What I like best . . . and least

[Tomel]

I've got my order in for an '06 with delivery after 12/31 (want that tax credit!). Just thought it might be interesting for new or potential buyers to see what the one thing that current owner's like best and the one thing they like least about their Prius (OTHER THAN mileage and environmental friendliness, which are givens).

Bring it on! Give us your opinion!

[aaf709]

My last car was a 1990 Ford Probe, so that's what I'm using for comparation.

What I like best is the CVT.

What I like least is the JBL sound system. I'm used to it, but it isn't that great.

[Rancid13]

My Prius is on order like yours, for delivery as of Jan 1 +...

Most fave: The amount of interior room; the hatchback + rear folding seats combo was a HUGE selling point for me. My husband and I go on snowboarding trips every other weekend in the winter, and fold-down seats are a MUST in fitting our boards and gear (without having to resort to a rack, which I would think adds wind drag and lessens the mpg on a ~500 round-trip trip).

My current car (a '96 Saturn) has the 60/40 fold down rear seat and can fit a lot more gear than a typical compact car...so it was wonderful to have that option in a Prius.

Least fave: The visibility out the rear window/hatch. When I test drove, I had a hard time adjusting to the rearview looking thru the hatch window. I believe over time I'll get used to it though, as I did only test drive it for about 30 minutes and I've had my current car for almost 9 years, as obviously that's what I'm used to right now. Time will tell!

The Prius has too many positive things going for it that far far outweigh the negatives. The way I put it is, a 2006 Prius will be a HUGE upgrade from a 9-year old Saturn for me and will have a lot more functions that I don't have on my current car, which I will be thankful for!

[bruceha_2000]

Best: SKS!
Least: Cruise control design.

• Master switch has to be set every time you start the car
• Loses the setting if you go below 25 or stop even without turning the car off
• Dash indicator shows when the Master is on, but there is no way to tell that it is actually engaged.

You can guess that my prior vehicle had the opposite design. It works better than GREAT except on rolling hills. But then I've never had a car with any sort of ability to recognize "there is an uphill right at the bottom of this down hill" and start acellerating early on the up hill. The "1 MPH" per bump of the CC stalk is very precise, bump it up 5 times and you go up 5 MPH.

[Oxo]

Originally posted by Tomel@Oct 14 2005, 10:46 AM
I've got my order in for an '06 with delivery after 12/31 (want that tax credit!).  Just thought it might be interesting for new or potential buyers to see what the one thing that current owner's like best and the one thing they like least about their Prius (OTHER THAN mileage and environmental friendliness, which are givens).

Bring it on!  Give us your opinion!

[snapback]141010[/snapback]

Best: General appearance of dash especially large, clear digital speedometer; the nav system (with reservations about the inadequate instruction manual). The convenient and capacious console where the hand-brake might have been. The big capacity for luggage with back seats down.
Least: The substitute for a hand-brake operated by left foot. Poor rear view.

But I've only had it for a few weeks: several things I haven't tried yet so this list might be different in 6 months time.

[Seaside Harry]

Bestest Features:

1. SKS

2. Location of instrument cluster (although the display itself could stand improvement)

3. The hybrid technology!

Worstest Features:

1. JBL "Premium" sound system

2. Non-telescoping steering wheel or pedals (wife is 4'9"), and no advanced airbag system (only in our '05--advanced airbag standard in '06 model)

3. Upholstery color too light and hard surfaces like glovebox doors scratch too easily

[ScottY]

Like:
1. SKS of coz!
2. The hybrid technology
3. The fuel econmy
4. Low emission
5. The long list of standard features
6. Hatch back
7. Interior room
I can go on and on...

Dislike:
1. Poor front left view.
2. Blind spots, but got used to them.
3. Crappy OEM tires result in TC kicking in on wet and uneven roads.

[Tideland Prius]

Pro:
hatchback, technology

Con:
lack of adjustments for driver, more cloth on door trim

[Potential Buyer]

Originally posted by ScottY@Oct 14 2005, 11:33 AM
Dislike:
1. Poor front left view.

[snapback]141046[/snapback]

Yeah, that's one of the big reasons I didn't buy the car; I found that left pillar too annoying.

[bruceha_2000]

Wait, we can have more than ONE of each?
Pro:

• Amazing versatility of the inside for carrying stuff. For instance the fold back flat front seats.
• 'heads up' display forward on the dash. MUCH safer as your eyes don't leave the road as far and don't have to adjust for near and far (good for us older folks)
• Not initially intuitive but BRILLIANT shift design. It doesn't matter what gear you are in NOW, you ALWAYS use the same motion to get to a specific gear.
• Transmission goes into Park when you push the Power button to shut down, one less thing for the driver to do :-)

Con:

• Would like more thigh support (6'2")
• Headrest is tilted too far forward for my preferred seat back angle.
• No EV switch available in the North American cars