Joined
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9 Posts
Let me start by saying thanks to this group and the other Prius groups on the net. Thanks to your tips, etc. I picked up my 2004 option 9 last week in KY after having called over 200 dealers and only having to wait for approx. 3 weeks for one to fall thru the cracks. For those of you still looking / waiting start calling because they are out there.
Now let me preface this by stating that I know I am going to piss off a lot of you.
Since I have been on the hunt for this car I have read virtually all of the threads in this group and many others. One thing that is apparent is that a large majority of the Prius owners and want to be owners share a belief that they are helping the planet. Believe it or not that point can be argued. Disposal of batteries is just one of many ways to approach that argument.
What concerns me is that in a recent post a member asked a question concerning a radar detector The responses this member got we're more along the lines of chastisement rather than advise.
Well I am here to tell you that I did not buy this car because I am trying to save the planet. I purchased this car because I was looking for a reliable vehicle at a reasonable price, a vehicle that had good reviews - ie Motor Trend Car of the Year, reduce my wifes consumption of fuel on her commute from San Diego to Los Angeles 6 times a month, had cool toys - bluetooth, GPS, etc. etc. etc.
I and my wife are those drivers who do drive 90 mph in the fastlane and will not hesitate to flash the brights or honk the horn at the Volvo drivers who go 65 mph in the fast lane. In 40 plus combined years of driving between my wife and I, neither of us have ever been the cause of an accident. Matter of fact the only things either of us have been involved in we're being rearended.
In regards to this member and his question about radar detectors I am happy to share this with him / her and any others that find this of help.
On my trip back from Kentucky to San Diego the first thing I did upon entering the car was hooked up my Escort 8500 to the power connector and mounted it to the right of the rearview mirror and slightly below all of those little black dots.
I promptly started my journey by setting the cruse control to 86 mph in a 65. Things we're fine until a laser got me in Illinois. As I tell everyone who asks - if the laser gets you just pull over. The tropper clocked me going 84 in a 65 and the fine is 75.00 in Illinois. Rather cheap.
Throughout the rest of my journey I encountered no more lasers thank God, however I did pick up the KA band with between a 1/4 mile warning up to 3 miles depending on terrain. Not once did they get me or my wife.
In regards to the prius and how it holds up at the upper speeds, heres my summary.
Top speed: 107 mph
Average Speed during our 3000 mile plus trip: high 80's
Mountain ranges crossed: 3
Desserts crossed: 3
Average MPG for whole trip: 41
At 90+ mph: Low 30's sometimes high 20's
At 80+ mph: High 30's - low 40's
Highest acchieved: 51 mpg
Cruise control limit: 99 mph
Cruise control going over the mountains: works great - will keep you right up there in the high 70's
Handling at high speeds: excellent even with strong winds - just have to be ready.
Continued passing people in the mountains as well as on the flat roads of Nebraska. No problems with power as long as your not expecting a hemi.
Lastly because of the design of the rearend of the vehicle it might be difficult to pick up lasers. Believe it or not this was part of the discussion the trooper and I had.
In summary. This is a great car. Everything I had hoped for.
Will I save the planet by purchasing this car - hell no. Can I make a little dent and possibly help broaden the field for other car makers to enter the hybrid field - maybe.
My point here is that none of us should talk down to someone who is asking for advice. If you can't answer his/her question keep your comments to yourself. He/she did not ask for your thoughts about saving the planet, he/she asked about a radar detector.
Lastly - for all of you slow ass drivers in the fast lane - look out for my wife and I as we flash your ass with the brights in our blue 2004 Prius.
Peace
Michael
Now let me preface this by stating that I know I am going to piss off a lot of you.
Since I have been on the hunt for this car I have read virtually all of the threads in this group and many others. One thing that is apparent is that a large majority of the Prius owners and want to be owners share a belief that they are helping the planet. Believe it or not that point can be argued. Disposal of batteries is just one of many ways to approach that argument.
What concerns me is that in a recent post a member asked a question concerning a radar detector The responses this member got we're more along the lines of chastisement rather than advise.
Well I am here to tell you that I did not buy this car because I am trying to save the planet. I purchased this car because I was looking for a reliable vehicle at a reasonable price, a vehicle that had good reviews - ie Motor Trend Car of the Year, reduce my wifes consumption of fuel on her commute from San Diego to Los Angeles 6 times a month, had cool toys - bluetooth, GPS, etc. etc. etc.
I and my wife are those drivers who do drive 90 mph in the fastlane and will not hesitate to flash the brights or honk the horn at the Volvo drivers who go 65 mph in the fast lane. In 40 plus combined years of driving between my wife and I, neither of us have ever been the cause of an accident. Matter of fact the only things either of us have been involved in we're being rearended.
In regards to this member and his question about radar detectors I am happy to share this with him / her and any others that find this of help.
On my trip back from Kentucky to San Diego the first thing I did upon entering the car was hooked up my Escort 8500 to the power connector and mounted it to the right of the rearview mirror and slightly below all of those little black dots.
I promptly started my journey by setting the cruse control to 86 mph in a 65. Things we're fine until a laser got me in Illinois. As I tell everyone who asks - if the laser gets you just pull over. The tropper clocked me going 84 in a 65 and the fine is 75.00 in Illinois. Rather cheap.
Throughout the rest of my journey I encountered no more lasers thank God, however I did pick up the KA band with between a 1/4 mile warning up to 3 miles depending on terrain. Not once did they get me or my wife.
In regards to the prius and how it holds up at the upper speeds, heres my summary.
Top speed: 107 mph
Average Speed during our 3000 mile plus trip: high 80's
Mountain ranges crossed: 3
Desserts crossed: 3
Average MPG for whole trip: 41
At 90+ mph: Low 30's sometimes high 20's
At 80+ mph: High 30's - low 40's
Highest acchieved: 51 mpg
Cruise control limit: 99 mph
Cruise control going over the mountains: works great - will keep you right up there in the high 70's
Handling at high speeds: excellent even with strong winds - just have to be ready.
Continued passing people in the mountains as well as on the flat roads of Nebraska. No problems with power as long as your not expecting a hemi.
Lastly because of the design of the rearend of the vehicle it might be difficult to pick up lasers. Believe it or not this was part of the discussion the trooper and I had.
In summary. This is a great car. Everything I had hoped for.
Will I save the planet by purchasing this car - hell no. Can I make a little dent and possibly help broaden the field for other car makers to enter the hybrid field - maybe.
My point here is that none of us should talk down to someone who is asking for advice. If you can't answer his/her question keep your comments to yourself. He/she did not ask for your thoughts about saving the planet, he/she asked about a radar detector.
Lastly - for all of you slow ass drivers in the fast lane - look out for my wife and I as we flash your ass with the brights in our blue 2004 Prius.
Peace
Michael