Calling all Aussies and Kiwis !!

[KS]

My turn ! Seeing I've been browsing the forum for ages, but have only just discovered this thread.

Ain't she an amazing car ?

Alas my budget hasn't been big enough to get a new one, so I picked up a 2000 from Japan. Even for something of 'old' technology, it's an amazing car. I figure if I can hold onto this for a year or so, I should then be able tog et a 2005 model.

But not at the current $43k RRP ! Esp with the value of the NZ peso.

[cupcake]

hi im new here. ordering one for next year. cant wait

[cupcake]

btw. im from sydney

[sleeka]

Originally posted by cupcake@Oct 26 2005, 12:29 PM
btw. im from sydney

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Hi, Cupcake, and welcome.
There seem to be very few Aussies active in this forum recently, it's good to hear from another (soon-to-be) Prius owner.
What colour/level have you ordered? What is the current waiting list like in Sydney (I'm in Brisbane).
The Prius is an amazing car, be prepared for a lot of interest from those around you when you finally get it! But also be amazed at the overall design and the way everything works.....you will be finding little innovative things for quite a while after you take it home. And, of course, 60 MPG in today's climate of high fuel prices isn't hard to take!
The only downside I know of is the fact that Toyota offers virtually no accessories here (apart from floor mats) for Prius. Useful things like the slimline side window deflectors, mudflaps etc, are only available from overseas...and transport costs then make them expensive.
Regards,
Sleeka.

[mcmurray]

Originally posted by sleeka@Nov 1 2005, 02:05 AM
Hi, Cupcake, and welcome.
There seem to be very few Aussies active in this forum recently, it's good to hear from another (soon-to-be) Prius owner.
What colour/level have you ordered? What is the current waiting list like in Sydney (I'm in Brisbane).
The Prius is an amazing car, be prepared for a lot of interest from those around you when you finally get it! But also be amazed at the overall design and the way everything works.....you will be finding little innovative things for quite a while after you take it home. And, of course, 60 MPG in today's climate of high fuel prices isn't hard to take!
The only downside I know of is the fact that Toyota offers virtually no accessories here (apart from floor mats) for Prius. Useful things like the slimline side window deflectors, mudflaps etc, are only available from overseas...and transport costs then make them expensive.
Regards,
Sleeka.

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I do agree.

I have ordered a '06 Prius for February? delivery but am expecting something of a 'culture shock'. I currently drive a Mark IV Toyota Supra ('93) but due to a new job and the need to commute 140kms per day to the new location I felt that fuel economy is a necessity.

The Supra gets about 14.5l/100kms which means that I will use about 20.25 litres per day (or $23.00 per day). With the Prius I expect to use less than 7 litres per day ($8.00), a saving of some $15.00 per day or $3500 p.a.!

Any way you look at it, that is worth saving. The only issue about the whole thing is having to give up the performance and the handling of the Supra .

[cupcake]

hi sleek, hi murray

i ordered a white one for delivery in feb. IT pack.. and mcmurray. i traded in a lowered suspension bmw, i feel just the same way as u do. it was really sad delivering the key to the dealer the other day. but im glad its all over.. now just wait

heard from the dealer there is a front lip spoiler on the 06 prius IT pack. wonder that thats like. cant wait.

hey sleek. how many l/100km are u getting? the book says 4.4 but i want to know how close it is to the real experience.

[sleeka]

Originally posted by cupcake@Nov 16 2005, 04:54 PM
hi sleek, hi murray

i ordered a white one for delivery in feb. IT pack..  and mcmurray. i traded in a lowered suspension bmw, i feel just the same way as u do. it was really sad delivering the key to the dealer the other day. but im glad its all over.. now just wait

heard from the dealer there is a front lip spoiler on the 06 prius IT pack. wonder that thats like. cant wait.

hey sleek. how many l/100km are u getting? the book says 4.4  but i want to know how close it is to the real experience.

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Hi, Cupcake and McMurray.
Coming out of a Beemer and Supra respectively, you will notice a drop in performance. However, the sheer driving experience of a Prius will be very rewarding once you re-adjust to the different driving style. And not just because of the fuel economy! I moved from a V6 Camry Touring (Sports model, and quite quick), and was not disappointed at all. The torque from the electric motor at low speed and for overtaking is quite amazing!

The Prius is a very well-designed and engineered vehicle, with Lexus build quality. Equipment levels (in the Oz cars we are interested in) are good, comfort is excellent, and handling is good...even better for you with the '06 cars. It is very quiet, and you will find that once you have been driving one for a short while, you will subconciously find that you will be driving for efficiency most of the time. The dashboard display will assist you in this, and it will become second-nature to drive efficiently using the real-time consumption display, and reading the road and traffic conditions around you. Having said, that, power is always there if needed!
Look forward to high levels of driving satisfaction as you enjoy your Prius and it's features and efficiency.

