Goodbye, 4Runner

[tsteele999]

Hello, Prius.

My wife and I went to the Toyota dealer this evening and put a down payment on a Prius, should be here next week sometime.

Ever since gas prices started to rise, my wife has been unhappy with the cost to run the 4Runner...almost 60 bucks to fill it up and it gets 16mpg around town. We used the 4x4 drivetrain 2 times last year, and I made it to work in my xB every day that she did too.

We drove a 4 cyl Camry first, similiar price but gets 26-34 mpg vs. 44mpg average for the Prius according to Consumer Reports. We were not impressed with the Camry, but the Prius is a very neat car, bigger on the inside than it looks.

Gas in Lake Ridge was 3.10 tonight. This is crazy.

[skiandmtb]

You sellin' it?

[tsteele999]

trading it in, sorry.

[seanb1974]

parents just bought a prius too, they got 52 mpg driving from VA to upstate NY. apparently if you use cruise control a lot it gets even better gas mileage. for me, i'll be riding the motorcycle a bit more these days to save on gas

[saxman]

I have a 4Runner, too. I get about 16 - 19 mpg, depending on the type of driving I do. I've used the 4WD quite a bit, and also not exclusively during winter. As much as I would like to get into a more fuel efficient vehicle, I know as soon as I get rid of it, I'm going to miss its cargo carrying capacity and the 4WD capability.

I've been kicking around getting a used motorcycle. Based on the current price of gas and my commuting distance, I can save an awful lot of money each month on gas by using a motorcycle to commute. A buddy of mine has an immaculate Honda that he is willing to part with cheap. I could recoup the investment in a matter of months.

[CRAIG2]

Yeah, but in months we're going to be getting into winter, and it's going to be COLD out there going 60 mph on two wheels. :) Particularly if you're not pedaling.

[Jackson]

I have a 4Runner, too. I get about 16 - 19 mpg, depending on the type of driving I do. I've used the 4WD quite a bit, and also not exclusively during winter. As much as I would like to get into a more fuel efficient vehicle, I know as soon as I get rid of it, I'm going to miss its cargo carrying capacity and the 4WD capability.

I've been kicking around getting a used motorcycle. Based on the current price of gas and my commuting distance, I can save an awful lot of money each month on gas by using a motorcycle to commute. A buddy of mine has an immaculate Honda that he is willing to part with cheap. I could recoup the investment in a matter of months.

The second vehicle thing is the way to go - I picked up an old Ford Explorer which is my bike/load carrying car. I commute w/ a 4 cylinder Accord, and I can stretch it as high 30-35 MPG depending on where I drive.

Driving style, especially moderated acceleration, goes a long way to improving fuel economy. Watching people jack rabbit and fly to the next red light is frustrating.

I'm also gonna get some racks/panniers for my old hardtail to ride to the grocery store, etc. as is practical. Certainly I can do it more than the never I do it now.

[saxman]

Driving style, especially moderated acceleration, goes a long way to improving fuel economy. Watching people jack rabbit and fly to the next red light is frustrating.

I'm usually a pretty light foot, but I've been especially mindful of it recently. I try to keep the revs between 2000 - 2500 rpm on the 4Runner while accelerating. It makes for an ocean liner-like acceleration, but I know it saves gas. On our Corolla, we try to keep it below 3000 rpm. If the situation calls for it, I have no problems mashing the pedal, but I do try to avoid this.

[CRAIG2]

Believe me, same thing with my Focus - once I hit 35 mph or so, I'm in fifth gear. I don't have a tach, but I know I'm probably not doing over 3000 rpm before I shift. Downshift at the brink of stalling to sometimes... LOL

Driving like an old lady I am, yes....