hybrid for primarily highway miles - Page 2 - GreenHybrid

PriusGuy04 · #11 (**permalink**) 01-27-2006, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BDixon

Thanks for all the input folks.

From what I've been able to read over the last few days on the HiHY and FEH it definiatly looks like the FEH would get better gas milage. As far as the cost difference all the dealerships said the FEH would be 30k+ whereas the HiHy we can get for 33k. Obviously this was their lowest line model but it's what my wife test drove so she won't know what she's missing lol.

I think once gas hits $2.50 it's not gonna came back down below that point. I actually expect gas to break $3.00 at some point during this year. I(and other who think the same as me) could be wrong and gas may be back below $2.00 soon and if so then so be it. If I was sure she could get 30mpg with the HiHy I'd get it tommorrow but knowing she can have a heavy foot and doesn't really care about the mileage she gets I want to take a little time and do some research.

As for her having to decide between her wants and what's actually needed I've been over it with her dozens of times. She just doesn't like the small cars. She says she can't see and doesn't feel safe. I think this is a little overblown and it's more to do with most of our friends and family all having nice new big shiny trucks and SUV's which aren't used for anything, other than 1 guy who owns a boat which he needs to pull.

For those that say/feel her driving that big explorer is wastefull and un-needed, I agree completely but about all I can do to stop her from getting another is to NOT sign any loan papers. She can always go down to a dealership and get a vehicle without my name on any of the docs.

Thanks again,
Brad

Thank god my wifes open minded, She drove a 99 Moutaineer 17mpg when it came time to get rid of it I traded it in for a 04 tundra 17/22 mpg and gave her the 04 prius 58/48 mi. she too drives the interstate 47 mi each way to work. I have not figured out what the gas savings is but she used to fill up every 3 days now she fills up every 7 - 9 days depending on how much extra driving she does.

Delta Flyer · #12 (**permalink**) 01-27-2006, 09:39 AM

BDixon,

Wonder if you can delay her buying - time is on your side. Chances are the gas prices will rise and it might sober her up on priorities. I wonder what gas prices will be this August....

One of the frustrations some of us have expressed is how effectively Detroit has made that seductive appeal "bigger is more power and safety" in the face of lower truck safety crash standards, less braking/manuverability, higher rollover risk.

One of my observations about people: If they want to believe something bad enough, they fool themselves it's reality.

sasparilla · #13 (**permalink**) 01-27-2006, 10:07 AM

Brad, one thing is for sure, you don't want to force something on her that she'll resent every time gets in it for her daily commute (and be thinking of how you pushed her into it). If she'll be happy with a 50% improvement in gas mileage (compared to her current vehicle) and likes the feel and size of the car (Toyota Highlander Hybrid) - then I say go for that.

Now that said, is the Hybrid Highlander worth the extra money over the 6 Cylinder Highlander? (I'm saying that since she doesn't sound like she'd go for the 4 Cylinder version)

It's a good question, since the Highlander Hybrid and regular V6 model both use a 3.3 Liter V-6 - and she'll be driving Highway mostly where the Hybrid benefit is smallest. If she was driving at least half city or stop and go highway then definately the Hybrid, but if she's just driving open and 60mph + for most of that 40 + miles, there's more than a $3k delta in price (between the hybrid and normal V6), then I'd say go for the regular one - just my 2 cents. Good luck with your choice.

Scott

SomervillePrius · #14 (**permalink**) 01-27-2006, 10:15 AM

The Hybrid Highlander will do great on the freeway, all hybrids do. It's mostly a rumor that they are not good on the highway. Sure they are good in the city where they can shut-off the engine at red light etc but on the freeway the hybrid will still help (recharging downhill, helping up hill).

Also the hybrid highlander is a rocket so if she likes to drive fast then go for it :-), then once she's stuck in traffic, or waiting outside the coffeeshop she won't be running that v6 to keep the AC on. It's also a start. If you get her a hybrid now she might start to change.

I do agree that if you can wait to next summer it would be smart. The prices will go up (as you say) and the SUV trend will continue to go down. You might also get better hybrid options out there. So if she can wait 6 more motnhs then I would try that path.

Pravus Prime · #15 (**permalink**) 01-27-2006, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SomervillePrius

The Hybrid Highlander will do great on the freeway, all hybrids do. It's mostly a rumor that they are not good on the highway. Sure they are good in the city where they can shut-off the engine at red light etc but on the freeway the hybrid will still help (recharging downhill, helping up hill).

Too true, I suppose we just kind of skipped over emphasizing that point. I do best coming home in rush hour traffic, where the hybrid technology really shines, but hybrids do well on the road at high speeds, far better than a conventional version, but not as good as they do in city driving.

Also, you may be able to sell your wife on the tech, if you haven't try a FEH with the A/N system, and look at the Tax rebates. 30K seems a bit high for a FWD FEH (Unless it's fully loaded), you may want to look into that.

Delta Flyer · #17 (**permalink**) 01-27-2006, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevin_psx

....Show her the stats. Maybe she'll get scared & lose her false love of SUVs.

"Logic" may prevail on Star Trek, but it often does not in the real world.

"Caveman" mentality will delude many into thinking "Size matters more" - it's powerful, it's safer, even when the hard facts refutes it.

I'm thinking that Hamas ruling the Palestinan Authority is not going to help gas prices...

xcel · #18 (**permalink**) 01-27-2006, 02:18 PM

afalnes · #19 (**permalink**) 01-27-2006, 02:44 PM

Brad,

One of your questions was the Highlander Hybrid mileage. Let's see if I can add some information without getting in trouble.

I have 5,000 miles on mine. During the warmer weather, my highway mileage was right around 30 mpg. That's running cruise at 65 miles per hour no special driving techniques. I saw some data that indicated significant drops in mileage for each added 5 miles per hour, so if you can run the speed limit, rather that 5 or 10 over, it will help no matter what vehicle your driving. During the Wisconsin winter its been running about 26 mpg. I would guess an Arizona air conditioned run would probably compare to my winter mileage. The Highlander has plenty of umpf when you give it and provides a nice ride. I got the 2WD so I was not carrying around the extra 350 lbs of rear motor and drive.

Hope that helps.

PriusGuy04 · #20 (**permalink**) 01-27-2006, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevin_psx

You are never never never going to get good highway MPG from a SUV--- it's like driving a brick. Shape's is all wrong.

Best aerodynamic shape is a teardrop like Insight or Prius or Civic. Why does she think she needs an SUV anyway? Even a minivan is more aerodynamic than an SUV.

re: safety---- do research. SUVs are the most dangerous vehicles on the road (they roll over- the roof collapses & occupants turn into mash). Cars are far far safer according to Government Statistics. Less casualties. Less death.

Show her the stats. Maybe she'll get scared & lose her false love of SUVs.

What is that thing Rush Limbaugh once said, "The terrible gas guzzing SUV's kill people, thier dangerous beware of the SUV..
LOL I have found that if a expedition T-bones a civic or a prius the cars driver most likely is going to the hospital...

The wide body's are less frequent to roll over thatn the old style explorers / blazers..

Regretfully My work vehicle is a V6 mini van aka (soccer mom vehicle) It's relly hard to look "cool" in a mini van and I can go 187 mi on 20 gal.

The new V8 explorer/moutaineers can get 21 mpg on the hwy..

Sorry I'm not helping the cause.. (darn it)