Re: my fuel consumption...we have done almost 9000 km now, and average is around 4.8 l/100km. Current consumption is on 4.6 l/100km. This can be improved by about .3 l/100km by using Optimax fuel, but because of the 10 cents/litre extra, it negates the consumption benefit, so stick to regular unleaded.
Mac, you will be VERY pleased at the decrease in your fuel bills (particularly at Sydney prices).

As I stated in my previous post, there is a severe lack of Prius accessories in OZ. I am very keen to get the slimline weathershields and possibly mudflaps from the Canadian Toyota Depot site. Would either of you (or any other Australian owners) be interested also? If we did a bulk order for a few sets in one box, it would spread the freight costs and make the cost per set resonable. The weathershields are currently A$64.50 per set, and mudflaps A$42.50 per set (plus freight). Please let me know either by reply or PM me if you are interested or would like other info.

Regards,
Sleeka.

[nbarnes81]

Hi guys,

Im another one on the waiting list for the 06 IT Prius .. at the moment mine is suppose to be delivered in Jan. I just wished we had a more variety or better colour choices for the car like the do o/s. I ended up getting a crystal blue, been thinking now I hope that doesn't look to bad.

Nick

[Duck Dodgers]

Hi all!,

Sorry about the delay, been to Melbourne for 2 months on business, saw a blue and another silver Prius like mine down there!

On the drive down got 726km with one flashing block left on the guage.

Really pushed it to get that far and was running out of fuel, luckily the satnav showed me the nearest Caltex servo (got a fuel card), phew! drove with the fogs and parkers on for safety, also had an iPod connected to the cassette adapter.

When I was running out of fuel I discovered the following:

It takes a significant amount of fuel to push the prius past 80km/h, I found around 0.1 l/100 to cruise each 10km/h over 80, also switching the JBL off (it was on loud) and the lights was good for 0.1.

I have found some probs, obviously a cassette adapter is awful and I really need to pod this ride, also the not reach adjustable wheel is terrible, I can't really find a good cruising position for the car. It's built for someone with longer arms than me, I found I was pulling on the wheel.

Other than that I found the car VERY quiet and I arrived in MEL and back in SYD in great shape, this was MUCH easier than when I did it in a Pug 206CC last year.

Haven't forgotten about the pic of the strut bar will do it by next posting promise!

[mcmurray]

Originally posted by sleeka@Nov 19 2005, 02:34 AM
Hi, Cupcake and McMurray.
Coming out of a Beemer and Supra respectively, you will notice a drop in performance. However, the sheer driving experience of a Prius will be very rewarding once you re-adjust to the different driving style. And not just because of the fuel economy! I moved from a V6 Camry Touring (Sports model, and quite quick), and was not disappointed at all. The torque from the electric motor at low speed and for overtaking is quite amazing!

The Prius is a very well-designed and engineered vehicle, with Lexus build quality. Equipment levels (in the Oz cars we are interested in) are good, comfort is excellent, and handling is good...even better for you with the '06 cars. It is very quiet, and you will find that once you have been driving one for a short while, you will subconciously find that you will be driving for efficiency most of the time. The dashboard display will assist you in this, and it will become second-nature to drive efficiently using the real-time consumption display, and reading the road and traffic conditions around you. Having said, that, power is always there if needed!
Look forward to high levels of driving satisfaction as you enjoy your Prius and it's features and efficiency.

Re: my fuel consumption...we have done almost 9000 km now, and average is around 4.8 l/100km. Current consumption is on 4.6 l/100km. This can be improved by about .3 l/100km by using Optimax fuel, but because of the 10 cents/litre extra, it negates the consumption benefit, so stick to regular unleaded.
Mac, you will be VERY pleased at the decrease in your fuel bills (particularly at Sydney prices).

As I stated in my previous post, there is a severe lack of Prius accessories in OZ. I am very keen to get the slimline weathershields and possibly mudflaps from the Canadian Toyota Depot site. Would either of you (or any other Australian owners) be interested also? If we did a bulk order for a few sets in one box, it would spread the freight costs and make the cost per set resonable. The weathershields are currently A$64.50 per set, and mudflaps A$42.50 per set (plus freight). Please let me know either by reply or PM me if you are interested or would like other info.

Regards,
Sleeka.

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Cupcake, I know how you feel about losing the old favourite hottie - I'll have to wait till after Feb to experience the sadness!

Sleeka, I'm sure you are right about being happy about fuel savings. I live on the Gold Coast and in Feb begin driving to Brisbane daily. The Supra uses 14.4l/100km so I will see a 66% decrease in costs ( $8/day against $24/day!).

As far as the accessories are concerned, anything that will help 'protect' the car (paint) should be considered. I would be willing to join in on an order for some stuff but perhaps with all my M1 mileage (700kms/week) I should get a front end mask (bra) to protect the paint.

Sleeka, could you also please check out the price for the front end mask? And what do you think about the rear bumper applique?

John (mcmurray)