Overhaulin'

Should I get my Prius now or later?

I decided awhile ago that my next car will be a Prius. With gas prices continuing to rise, it's getting to be nearly the time to trade in my Jeep Liberty. I know that the savings in gas won't make up for buying a hybrid, but environmentally this is what I want to do. My question really stems from what the future of the Prius is. I had heard that the 2009 Prius's will get 90 MPG, and I was wondering if this is true? I can't find any information from Toyota about this, so I'd love if someone could provide me with some documentation for this. Also, if this is the case, does anyone have any information on pricing for the 2009 model? Thanks!

Public Comments

1. Never.
2. That wont happen. They dont even come close to the 60 mpg rating they have now. Making those batteries is horrible for the environment also. If you want to help the environment get a bike or if you must drive get a small car like a Chevy Aveo, Honda Fit, or Toyota Yaris. Those will get about the same real world mileage as a hybrid at much less cost. Pixie - They may not get the EPA mileage but they come a whole lot closer than hybrids ever do. Depending on where you live you can get EPA mileage or you may get less. Ive never had a problem getting about EPA mileage but someone that spends their commute in stop and go traffic will never get anywhere near it.
3. Why wait. If you can afford one now, but it! You will have two more years to be smug and show off to all yours friends how much better you are. People don't buy these cars for the mileage, if they really cared about mileage they would walk, ride a bike or buy a Vespa. They buy these cars because they can drive around with their collective noses in the air showing EVERYONE how much better they are. The 2008 Prius is estimated to get a mileage rating of 45 MPG, a far cry from the advertised 60/51. A Prius is not the vehicle to get if you do 50% or more of your miles on the highway. They just don't get great mileage at common highway speeds. If, however, you want to drive in the slow lane and be smug at the same time, the Prius may be for you. I cannot imagine that a 2009 Prius will get anywhere near 90 MPG unless they really cut back on the size of the vehicle or make it a "plug-in hybrid". If they go "plug-in" then you are not getting a true reading on MPG because the true amount of energy being used would include some from the grid and all of those annoying Coal Fired and Nuclear Power Plants. Go Green......buy a new set of Nikes!!
4. The above people need to realize that no car gets what the epa milage rating was, which is why they changed the way they rate cars. Toyota is planning a redesign of the Prius, which will be a plug-in (electricity is still cleaner energy than gasoline) either in 2009 and 2010 but have not released information about price. You could wait, or buy one now and trade it in when they upgrade. Priuses hold their value pretty well.
5. If you want to get great fuel economy, why not look at a diesel import?? Pretty sure German imports are left hand drive too This only works on the basis that you can get actually buy diesel over there. You'll get so much more miles for your money!!! Think 60+mpg for a small car!!!
6. i have not heard that but that would be cool.