We’ve been dedicated Volvo owners since 1984 handing down our high-mileage vehicles to daughter and sons so that they would be driving reliable, safety-rated cars. Also we generally averaged 30 – 35 mpg so we have not been impressed with US automakers’ promotions to buy American “green”. Their offerings would gain us no significant reductions to our family’s carbon footprint! In September ’08 my husband, one son and I attended a conference in Wyoming and took that opportunity to rent a Prius for the duration. Wow – 60 MPG!!! We saved so much on fuel for the 1000 miles we drove that despite the surcharge for the “green” option, the overall cost was less than the “economy” rental vehicles!
Enter the March ’09 Prius promotion. Given the maintenance costs of my much-loved ’02 Volvo with 210,000 miles, clearly the 3-year lease would save us money if mpg’s could come close to doubling what our Volvo gave us. A concern was carrying capacity for what looks from the outside like a really compact car. So we loaded up the Volvo with skis, backpacks, totes, ski gear bags, cooler and set off to a dealership for a test repack into an on-the-lot Prius. That convinced us of the possibility. Soon after we met a great team at Acton Toyota of Littleton, MA: Juliana, Craig, Ben, Keith, Garret and a host of un-named support personnel. Two sons and we came away with a Prius each after very favorable trade-in values on two family Volvos.
So now we are in friendly competition with each other for best mileage. So far our 24-year old outdoor leader/environmentalist son has set the standard: 75 mpg on a drive from Old Orchard Beach to his alma mater University of New England in Biddeford, ME. My husband and I have noticed improving mileage in our first 3 ½ months of ownership up from the mid 40’s to now generally 55mpg. Especially I love (who would have “thunk it”!) long/slow bumper-to-bumper commutes to/from Cape Cod /Boston where for 30+ miles I can get 100 mpg solely on the battery. YAY! Best of all, 3 families have reduced our carbon footprints!
The ride and handling of the Prius is great. We are glad to be leasing as we hope during these next 3 years Toyota will continue to improve technology. If Toyota continues to outstrip US efforts, we will remain loyal customers. We are glad Toyota provides jobs in the US; – please make/keep the technology clean in production as well.
Garland
