New to Forum - Happy Camper

[dedwax]

We purchased our SEL (302A, no Moonroof, 6/2013 build) last week. It had over 100 miles on it as it was transferred from another dealer. Still on the first tank (I assume they topped it off), and I’m still learning the do’s and don’ts both here in the Forums and on the road. I will not reset the Lifetime mileage until I fill it.

 

Now, I am supposed to drive a Prius, if demographics count: New England based retired college professor, politically liberal, eco-conscious, expensive/techie interests (photographer, audiophile, Apple computers, etc).  Several of my friends drive (and apparently love) Prii. Or at least, they feel good about themselves for driving one.

 

I am also 6’3”, have sat in every generation Prius liftback, and hated them all. Lousy, manually adjustable seats, poor visibility (especially to the rear), inadequate storage, bizarre dash/display, etc.

 

Last year our daughter asked me to car shop with her. She’s single, 30, lives in Boston, hiker/climber/skier, so my first thought was Subaru Impreza. But her job involved a lot of driving, reimbursed at $.50/mile. The Prius C had just come out, and a quick calculation showed the job would basically pay for a hybrid getting 50MPG. So I promised to buy a set of Michelin Ice winter tires for her birthday, and she loves the C. It might be a tad underpowered, but I think it’s the best of the line. So I'm no knee-jerk Pri-hater:-)

 

I also basically had assumed the V would be our next car until I became aware of the imminent arrival of the C-Max. Last fall I test-drove them both on the same day. No contest. But I didn’t need to buy at that time, and just seeing “Microsoft” in the fine print meant waiting for version 2.2.1 at least (or 3.5.1, as it turned out).

 

I also was skeptical about the 47/47/47 business. Ford may have gamed the system, but as educators say, there are always problems “teaching to the test”.  I had a specific mileage goal in mind. Twice a month, on average, we make a 300 mile round trip from western Massachusetts to Cape Cod and the ferry to Martha’s Vineyard, where we have a second home. My 2003 Mazda Tribute (an Escape with lipstick) would do the circuit at 20-21 MPG at about 72 MPH on cruise control (65 posted). That is so close to a full tank I always made a pit stop on the return.

 

I just wanted a car that would double that, to 40-42MPG highway.

 

Last weekend in the C-Max I got 42.6 MPG doing the speed limit down (95˚+, AC at 70) and 40.5 on Eco-Cruise at 72MPH on the return. The Tribute has been put out to pasture on the Vineyard after 117K miles of fine service.

 

I’m as happy with that as I am with the 68.3 I got on a 4 mile grocery run Monday.

 

Can’t wait for the upgrade!

[Jus-A-CMax]

Welcome to the forum, check out our Hybrid Driving Tips and Techniques and Fuel Mileage sections of the forum. The CMax only gets better and better with the miles - think of it like a fine wine, the longer it drives the better it gets. Seriously.

:)

[ScubaDadMiami]

Welcome aboard!  I, too was going to get a Prius V, I thought.  However, as soon as I saw the C-MAX commercial, I went to test one out.  I loved it so much that I didn't even bother going to test the V.  I never even sat in one until after my C-MAX was on order.

 

You will be very happy with your C-MAX.  You made a great choice!  Enjoy!  :shift:

[fotomoto]

Former Prius Liftback owner here and I forgotten about the poor rear hatch visibility till reading your post. LOL    That reminds me of another CMAX plus;  because of the much higher ride height, headlights from those behind us aren't nearly as obtrusive.  Like you, I have the SEL auto dimming mirror, which my Prius also had, but it doesn't get near the workout like it did in the Prius.   :rockon:   FE really does improve with mileage both on the car and on the driver.  Learn how to properly use the EV side of the hybrid equation in urban driving and watch your mileage soar.   :happy feet: