Buying a Yaris is more economical in long run vs.Prius/Insight

[indyhairball]

Originally Posted by Yawesh

but doesn't a hybrid save the most gas when in city driving?

Yes it does. However I still feel the Prius is a great "road car". We took a trip through the southwest last fall (2500 miles) and the Prius was so comfortable to drive and 40 mpg is bad for mostly 75 mph driving. I would not have wanted to take that trip in my Yaris.

Having said that I also drive my Yaris downtown every day and park in a parking garage. It is so maneuverable and it's pick it great for city driving.

[Hershey]

in 2 > 4 years hybrids should less than $17,000 as more automakers jump on the bandwagon and need to be more competitive . Would be nice to have a 2 door TACOMA with a hybrid engine that has a choice between a 1.5 ltr. , 1.8 ltr. or the 2.4 ltr. combo . We'd likely pick the 1.8 ltr. hybrid .

[DevilGirl]

Originally Posted by Hershey

in 2 > 4 years hybrids should less than $17,000 as more automakers jump on the bandwagon and need to be more competitive . Would be nice to have a 2 door TACOMA with a hybrid engine that has a choice between a 1.5 ltr. , 1.8 ltr. or the 2.4 ltr. combo . We'd likely pick the 1.8 ltr. hybrid .

That sounds like a very under-powered truck to me... Then again, I think of trucks as trucks that are actually used, other than for just 4WD...

[Hershey]

there were many small pickups with small engines in the late 70's to the early 90's . MITSU , MAZDA , VOLKSWAGEN , etc.. There was a VOLKSWAGEN diesel pick up that got near 50 m.p.g. .

[Yaris Hilton]

Trucks that are actually used for hauling stuff don't need a lot of power and traditionally have had "just enough." Huge wheel-spinning, gas sucking V8s in pickups originated fairly recently with the nightclub cowboy showoffs.

[bankrobber]

I bought my Yaris in Jan 08. I was driving a Dodge Ram that got 18 MPG. With the savings in gas the Yaris will pay for itself at about 140,000 miles. So I will have basically gotten it free and can probably get to 250,000 miles. At which point I plan to race it at the local track that has a series for old street cars. Cant wait

[bankrobber]

Originally Posted by Yaris Hilton

Trucks that are actually used for hauling stuff don't need a lot of power and traditionally have had "just enough." Huge wheel-spinning, gas sucking V8s in pickups originated fairly recently with the nightclub cowboy showoffs.

I have an 8,000 pound boat that takes a big truck to get up the boat ramp.
Yaris=daily driver
Truck=weekend boat hauler

[Ramblin yari]

Originally Posted by bankrobber

I have an 8,000 pound boat that takes a big truck to get up the boat ramp.
Yaris=daily driver
Truck=weekend boat hauler

You are the minority. So many people drive the big trucks, yet they somehow never get dirty or scratched up.

There are people that need heavy duty trucks that can tow and there are people that would love to see a 40 mpg diesel truck that might not mind making multiple trips to get the job done.

[Hershey]

Originally Posted by Ramblin yari

You are the minority. So many people drive the big trucks, yet they somehow never get dirty or scratched up.

There are people that need heavy duty trucks that can tow and there are people that would love to see a 40 mpg diesel truck that might not mind making multiple trips to get the job done.

+1 . A small hybrid P.U. that managed to get 35 + miles per gallon be a good thing as well . Would trade in one of the YARII in a split second .

[Hershey]

www.mpgomatic.com/45_MPG_Pickup_Truck.html .

[DevilGirl]

Originally Posted by Hershey

there were many small pickups with small engines in the late 70's to the early 90's . MITSU , MAZDA , VOLKSWAGEN , etc.. There was a VOLKSWAGEN diesel pick up that got near 50 m.p.g. .

That would be the important part of what you are talking about. The diesels will always get higher MPGs.

[eric81]

Everyone should look at the Highlander Hybrid on the Toyota website. It is a true Hybrid and gets alright MPG for an SUV, but IMO it is not worth the extra $8,000 just for the Hybrid version vs the regular version. Not a lot of power difference, but the MPG savings isn't that huge either. A good way to spend the money if you have it, because it is a greener vehicle, and there is a tax break on it.

[BailOut]

Originally Posted by DevilGirl

That sounds like a very under-powered truck to me... Then again, I think of trucks as trucks that are actually used, other than for just 4WD...

I understand what you're getting at, but I think you're a bit misguided on power requirements.

Back in the day when we had a boat it weighed just shy of 5,000 pounds when loaded with fuel and trailered. I used to pull it - in the mountains - with a 10 year old Tacoma with a 3.6L V6 and 5MT. With that setup 2nd gear at 5k RPM produces 190hp and will pull its maximum rated load up a steep hill at 50 MPH and never even run hot. It also got double the MPG of a Chevy Tahoe with a 5.7L V8 auto that could only do 38 MPH up the mountain with the boat.

Yet horsepower is where the auto manufacturers have generally focused at for several decades, and have marketed it to a simply ridiculous point. Folks now seem to believe that it takes 300whp to get groceries, or 400whp to pick up the kids from soccer practice. Power requirements have become so skewed as to be virtually meaningless nowadays.

[Zaphod]

Originally Posted by Yaris Hilton

Trucks that are actually used for hauling stuff don't need a lot of power and traditionally have had "just enough." Huge wheel-spinning, gas sucking V8s in pickups originated fairly recently with the nightclub cowboy showoffs.

So true, how much power did those 1950s trucks have? Sure, I've driven one (was looking to buy a fixer upper), and yeah they're slow ... but you know they got the job done and then some.

Now picture Mr. Mall Cowboy, steppin out of that truck with his snakeskin boots and cowboy hat, wanna be a cowboy in that gett(y)up two steppin into the country club dance scene ...

No offense, if it's your scene goferit!

I actually think it's funny, but it does seem like the a lot of that how to turn a pickup into a sleeper thing kind of started out with S10s in South St. Louis.