Buyers beware – hear my Prius rant

[bwilson4web]

You are probably right, Dave. When you think about it:

• Toyota sells EVERY Prius - no Prius discounts or special sales (until scattered recent reports)
• Toyota sells OUT of Prius - the only unusual sales declines are when all have been sold
• Toyota dealers PROFIT from Prius - the dealers have waiting lists and add premiums on top of the MSRP

This has to seem like a long lost "forgotten dream" to most car makers. But you know, I don't really care. They worked hard in 2000 to kill the Partnership for Next Generation and have reaped the rewards. Only Ford kept a viable program and that laid the foundation for the Ford Fusion.

I have to admit a certain amount of amusement because the Europeans still "don't get it." In fact, the number of clueless remains quite high but given the shortages of a quality hybrids, their ignorance is our bliss.

Bob Wilson

[Mike Dimmick]

Originally Posted by bwilson4web

I have to admit a certain amount of amusement because the Europeans still "don't get it." In fact, the number of clueless remains quite high but given the shortages of a quality hybrids, their ignorance is our bliss.

Diesels do compare pretty well against hybrids, especially on highway performance (for travelling salespeople) which is the Achilles heel of the current Prius. The current EU fuel economy test bears little relation to this type of driving - these salesmen zoom everywhere at over 80mph (yes, the speed limit is 70 - this doesn't worry them) but the test has only a few seconds at 75mph - much more time is spent in the 'extra-urban' part at 70km/h (43.5mph) and at 50km/h (31mph).

Of course they don't factor in the extra cost per litre of the diesel fuel. That premium is around 12 pence per litre at the moment, or 14% (when I filled up today, petrol was 85.9p/litre and diesel, 97.9p/litre).

The Lexus RX and GS hybrids are an absolute joke and don't deserve their 'alternative fuel' tax discount. The new RX450h with the Atkinson cycle engine and exhaust gas recirculation may rehabilitate the model a little in my eyes. (It's still an SUV though.)

For many buyers in Europe, the Prius is too big (the best-selling models in the UK, in order, are the Ford Focus, Vauxhall Astra, Ford Fiesta and Vauxhall Corsa - the Focus has been the top car for the last ten years and the Escort was before it) and the Civic hybrid is the wrong shape - the hatchback long ago defeated the saloon car. Ford apparently make a four-door Focus in the new shape (introduced 2005), but I have never, ever seen one (and I have seen the Coupé-Cabriolet variant). I've very rarely seen the 1998-2005 4-door Focus. If you want a four-door Civic, you have to buy the Hybrid - Honda don't sell one without IMA!

Japanese manufacturers are way down the list of sales in the UK. The SMMT monthly report for December shows Ford top with 15.1% share, Vauxhall (GM) second with 14.0% share, then VW (8.4%), Peugeot (5.6%), BMW (5.3%) and Toyota sixth with 5.0%. Then come Audi and Renault before Honda with 3.9%. Citroen and Mercedes-Benz beat Nissan (3.1%).

There are still rumours around purported diesel-electric hybrids, but I have a feeling that once you add the exhaust-gas-recirculation system and make the throttle plate virtually redundant, the Atkinson-cycle petrol engine becomes as efficient as the diesel for lower cost, and cleaner. I'm eagerly waiting to see if the new Prius will blow away the Fiesta ECOnetic.

[cwerdna]

Originally Posted by SunWindow

I purchased a new 2008 which now has 7000 miles.

There is mold in the A/C system. I started noticing it at 2000 miles. I am told this issue is not covered under warranty by Southern California dealers and turns into a routine maintenance at $200 a service visit.

No problem for me. My 06 Prius is just short of 36K miles.

Originally Posted by SunWindow

The hatch-back does not close unless slammed. My friend’s 2007 rear spoiler fell off over the same issue and the dealer advised to keep a window open because of the pressurized cabin.

Slam? I guess. I've never had to leave a window open to shut the hatch and my spoiler's fine.

Originally Posted by SunWindow

The air system defaults to its own settings when not on AUTO. Every time I start the car, I have to reset all the air settings to my preference. Toyota customer service states nothing can be done but Toyota will take the recommendations under advisement.

