I've been looking into getting the Prius but the dealer I've spoken with says he has none onsite to test drive. I'm wondering if anyone in Chicago has driven it on the tollways, in winter, etc. and could let me know how it's working for you.<br><br>thanks,<br>LS

Yes - I have a Prius (got it last Sept.) and I live in Chicago (Randolph and Lake Michigan). My wife and I both drive the Prius (we also have a Saturn). I teach (part time) at Illinois Institute of Technology (four mile drive) and my wife works for Bosch (a 35 mile round trip). She drove the car to work a number of times over the winter with out any problems. As you may read in these clubs the gas milage is much better in the warm weather (50mpg vs. 40mpg).<br><br>New subject - My department at school (Electrical Engineering) is planning an Interprofessional Project (they call 'em IPROs) to study HEVs.<br><br>I got my Prius at Grossinger City Toyota (downtown) - I just talked to them and they can arange for you to have a test drive.<br><br>Have a nice day.

If you get me your email address and can accept large files, I have several Powerpoint presentations which provide engineering info on Prius. You might find it useful. I'm delivering a short-course at UCIrvine next Monday on advanced technology vehicles.<br><br>Dave

That'd be really cool! How large is large?<br><br>My email is garthc&lt;nospamplease&gt;@iname.com. (remove the brackets and the stuff between for my real address which has been changed to protect the innocent.)<br><br>Thanks much!<br>--gc

Great,<br><br>So the '03 Highlander will be FCHV or HEV?<br><br>If fuel cell:<br><br>Hydrogen or fossil fuel?<br><br>If hybrid ICE/electric: <br><br>What mileage?<br><br>Jeff

Thank you Dave -<br><br>For this club my email address is - philipfelber@...<br><br>Have a nice day.<br><br>Philip

Hi Dave (ee_of_ee)<br><br>Next time you send out copies of the Powerpoint slides, would you please add me to your CC list. Or just say where they ended up on the web.<br><br>Thanks.<br><br>Robert Snyder<br>NJ-PIKACHU<br><br>RobertSnyder (at) worldnet.att.net

The files range from 1.5 meg to 10 meg. I'll sort through them at work on Tuesday next and pick some to send. No problem if they migrate to the groups site.<br><br>Dave

No production announcements.<br><br>We did show a new fuel cell vehicle in the Highlander body last March. I suspect this is the source of the rumors. The new FC concept used hydrogen stored in a hydride system. Bets are the initial production vehicles are years away and probably will use what is being called CHF (clean hydrocarbon fuels), shomewhat related to gasoline. The hydrogen infrastructure is many years away.<br><br>Dave

my previous e-mail address jezroj@... will only accept about 3mb ... would appreciate if you would send the PP files to jezroj@...<br>Thanks again <br>Jack

Dave,<br><br>could you incude me in your sends?<br><br>rybalki@...

I'm in Chicago, and since last fall there has been another Prius in the next block (Neva & Armitage). I haven't met the owner yet.<br><br>On this board, there are a few members in Chicago: bonkil (hasn't posted for months), doctor rspitz (posts occasionally) and philipfelber (joined us recently). I think we have at least one member from Naperville as well. If there are others I've missed, sorry. Please post.<br><br>Starting and driving in winter was absolutely no problem. I've identified only two Prius winter shortcomings. First, the wiper blades freeze up worse than most other cars, and their lengths don't match the lengths of aftermarket winter blades. Second, the low ground clearance and narrow tires mean that there is a limit to how much snow you can drive through. This, of course, is common to most small cars. It is not feasible to "rock" the car out of a parking place using the transmission, but the soft start and overabundant low-end torque usually mean that there's no need to try. If you can't move, though, it's necessary to shovel. Keep a shovel in the trunk.<br><br>My Prius gets a consistent 42-43 mpg on the expressway or tollway, keeping up with traffic. City mileage varies from 22 mpg (first five minutes in winter) to 100 mpg (stop and go jam with all-stealth acceleration when possible). What Prius likes best are long stretches at 35-40 mph with few stops, such as Devon Avenue between Milwaukee and Lincoln with light traffic. 55 mpg easy, maybe more.<br><br>Chicago is a fine home for a Prius. Sure, the mileage would be better if the temperature were 70? year round, but that would be so boring.<br><br>There are 22 Toyota dealers in the Chicago area. Don't buy from one where you can't test drive.<br><br>I bought from Elmhurst Toyota. They treated me well. They were among the first dealers to receive a TRAC car, on July 18th, 2000. I think they still have one or maybe two TRAC cars to test drive.<br><br>theboothsdad

Thanks Dave,<br><br>Salesman showed magazine article re: FC Highlander, but spoke of 2003 6-cylinder Highlander HEV.<br><br>Now I have it sorted out, sort-of.<br><br>Jeff

ee_of_ee please send a copy of your slides to rplummer@...<br><br>Thanks in advance<br>Ron