Should I get rid of my Prius? Help!

cycledrum · 05-29-2009, 09:53 AM

Yes, motorcycles get you 'in the zone' for fun ... don't buy one of these as first bike, get that Ninja 250

Should I get rid of my Prius? Help!-im002305.jpg

If you do, give a long time (year or more) before you head out to the hills and wear full gear every time.

Boo · 05-29-2009, 10:14 AM

I agree with you and have said it elsewhere: The standard, unmodified Gen II Prius may be the worst handling and least fun to drive car of its size anywhere.

But one thing you might consider is to make handling modifications. For a few hundred dollars you can improve the handling significantly. And for two to three thousand dollars you can get near go-kart handling (so I hear).

Toyota Prius 2004 ~ 2009 NHW20 Performance, Handling & Electronic Accessories :: Sigma Automotive

Or you can just get the Mini. When my Prius wears out in 10+ years, I plan on getting one or something similar.

4G63 · 05-29-2009, 04:07 PM

i totally feel u man. we just gotta sacrifice something for fuel economy. i dont wanna drive a hybrid but in my case, i have to.. at least for 5 more years. if u have the option to switch to a car u really love, do it.. u only live once. i think the mazdaspeed 3 is more fun than the mini.. and cost less to maintain.

Presto · 05-29-2009, 06:11 PM

Upgrade the suspension and add in some chassis bracing. My Prius takes corners with ease. It's fun to drive it hard, too. My setup gives it some oversteer action when taking turns hard. I have a blast ripping it around, and I get to save on fuel! What a deal

cultofprius · 05-29-2009, 06:26 PM

This thread is interesting to me, because I'm actually interested in trading my MINI for a Prius.

From the time the MINI Cooper was announced, I wanted one. I finally got my wish a little over 1.5 years ago.

It has been very reliable for me so far, no problems. It is an S, but I still get around 31 MPG on a stop and go commute in the bay area.

BUT...I have a 3 year old who doesn't fit in the back seat. I never get to drive it for fun on the weekends because of this. And I'd forgotten how painful commuting in a manual is.

If you won't have backseat passengers, I'd recommend the car. Like any BMW, I wouldn't keep it past the warranty/free maintenance period, though. And if I bought another one, I wouldn't pay the extra cash for an S.

If I had never bought a MINI, I always would have wondered "what if". It will have cost me some money on the trade-in, but I'm glad I went for the non-practical car once in my life.

Billinak · 05-29-2009, 06:42 PM

I live in Anchorage and I just got a 2009 Prius. I'm realizing rather quickly that the mileage that everyone gets so jazzed about is almost impossible to achieve in my climate and with my short commute to work. That said, I really do enjoy driving it, the drivers up here are so bad (imagine a fleet of jacked up SUVs in the hands of teenagers) it makes me feel good just letting them pass me by (usually on the sidewalk) then seeing them gas up every 150 miles. I'm also glad for the safety features for the same reason. Happy Driving!

timwalsh300 · 05-29-2009, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by desertrider2215

Gahhhh, you don't want to know. I haven't graduated college yet, ahhhh! This is sick

I wouldn't be so quick to give up the Prius. College-age girls seem to find them attractive. I guess having one demonstrates a greater level of maturity. They are much less impressed (so they say, anyway) with men who are in love with their impractical sports cars.

Tim

F8L · 05-29-2009, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timwalsh300

I wouldn't be so quick to give up the Prius. College-age girls seem to find them attractive. I guess having one demonstrates a greater level of maturity. They are much less impressed (so they say, anyway) with men who are in love with their impractical sports cars.

Tim

The Prius just doesn't cut it for the hoochies and hoodrats but the intelligent girls at my school love my car.... Lets just say that owning a Prius vs. my sports cars has not had a negative impact on my social life.

timwalsh300 · 05-29-2009, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F8L

The Prius just doesn't cut it for the hoochies and hoodrats but the intelligent girls at my school love my car

A good point. I guess you have to consider who you'd like to attract.

Tim

F8L · 05-29-2009, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timwalsh300

A good point. I guess you have to consider who you'd like to attract.

Tim

Aye Tim, quality over quantity! And less trips to the clinic for your efforts!

