Looking for Feedback from Current Prius Owners

[roxygirl5412]

Hi there!

I'm interested in purchasing a 2006 Prius, and I'm just wondering what people think about owning these cars. I'm want to know if they are really happy, how maintenance is with these cars, and also long-term quality.

This is my first car purchase, and I don't want to end up regretting it down the line. I'm a commuter, from San Mateo to San Francisco (where I work and go to school), and think that having a hybrid would be a great investment.

One issue that I've heard is battery replacement and disposal. Plus, I'm also 6'2", so leg and head room are big issues (I have yet to have the chance to test-drive it yet).

Any and all information would be great.

Thanks!

Kim

[kimgh]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Kimberly Flower @ Jun 3 2006, 07:24 PM) [snapback]265375[/snapback]</div>

Hi there!

I'm interested in purchasing a 2006 Prius, and I'm just wondering what people think about owning these cars. I'm want to know if they are really happy, how maintenance is with these cars, and also long-term quality.

This is my first car purchase, and I don't want to end up regretting it down the line. I'm a commuter, from San Mateo to San Francisco (where I work and go to school), and think that having a hybrid would be a great investment.

One issue that I've heard is battery replacement and disposal. Plus, I'm also 6'2", so leg and head room are big issues (I have yet to have the chance to test-drive it yet).

Any and all information would be great.

Thanks!

Kim
[/b]

I've had mine for 2 weeks, so I cannot comment directly on maintenance, except to say that if Toyota runs true to form, you should have nothing to worry about. We've owned a Camry for 9 years, and it's been one of the most maintenance-free cars I've ever owned.

I am VERY happy with the Prius so far; it's been the funnest car to drive that I've ever owned (and I've owned quite a few).

If your commute involves freeway driving, I think you still have time to get the HOV lane stickers, which will almost certainly add to your enjoyment of the car. And you should also qualify for the tax credit, which doesn't hurt.

Regarding whether you fit in the car: the best bet is to go to a dealer and test drive one and see how you fit. I'm not as tall as you and had no problem. Others on this forum who are your height or close have no problem, while some have complained. YMMV I guess, but you should try it out for yourself.

[galaxee]

in almost 16 months and 14750 miles we have done: 2 oil changes, 2 tire rotations, and one warranty alignment job. my husband works in the service department at one of the biggest prius dealers in the nation. in all the service department can see up to 2 dozen prius in a day, and only 1-3 of those come in for anything above and beyond basic maintenance. having seen what can possibly go wrong, he still wouldn't want me driving any other car.

there are no battery replacement and disposal issues. they aren't like regular batteries that are expected to fail. the charge of the battery is strictly controlled to maintain a very long life- expected to last 250k miles or more.

i suggest you take a good look through the forums here. you'll find an incredible wealth of information. there's a search tool located at the top right of the forum pages that will help you find discussions on all of your concerns. good luck in deciding

[hdrygas]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Kimberly Flower @ Jun 3 2006, 07:24 PM) [snapback]265375[/snapback]</div>

Hi there!

I'm interested in purchasing a 2006 Prius, and I'm just wondering what people think about owning these cars. I'm want to know if they are really happy, how maintenance is with these cars, and also long-term quality.

This is my first car purchase, and I don't want to end up regretting it down the line. I'm a commuter, from San Mateo to San Francisco (where I work and go to school), and think that having a hybrid would be a great investment.

One issue that I've heard is battery replacement and disposal. Plus, I'm also 6'2", so leg and head room are big issues (I have yet to have the chance to test-drive it yet).

Any and all information would be great.

Thanks!

Kim
[/b]

Sit in one and see how comfortable it is. There is no known battery replacement. The battery appears to be good for 200k to 300k as measured by Prius taxi cab use. Only a very few batteries have failed. Toyota has a plant to recycle them. The 04> can apparently have individual cells replaced. This is a paper tiger!! I would guess that leg length and torso length etc is more important than total height. You need to get in one. I really like mine. It is a good investment for me, compared to what I was driving. I suppose that a Ford Escape might be a bit less in $ over all but I am willing to pay a premium to reduce the environmental impact. I admit that I am a nut case on the front of driving for maximum MPG at this point, but it is a total game for me. If you just drive it you will do better than most (all ?) cars on the road. That is a warm feeling.

[roxygirl5412]

What is the time limit for the HOV stickers?

I definitely think that would be great with the commute...

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(kimgh @ Jun 3 2006, 07:43 PM) [snapback]265388[/snapback]</div>

I've had mine for 2 weeks, so I cannot comment directly on maintenance, except to say that if Toyota runs true to form, you should have nothing to worry about. We've owned a Camry for 9 years, and it's been one of the most maintenance-free cars I've ever owned.

I am VERY happy with the Prius so far; it's been the funnest car to drive that I've ever owned (and I've owned quite a few).

If your commute involves freeway driving, I think you still have time to get the HOV lane stickers, which will almost certainly add to your enjoyment of the car. And you should also qualify for the tax credit, which doesn't hurt.

