Reply #78: Yes ... eight ... [View All]

[KneelBeforeZod]

Two in the front, three in the middle, three in the back ... eight. Really only 7 comfortably, though -- 8 is a pretty tight squeeze, especially on long trips.

>> And even then, two Priuses carrying ten people are probably *STILL* more economical than a (say) Suburban carrying ten.

First of all -- a Prius carrying 5 people is a clown car (like I said, two child carseats -- and diaper bags, strollers, etc.) ... comfort is a consideration here. According to "fueleconomy.gov" a 2007 Toyota Prius gets 48 MPG Hwy, and a 2007 Chevrolet Suburban gets 19 MPG Hwy. If you factor in the fact that it would take two Prius's to carry as many people as one Suburban ... that drops the fuel economy of the Prius to 24 MPG (48 Miles to 2 gallons = 24 MPG). Thats all of a 5 mpg difference for the added inconvenience and expense of two separate car payments, two separate drivers, and two separate maintenance bills.

The overall savings there, in a year where you drive 15000 miles (789.5 gallons Suburban, 600 gallons for 2 Priii) ... at $3.00 a gallon, the difference in fuel costs is $568 in a year. The payments for the second Prius should blow that number out of the water in about a month-and-a-half. Even at $5 a gallon, the difference is still only $947 in a year ... maybe 3 or 4 months payments on the second Prius.

The fact remains, on a MPG-per-person basis (or a MPG-per-sq. ft. basis for those hauling stuff), an SUV isn't as bad a deal as some here would have you believe. For individuals or couples, an SUV may be excessive. But, for large families, an SUV sometimes makes sense. For people who haul equipment, an SUV or Pickup truck sometimes makes sense (I prefer the SUV to the pickup because it can haul either people OR equipment ... a pickup doesn't have seats in the bed). If you would rather drive two Prius's instead of one Suburban, help yourself. Doesn't really make sense for me, though.

I do question the wisdom of someone who believes they are more able to make financial and/or logistical decisions for my family than I am. Perhaps your one-size-fits-all solutions to problems aren't all they're cracked up to be. A small car is not always the best fit.

Z