I always thought that the mpg ratings were for comparison only, and that everyone knew you never got what was shown on those ratings. I just got past 90,000 miles on my 2005 Prius (purchased in 11/04) and my average mpg is around 49.5. Some tanks much better (recently had a 53 mpg tank for around 500 miles driven), few tanks less than 48 mpg. Compared to my last car, a VW Passat 4 cylinder turbo (24 mpg overall on premium gas), I am doing well.
I do have to re-educate people who think I am “green.” While I don’t try to harm the environment, for me buying the Prius was about saving gas and having a “gadgety” car to play with, since I am in it so much. My wife really likes it, too. It is easy for my kids (15 year olds with learners’ permits) to drive. I never have to take the key out of my pocket. The lights turn off when you get out of the car. It is just a fun, economical car.
So, are you planning to junk your car in 5000 miles? :-)
So, are you planning to junk your car in 10,000 miles :-)
I have no beef with prius owners, it’s dickheads with an agenda that really bug me. You don’t seem like that type. Glad you like your little car.
I was looking at new cars last year, and I could not make the math work on a Prius (or any other hybrid.) Gas would have to be over $4 a gallon for it to work out cheaper than a smaller traditional car.
At the time, there was not a lot of information (reliable at least) that I could base the higher price / higher mileage cost of ownership.
Based on your story (and others) and I might re-visit it in a year or two when I start the process again. I put about 40,000 miles year on a car so I tend to go through them pretty quickly—and get very little for trade in’s (based on their age—the mileage kills me every time.)