DH and I are in the market for a HiHy. I drive a Prius, he drives a 2000 Honda Civic Si (2 dr). We just have a new baby and although the Prius is large enough for family outings, it is a little small for camping trips and other overnight trips. So we're looking at buying a HiHy. We found one on the lot yesterday at Wilsonville Toyota. It's a Ltd, black, with all the options you could possibly want. They made an error in the pricing (or so they said) and are offering it for $43.989 (not sure if that price is still in the window today, as there was some pressure from them for us to buy it yesterday). But anyway, given that Toyota is set to increase the price of the HiHy by $517 (the dealer mentioned MSRP will be $2k more, again is this just a scare tactic?), should we buy one now at the end of the model year? Or do we wait for the 2009 model? Or should we wait another year for the 2010 model which could possibly have Li-Ion batteries and plug-in?
hard to justify paying that much money for camping trips. we camp with a 16 month old and yes the car seat does take up a lot of room, but we have been able to pack our stuff without a roof rack. granted we dont take everything like bikes, etc. but we do have tents, air mattresses, blankets (hate sleeping bags!!) pillows, coolers and what not. ALONG WITH an SO who has to take at least 2 changes of clothes for every day of the trip!@!
I love my HiHy and am glad I have it, when I need to haul many people or things or both. I just used it the other day to bring home a eight foot ladder, inside. And the MPG is around 30, which is not bad for a SUV.
Thanks for the advice. We decided to go for it, as it was a deal we couldn't pass up. So far it's surpassed our expectations. It drives so smoothly.
Yeah, that's what I've been getting lately. I was getting at least 32 all summer and then a week or so ago, it went down to 30. Weird.
It's the heat. Here in Sunny Dallas, where we have had a lot of triple digit days, the MPG has suffered. One thing I know about Hybrids, is they like 72˚F. They don't like the cold, or the heat.
actually, if talking batteries, the sweet spot i believe is about 82º F... but that is for lead acid... might be a little diff for NiMH...my Zenn has a battery efficiency curve chart. **EDIT** ooops...misinformed you....just looked at chart...its 81ºF...sorry to have misled you...can i still stay here at PC? please?
Well, that is fine and all. I'm just speaking from real world experience, here in Texas, and in South Florida. Both places, with my Hybrids at least, like temps in the mid to lower 70's. Room temp, some might say. Not to say they don't like 81ºF over triple digits, with the AC on and all. But when I can, I drive them with the windows down, around town at least, and when it's cooler, like I mentioned, then my MPG is better then it is now, with the windows up, AC on, and the outside temp around a hundred. Still, I would rather drive a hybrid, because at the lights, it's still off, and not polluting.
ok... this is lead acid, NiMH is probably a little different... but you can check out what Zenn says... its all relative.
Buy '08 now. '09 will cost $527 more and offer negligible change. '08 will be slightly discounted from dealer stock to make ready for '09 arrival in Sept. '09 will be in demand for the next 2 or 3 months due to others (like you) who are waiting for the newest model. I purchased '08 several weeks ago and received several thousand off msrp, which isn't really saving much, but most dealers in the Atlanta area have a $1500 add on for any hybrid, plus dealer fees.
