The Escape is gone...Being driven 98% city driving and getting an average (of late) of 15-17 mpg with A/C on, our Gas bill for both the Van and Escape ran up to $400 for each of the last two months. I don't think we'll see gas for much less than $3 a gallon in "The City" for (at least) the next two years (if ever again).
We need the van for longer trips and the kids activities, but we intend to make the Prius the primary family vehicle. It is a bit gadgety at first, but for now we turned off the display screen as it is seems a distraction while getting used to the car. Many thanks to old high school chum Mike Wasiluski from Oak Lawn Toyota for pulling this light blue Prius out of his hat on a walk-in (to see if they even had one to drive) when so many folks are still waiting months to get one (this one had been a cancelled order). It's the base model with only the rear/side air bag safety package. Even so, it only is lacking in two features the Escape had in it's XLT trim (power seats and 6 CD changer). Passenger-wise, it feels roomier than the Escape (It's longer, but a tad narrower). One thing we couldn't do in the Escape was get me and the girls in the back seat without being pinched in some way. On our second test drive, all three of us were quite comfortable (though if I were a tad taller, I would have been touching the roofline) in the back. Cargo space is actually about the same as the Escape, just not as tall.
If we can get even what has been reported as the low end for Prius mileage (38-48 city), we'll still be 3 times better than the mileage on the Escape. The $3150 tax credit will be nice as well.
2 comments:
Yes,
From Toyota's site:
"Toyota and Lexus are considered one manufacturer. The full tax credit will be available for purchases completed through the calendar quarter following the quarter in which the manufacturer reaches cumulative sales of 60,000 hybrid vehicles. The tax credit is then reduced by one-half for the next six months; by another one-half for the next six months; and then phased out completely. TMS is required to include sales of all Toyota and Lexus hybrids sold in all 50 states on or after January 1, 2006 towards a single 60,000 unit threshold."
This is the first quarter after they reached 60,000 units, so anyone who buys a Prius will be eligible for the full amount of the tax credit if they buy before Sept 30th.
They even put it in a nice chart at: http://www.toyota.com/prius/tax.html
Oh, and thanks!
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