Friend has a fancy prius - gets an average of 50 mpg

[leftyladyfrommo]

But it is an expensive car - I couldn't afford it.

It is great to ride in - its a great car.

[Tyler Durden]

1. I've got a 1997 SL1 Saturn: gets 40+ mgh @ 80 MPH.

Goes like a bat out of Hell, too, and corners like it's on rails.

SOHC. the DOHC SL2 gets about 36-38, but it's TONS OF FUN. I gave one to my current HS grad.

[leftyladyfrommo]

2. How much do the Saturns cost?

Since I think the Prius is sort of out of my price range.

[Tyler Durden]

3. The SL2 was like NEW 3 years back: $2500.

It had new tires, 34,000 miles, good brakes, perfect AC, etc. You can get one these days with about 80K miles for less than $1500.

The SL1 I bought this year for $800. I had to invest in tires ($200) and front brake rotors/pads (less than $80).

Old Saturns use oil. Big deal. One quart a fill up, and it's the world's cleanest 2 cycle (JOKE!)

Seriously, for less than $1100, it rocks my world.

[leftyladyfrommo]

4. Oh my gosh.

Everyone I have know that had a Saturn really liked it.

[Tyler Durden]

5. Don't get me wrong; it's a CAR, not a jewel of some sort.

The SL2 blew a valve cover gasket which soaked the computer which subsequently blew. Cost me about $600 total which actually is not bad.

The SL1 is hanging in there at the moment.

Get a 5 speed. Automatics ALWAYS get worse mileage.

[Chemical Bill]

6. I have an old Mercedes.

Fixing the A/C cost $2000 so far. But I can run vegetable oil based biodiesel, without petroleum.

Bill

[dpbrown]

7. Prius is the same as other Toyota sedans and has $3500 tax credit

If a person can afford a regular four door car, they can afford a Prius. If they can't, then it's not the Prius that is expensive, it's just that sedans are out of the person's price range.

[leftyladyfrommo]

8. Well there is that, too.

Cars cost about as much as my house. That tjust seems impossible to me.

[Tyler Durden]

9. Can't afford a "regular" 4 door.

There aren't any new cars out there in my price range. And not because I'm cheap or miserly, mind you.