USED Toyota Prius Hatchback (03 - 09)

My car

13 Months since my first review. Now over a full tank I average 62 mpg which is fantastic for a petrol automatic. I am really happy I chose this car over a diesel. So many people not getting near the manufacturers rated mpg from Diesels these days. My sisters 1.6 90 hp diesel Peugeot 308 averages 55 mpg per tank. I'm also driving on winter tyres since I got the prius so I could probably get an extra 2-3 mpg more with energy saver tyres!

The best thing was the purchase price which was about 3 thousand Euro's cheaper than smaller diesel cars with much higher mileage because people think diesel is better than hybrid. Which I've learned is not the case. The Prius is doing 15 mpg better than the 2003 A4 TDI Automatic I had.

I also don't have to listen to the noise and feel the vibration of diesels any more. Yes the prius can be noisy when accelerating hard but mostly it's quiet.

The trick with the prius is to learn when to use the power in the battery by lifting off the accelerator and pushing it gently so that the power flows from the battery and while it can't really drive the car at speeds above 28 mph, it keeps the momentum going and it's like you coast for much longer than you normally would, this trick works best between 30-60 mph, you will be quiet surprised at how it increases your mpg.

The 2nd trick is backing off the accelerator and pushing it gently until there are no arrows at all on the energy monitor and then you are coasting using no energy at all.

My car

over 26 kms I can average 62.7 mpg at speeds up to 60 mph. Driving my 2003 A4 TDI over the same distance 40-45 max! However on the motorway over 60 miles I averaged 53.5 mpg in the prius. About the same as the A4. I'm convinced I can get more mpg in the Prius once I get used to it.

I bought an 07 with 45,000 miles for a real bargain. It's not as comfortable as the A4's leather seats. And not as nice to drive. But I am happy with the Prius!

To all those people crying of only getting 45 mpg. If you familiarise yourself with the technology there is no reason you can't get good mpg at all. There is one trick called pulse and glide in the right conditions up to 40 mph. Check it out it does work!

I was thinking about the polo bluemotion, no way, too small, ugly inside and uncomfortable, and the rattle of the 3 pot diesel is way too much of a compromise.

Particle filters on modern Diesels can give major trouble at great expense, no thanks. I liked diesels when they were like they are supposed to be-nice and simple. Not any more! And at the prices some of them go second hand? no way! With the fuel economy I'm getting in the Prius I will never go back to noisy expensive diesels again!

For the size of the prius and it being a petrol automatic, it is remarkable how good the economy is.

Remember Pulse And Glide ! Some of the you tube videos make it look like you have to drive painfully slow, but they are giving a demo of the way it works! You will figure out when to

My car

I ENDORSE MOST OF THE POSITIVE REMARKS. BUT I FIND BEING TIED TO A TOYOTA DEALER ANNOYING...MINE IS TOO FAR AWAY FROM MY HOME. CAR BOUGHT MARCH 2003. I HAVE HAD AUXLLARY BATTERY FAILURE TWICE (FLAT AS A PANCAKE) WITH NO GOOD REASON FOUND.PRESENT BATTERY FAILED FROM 15 MONTHS NEW. RECENTLY FULLY RE-CHARGED BUT I DO NOT TRUST IT

GARAGE TELLS ME I DO NOT DRIVE THE CAR ENOUGH TO KEEP THE BATTERY CHARGED....................NONSENSE.. ANY ONE ELSE HAD THIS TROUBLE?

My car

This my 2nd Prius, changed in Oct 2008. First one averaged 55/56 mpg this one no higher than 46mpg running same journeys (all country roads) as last one. I am at present at issue with Toyota as regards lower mpg and so far not too pleased with their response. Otherwise car excellent and reliability first classl