I'm renting a Prius this weekend!

wannaprius · 01-04-2006, 10:40 PM

I'm renting a Prius for the weekend since people here think that is a good idea before making the decision to buy. It may be late in 2006 before I finally do, but hey, I want to make sure I REALLY do like the car before I take the big leap.

So, any hints for the weekend? Things to check out? Things to think about?

THANKS!!

Bill Merchant · 01-04-2006, 10:57 PM

Most likely, you'll love the car. A few people have had problems with the seats, so, if possible, I suggest you go on at least a 3 hour drive. By then your posterior and back will let you know if the Prius fits you.

Also, don't let prior training confuse you. DO NOT listen to the sound of the engine as an indication of performance. You will hear the engine stop, you will hear the engine race, all without a seeming connection to the car's movement. Don't worry about it, the car is smart enough to take care of itself. When you want to go, mash the gas pedal. When you want to stop, step on the brake. Fine tuning your glide-pulse maximum MPG technique should wait until you buy one, if you do.

I also advise turning off the MFD so you're not distracted, particularly when you first start. The MFD can provide sensory overload, and we want you to survive long enough to buy a Prius if you want one. Turn off the screen and just drive for a while.

Most of all, have fun! the Prius is a fun car to drive!

**Tideland Prius** · 01-05-2006, 02:17 AM

Also, play with all the gadgets BEFORE you drive (or after). While driving, try and get a sense of the CVT-like transaxle, EV mode, acceleration and braking. Do brake tests and be familiar with the ABS system. Try hauling stuff and see if the hatch can fit your daily routine with the occasional trip to Home Depot. Have fun finding all the cubby holes (hint: there's a hidden drawer). Try and test drive the package you want or at least a package with the features you'll have.

Jack 06 · 01-05-2006, 03:40 AM

As Tideland and Bill say, satisfy yourself of its accelerating capability in a couple real-world situations---merging into fast freeway traffic or passing someone.

I also recommend driving it up the steepest hill you can find, to check out its "power under load".

wannaprius · 01-12-2006, 12:26 AM

Oh, Bill, you were so right. I LOVED the car. I rented it for two nights and three days. So, after driving the first day and night and having several questions, I logged onto the board for the answer...and fixed the problems. Well, one was the annoying green reflection from the mileage/odometer screen at night. The next night I dimmed the switch and it worked great.

The beep when in reverse was quite annoying. I thought, why did they make it like this? Nobody can hear it except me and I know I'm backing up. I knew this would drive me insane. I hate monotonous noises. But, today I saw a post telling how to turn that off. So, I know in the future I can fix that.

I also found all the compartments. I think.

I bought groceries, picked up the kids, hauled some laundry around, carried drinks in the holders, etc. I also tested the acceleration onto the freeway and climbing hills (well the "bump" we have here in the Dallas/Fort Worth area). Both were great. I was VERY pleased with the acceleration. Not at all what I thought it would be like. Much better than I thought.

And the U-turns were excellent. I thought I could make tight turns in my Saturn but nothing compared to the Prius. Mmmm, what else? Don't know. But, it was a great driving experience!! I can see now why everyone seems to have this "relationship" with their cars.

myride · 01-12-2006, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by wannaprius@Jan 12 2006, 12:26 AM
Oh, Bill, you were so right. I LOVED the car. I rented it for two nights and three days. So, after driving the first day and night and having several questions, I logged onto the board for the answer...and fixed the problems. Well, one was the annoying green reflection from the mileage/odometer screen at night. The next night I dimmed the switch and it worked great.

The beep when in reverse was quite annoying. I thought, why did they make it like this? Nobody can hear it except me and I know I'm backing up. I knew this would drive me insane. I hate monotonous noises. But, today I saw a post telling how to turn that off. So, I know in the future I can fix that.

I also found all the compartments. I think.

I bought groceries, picked up the kids, hauled some laundry around, carried drinks in the holders, etc. I also tested the acceleration onto the freeway and climbing hills (well the "bump" we have here in the Dallas/Fort Worth area). Both were great. I was VERY pleased with the acceleration. Not at all what I thought it would be like. Much better than I thought.

