affected by such things as COLD WEATHER, compared to a regular gas engine!!

The reason I know this fact to be true, is because not only do I have friends and an uncle who drives the current generation Prius, but have rented it as well from Fox-Rent-A-Car for 4 days and done some meticulous tests. From what I've heard first hand, as well as from what I've gleaned from my own tests, conservative driving yields mileage somewhere in the LOW to MID 40s combined (I personally got around 48mpg driving a constant 60mph on the freeway, and 41mpg driving conservatively in city areas)...In my tests of "agressive" driving I obtained around 35mpg in the city and 42mpg on the freeway at a constant 80mph, with an occasional slowdown to 70 - 75 due to traffic. Obtaining "hyper mileage" using techniques such as "PULSE and GLIDE", is simply not feasible in the real world, unless you have a great desire to be run over by some monster SUV behind you (or maybe even get shot by some moron) ......as a sidenote I made an interesting observation from these tests. Toyota claims better gas mileage in city driving conditions, but as can be seen, that never happened!!...just goes to show how FLAWED the EPA test procedures are!!

So as can be seen, a NORMAL person driving in the NORMAL world will only be able to get an average of around 45mpg with a Prius, using a CONSERVATIVE driving style. Friends of mine who own Stick-shift Toyota Echos, and using the same CONSERVATIVE driving style, average around 38 to 40mpg!!! That is a difference of only about 5mpg, which in purely FINANCIAL TERMS, virtually makes no sense at all. A majority of people who buy Priuses (such as my uncle) do it for a combination of several factors, which include the "environmental feel good" aspect, and also to make a statement about their choices (this is the precise reason the Civic Hybrid does not sell as well as the Prius), and the gas savings is just an added incentive. However, here in Southern California, the ability to drive single in the CARPOOL LANE does make for a significant benefit as well!!

[why?]

Originally Posted by vicpai

People getting 55 and 60mpg with their Priuses is simply not the norm. To get these unrealistic figures, you have to drive like an insane madman, or maybe cruise on a lonely 2 lane road with no other traffic around. These scenarios are simply not feasible in the real world, especially for people living in major cities like Los Angeles, where I live. So unless you live someplace like Podunk, North Dakota, you're not likely to come anywhere close to the EPA estimates. (FYI, I'm originally from that area )....and aside from this, Hybrids are far more adversely affected by such things as COLD WEATHER, compared to a regular gas engine!!

The reason I know this fact to be true, is because not only do I have friends and an uncle who drives the current generation Prius, but have rented it as well from Fox-Rent-A-Car for 4 days and done some meticulous tests. From what I've heard first hand, as well as from what I've gleaned from my own tests, conservative driving yields mileage somewhere in the LOW to MID 40s combined (I personally got around 48mpg driving a constant 60mph on the freeway, and 41mpg driving conservatively in city areas)...In my tests of "agressive" driving I obtained around 35mpg in the city and 42mpg on the freeway at a constant 80mph, with an occasional slowdown to 70 - 75 due to traffic. Obtaining "hyper mileage" using techniques such as "PULSE and GLIDE", is simply not feasible in the real world, unless you have a great desire to be run over by some monster SUV behind you (or maybe even get shot by some moron) ......as a sidenote I made an interesting observation from these tests. Toyota claims better gas mileage in city driving conditions, but as can be seen, that never happened!!...just goes to show how FLAWED the EPA test procedures are!!

So as can be seen, a NORMAL person driving in the NORMAL world will only be able to get an average of around 45mpg with a Prius, using a CONSERVATIVE driving style. Friends of mine who own Stick-shift Toyota Echos, and using the same CONSERVATIVE driving style, average around 38 to 40mpg!!! That is a difference of only about 5mpg, which in purely FINANCIAL TERMS, virtually makes no sense at all. A majority of people who buy Priuses (such as my uncle) do it for a combination of several factors, which include the "environmental feel good" aspect, and also to make a statement about their choices (this is the precise reason the Civic Hybrid does not sell as well as the Prius), and the gas savings is just an added incentive. However, here in Southern California, the ability to drive single in the CARPOOL LANE does make for a significant benefit as well!!

