To Buy/Not Buy? Having second thoughts

[momsum]

I've been waiting for my Tideland (pkg 6) and have spent countless hours searching through this forum for insider tips. I've learned lots of good and useful info...but... Yesterday I read the threads about, "most disappointments with Prius" and "hardest thing to get used to". I ended up depressed!

Spending 25 grand plus is a huge deal to me (as I'm sure it is to all of us) but after reading some things I'm beginning to wonder. Some complaints for example: 1. the seats are awful, uncomfortable and need to be covered, 2. the interior plastic is of poor quality..scratches, squeeks and is uncomfortable to rest arms on, 3. the console cover comes off and is of poor quality, 4. backing up is a nightmare with poor view and (as one put it) merging to right in traffic is like a shot in the dark! OMG

I really can't afford to add: a whole new set of tires to improve stability, tint windows for sun and wind noise?, seat covers, bras etc...the list goes on.

I know I'm sounding like a baby :cry: , and I really want to love my new car! I've been dreaming about it for months! Maybe, like the bride and groom, I'm just getting the usual cold feet.

Help! I could use some encouragement that this truly is the great car that I thought it was! It is due to arrive next week and I want to drive away confident in my decision.

Thanks to all who reply!

[skew]

I love mine even more everytime gas goes up The plastic is not really cheap it has a different feel because its made from plants instead of oil product. I personally have no issues with the seats I feel fine after a 5 hour trip I wished it would go back about 2 more notches im 6'3" but I have more legs room than in most cars. I as far as rear view I can see out of it perfect unless you are 4'5" I don't see how in the world you couldn't see out of the back glass. But hey go drive one for yourself and forget about what your read. When I first was looking at them I have to wait for 2 months just to sit in one luckly I meet someone walking into a store that had one and let me get a feel for it. Then about 1 month later I goto test drive one 5 min I pulled out $1000 to order one.

[TonyPSchaefer]

If the negative comments of a few people can make you completely change your mind, you might also want to avoid "investigative reporting" for fear of becoming a total shut-in.

I have the BC package, the one you're getting. I love my car.

1) I drive an hour to and from work and am comfortable the whole time. I have driven my car from Chicago to Nebraska and to Southern Indiana. I was comfortable the whole time.

2) Everything contains plastic these days. It doesn't bother me. The Buick Regal I traded in had an entirely plastic dash. Was it "softer" plastic? I don't know; don't rightly care either.

3) I'm not sure about the console cover. Mine's never given me any hint of trouble.

4) Alright, you're in New York. So you understand about merging into traffic. I drive my car on the Tri-State tollway around Chicago and on the Interstates leading into and out of Chicago. When traffic's moving it's moving fast and people are absolutely out of their minds. I have experienced no difficulty merging, lane-changing, or generally driving safely.

5) And what's so tough about backing up? You've got two windows to look out of. One of my biggest complaints about other drivers is that they do not know the dimensions of their vehicle and how to handle it moving forward and backward. Perhaps it's because I used to drive a forklift in a warehouse and I love going backwards. But again, I've never had a problem.

In the end, I don't know what to tell you. I mean, if reading one post can totally sway you against the car in the face of the literally hundreds of posts containing people absolutely glowing about driving their Prius, there's nothing I can add that could possibly change your mind. Maybe it's that you were subconsciously looking for a reason to not buy the car and now that you've found it you're going to rally around it. Only you can decide if the car is right for you.

[ScottY]

Hey, I'm in NY too. I have my Prii for a little bit over 2 months. I tell everybody that I love the car. I drive to Long Island for work. My commute is at least 1hr and 15 min (~50 miles one way). And I only need to fill up once a week. If I drive my old Pathfinder, I think I need to fill up like once every two days!
I merge onto highways all the time. I don't feel any problem with it. I am 5'7, and I feel the seats are comfortable, well, after getting used to it that is. I do agree about the poor view. When I first drive the car, I cut into the left lane, but there was a car there that I didn't see in the mirror. Lucky nothing happened. So from that time on, other than looking in the mirrors, I also turn my head and look on the side before I change lane. About the center console, I bought this cover from ebay (~$20), and never worry about it. I haven't have any problem with the interior plastic yet. But one thing I can tell you is, you won't regret getting this car! (Toyota should give us commission for this )
Hope this helps.