And the U-turns were excellent. I thought I could make tight turns in my Saturn but nothing compared to the Prius. Mmmm, what else? Don't know. But, it was a great driving experience!! I can see now why everyone seems to have this "relationship" with their cars.

[snapback]188307[/snapback]

and this is only after 3 days

wait till you own one

**Tideland Prius** · 01-12-2006, 12:48 AM

woot!

01-04-2006, 10:57 PM	#2
Bill Merchant absit invidia Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA \| Oregon \| Portland area \| 97004 \| Posts: 3,949 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #5 Nominated 6 Times in 1 Post TOTM Awards: 1 Friends: 49	Most likely, you'll love the car. A few people have had problems with the seats, so, if possible, I suggest you go on at least a 3 hour drive. By then your posterior and back will let you know if the Prius fits you. Also, don't let prior training confuse you. DO NOT listen to the sound of the engine as an indication of performance. You will hear the engine stop, you will hear the engine race, all without a seeming connection to the car's movement. Don't worry about it, the car is smart enough to take care of itself. When you want to go, mash the gas pedal. When you want to stop, step on the brake. Fine tuning your glide-pulse maximum MPG technique should wait until you buy one, if you do. I also advise turning off the MFD so you're not distracted, particularly when you first start. The MFD can provide sensory overload, and we want you to survive long enough to buy a Prius if you want one. Turn off the screen and just drive for a while. Most of all, have fun! the Prius is a fun car to drive! __________________ Bill Bill.Merchant@PortlandHSD.info 2007 NL 5 Silver Wraith 2005 BC 6 Silver Cloud Portland Area HSD Meetup Group: PortlandHSD.info Become carbon neutral: Carbonfund.org or TerraPass.com

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01-04-2006, 10:40 PM	#1
wannaprius Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 10 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I'm renting a Prius for the weekend since people here think that is a good idea before making the decision to buy. It may be late in 2006 before I finally do, but hey, I want to make sure I REALLY do like the car before I take the big leap. So, any hints for the weekend? Things to check out? Things to think about? THANKS!!

01-05-2006, 02:17 AM	#3
Tideland Prius Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 13,562 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: B Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 11	Also, play with all the gadgets BEFORE you drive (or after). While driving, try and get a sense of the CVT-like transaxle, EV mode, acceleration and braking. Do brake tests and be familiar with the ABS system. Try hauling stuff and see if the hatch can fit your daily routine with the occasional trip to Home Depot. Have fun finding all the cubby holes (hint: there's a hidden drawer). Try and test drive the package you want or at least a package with the features you'll have.

01-05-2006, 03:40 AM	#4
Jack 06 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Winters, CA: Prius capital of US. 30 miles W of Sacramento Posts: 2,567 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	As Tideland and Bill say, satisfy yourself of its accelerating capability in a couple real-world situations---merging into fast freeway traffic or passing someone. I also recommend driving it up the steepest hill you can find, to check out its "power under load".

01-12-2006, 12:26 AM	#5
wannaprius Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 10 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Oh, Bill, you were so right. I LOVED the car. I rented it for two nights and three days. So, after driving the first day and night and having several questions, I logged onto the board for the answer...and fixed the problems. Well, one was the annoying green reflection from the mileage/odometer screen at night. The next night I dimmed the switch and it worked great. The beep when in reverse was quite annoying. I thought, why did they make it like this? Nobody can hear it except me and I know I'm backing up. I knew this would drive me insane. I hate monotonous noises. But, today I saw a post telling how to turn that off. So, I know in the future I can fix that. I also found all the compartments. I think. I bought groceries, picked up the kids, hauled some laundry around, carried drinks in the holders, etc. I also tested the acceleration onto the freeway and climbing hills (well the "bump" we have here in the Dallas/Fort Worth area). Both were great. I was VERY pleased with the acceleration. Not at all what I thought it would be like. Much better than I thought. And the U-turns were excellent. I thought I could make tight turns in my Saturn but nothing compared to the Prius. Mmmm, what else? Don't know. But, it was a great driving experience!! I can see now why everyone seems to have this "relationship" with their cars.

01-12-2006, 12:48 AM	#7
Tideland Prius Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 13,562 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: B Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 11	woot!