That is cool, you figured out the Prius is not good for you.

But just because the car isn't good for you does not mean it is not good for anyone else.

Especially considering your location. That is usually one of the biggest difference in mpg figures.

What you call driving conservative might not be so conservative to someone else. And while hyper-mileaging is not something you can do on normal roads, using some hyper mileaging tricks you can certainly get better gas mileage.

Constant velocity will not net you the best gas mileage. That is a simple fact.

As for getting 55-60 mpg in a Prius, on greenhybrid.com, only 26 out of 489 get above 55 mpg. That is about 5.3%.

However, only 21 out of 489 get below 40 mpg. That is 4.3%.

I don't know of any other midsize cars that can average 40 mpg or more.

The average they report is 48 mpg. That is good gas mileage.

As for it not making financial sense, of course it doesn't. No one buys a hybrid for financial reasons. It is simply a snob vehicle. They buy because it makes them feel good, and they can brag about it. As you mentioned, the Civic Hybrid does not sell well, and that is because it looks like a Civic. There is no screaming,"I am driving a hybrid, I am better than you," from a Civic Hybrid.

Just stop making the blanket statements. 4 days of testing simply does not add up very well. I can say the top Prius II on greenhybrid.com gets 71.8 mpg over 12,158 miles. That is a lot more then 4 days of testing.

[yarisnewfrontier]

Originally Posted by vicpai

People getting 55 and 60mpg with their Priuses is simply not the norm. To get these unrealistic figures, you have to drive like an insane madman, or maybe cruise on a lonely 2 lane road with no other traffic around. These scenarios are simply not feasible in the real world, especially for people living in major cities like Los Angeles, where I live. So unless you live someplace like Podunk, North Dakota, you're not likely to come anywhere close to the EPA estimates. (FYI, I'm originally from that area )....and aside from this, Hybrids are far more adversely affected by such things as COLD WEATHER, compared to a regular gas engine!!

The reason I know this fact to be true, is because not only do I have friends and an uncle who drives the current generation Prius, but have rented it as well from Fox-Rent-A-Car for 4 days and done some meticulous tests. From what I've heard first hand, as well as from what I've gleaned from my own tests, conservative driving yields mileage somewhere in the LOW to MID 40s combined (I personally got around 48mpg driving a constant 60mph on the freeway, and 41mpg driving conservatively in city areas)...In my tests of "agressive" driving I obtained around 35mpg in the city and 42mpg on the freeway at a constant 80mph, with an occasional slowdown to 70 - 75 due to traffic. Obtaining "hyper mileage" using techniques such as "PULSE and GLIDE", is simply not feasible in the real world, unless you have a great desire to be run over by some monster SUV behind you (or maybe even get shot by some moron) ......as a sidenote I made an interesting observation from these tests. Toyota claims better gas mileage in city driving conditions, but as can be seen, that never happened!!...just goes to show how FLAWED the EPA test procedures are!!

So as can be seen, a NORMAL person driving in the NORMAL world will only be able to get an average of around 45mpg with a Prius, using a CONSERVATIVE driving style. Friends of mine who own Stick-shift Toyota Echos, and using the same CONSERVATIVE driving style, average around 38 to 40mpg!!! That is a difference of only about 5mpg, which in purely FINANCIAL TERMS, virtually makes no sense at all. A majority of people who buy Priuses (such as my uncle) do it for a combination of several factors, which include the "environmental feel good" aspect, and also to make a statement about their choices (this is the precise reason the Civic Hybrid does not sell as well as the Prius), and the gas savings is just an added incentive. However, here in Southern California, the ability to drive single in the CARPOOL LANE does make for a significant benefit as well!!