05-29-2009, 09:53 AM	#21
cycledrum hybrid car with a hybrid seat Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: NorCal Posts: 1,719 My Car: 2009 Prius Model: N/A Package: #5 Thanks: 70 Thanked 65 Times in 50 Posts Friends: 4	Re: Should I get rid of my Prius? Help! Yes, motorcycles get you 'in the zone' for fun ... don't buy one of these as first bike, get that Ninja 250 If you do, give a long time (year or more) before you head out to the hills and wear full gear every time.

05-29-2009, 10:14 AM	#22
Boo Boola Boola Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New York, NY Posts: 4,702 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: #2 Thanks: 236 Thanked 426 Times in 227 Posts Friends: 22	Re: Should I get rid of my Prius? Help! I agree with you and have said it elsewhere: The standard, unmodified Gen II Prius may be the worst handling and least fun to drive car of its size anywhere. But one thing you might consider is to make handling modifications. For a few hundred dollars you can improve the handling significantly. And for two to three thousand dollars you can get near go-kart handling (so I hear). Toyota Prius 2004 ~ 2009 NHW20 Performance, Handling & Electronic Accessories :: Sigma Automotive Or you can just get the Mini. When my Prius wears out in 10+ years, I plan on getting one or something similar. __________________ Best regards, Tom 07 Magnetic Gray #2 - GY TripleTreds 195/60R15, BT Tech Strut Tower Brace, BT Tech Stiffening Plate, Philips X-Treme Power Headlights, Webasto 4300 Sunroof, Sharkfin Antenna, Chrome Wheel Covers, Chrome Door Handles, BumperDefender.com Bumper Guard Strips, Body Side Moldings, Rear Bumper Protector, NoBump.com License Plate Screw Bumpers, Bumper Bully, Australian Merino Sheepskin Seat Covers, Leather Steering Wheel Cover, Leather Center Console Cover, Center-Hump Litter Basket, Non-Slip Pads, Dalmatian Bobble Heads.

05-29-2009, 04:07 PM	#23
4G63 I quit boosting Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Aurora, IL Posts: 142 My Car: 2008 Prius Model: Package: #5 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Should I get rid of my Prius? Help! i totally feel u man. we just gotta sacrifice something for fuel economy. i dont wanna drive a hybrid but in my case, i have to.. at least for 5 more years. if u have the option to switch to a car u really love, do it.. u only live once. i think the mazdaspeed 3 is more fun than the mini.. and cost less to maintain.

05-29-2009, 06:11 PM	#24
Presto Has his homepage set to PC Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 1,278 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: Package: B Thanks: 6 Thanked 7 Times in 6 Posts Friends: 4	Re: Should I get rid of my Prius? Help! Upgrade the suspension and add in some chassis bracing. My Prius takes corners with ease. It's fun to drive it hard, too. My setup gives it some oversteer action when taking turns hard. I have a blast ripping it around, and I get to save on fuel! What a deal

05-29-2009, 06:26 PM	#25
cultofprius Junior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 12 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: II Package: No Package Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Should I get rid of my Prius? Help! This thread is interesting to me, because I'm actually interested in trading my MINI for a Prius. From the time the MINI Cooper was announced, I wanted one. I finally got my wish a little over 1.5 years ago. It has been very reliable for me so far, no problems. It is an S, but I still get around 31 MPG on a stop and go commute in the bay area. BUT...I have a 3 year old who doesn't fit in the back seat. I never get to drive it for fun on the weekends because of this. And I'd forgotten how painful commuting in a manual is. If you won't have backseat passengers, I'd recommend the car. Like any BMW, I wouldn't keep it past the warranty/free maintenance period, though. And if I bought another one, I wouldn't pay the extra cash for an S. If I had never bought a MINI, I always would have wondered "what if". It will have cost me some money on the trade-in, but I'm glad I went for the non-practical car once in my life.

05-29-2009, 06:42 PM	#26
Billinak Junior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Anchorage, AK Posts: 20 My Car: 2009 Prius Model: N/A Package: #1 Touring Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts Friends: 1	Re: Should I get rid of my Prius? Help! I live in Anchorage and I just got a 2009 Prius. I'm realizing rather quickly that the mileage that everyone gets so jazzed about is almost impossible to achieve in my climate and with my short commute to work. That said, I really do enjoy driving it, the drivers up here are so bad (imagine a fleet of jacked up SUVs in the hands of teenagers) it makes me feel good just letting them pass me by (usually on the sidewalk) then seeing them gas up every 150 miles. I'm also glad for the safety features for the same reason. Happy Driving!