Never noticed this and I don't use auto match either.

Originally Posted by SunWindow

Don’t pay extra for the navigation system, it is worthless. When I test it on my regular route from work to home, it continually tells me to turn around and advises me to take a very indirect route.

Pricey compared to PNDs now but hardly worthless. I've used it a lot and its directions are fine.

Originally Posted by SunWindow

There is some polymer in the venting system that continually covers the inside windshield with an opaque film that is very difficult to wipe clean.

Every new car does this. My Z is that way as was my 02 Maxima. It's outgassing from the plastics.

Originally Posted by SunWindow

I won’t even get into design flaws that include poor side and rear visibility, unacceptably loud road noise, and a small wheel diameter that makes all weather driving harrowing.

All of the above are fine to me. If you want to see poor rear visibility and hear high road noise, check out my 350Z.

The OP smells like a troll to me.

Originally Posted by bwilson4web

Consumer Reports survey states 94% of the Prius owners like their car, which has lead the owner approval ratings for five straight years.

Yep, it was actually 93% though. Ths The OP can look at Best and worst in new car owner satisfaction: Car owner, auto shopping.

To quote from there:

For the fifth year in a row, the gas/electric Toyota Prius hybrid is the top car for owner satisfaction. That's the news from our latest Annual Car Owner Satisfaction Survey, conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center. Ninety-three percent of Prius owners who responded said they would definitely buy or lease one again. The Prius was closely followed by the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (92 percent) and the new Mini Cooper Clubman (91 percent).

[CarmelPrius]

I purchased a new 2008 Prius and now have 22,000 miles on it. I've not had any problems whatsoever! And, I just love getting 49 mpg.

[bisco]

i'll give you ten grand for it!

[lshean]

Originally Posted by SunWindow

I purchased a new 2008 which now has 7000 miles.

There is mold in the A/C system. I started noticing it at 2000 miles. I am told this issue is not covered under warranty by Southern California dealers and turns into a routine maintenance at $200 a service visit.

The hatch-back does not close unless slammed. My friend’s 2007 rear spoiler fell off over the same issue and the dealer advised to keep a window open because of the pressurized cabin.

The air system defaults to its own settings when not on AUTO. Every time I start the car, I have to reset all the air settings to my preference. Toyota customer service states nothing can be done but Toyota will take the recommendations under advisement.

Don’t pay extra for the navigation system, it is worthless. When I test it on my regular route from work to home, it continually tells me to turn around and advises me to take a very indirect route.

There is some polymer in the venting system that continually covers the inside windshield with an opaque film that is very difficult to wipe clean.

I won’t even get into design flaws that include poor side and rear visibility, unacceptably loud road noise, and a small wheel diameter that makes all weather driving harrowing.

Let’s hope the third generation has worked out many of these flaws.

I owned both a 2006 and 2008 and never had any of the problems you claim to have had. I now own a 2010 and I have to say these cars were the most perfect cars I have ever owned and I've owned many.

[2k1Toaster]

First off, yes I realize this thread is over a year old.

Secondly, I have never had any of those issues either. Hatch closes with no fuss, and my climate control stays where it should. Any chance the OP works for one of the big three? (just kidding)

[Stratospaly]

I just noticed that my 08 spoiler rattles when closing the back, and going over some bumps. It took me about a month to notice this, but is it normal or should I have it looked at under the 3/36k? Would it be covered? I have 2 more months on the "anything goes" they gave me with the Toyota Certified purchase.

[2k1Toaster]

Originally Posted by Stratospaly

I just noticed that my 08 spoiler rattles when closing the back, and going over some bumps. It took me about a month to notice this, but is it normal or should I have it looked at under the 3/36k? Would it be covered? I have 2 more months on the "anything goes" they gave me with the Toyota Certified purchase.

I have heard there is a bolt/nut that hold the spoiler on (so inside the hatch paneling) that can come loose and fall off. I think there is a thread about how to remove the trim piece and put the piece back on, of course tightening it more than before