Best Prius Color?

[tracysbeans]

So what is the concenus on the best Prius color? If I buy one I was thinking about getting black with charcoal fabric seats. (Not a leather person).

Also if I do decide to go with a prius will you guys (and girls) help me if I have problems with it? I know nothing about cars and after reading over on edmunds.com about some warning lights going off I'm kinda scared. I don't want to be sitting in Toyota service center all the time. I will get grumpy LOL

I'm glad someone told me about this forum. I had to pull myself away from reading on edmunds. It was all the problems people were having with their Prius. Also I already see now that I can get a better deal on a warranty from this forum. That will save me some money because I think I'm going to get an extended warranty. Just to know I'm covered for at least 7 years.

Thanks, Tracy

[galaxee]

hiya Tracy, and welcome!

big fan of the black prius myself i love mine but others are partial to other colors. the ivory interior is a bit of a pain to take care of so charcoal is definitely a good idea IMO. just know you're going to spend a lot of time washing the car in the coming years...

there are plenty of folks here with some serious in-depth technical knowledge and a few Prius techs around too. the community as a whole is really into problem-solving and we all try to look out for one another. so if you do run into trouble, you have an army of people at your back

plus, edmunds overall is kinda biased from what i've seen.

sure there are reports of a few problems like any car, but on the whole it's probably better than any other car out there. many, many people have had tend of thousands of miles of trouble-free driving with only oil changes and tire rotations. others will disagree and tell you their stories as well, i am sure.

where are you located? i'm sure if there's a local club in your area they can point out the best places for service, there are good places and bad places to go.

for now, two pieces of advice. 1. read the manual carefully and 2. YMMV- your mileage may vary. (and we're helpful with tips on that too, do a search on 'mileage' and see what i mean)

[tracysbeans]

Originally posted by galaxee@Dec 25 2005, 04:49 PM
hiya Tracy, and welcome!

big fan of the black prius myself i love mine but others are partial to other colors. the ivory interior is a bit of a pain to take care of so charcoal is definitely a good idea IMO. just know you're going to spend a lot of time washing the car in the coming years...

there are plenty of folks here with some serious in-depth technical knowledge and a few Prius techs around too. the community as a whole is really into problem-solving and we all try to look out for one another. so if you do run into trouble, you have an army of people at your back

plus, edmunds overall is kinda biased from what i've seen.

sure there are reports of a few problems like any car, but on the whole it's probably better than any other car out there. many, many people have had tend of thousands of miles of trouble-free driving with only oil changes and tire rotations. others will disagree and tell you their stories as well, i am sure.

where are you located? i'm sure if there's a local club in your area they can point out the best places for service, there are good places and bad places to go.

for now, two pieces of advice. 1. read the manual carefully and 2. YMMV- your mileage may vary. (and we're helpful with tips on that too, do a search on 'mileage' and see what i mean)

[snapback]178927[/snapback]

Wow this is good info! I just read some stories about some who had tons of warning lights come on and if that happened I would get pretty freaked out! I think if my daughter was driving it she would probably have a heart attach LOL (When her Lancer engine check light came on she though he car died )

I'm in Green Bay. Is there any Prius clubs here? I would love to join!

My last vehicle I owned was a 1990 Black Toyota truck. I loved that truck and yes it did get dirty. But boy when it was clean that truck sparkled! It had a nice black finish to it. Mine even looked newer than some of the newer Black Toyota trucks I ran across.

I just love gadgets but as much as I love them I'm no good at fixing them. So I'm glad you guys/girls would have my back.

I'm thinking about getting the extended warranty from the MA dealer. If I do that is my salesman going to get pissed off at me? I gotta save money were I can!

I say the ivory interior and it was WAY to light for me. Do you have leather seats or fabric seats? I'm leaning towards the fabric because it looks nicer and would be softer.

I'm just so scared someday I would be going down the road and all my warning lights will come on!

Also I'm looking for a car to buy and run as long as possible. I know Toyotas are good for that. But you know things can change. Is anyone worried that other buyers are going to be scared to buy your Toyota with more than 100,000 miles because of the battery at that time?

Will I be ok with just package #1?

I have to check into someone mentioning a AMT on the tax credit. I have to call my tax accountant on Tuesday to see if that will affect me. I'm looking to buy the Prius because of the tax credit so I want to make sure I will be able to get it. If no credit I probably won't be a Prius.


