When my Dodge Ram hits your Prius?

Got out for a test drive today and it was pretty nice, I didn't really feel unsafe or anything, the truck felt absolutely huge after driving the prius and the yarus. The thing could zip right along off of the line. I really really liked the energy screen-to watch what was happening. Probably was a bit distracted tho ;)

Could you guys check my numbers here? I figure the prius will save 1500$ per year in gas and the old truck has been around 1000$ per year in repairs and big maintenance for the last few years (although it is running perfectly now). It'll depreciate a little but it's a '98 with 147000 miles (checked today) so maybe 500$/yr? The prius will cost say 25K but won't have any repairs for awhile. Think depreciation of 2K per year is about right? If so then the prius will cost 500$ less per year to operate, plus I have to pay 25K. Well, maybe 20K and sell the old truck. Heh, I'll have my money back in 40 years LOL!

But does it look like after gas, depreciation, and repairs I'd be a little better off?

Before you make a final decision on the prius. Test drive the civic hybrid. Just bought ours yesterday and absolutely love it. It has a 5 star crash rating. The civic has Front airbags, side curtain airbags, driver and passenger active head restraints, ACE advanced compatibility engineering body structure and the list goes on. We traded our 07 ridgeline because of gas. In the ridgeline we were averaging 16 mpg, on the way home yesterday in our new civic we got 51mpg. From the dealership to our house is about 50 miles and the gas gauge didn't even budge. That made us feel relieved and sure that we did the right thing. Why make oil companies even more richer if you don't have to. But most importantly do what is right for you and your family. If you buy a hybrid just think of how much $$ you will be saving...not only on gas, but tires and on insurance...plus you get a tax incentive on a hybrid....honda civic hybrid tax incentive is at 2100.00....until they sell 60,000. :)

Thanks for the comments and links. I didn't realize how bad cars fare when hit on the side by trucks, that's terrible! Maybe the best solution is fewer trucks, I'm not sure LOL! I've been thinking about it for awhile and I figure it's a small increase in risk. But my three reasons for buying a fuel efficient car (less money to unfriendly countries, less money to oil companies, and less damage to the environment) are a little stronger than my understanding of increased risk of driving a small car vs. my pickup. Heck, I ride my bike 5000 miles a year and when a truck hits a cyclist.... Anyway, I'm a careful driver, I've avoided having any accidents so far, and I think the "risk" is going to be worth it to me.

So...not to totally change the subject but are there any cars you can plug in on the horizon (like 2008?)

Thanks again for the comments and links :)

I wouldn't count on any plug-in hybrids (PHEV;s) in 2008, actually. The major auto manufacturers are still dragging their feet on anything that doesn't get its fuel from a gas pump.
As far as I have seen, the only new, freeway capable vehicle you can actually buy is the weird looking Myers NMG. Commuter Cars can build you a Tango. Tesla looks to be on track to start delivering their awesome Roadster this fall. Both Phoenix motors and Hybrid Technologies promise deliveries of their truck and SmartEV (respectively) in 2008. All of these are pure Battery Electrics.
eDrive and Hymotion may have conversion options available for the Prius+ PHEV but I haven't seen any solid delivery dates. GM is talking about the Volt PHEV and some of the smaller Japanese manufacturers are talking about EV's as well but I doubt we'll see anything on the market this decade. The Zenn may get approved as a real car but I'm not counting on them.
So, I'm still waiting for my plug-in.

Before you buy a hybrid, please do yourself and America a favor and consider or at least investigate the main alternative to hybrids - a modern diesel car. I was dead set on getting a hybrid, but I had to back shelf it for awhile. Then I discovered VW TDIs (currently the only affordable diesels in the US, but that should change in a couple years), and realized they are a much better fit to my taste in cars, can match hybrids at mpg without sacrificing performance, and have enough cool new/different technology to satisfy my interest in technology. Hybrids are great, but are in no way the only solution. Check out tdiclub.com. Oh, and VWs have great crash ratings...

Ok, I'm done trolling... :D

Prius gets great marks for safety from Insurance Institute Highway Safety crash tests.

Note that the side impact tests are not weight based so the Prius beats the Dodge Ram for safety in side impact.

I start with the IIHS crash tests for car shopping. It's a war out on the roads and no reason to be a casualty.

