Rental problem

B Rad · 06-11-2006, 10:26 AM

I was all set to rent a new Prius tomorrow in Las Vegas, so I called Fox Rent a Car just to make sure my reservations were in order. Well guess what, they no longer do business in Las Vegas and US rent-a-car who handles thier reservations do not have a Prius. At least I did not drive 150 miles to find this out. So does anyone happen to know how I can find a Prius to drive anywhere between Kingman,AZ and Las Vegas. None of the dealers have one and I feel kind of stupid having a $500 deposit down on a car I have never even sat in.............am I stupid to buy without a test drive?

aaf709 · 06-11-2006, 10:36 AM

The worst part of buying without a test drive is the seats. I've seen several posts where someone saw a Prius on the lot and bought it on impulse, only to discover they were in pain after driving a half-hour. I don't have problems with the seats, but that will depend on your height and weight.

I was able to rent one from Enterprise (for 2 weeks), but that was a long time ago and they don't carry them anymore.

grasshopper · 06-11-2006, 10:54 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(aaf709 @ Jun 11 2006, 10:36 AM) [snapback]269492[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

The worst part of buying without a test drive is the seats. I've seen several posts where someone saw a Prius on the lot and bought it on impulse, only to discover they were in pain after driving a half-hour. I don't have problems with the seats, but that will depend on your height and weight.
[/b]

Yup!

sdsteve · 06-11-2006, 11:13 AM

FInd somebody who has one and ask them if they are willing to show you thier car. The enthusiasm amongst Prius drivers here in San Diego is high enogh that they'll probably take you for a test drive to show off the car.

MarinJohn · 06-11-2006, 11:18 AM

Many of us early purchasers were in the same boat...deposit on a car we never saw, let alone test-drive. Worked out just fine for me, but it was a little scary.

dbird29 · 06-11-2006, 12:13 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(aaf709 @ Jun 11 2006, 09:36 AM) [snapback]269492[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

The worst part of buying without a test drive is the seats. I've seen several posts where someone saw a Prius on the lot and bought it on impulse, only to discover they were in pain after driving a half-hour. I don't have problems with the seats, but that will depend on your height and weight.

[/b]

Did an 800 mile day yesterday and it wasn't bad. I think they break in after awhile.
D Bird

Drift Motion · 06-11-2006, 02:29 PM

first few time driving the prius made my back hurt...
but now, i love it

rudiger · 06-11-2006, 05:24 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Drift Motion @ Jun 11 2006, 02:29 PM) [snapback]269574[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

first few time driving the prius made my back hurt...
but now, i love it

[/b]

I'm not sure I'd say I 'love' the seats but I, too, was able to adapt after an initial impression of 'Good God, these seats and driving position are horrible!'.

FWIW, the car with the worst seats I ever had was a 2003 BMW 330Ci. I don't know why, but those seats (which were the 'sport' seats and seemed like they should have been great) 'always' made my back hurt after an extended trip.

B Rad · 06-11-2006, 06:52 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(rudiger @ Jun 11 2006, 04:24 PM) [snapback]269642[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

'Good God, these seats and driving position are horrible!'.
[/b]

Well since I have only seen the seats through the window of a parked Prius, I may never find out what they are like. So I still need help in finding one to test drive or rent !!!!!

sunnysandiegan · 06-11-2006, 07:32 PM

I am not familiar with your area, but I suggest calling around to all Toyota dealers within what you consider to be a reasonable distance. Many have test drive vehicles for prospective owners to drive around the block or whatever the dealer's "test drive route" is. Some allow an extended test drive route. *I will qualify this info with: This was the case when we were Prius-shopping in late 2005 and early 2006.*

We were looking at both the 2006 HCH and 2006 Prius and were able to test drive both within a few hours of each other one Saturday in early December 2005. Both places allowed us to take an "extended test drive" that was about 20-25 minutes longer than the typical test drive. Then, we were able to spend as much time as we wanted sitting in the car in the lot.

It may take some perseverance, but it can be done.

06-11-2006, 10:26 AM	#1
B Rad Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 295 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I was all set to rent a new Prius tomorrow in Las Vegas, so I called Fox Rent a Car just to make sure my reservations were in order. Well guess what, they no longer do business in Las Vegas and US rent-a-car who handles thier reservations do not have a Prius. At least I did not drive 150 miles to find this out. So does anyone happen to know how I can find a Prius to drive anywhere between Kingman,AZ and Las Vegas. None of the dealers have one and I feel kind of stupid having a $500 deposit down on a car I have never even sat in.............am I stupid to buy without a test drive? __________________ B Rad Silver Pkg#3 Arrived 6/21/06 metalic tint,mud flaps,side molding, clear bra,Wet Okoli. 17" Centerline Wheels + 205/45-17 Falcon tires

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06-11-2006, 10:36 AM	#2
aaf709 Ravenpaw of ThunderClan Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 3,838 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	The worst part of buying without a test drive is the seats. I've seen several posts where someone saw a Prius on the lot and bought it on impulse, only to discover they were in pain after driving a half-hour. I don't have problems with the seats, but that will depend on your height and weight. I was able to rent one from Enterprise (for 2 weeks), but that was a long time ago and they don't carry them anymore.

06-11-2006, 11:13 AM	#4
sdsteve Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 88 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	FInd somebody who has one and ask them if they are willing to show you thier car. The enthusiasm amongst Prius drivers here in San Diego is high enogh that they'll probably take you for a test drive to show off the car.

06-11-2006, 11:18 AM	#5
MarinJohn Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 2,301 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 1	Many of us early purchasers were in the same boat...deposit on a car we never saw, let alone test-drive. Worked out just fine for me, but it was a little scary.

06-11-2006, 02:29 PM	#7
Drift Motion RMS13 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Pasadena/Riverside, CA Posts: 178 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #3 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	first few time driving the prius made my back hurt... but now, i love it

06-11-2006, 07:32 PM	#10
sunnysandiegan Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 248 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I am not familiar with your area, but I suggest calling around to all Toyota dealers within what you consider to be a reasonable distance. Many have test drive vehicles for prospective owners to drive around the block or whatever the dealer's "test drive route" is. Some allow an extended test drive route. I will qualify this info with: This was the case when we were Prius-shopping in late 2005 and early 2006. We were looking at both the 2006 HCH and 2006 Prius and were able to test drive both within a few hours of each other one Saturday in early December 2005. Both places allowed us to take an "extended test drive" that was about 20-25 minutes longer than the typical test drive. Then, we were able to spend as much time as we wanted sitting in the car in the lot. It may take some perseverance, but it can be done.