A new owner's thoughts on Priuschat

[savaged]

I took delivery of a Prius on May 15, and have been daily skimming topics on Priuschat since. Here are my "regular guy" observations.

1. I found it initially very odd that people list every last detail of their car's options, and that the "package
number" is almost always specified.

2. The mileage/driving tips are very useful. I am surpised by how easily, and without unusual driving
patterns, I can get an actual 50+ mpg on my commute.

3. I find the specific and "real world" technical info very useful. for example, based on what I read, I
purchased and installed an EV switch, with full forward knowledge of potential problems others had
encountered.

4. Postings of all sorts appear readily received, without any sense of elitism from those with clearly more
experience, expertise and knowledge regarding the Prius.

5. I am surpised of how long some wait to get a car. I just called my dealer and received the next one
delivered - no deposit, a two week process. I should have played the lottery that day.

5. I'm really glad I did not buy the Yaris instead.

[efusco]

Welcome and thank for the comments.
Regarding your point 1 above, it's a tiny bit of vanity, a large part of being able to show others with similar features that you're someone who can help with their questions, and a part to help when answering someone's questions.

If you write a question asking about your stereo system it's helpful to know what package you have so we know if you have the standard or the JBL system. If you have a problem w/ your brakes it's helpful to konw if you have the regular ABS or the VSC. There are changes in the various year models and if you have a stalling problem we'd want to know if it's an '04 that didn't have the SSC-50P done or if it's a '06 where that came pre-programmed.

Very frequently we have questions where that kind of info isn't provided and it makes the answers much less specific and less helpful. Thus, we encourage everyone to provide information about their car and their location so we have a good starting point in answering their questions.

[Tideland Prius]

Welcome to PriusChat!

Feel free to contribute or even ask a ton of questions.

[Godiva]

The packages change from year to year so saying you have a package #6 isn't clear as a #6 is different for 2004, 2005 and 2006. And without actually owning that year and package, I would have no idea what options there were. I find listing nice.

I also like people listing all of their mods. So if you're interested in GT covers or mudflaps you can see who has them and ask about them.

Glad you found Priuschat and got your car fast and pain free.

I e-mailed the internet manager at a local dealer on Saturday. He had a car but it was too late to go in that day and I was leaving for Las Vegas Sunday Morning. When I got back I went in and the car was still there. I test drove it and then bought it. So...no waiting at all. The paperwork took longer.

[j24816]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Jun 11 2006, 09:59 AM) [snapback]269554[/snapback]</div>

Feel free to contribute or even ask a ton of questions.
[/b]

Ask a ton of questions. Good people on this site who are infinately patient and willing to share. I have found site to be invaluable resource. Also, make use of the search feature....if it does not answer your question it will help you ask a better question.

Welcome!

[jamarimutt]

Welcome and have fun. When using this site keep in mind that no one here is a certified factory Prius expert, so you'll see a fair amount of guessing and conflicting information. Keep reading, though, since overall the information is very good. Just don't assume that all of it is correct.

[TonyPSchaefer]

certified factory Prius expert[/b]

Actually, I believe there is one or two - without giving names - but even they are stymied from time to time.

It's hard to believe that the Prius has been in the U.S. for 6 years now. It's hard to feel like an "early adapter" anymore.

Savage, like they said, welcome to Priuschat. Sounds like you've done quite a bit of reading already. But I'll tell you what: I'll give you a little secret but you have to promise to not tell the others.

On the very bottom of this and every page, there's a link for "Lo-Fi Version." That takes you to the "text-only" version of Priuschat. It doesn't have all the bells and whistles, but if you're looking for some fast skimming, that's the way to go. You get no avatars, no pictures, no signatures, and no attachments. None of that. Just text and information. Sometimes, though, you need the pictures to make the posts make sense or you want an attachment in the post. In that case, on the top of every Lo-Fi page, there is a link to the Full-Graphic version of that page. Using this technique, you should be able to whip through this site pretty quickly and be up to speed in no time.

And 50+ mpg already is pretty darned good!

[Danny]

Just to reiterate what everyone else has already said - welcome to PriusChat!

[Cheap!]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(savaged @ Jun 11 2006, 09:50 AM) [snapback]269502[/snapback]</div>

I took delivery of a Prius on May 15, and have been daily skimming topics on Priuschat since. Here are my "regular guy" observations.

1. I found it initially very odd that people list every last detail of their car's options, and that the "package
number" is almost always specified.

2. The mileage/driving tips are very useful. I am surpised by how easily, and without unusual driving
patterns, I can get an actual 50+ mpg on my commute.

3. I find the specific and "real world" technical info very useful. for example, based on what I read, I
purchased and installed an EV switch, with full forward knowledge of potential problems others had
encountered.

4. Postings of all sorts appear readily received, without any sense of elitism from those with clearly more
experience, expertise and knowledge regarding the Prius.

5. I am surpised of how long some wait to get a car. I just called my dealer and received the next one
delivered - no deposit, a two week process. I should have played the lottery that day.

5. I'm really glad I did not buy the Yaris instead.
[/b]

Savaged,
I only list what options I have added to the car. Welcome and enjoy your new toy.

[slortz]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(savaged @ Jun 11 2006, 09:50 AM) [snapback]269502[/snapback]</div>

I took delivery of a Prius on May 15, and have been daily skimming topics on Priuschat since. Here are my "regular guy" observations.

1. I found it initially very odd that people list every last detail of their car's options, and that the "package
number" is almost always specified.

2. The mileage/driving tips are very useful. I am surpised by how easily, and without unusual driving
patterns, I can get an actual 50+ mpg on my commute.

3. I find the specific and "real world" technical info very useful. for example, based on what I read, I
purchased and installed an EV switch, with full forward knowledge of potential problems others had
encountered.

4. Postings of all sorts appear readily received, without any sense of elitism from those with clearly more
experience, expertise and knowledge regarding the Prius.

5. I am surpised of how long some wait to get a car. I just called my dealer and received the next one
delivered - no deposit, a two week process. I should have played the lottery that day.

5. I'm really glad I did not buy the Yaris instead.
[/b]

Welcome!
That said, you will come to find that we are sticklers for accuracy here. You listed 5 twice in your post. Please correct this at once or the moderators will be all over you!
Just kidding! We are all glad for what you listed as the second 5.