Scott

[Venturer]

You've had a good report and now mine. Yesterday, I listed our 3 month old Tideland with the #6 pkg., upgraded tires, tinted windows, seat covers, and floor mats. We are probably the exception, but we can't ride in it for more than 1 1/2 hours before we both have to get out and walk around. It doesn't get the advertised mpg, although it is better than anything on the market today. The nav system is not as good as an after market one we have in other vehicles. It certainly isn't worth what they charge for it.

I tried to convince myself that the mileage was worth the discomfort and loud road noise, but life is too short. I want to be comfortable 1st and economical next. We will go back to a minivan for our main car when the Prius sells. For us there are more important aspects of travel than 50 mpg.

Doug

[maggieddd]

I don't know what cars you have driven before, but coming from a 11 year old Corolla, to me it seems like I bought a super luxurius car. But, also I have to add that I did not shop around for a car. I've heard about Priuses, I saw some Priuses on a road. I went to one dealer who told me I could test drive one. The moment I drove it, I wanted one. I then shopped around to get a "best deal" on a prius but I didn't look at any other cars.
I am 5'3" and I do not have a problem seeing through the back window. At first when I got the car it felt strange to look through the split window but now it feels just normal. I actually prefer it now, since I can see the car behind when I am parallel parking.
I have no problem with the seats. They are not hard for me, they are normal, but I don't like soft seats. Soft seats feel old to me, like you've been seating on them for many years and the springs or foam is not firm any more. I drive my car for 1 hour each way to work every day.
I guess what's comfortable for one may not be comfortable for another.
The plastic is just like plastic. Maybe it is a cheap plastic but it is fine. I get no squeeks. Maybe the car is too new (3 weeks). My fabric doesn't come off and I rest my arms and they are fine.
And I honestly don't get what this statement "merging to right in traffic is like a shot in the dark!" means. Maybe if you just don't know how to merge in general, you would have a problem even in a Prius.

[lbligh]

Consumer Reports magazine researches customer satisfaction for their yearly automotive issue. Prius owners easily topped the list, with 94% telling the survey that they would definitely buy one again and were highly satisfied.

Personally, so far I am thrilled with my Prius. We are currently averaging 46 mpg in town, which is a welcome change from the 16 mpg that is standard for a sedan. The rear visibility took some getting used to, but I agree with other posters on this forum that it is essential to USE the side mirrors, which many drivers are not accustomed to doing.

[maggieddd]

every car has a blind spot, you should always look over, make it a habit

[popsrcr]

Since everyone is chiming in...

I don't have a problem with the seats, the armrests are a different story. I added the leather covers from ebay and that is much better, so far.

The rear isn't hard to see out of, its just that its so small you can't see much. I'm use to hatchbacks, so it doesn't bother me. My pet peeve is the A Pillars. Just huge.

Interior is cheesy, but toyos aren't exactly luxury cars.

Nav is so so but I'm sure not as good as a dedicated unit. No experience.

Ride is fine, trips are fine. Gas mileage isn't like advertised, but is better than most so who cares.

Don't let others make your decision. About any car you went to buy you'd get a ton of its great/it sucks.

[ScottY]

We are probably the exception, but we can't ride in it for more than 1 1/2 hours before we both have to get out and walk around.

I guess that depends on you height and other things.

It doesn't get the advertised mpg, although it is better than anything on the market today.

Well, I beat the EPA milage. Milage depends on how u drive, the terrain, your tire pressure, temperate, etc.

The nav system is not as good as an after market one we have in other vehicles. It certainly isn't worth what they charge for it.

I do have an after market GPS, so I didn't even bother looking to get one for the car.

I tried to convince myself that the mileage was worth the discomfort and loud road noise, but life is too short. I want to be comfortable 1st and economical next. We will go back to a minivan for our main car when the Prius sells. For us there are more important aspects of travel than 50 mpg.

Well.. remember we only have one planet, so the low emission and high mpg is more important for me. Certainly, there are more important aspects of travel than 50 mpg, but not 60mpg! :wink: I do respect your choice. Wish things would work out better between you and your Prii. Good luck with your future car.

Scott