Thanks for all your help! You guys are GREAT! Tracy

[galaxee]

Originally posted by tracysbeans@Dec 25 2005, 05:40 PM
Wow this is good info! I just read some stories about some who had tons of warning lights come on and if that happened I would get pretty freaked out! I think if my daughter was driving it she would probably have a heart attach LOL (When her Lancer engine check light came on she though he car died  )

well, there was a recall on 04 and early 05s (although our 05 was built in feb and wasn't part of the recall.) this caused the "christmas tree" of lights and the gas engine would cut out. however, the 06s have the new programming that has overcome that bug. there have been a small smattering of other minor problems, but as i said many people have driven tens of thousands of trouble free miles. each light has its own meaning, get yourself familiar with them so you know what to do if one comes on. likely you won't see any of them except the 'maintenance required' light, which is an oil change reminder. oh yeah, and up in the frozen tundra you'll see the snowflake icon which indicates that it's COLD out!

I'm in Green Bay. Is there any Prius clubs here? I would love to join!

i know that there's a madison hybrid group- www.madisonhybridgroup.com

I'm thinking about getting the extended warranty from the MA dealer. If I do that is my salesman going to get pissed off at me? I gotta save money were I can!

he'd better understand. you're well within your rights to deny a warranty from them.

I say the ivory interior and it was WAY to light for me. Do you have leather seats or fabric seats? I'm leaning towards the fabric because it looks nicer and would be softer.

the fabric is nice, however i put on some seat covers to protect them. i like the seat cover fabric better, it's velour. though expensive.

I'm just so scared someday I would be going down the road and all my warning lights will come on!

Also I'm looking for a car to buy and run as long as possible. I know Toyotas are good for that. But you know things can change. Is anyone worried that other buyers are going to be scared to buy your Toyota with more than 100,000 miles because of the battery at that time?

i think this depends on how quickly you'll rack up the miles. however, i think by the time the average driver hits 100k many others will have already proven that the prius is reliable beyond 100k and others won't be too hesitant to buy. we're thinking of buying the 100k warranty and selling at 90k to give the buyer some assurance. that's a long ways off though!

Will I be ok with just package #1?

there are plenty of people who have the basic packages and have been perfectly happy. it's all a personal decision. if you're happy with the options package 1 offers, then by all means go for it!

[windstrings]

Originally posted by tracysbeans@Dec 25 2005, 03:40 PM
Wow this is good info! I just read some stories about some who had tons of warning lights come on and if that happened I would get pretty freaked out! I think if my daughter was driving it she would probably have a heart attach LOL (When her Lancer engine check light came on she though he car died  )

[snapback]178942[/snapback]

Hi.. and welcome!.. try not to let all the monitoring systems scare you because they are not something to hassle you.
Think of it more like all the other cars you had in the past just didnt' have all this cool stuff to let you know when issues were arising!
The prius is among the most reliable cars, so the extra instrumentation will not be a bad thing, but only for good.

just like the human body, the closer you monitor it, the easier it will be to locate a problem and fix it before it becomes a problem!

As you learn the manual a little bit, some of these things that seem scary will become your friend.

In time, the prius should become an extension of your own self as you are able to monitor it so closely.. .. in time, those instruments will actually make you feel more safe and secure, verses not having them!

[Wynder]

Originally posted by tracysbeans@Dec 25 2005, 05:42 PM
So what is the concenus on the best Prius color? If I buy one I was thinking about getting black with charcoal fabric seats. (Not a leather person).

[snapback]178924[/snapback]

I've always been a fan of silver cars -- they're pretty classy and aren't really subject to trends... Point in order, my friend who picked up a Royal Purple car back when that was the hip thing to do.

White's hard to keep clean, black can be hard to keep shiny -- for me, silver is juuust right.

[tracysbeans]

Originally posted by galaxee@Dec 25 2005, 06:08 PM
well, there was a recall on 04 and early 05s (although our 05 was built in feb and wasn't part of the recall.) this caused the "christmas tree" of lights and the gas engine would cut out. however, the 06s have the new programming that has overcome that bug. there have been a small smattering of other minor problems, but as i said many people have driven tens of thousands of trouble free miles. each light has its own meaning, get yourself familiar with them so you know what to do if one comes on. likely you won't see any of them except the 'maintenance required' light, which is an oil change reminder. oh yeah, and up in the frozen tundra you'll see the snowflake icon which indicates that it's COLD out!