Regarding whether you fit in the car: the best bet is to go to a dealer and test drive one and see how you fit. I'm not as tall as you and had no problem. Others on this forum who are your height or close have no problem, while some have complained. YMMV I guess, but you should try it out for yourself.
[/b]

[windstrings]

I have two of them and they both have over 5000 miles on them and they run flawlessly!

As far as height, I think your good.. I'm 6 foot and I have plenty to spare... even the back seat is good.

I wouldn't give mine up for any other car I can think of... I have no regrets!.

But do test drive one first and make sure its what you expect... It was so much more impressed than I what I was expecting that I was a sell within about 30 seconds of driving.. i just knew I had to have one!...

But you may be different and most of all, you need to be comfortable... as for me, my lower back feels much better after having my prius, the lumbar support on the seats are much better than my Jeep Grand Cherekee was.

Happy Hunting!

[Brian K]

Our Seaside Blue is 15 months old and has 18k miles on it, so we're still newbies as far as this vehicle goes.

Maintenance? Change the oil and filter on schedule (depends on miles and type of oil and filter). Check tire pressures regularly, look under the hood at fluid levels regularly, add windshield washer when you look at fluid levels. Fill it with gas as needed and drive. That's about it other than regularly letting the dealer look at it. Ours doesn't mind me doing what I wrote, they fill in the voids.

So far, all I've done is looked at fluid levels and never added any that aren't considered normal consumeables.

Does it fit? Why not rent one for a week and check out your body fit in the seats? Take a long drive to be sure. We find it very comfortable but not everyone does.

Dittos what others said regarding the (I assume) Traction battery, it won't normally need replacing. There is a 12v battery that gets changed every 4 or 5 years, same as any other lead/acid battery.

Oh, one more thing. Keep in touch through Priuschat. There is more BS generated about the Prius than you can shake a stick at. You're off to a good start by checking in here first to get the real story.

Now, for what you didn't ask. We absolutely love ours, and no it's just one of many new vehicles we've owned. The wife just likes to drive it, she says it's fun and I can't argue with that. I enjoy driving it also, but I also enjoy the technology. It's got plenty of power and get up and go for normal driving, same for handling too. We like the style outside and the versatility, comfort, and the roominess inside. IMHO, it'll be the ideal car for commuting, especially if you encounter traffic.

[kimgh]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Kimberly Flower @ Jun 3 2006, 07:52 PM) [snapback]265394[/snapback]</div>

What is the time limit for the HOV stickers?

I definitely think that would be great with the commute...
[/b]

They will only issue 75000 of the stickers, total. Current scuttlebut has them at about 61000+ or so. They are expected to run out by or shortly after labor day. In the Bay Area, you need to have FasTrak transponder in order to get the sticker from the DMV, since you can be in the carpool lanes across bridges, but must still pay the toll (carpools DON'T pay, hybrids with one driver DO).

Oh, and as current law is constituted, this privelege will expire on 1/1/08. There is a hope that it will be continued, but no guarantees...

[lynnno1]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Kimberly Flower @ Jun 3 2006, 09:24 PM) [snapback]265375[/snapback]</div>

Hi there!

I'm interested in purchasing a 2006 Prius, and I'm just wondering what people think about owning these cars. I'm want to know if they are really happy, how maintenance is with these cars, and also long-term quality.

This is my first car purchase, and I don't want to end up regretting it down the line. I'm a commuter, from San Mateo to San Francisco (where I work and go to school), and think that having a hybrid would be a great investment.

One issue that I've heard is battery replacement and disposal. Plus, I'm also 6'2", so leg and head room are big issues (I have yet to have the chance to test-drive it yet).

Any and all information would be great.

Thanks!

Kim
[/b]

[font=Arial][size=1]Hey Kim, I'm 6'2' (30" inseam) and have to tell you that the best way to see if you like a car (especially one you're spending over $20k on) is to drive it!! I didn't like the Prius that much when I test drove it with the salesman. But circumstances were such that I decided to RENT a Prius. HOO BOY, best car decision I've made in a great while (5 years-Honda van). Anyway, I was able to really check it out. I had to do some serious driving, for me, and ended up putting over 1,000 miles on in one week. BUT, roughly figured out that almost 1/2 the cost of the rental (rental=$225/one week.) was made up in gas savings over the pickup (bad decision-bye bye pickup) I would have driven. Which I've since sold. I got 50 mpg vs. 20mpg at best with the pickup. It handled great on the windy rode we have to travel on the get to civilization. And I didn't spare it on the freeway, doing about 70mph at times for some distances, but mostly close to the speed limit. I almost couldn't believe how well I liked it. Quiet, pretty good on the curves...I'm not driving like I used to w/the MG's I had way back when, but I was still very satisfied. Long story short... signed up for one at local dealer. You want to know what a car is like? Invest a little money...rent one for a week..have a blast!!

[Jack Straw]

zzz