Greetings! I go by Caleb, the truck specialist at The Drive. Both our regular readers and our team are familiar with my inclination towards old pickup trucks. I’m the proud owner of a 1966 Ford dump truck! Given my history, it might come as a surprise to many that I recently acquired a 2006 Toyota Prius. What’s even more unexpected is how thrilled I am about this new addition.
Admittedly, there’s a lot for me to familiarize myself with regarding this vehicle. As previously mentioned, I’m typically the individual my editors turn to for testing Bronco Raptors in the desert or similar tasks; econoboxes aren’t exactly in my realm of expertise. Despite only a week behind the wheel, I had to consult Google for the powertrain details while composing this blog—it features a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine operating on the Atkinson cycle, apparently. Transitioning from the realm of diesels, the figures of 76 horsepower and 82 pound-feet of torque seem rather modest.
I acknowledge the unusual match between this Prius and myself. However, believe me, your thoughts are likely no harsher than the comments I’ve already received from nearly everyone who has witnessed me in it. Opting for a Prius is practically guaranteed to invite some jests, especially in my hometown in the Ozarks, but you know what? It’s worth it.
To give you more ammo: I’m 6’5″ and about 290 pounds.
While I don’t owe an explanation to anyone, let me elaborate on my decision to purchase the Prius. My ’95 Ford F-350 equipped with the 7.3-liter Power Stroke has been out of commission due to an enigmatic fuel issue for the past three months. My friend can’t accommodate it in his shop until late April, and since my wife commutes thrice a week to a destination 30 minutes away from home, we required another dependable vehicle.
Acquiring another truck wouldn’t have been a logical move. Residing in a remote area that’s half an hour away from most places, I figured it was time to prioritize fuel efficiency for once. When these criteria are considered, what automobile immediately springs to mind? Allow me to enlighten you—it’s the Prius.
This eye-catching baby blue vehicle was available for $4,200 on Facebook Marketplace. Upon initial inspection, it appeared to be in decent condition, and with approximately 185,000 miles on the odometer, it presented a superior deal compared to other options I had encountered. I contacted the seller, who had around 10 similar vehicles on their family’s private lot, and arranged to pick it up last Saturday. After a 15-minute test drive, I concluded the transaction for a total of $3,900. A rather satisfying deal, in my opinion.
The Prius merely consumed an eighth of a tank of fuel during the 64-mile journey back home, further solidifying my confidence in the purchase. Every feature in the car functions flawlessly! Power windows, locks, and mirrors… only the volume control seems a bit finicky, but the steering wheel compensates for this, so it’s not bothersome in the least. To my surprise, it even boasts an early version of driver-selectable regenerative braking, a feature I never anticipated on an 18-year-old hybrid.
The future of my old 7.3L remains uncertain, but one thing’s for sure—I take immense pleasure in owning a vehicle that operates as intended. Despite the potential reliability of my Power Stroke if not tampered with by a previous owner, I gladly accept the ridicule from my companions for the sake of having a dependable vehicle for commuting. Moreover, achieving 48 mpg is simply the cherry on top.
If you have any suggestions or queries for me, feel free to contact me directly at: caleb@thedrive.com