Ok- first of all- where I got 57 mpg is driving on a 6 LANE toll road to Dulles Airport. If you do what is called stealthing (speeding to the preferred mph then letting it glide until you want to speed up and apply the gas) it is entirely feasible. Also, I am originally from Iowa so saying it would only work in the Midwest area is not true. It works actually better- from what I've heard from Prius customers and my own experience- in stop and go traffic like DC where I am located. Granted- if you are a speed demon this is not for you- check out an Avalon Touring. But for people who are environmentally conscious and would like a tax deduction this is a great vehicle if you know how to drive it and would like great gas mileage.

[Prius 1]

Originally Posted by vicpai

People getting 55 and 60mpg with their Priuses is simply not the norm. To get these unrealistic figures, you have to drive like an insane madman, or maybe cruise on a lonely 2 lane road with no other traffic around. These scenarios are simply not feasible in the real world, especially for people living in major cities like Los Angeles, where I live. So unless you live someplace like Podunk, North Dakota, you're not likely to come anywhere close to the EPA estimates. (FYI, I'm originally from that area )....and aside from this, Hybrids are far more adversely affected by such things as COLD WEATHER, compared to a regular gas engine!!

The reason I know this fact to be true, is because not only do I have friends and an uncle who drives the current generation Prius, but have rented it as well from Fox-Rent-A-Car for 4 days and done some meticulous tests. From what I've heard first hand, as well as from what I've gleaned from my own tests, conservative driving yields mileage somewhere in the LOW to MID 40s combined (I personally got around 48mpg driving a constant 60mph on the freeway, and 41mpg driving conservatively in city areas)...In my tests of "agressive" driving I obtained around 35mpg in the city and 42mpg on the freeway at a constant 80mph, with an occasional slowdown to 70 - 75 due to traffic. Obtaining "hyper mileage" using techniques such as "PULSE and GLIDE", is simply not feasible in the real world, unless you have a great desire to be run over by some monster SUV behind you (or maybe even get shot by some moron) ......as a sidenote I made an interesting observation from these tests. Toyota claims better gas mileage in city driving conditions, but as can be seen, that never happened!!...just goes to show how FLAWED the EPA test procedures are!!

So as can be seen, a NORMAL person driving in the NORMAL world will only be able to get an average of around 45mpg with a Prius, using a CONSERVATIVE driving style. Friends of mine who own Stick-shift Toyota Echos, and using the same CONSERVATIVE driving style, average around 38 to 40mpg!!! That is a difference of only about 5mpg, which in purely FINANCIAL TERMS, virtually makes no sense at all. A majority of people who buy Priuses (such as my uncle) do it for a combination of several factors, which include the "environmental feel good" aspect, and also to make a statement about their choices (this is the precise reason the Civic Hybrid does not sell as well as the Prius), and the gas savings is just an added incentive. However, here in Southern California, the ability to drive single in the CARPOOL LANE does make for a significant benefit as well!!

THIS was my reaction after reading so much dribble and Self-Proclaimed "Clap Trap" ( and I'm using the G rated Version).......... I am Not from the Boonies or Trapped in a MetroPlex............I do give a Damn about the Environment....BUT didn't buy my 2nd Prius because of that. I get 63 mpg combined City/Highway..........I drive along at between 70 mph (highway) and stop and go traffic (City)....I have been able to cover 22 Miles without ever having the 4 Cylinder Engage...........( That's 99.9 mpg )...... and I Drive just as normal as the next guy!!! You Renting a Vehicle to perform your own Test was Idiotic!!!! That is like giving a Car to a 16 year old, who just got his license, and telling them To drive cross country without a map!!!! You don't jump in a Prius and Magically recieve 60+mpg...........Like anything else in life you have to work at it to get good. I have sold many many many Prii and all my people have started out with around 45- 50mpg.....Over time and "Trial and Error" They have mastered the Driving style for the Prius...............WHICH should be a Mandatory Course (in CA Especially) Because the way you drive a Prius correctly can also Improve Gas miliage for a NON-Hybrid vehicle.

