Quote:
Originally Posted by Jegan_V
...This is definitely the least polluting option though if that's why you went with Priuses in the first place...In comparison the Prius becomes a bit of a dog once it gets to highway speeds since the engine is gutless and noisy.
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Prius purchases were all about ROI.
It was an easy way to flip nearly new cars to a hungry hipster market where Prius ownership per capita is the highest in North America and the dealership waitlist was 10-12 months out. I sometimes had 2-3 people show up to buy the cars on the first day of the ad. It helps that my state has no sales tax and at the time T&L were about $35/yr. It was quite a party until the tax credits expired about the same time gas prices fell below $2/gal.
Next year will be different without incentives. From what's known so far, including impressions from those who have driven a 2016, it might actually be entertaining to drive while theoretically getting 60 mpg on Regular. Except that I always got the lowest MPG of anyone at priuschat.com when running performance tires that cost 4-5 mpg compared to OEM LRR Primacys.
It will potentially be a decent DD around town and to carry large, long loads with the hatch and 8' space with the front passenger seat reclined. I have other stuff to satisfy the urge for adrenaline.
You're right about Prius lack of high-end power and NVH. The stroker engine in combination with the constant speed CVT make them sound more Lycoming than Toyota. Hopefully, they've tamed the commotion with the next gen cars. With the rumored 10% extra hp and 150-200 lb. weight reduction, acceleration might even make it into an on-ramp competitor but wonder about brakes, the weakest part of Prius performance envelope.