<html> <head> <META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; charset=us-ascii"> <meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 10 (filtered)"> <style>  </style> </head> <body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple> <div class=Section1> The hybrids are a nice idea but I’m not sure they will really save you money.  A Prius costs about $30,000.  A Subaru, for example, can be had for about $18,000.  You might get twice the mileage from the Prius but to earn back that $12000 (and if you finance the car even more in interest charges) in gas savings will take awhile.  Let’s say you save $100 a month in gas.  To earn back that $12,000 will take 1200 months or 10 years.  You are probably buying another car before then and your cumulative savings is out the window.       <div> David Love davidlovepianos@comcast.net www.davidlovepianos.com </div> -----Original Message----- From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] On Behalf Of Dan Reed Sent: Friday, May 16, 2008 7:13 AM To: Pianotech List; Cy Shuster Subject: Re: Gas I gasped!   Prius owners, I may have missed the discussion on the benefits, other than gas saving, of the Prius, for use as a piano service car. Did you compare the Prius to the Honda Civic Hybrid? I guess the back seat folds flat, for actions? How about general handling? I live in the Dallas Texas area, where big pick-up trucks-and SUV's are boss...so, how are the breaking characteristics? The tires look little on that puppy! Thanks in advance, Dan Reed On May 16, 2008, at 12:48 AM, Cy Shuster wrote: <?smaller>When I had on on order when they first came out, there was only 4" ground clearance.  I was moving to WV, so I cancelled the order. <?/smaller>  <?smaller>Don't know what the current clearance is; check the website. <?/smaller>  <?smaller>--Cy-- <?/smaller><?smaller>ABQ, NM <?/smaller> <?fontfamily><?param Arial><?x-tad-bigger>----- Original Message ----- <?/x-tad-bigger><?/fontfamily><?fontfamily><?param Arial><?x-tad-bigger>From:<?/x-tad-bigger><?/fontfamily><?fontfamily><?param Arial><?x-tad-bigger> <?/x-tad-bigger><?color><?param 0000,0000,FFFF><?x-tad-bigger>Michelle Smith<?/x-tad-bigger><?/color><?x-tad-bigger> <?/x-tad-bigger><?/fontfamily><?fontfamily><?param Arial><?x-tad-bigger>To:<?/x-tad-bigger><?/fontfamily><?fontfamily><?param Arial><?x-tad-bigger> <?/x-tad-bigger><?color><?param 0000,0000,FFFF><?x-tad-bigger>'Pianotech List'<?/x-tad-bigger><?/color><?x-tad-bigger> <?/x-tad-bigger><?/fontfamily><?fontfamily><?param Arial><?x-tad-bigger>Sent:<?/x-tad-bigger><?/fontfamily><?fontfamily><?param Arial><?x-tad-bigger> Thursday, May 15, 2008 9:35 PM <?/x-tad-bigger><?/fontfamily><?fontfamily><?param Arial><?x-tad-bigger>Subject:<?/x-tad-bigger><?/fontfamily><?fontfamily><?param Arial><?x-tad-bigger> RE: Gas I gasped! <?/x-tad-bigger><?/fontfamily> <?color><?param 1F1F,4949,7D7D><?bigger><?x-tad-bigger>Do any of you Prius owners drive in rural areas or is this mostly in town?  There are some places I have to drive that pretty much require an SUV or truck.  (Deep ruts in dirt roads, etc.) <?/x-tad-bigger><?/bigger><?/color> <blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'> <blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'> <?color><?param 1F1F,4949,7D7D><?bigger><?x-tad-bigger>  <?/x-tad-bigger><?/bigger><?/color></blockquote> </blockquote> <blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'> <blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'> <?color><?param 1F1F,4949,7D7D><?bigger><?x-tad-bigger>Michelle Smith <?/x-tad-bigger><?/bigger><?/color></blockquote> </blockquote> <blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'> <blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'> <?fontfamily><?param Times New Roman><?bigger><?bigger>  <?/bigger><?/bigger><?/fontfamily></blockquote> </blockquote> </div> </body> </html>