Dumped the 07 Prius after 5 weeks

[CheapChic]

I could not take it any more.

I did everything possible to make this car handle better.

I left for out of town, and it was a bit windy. A large truck passed me by and I was buffered into the service lane. It was like someone picked me up and put me down in the next lane.

scary.... my welling being comes first.

The Prius is a flawless car in the city, under 50 MPH, but highway driving - NO NO NO.

I traded it with a hugh loss on a camry hibrid. I know I will get less MPG, but the handling and the security is better. Also, it is windy today too, and the Camy can take it like a champ..

It was great here, but gotta go...

PS. I was surprised that the Prius does not hold a very good value anymore...

[BethlehemPrius]

Sorry to hear that you had to part with the new arrival so early. I hear what you are saying with the wind issue, however I added the BT plate and think it does help some. I do a long road trip of about 10 hrs round trip every other weekend all summer long so I will get my long term road trip test soon enough.

Although it does seem to blow easier than other cars, I didn' think it was unbearable but to each their own.

As far as the trade in value, the time right now is probably the worst time to trade in, all the hybrid models are in full stock on dealer lots (at least in my area) and they are offering great incentives and only the new buyers get the fed tax credit. So there is alot going against used Prius's.

Good luck with the camry, I am sure that is a sweet car.

[iaowings]

Sorry to hear that. I haven’t had handling problems in my base 06 even on the highway passing big trucks or with a good cross wind and my stock tires are inflated to 40f 38r.
I know everyone is different and handles a car differently and no one car is perfect for everyone good luck with the new car. My mom just got the cambrid and loves it she is coming from a Cadillac so a much different transition than you.
again have fun and good luck

[Beryl Octet]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(CheapChic @ Apr 7 2007, 10:03 AM) [snapback]419353[/snapback]</div>

PS. I was surprised that the Prius does not hold a very good value anymore...
[/b]

No consolation, but trading in any car after 5 weeks is not going to be any less painful... If I'd been in your place, I'd have tried to sell it on my own, you might have done a little better financially. Sorry it didn't work out for you, good luck with your Camry.

[Betelgeuse]

I'm very sorry to hear about your problems, Cheap. It's threads like this that make me wonder if there are two different types of Prii out there. First, there are the ones that are horrible in the snow and the ones that aren't (like mine). Then, there are the ones that are impossible to get any gas into, and then the ones that aren't (like mine). Also, there are the ones that handle horribly on the highway, and then ones that are just fine (like mine).

I just don't understand how there can be so much difference between the highway handling of the OP's Prius and my Prius. My experience is that the Prius does feel a little "twitchy" on the highway and seems to be affected by wind more than other cars I've driven. However, while noticeable, the affect is rather minor and certainly does not make me feel unsafe. I mean, seriously: how can one car have a truck go by and say, "Hmmmm. . . The car swayed a little when the truck went by," while the other person can end up in the other lane?

BTW, I should just say that my car is completely "stock" (stock tires, no BT plate, never had any fancy alignment) and the tires are at 42/40 (although I also had no problems at lower pressures).

[Earthling]

No handling problems here.

I suspect a wheel alignment problem as the source of the symptoms.

Harry

[D1CK1E]

I just drove mine for a 4 hour highway road trip. Although the gas mileage is a bit lower on the highway it did great... better than my 04 civic.

[hobbit]

Sometimes you get a tunnel effect between two trucks that are
diagonally close to each other; that could have created an extreme
crosswind case. Given the proportion of handling discussions on
the forums, though, your case definitely sounds like alignment.
I assume you didn't have it checked, let alone actually have the
measured numbers in hand...
.
_H*

[Beryl Octet]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Betelgeuse @ Apr 7 2007, 11:06 AM) [snapback]419372[/snapback]</div>

I'm very sorry to hear about your problems, Cheap. It's threads like this that make me wonder if there are two different types of Prii out there. First, there are the ones that are horrible in the snow and the ones that aren't (like mine). Then, there are the ones that are impossible to get any gas into, and then the ones that aren't (like mine). Also, there are the ones that handle horribly on the highway, and then ones that are just fine (like mine).
[/b]

It may just be what you're used to... I drove a VW Beetle for 7 years (the air-cooled kind), and you get used to responding to the wind. Before the Prius, I had a CRX, and in comparision, the Prius feels really stable and calm to me. I've had the gas burp thing happen once, but I put that down to the gas pump at that particular station. I've heard of this "snow" stuff, but haven't really had any to speak of here in Raleigh since we got the Prius. Tires at 38/35.

[Trevor]

I'm amazed that in the course of 5 weeks you have managed to
Replace the tires and wheels
Add the BT Plate
Replace the wiper blades
Tinted the windows
Added Sirius Radio
Had the car spit up gas on you
Had Ipod sound problems
Had steering problems
Removed Rail dust
Got blown into the service lane by a truck
Traded it in for a Camry

All in 5 weeks? Did you do anything else but work on your Prius for the past 5 weeks? I've had my Prius for slightly over a year, bought the BT plate early on, but never installed it because I had no issues with handling on the stock tires. I've got to work on my Time Management skills because your Prius got more done to it in a mere 5 weeks than I've done in a full year.

I looking forward to seeing the post from someone who bought your Prius to see if this series of problems carry over to the new owner.