Hey there, I am a long time diesel driver, Most recently a 1999 Beetle TDI that drives a lot(engine blew due to catastrophic oil pan puncture at speed at 300k miles. I but about 40k miles a year on a car and like being able to fuel up less often then once a day. I have decided to probably join the dark side and get a Prius. Why? 1- VW service stinks. 3 horrible experiences with 3 dealers. 2- Everything but the motor breaks on these things 2- Diesel fuel stinks I have smelled it for 15 years in various cars and am a little tired of it. I am used to getting about 46.5 mpg with my late great NB TDI and really hope to match that with a 2008 Prius. Anyone help me pull the trigger and do it? Any reason I shouldnt?
The only downside that I can think of in your neck of the woods is that during cold weather, mileage will drop. However, there are solutions that range from almost free (grill blocking) to a few $100s (Block Heater). You sure won't miss VW service. Oh, and depending on the price difference between diesel and 87 unleaded, you may save some $ (diesel #2 is about $0.30/gallon more expensive than 87 unleaded at the moment in my locale).
I have both, an 06 Jetta TDI 6 spd and a 07 Prius. I think that the jetta is a better highway car, and the Prius is a better in town car. The Prius gets a little better mileage in the city and they get about the same on the highway. Bottom line is I like them both.
Oh no, it's NOT the Dark side... It's the GREEN side As for mileage, I got up to 57 mpg before it got cold, and am getting 49-50 now. And I can't think of ANY reason to not buy a Prius; I love mine more every day. I managed to run over a bone somehow and until we could get the tire plugged, had to ride in the CR-V that was my transportation pre-Prius... it was like going back to the Stone age... and I felt unfaithful... but I'm sure DuPree forgave me. Go for it, and never look back!
I had four Volkswagen cars over the last 35 years; three Beetles and a 1975 Rabbit. They were fun cars to drive but I didn't appreciate what maintenance hogs they were until (believe this) I had two Escorts, both of which made it to 150k with relatively little maintenance. The Prius is even better. The Jetta TDI is a hoot to drive on the freeway but overall, I think the Prius is a better car and better built.
Are you talking about maintenance or repairs? Those are two totally different things. Maintenance == things like changing oil, fluid flushes, tire rotations, changing spark plugs when reaching certain time or mileage intervals. Repairs == replacing stuff that broke or wore out WAY before it should've.