Ok this if all good to know. So when it get so cold out will it start snowing in my car

Originally posted by galaxee+--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(galaxee)</div>

I will have to check it out! Thanks! 

Yeah I'm close to many of the stores I shop at some it will take me years and years to get to 100,000 miles!


<!--QuoteBegin-galaxee
there are plenty of people who have the basic packages and have been perfectly happy. it's all a personal decision. if you're happy with the options package 1 offers, then by all means go for it!

Well I was only going with Package #1 for the lowest price. What will I be missing out on (that's cool) by not going with Package #2-8?)

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[tracysbeans]

Originally posted by windstrings+Dec 25 2005, 06:11 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(windstrings @ Dec 25 2005, 06:11 PM)</div>

Ok but your aviator is kinda scarying me! I would ask if you would come rescue me if my lights come on but you might scare me more than the warning lights

I will have to read that multiple times to get it all figured out cause I'm blond!



<!--QuoteBegin-windstrings
In time, the prius should become an extension of your own self as you are able to monitor it so closely.. .. in time, those instruments will actually make you feel more safe and secure, verses not having them!

Wait maybe my puppydog will get jealous with me and my Prius

[snapback]178948[/snapback]

[galaxee]

service should be fine with the ext warranty provided it's through toyota. otherwise you could tell them you got an offer for a toyota ext warranty for (name the price here) and ask if they'd beat it by a few bucks.

i got my seat covers at toyotapartsstore.com- click on prius and then click on seat covers. they are high quality and fit like a wonder, but a pain to install.

the smart key system is about the coolest thing i've seen on a car. basically, you never have to take your keys out of your pocket to drive the car. personally, i also prefer the side and curtain airbags but again that's a personal choice. other people swear by the navigation system but i've been okay without it. if you have an ipod, the aux in would be nice. the 05s and older don't have those

[Jack 06]

Originally posted by tracysbeans@Dec 25 2005, 03:40 PM


I'm in Green Bay. Is there any Prius clubs here? I would love to join!

If I do that is my salesman going to get pissed off at me?

I say the ivory interior and it was WAY to light for me.

I'm just so scared someday I would be going down the road and all my warning lights will come on!

Is anyone worried that other buyers are going to be scared to buy your Toyota with more than 100,000 miles because of the battery at that time?

Will I be ok with just package #1?

[snapback]178942[/snapback]

1. Look in the very last forum for WI Prius clubs. If there's none in Green Bay or nearby, you can always try to START one, using PriusChat as a beginning!

2. Do you know that you can buy an extended warranty ANY TIME before 36,000 mi./3 years? Dealers try to get you to buy one NOW, but there's no advantage. Why would you want to pay finance charges on that, anyway? Save up some money and buy it later. There's $1,000 less to finance. Just tell the "finance person (when you pay), "I think I'll wait".

3. The former (until '05) ivory interior isn't offered now. In place of it (besides gray) is "bisque", a darker "tan". I like it and will get it with my blue Prius. Go look at one!

4. Less than 1% of Prius owners see the warning lights. As galaxee says, read the manual so you'll know about each light. Do you have AAA, or towing coverage on your car insurance, just in case? If not, the premium for towing with your insurance isn't expensive.

5. Having to replace the "big battery" IS an issue. Already (since '01) the cost of them through a dealer has come down from about $5K to a little over $3K. But the Prius is so new, no one really knows when most batteries can be expected to "naturally" wear out. Here in CA and some other states, they're guaranteed 150K mi. Many of us guess they'll last much longer, perhaps 200,000 mi. But yes, some potential buyers who know a lot about the Prius would be afraid of that. Still, hundreds of Priuses with more than 100K mi. have already been sold.

6. The Prius comes with so many amenities, you don't need a lot more, IMO. I'm getting a new pkg. #3 (because #2 isn't sold here), mainly because I like the keyless entry (I have an '04). But I could live without it and be happy. I don't even want the new rear camera, because it won't be useful in most of my driving situations. I don't need navigation because I'm good with directions and maps. Better sound system, including an mp3 jack? Don't need them. Bluetooth? I don't have a cell phone, and if I did I'd use it the usual way. HID lights? Nope. Traction control? The one thing I won't have that would make me feel a tiny bit safer. You like gadgets. Will you feel envious of others a lot if you don't have them?