Toyota Prius

[jinman]

Rich, from what I've seen and heard about the Prius, I just don't think it will perform like you want and the job may be way too much for it. I think a vehicle that was first posted about here by Bird would be ideal for your business and provide the best all-around economy and utility for your purposes. It's called the Ford Transit Connect. I know you didn't ask for vehicle suggestions, but this vehicle just "screams" to be looked at for your application.

 

[Bird]

Yep, Jim, I haven't driven a transit connect, but the two nearest Ford dealers each stock several of them, and I'm seeing more of them on the road around here all the time. It sure would seem to me to be a good vehicle for the milk deliveries, probably easier to load and unload than any of the others mentioned.

 

[dmccarty]

I was going to mention the Transit as well. They have a couple sitting on the dealer's lot in our town. I just looked up the specs and the MPG stinks. 23 combined and 25 on the highway.

My F350 7.3 diesel, Crew Cab, 8 foot bed, and 4x4 gets 20.5 to 22 on the highway. Lately the MPG has settled in around 21.5.

I see a couple Priuses driving on my trip to work. Given that much of their drive has to be rural highway I wonder why they have a Prius? I thought the only reason to have one was for city stop and go traffic? Otherwise you are just running the engine at highway speeds?

I looked at the Prius years ago and it seemed like one paid a good $3,000 extra for one compared to a regular econo car with no battery.

Not only should one look at the how much weight the vehicle can handle but how easy is it to load and unload. How is 50 gallons/400 pounds getting loaded and unloaded? I just can't visualize how that much weight in that size getting into a hatch back.

Later,
Dan

 

[IslandTractor]

While it is clearly not designed as a commercial delivery vehicle, I still think the VW Jetta Sportwagen diesel would be an acceptable choice. It has a weight capacity of 980lbs including driver which puts it right at but not over it's limit for cargo. It has a true station wagen hatch with low liftover height. Some sort of sliding apparatus could be rigged to facilitate getting the containers in and out. And, it gets over 40mpg highway.

If Ford made a diesel Transit that would be even better. I'm sure they sell a diesel version in Europe and wonder when they'll bring that to the US.

 

[Bird]

I was going to mention the Transit as well. They have a couple sitting on the dealer's lot in our town. I just looked up the specs and the MPG stinks. 23 combined and 25 on the highway.

Yep, the fuel mileage alone isn't really great, but if you're going to compare it to your F350, how about including the original price comparison and the fuel price comparison.:laughing:

You do mention the ease of loading/unloading, then you might consider the cost of tires, oil changes, etc. And how much difference is there in the convenience of parking, maneuvering in tight places, and such.

But having been married for quite a few years, I reckon perhaps the most important consideration is what she likes to drive.:laughing:

As with tractors, I'd recommend going for a test drive in each vehicle under consideration before buying any of them.

 

[RobertN]

Jeff Dunham has some good commentary on Prius's...

 

[dgl24087]

The Subaru Forester might fit the bill. Higher profile cargo area (especially the earlier models), awd.

 

[dmccarty]

Yep, the fuel mileage alone isn't really great, but if you're going to compare it to your F350, how about including the original price comparison and the fuel price comparison.:laughing:

I was not suggesting that the F350 is a good vehicle for the intended purpose. Just shocked at how such a wee little itty bitty truck can have such low MPG.

Best I can tell my truck is about 30% more expensive but a heck more useful. The truck sure is not fun to drive in tight spaces like the city and on the open road it is the best riding and driving vehicle I have ever had. Its is much better than the Honda we had or the Toyota we know own.

Too bad Isuzu does not still make their little truck with a diesel. I would guess it could handle the payload and sure got good mileage.

Later,
Dan

 

[bdeboer]

Along the lines of weight, I would think that the mileage advantage of the hybrid would be lost trying to get the Prius up to speed. This would depend on the amount of start/stops etc. I also wonder how well it would stop if the milk got sloshing around.


An example of the mileage loss would be a my '95 dakota 4x4 3.9L V6 extended cab that would get 20 mpg on the freeway, but 12 mpg on my daily commute. Replaced the truck with a '99 GMC Sierra 5.3L V8 full size 4x4 extended cab and got 17 on the freeway with 16 mpg on the same daily commute.

 

[Egon]

As with tractors, I'd recommend going for a test drive in each vehicle under consideration before buying any of them.

And do a load unload experience to see how the back holds out.