Prius Owners Still Miffed about Mileage

[Proetus]

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news0...idwatch02.html
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By Joe Benton
ConsumerAffairs.Com

November 30, 2005

Toyota has sold more than 500,000 of the Prius hybrids, setting the mark in October amid continuing complaints about gasoline mileage claims. While the Japanese automaker is developing a loyal band of Prius owners, it's also amassing a gaggle of angry Priusians.

Feelings run deep among people who have endured waiting lists and additional premiums, particularly those who feel they were sold a pig in a poke.

Deborah H. in Louisville, Kentucky is angry. "I feel there was false advertising by Toyota stating there was 50 miles per gallon on the highway and 60 miles per hour in the city driving my Toyota Prius hybrid," she wrote.

Deborah was one of thousands of Prius buyers who paid the dealer a "market adjustment" or extra money for her new hybrid.

"They jacked up the price $8,000 from sticker stating it was a car that was hard to come by and that was their price. They said I would actually save money on gas."

But Deborah writes that gas mileage results her Prius achieves continue to be disappointing: "After six months of tracking, the best mileage I ever got was 43 miles per gallon. Most often my mileage is between 30 and 36 miles per gallon."

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[DuSpinnst]

Well I guess this proves all those people who are on priuschat beating milage are not the norm.

[SSrevolution]

How on earth do you explain this? Toyota couldn't have blatently lied! Could they?

Or is this still the work of EPA estimates?

Either way I hope somebody gets in alot of trouble over this.

[goochman]

This is the kind of dumb s*** that Toyota needs to repeat in more areas for GM to win back some customers. Im sure this lady wont be walking into a Toyota dealership anytime soon after paying an 8K markup!

If GM only had a vehicle in the hybrid range to offer her...............

[nsap]

Hmm... Weren't a few members here trying to convince me and a few other members that the Prius' were getting the gas mileage they were intended?

[ByTheLake]

Originally Posted by SSrevolution

How on earth do you explain this? Toyota couldn't have blatently lied! Could they?

Or is this still the work of EPA estimates?

Either way I hope somebody gets in alot of trouble over this.

The EPA process does not apply well to hybrid vehicles. I doubt anybody will get into any trouble over this, but I suspect that the EPA testing processes will be rewritten.

[SSrevolution]

Originally Posted by ByTheLake

The EPA process does not apply well to hybrid vehicles. I doubt anybody will get into any trouble over this, but I suspect that the EPA testing processes will be rewritten.

Then how in the hell did someone get 50mpg out of it?

That makes me think conspiracy.

[asim]

What! The prius doesn't pay off because it's saving gas. It cost way too much versus comparable cars that aren't hybrids. But then someone had the nerve to pay $8,000 more than MSRP and think they are going to save money. This makes me sick.

[DuSpinnst]

Originally Posted by asim

What! The prius doesn't pay off because it's saving gas. It cost way too much versus comparable cars that aren't hybrids. But then someone had the nerve to pay $8,000 more than MSRP and think they are going to save money. This makes me sick.

We call these people "crack heads"

[Buick61]

The Prius, and any car for that matter, can achieve the EPA figures...if you drive them EXACTLY how they are driven for the fuel mileage tests. That means no A/C, which is what I suspect is one big issue with the Prius.

[jman196]

You would need to be driving that little crapbox for almost a decade to save 8 grand probably more than a decade, and how often do people actually keep their vehicles that long, some people, you shouldn't have to sacrifice sooo much to get a few more mpg, try and pass someone with that thing I don't think so

[Mr. Burns]

i bet our little friend debra was just driving her car on the highway like the rest of us and neglected the fact that for maximum savings, the prius needs to be driven 75% in the city, where its electric engine will be doing most of the work.


people expect to buy a hybrid, drive it like an SUV and get stellar milage. Im just surprised its the prius and not the accord, or highlander hybrids.

[goochman]

Originally Posted by Mr. Burns

i bet our little friend debra was just driving her car on the highway like the rest of us and neglected the fact that for maximum savings, the prius needs to be driven 75% in the city, where its electric engine will be doing most of the work.


people expect to buy a hybrid, drive it like an SUV and get stellar milage. Im just surprised its the prius and not the accord, or highlander hybrids.

Actually she is getting about what most Prius owners are getting - about 1/2 of the sticker EPA. The Hybrids have turned the EPA #s into a joke and they are going to change the tests.

40~45 highway is what most Prius owners are reporting on average. Those that live in trees are reporting 150 mpgs.

[Mr. Burns]

Originally Posted by goochman

Actually she is getting about what most Prius owners are getting - about 1/2 of the sticker EPA. The Hybrids have turned the EPA #s into a joke and they are going to change the tests.

40~45 highway is what most Prius owners are reporting on average. Those that live in trees are reporting 150 mpgs.

so are these guys:
http://auto.consumerguide.com/Auto/N.../Act/Roadtest/

[goochman]

Originally Posted by Mr. Burns

so are these guys:
http://auto.consumerguide.com/Auto/N.../Act/Roadtest/

Yup:

Test cars averaged 42.6-45.2 mpg in normal driving; another did 36.7 including gas-eating performance runs. (Test Civic Hybrids averaged 31.8-47.6.) Note that Prius likely to deliver best fuel economy in city driving, the reverse of nonhybrid vehicles. Toyota recommends regular-grade fuel.


That is bit off what most folks were expecting when paying a huge sum of $$$$ over a regular Corollo or something else. I know Id be po'd.