I hope that you will think twice about Bad Mouthing a vehicle you know nothing about in the future.........If you want the facts please request them from an Expert and let's NOT try anymore "Blind Taste Test"

Hasn't you mother ever told you ....."If you have nothing good to say ....say Nothing"!!!!!

[swng]

Welcome!

[as400g33k]

welcome, mate!

[swng]

Wow, you must be the research type! Thanks for sharing your findings. Your observation that buyers of the Prius may be buying it for something other than just practical needs is laudable. After reading your post, I am even more happy that I have chosen the Yaris instead of the much more expensive Prius.

Since I travel a lot on highways, I think for me the difference between the fuel costs of the two cars should be quite small. On highways, the Prius does not have many chances to use braking and downhill runs to charge up its batteries, hence the relatively less spectacular fuel economy. In other words, on a long highway with a smooth traffic flow, a Prius is just a mid size car with a small engine carrying an additional load of an electric motor/generator and many batteries.

BTW, is the Prius quieter than the Yaris? Is its ride more comfortable?

[Mad Munchkin]

Hey everyone! Great forum! I'm looking forward to being a Yaris owner myself soon...Was going to order an '06 until I heard the '07s were coming. Now I'm waiting for my dealer to get me the '07 release date. Does anyone happen to have the inside on this? I'm in Calgary, Canada. Thanks!

[Sp33dY]

Sp33dY aka MIKE from oztoyota/ozecho/ozyaris.com here .... in Australia.

Who started this forum? Was only bought to my attention today .... is it American or Canadian owned? :P

[QAsdfdsf]

Who started this forum casesam.co.uk? Was only bought to my attention today .... ourcase.co.uk is it American or Canadian owned?

[debbiezan]

Hi everyone, I have been lurking here for a while, and am now a member. I was upset with Toyota yesterday, as my husband and I drove over 100 miles to see the Yaris at the Pittsburgh Car Show and it wasn't there. So by the end of the day, I had test driven a Cooper Mini and loved it! However, upon more rational debate and internet searches, I came the to the conclusion that buying a MIni might be a big gamble considering it appears to have lots of issues and the dealership is an hour away. Anyway, so I am back to the Yaris, I just wish I could see one in person, or at least see some pictures with people beside it! I think the Yaris still is going to be the car I want, so I am going to be here for a while, thanks in advance for any advice you may give, and forgive me any dumb questions I may ask.

Debbie in Morgantown, WV

[black_toyojazz]

Hello to all of you

It's great to find another place to share info 'bout the Yaris/Vitz/Echo.

I´m from Venezuela. I own a Toyota Starlet (but soon i'll have a Yaris ).... I'm also a member of the Club Toyota Venezuela

See ya!


BTW.....Hi Ryosuke

[Adriaan]

hi everyone, from montreal, quebec had my yaris for about 2 months now. enjoying it alot. Got the white yaris ce option C with leather,in manual. It took the dealer a while to find it but they did. still wating for my rally spoiler, and but fog lights, already got my rims and sound system from my last car waiting until it warmer to install it. soon i'll be able to post pics.

[Adriaan]

thanks guys for the welcome. i know they you guy would like the avatar. Montreal always cold. One of the joys of montreal. As for the yaris Leather was a select dealer option. From what i know there was only 2 dealership on the island that have it. Also i was able to get my ce fully loaded cheap than the RS. The extra in the RS didn't realy interest me. anyways took pic while at work on teh nightshift will post later on the board. There more option on the CE than the RS. For my dealership the rally spoiler is suppose to be in at the end of march. hopefully.

[BensVitz]

Just checking in to sign the guest list.

Ben

[J-KiD]

supportzzz!!!!!

[swng]

Welcome!

[yoyo]

hello eveybody....new one here too...I am from Venezuela living in Houston and waiting for my yaris to come...