As I was saying before I rudely pressed the wrong button!

Although other drivers treat you differently, I remember that I used to get about 25MPG, and if I put my foot down in anger this reduced.

So now I get the last laugh when Pick-Up's and SUV's pass me in anger, as I know that it cost them a gallon jsut to vent their frustration!

It's all good fun in the end, and the Prius is pretty safe anyway.

I can only speak on my own experience when I say my 2003 VW Golf TDI has been very little trouble so far. Though I bought it used, so I didn't have to deal with any of the initial bugs most new cars work through...
I've heard most of VW's quality issues have been much improved of late, and also that the diesel VWs didn't have nearly the issues that the gassers had.
VW and Mercedes won't be the only diesel players for long - Honda, BMW, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Audi, etc. are all planning diesel models for the US, to arrive 2008 and shortly thereafter. Exciting I say.

I believe that changed with the new Civic, which can now run on electric alone for a bit.

^^^I totally hate the myth held over from the previous HCH design that we can't go into full EV mode. I think it is perpetuated by owners of other hybrid manufacturers who's experience is limited or dated. It's good to hear someone who owns both cars put in their 2c. +rep from me for this above posting.

I force the car into EV mode every chance I can when it is appropriate. I can go 100km/hr+ and as soon as I hit a bit of level or downhill highway I force it into EV and my fuel efficiency goes thru the roof. I have held this for 10-15 kms on long slight downhill grades.

OK, so two quick questions...

does this mean if you're hit from the side you're better off in a prius than a ram or is this "class adjusted"?

and do you drive a prius?

thanks for the info :)

One of the issues I have with the Prius is that the government crash tests only give it 4/5 stars for driver and passenger front impact:
http://www.safercar.gov/Index2.cfm?myClass=PC&myYear=2008&myMake=Toyota&myModel=Prius&GoButton=View+specific+vehicle

This is still better than older cars, but it could be better. The good news is that the Prius is being redesigned for 2009 (so it should be available late 2008). I would be the redesigned Prius would get top safety marks in everything, so you might consider waiting until the fall.

While the Prius redesign is fairly certain, there are other interesting rumors which may or may not end up having merit. Rumor has it that after the 2009 redesign, in the following years they'll come out with a second smaller Prius, and a third bigger Prius that's more Camry sized.

Also, I know Toyota has talked about producing a plug-in Prius...but as someone else mentioned, I certainly wouldn't expect it any time this year.

I'm a member of the news media, and a Prius Owner. Just got back from a really bad news story yesterday.

A mother and two children were riding their monster SUV down the expressway.

Hit a patch of ice, slid into the guard rail. Because of high center of gravity, the SUV tumbled over the guard rail and rolled over three times before coming to a stop.

Driver side window was shattered during first roll. Mother's head was thrown sideways out the open window as SUV rolled over.

Mother decapitated, pronounced dead on scene. Both children in hosptial in critical condition. ALL were wearing seat belts.

This is NOT an isolated incident. Detroit's dirty little secret is that SUV's are killing people by the 10's of thousands, in SINGLE VEHICLE ACCIDENTS.

SUV's and Pickups are by design, inherently unstable, and will roll over if the vehicle even hits a curb. Seatbelts are useless when your head is bouncing off the roof and side walls like those little lottery balls in the blender when they draw lottery numbers.

SUV's, pickup trucks, et al, are among the MOST DANGEROUS vehicles to be in a crash.

Bigger is NOT safer. Unless, of course you drive an Abrams Tank. And I understand they get about 4 gallons to the mile.

A few facts about myself: I drive a Prius (2002 Model). I love a good steak as well as good sushi. (And before I get any vegetarians angry I also love a place where I work called the “Sexy Salad.”) I can tell you that apart for having to drive a tank the Prius is more or less the equal size and strength wise to most of the “cars” out there on the road.

I do drive differently in my Prius. That lady known as “50 MPG” tempts me with alluring promises. I REFUSE to be a trail horse constantly tailgating the car in front of me. If he wants to go from 65 to 45 and back again every 15 seconds that’s his business. Likewise I don’t accelerate down a hill unless the overall speed has drastically increased; why waste a “free lunch” of going downhill? I also take my time slowing down letting as much energy go to the battery and not the brakes.

In fact there are times I wonder why I drive this heavy car!