Going from a 2005 Acura RL to a 2006 Toyota Prius

[bsoft]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(NuShrike @ Jul 13 2006, 03:44 PM) [snapback]285827[/snapback]</div>

I'm decidedly Not. Fast cars feel fast because they have large varying acceleration due to the gear shifts. The HSD gives pretty much a flat acceleration curve that can equate to feeling 'sluggish' when it's not really slow. There's a big graph of it somewhere.

I'm not certain of elevators, but due to rotation and revolution in a uniform circular motion, the Earth is under constant acceleration, not constant velocity. Velocity is a straight line, which is neither. But close enough approximations of constant velocity as you said because the direction of the vector moves so slowly.
Agreed!
[/b]

I would agree that the Prius "feels" slower than it is, but I'm not sure if it's because of some lack of perception of (relatively) constant acceleration. The problem in the Prius is that you can't "feel" the speed of the car. I constantly find that I'm going faster than I think that I am because the normal cues aren't there: the Prius has no shift points to indicate your speed, and engine noise in the Prius is not directly connected to the speed of the vehicle as it is in a conventional vehicle.

[Vincent]

tyrael

I bought mine from Maroone too; they've been a good dealership so far. I stopped by to see my salesperson last weekeng (Brian Wilson) and saw the 6 Prius' they had in stock. There was a white and black Package 7, which color did you get?

I had an 06 TL out for a demo weekend from Rich Case Acura last year; great car, but not for me. I also test drove an 06 Corvette (rattle box right out of the factory). My Prius is a much luxury and as much of a sports car as I need. I commute to work in my Prius; I still can't wait to drive it somewhere every day.

My modification suggestions:

1. Ditch the trim rings and buy chrome valve stem caps ($1.99 at Maroone)

2. Tire pressure 38 front, 36 rear (I've done a lot of experimenting in South Florida)

3. I hate that you can't use the Navi or Bluetooth to their capacity while moving, but I'm not ready to cut wires yet; I hope Toyota will come to their senses and release a fix, or someone finds a bypass like they did for the 04/05

4. The more I read, the more the EV mod from Coastal makes sense; I'm going to order mine today.

5. Use a small rug as a heel pad; my driver side floor mat was showing wear after a few months. I've already purchased a replacement set of mats from a PriusChat member.

Don't waste your money on premium gas; not needed. Don't expect great MPG's at first; both Prius' I broke in didnt fall into the 47-50 MPG groove until after 5,000 miles (not great for me means around 45-47 MPG). Learn about "Pulse and Glide" and use it. Don't order Florida license plate "48MPG", I reserved it already.

I live in Weston; maybe we'll meet at the dealership someday.

Enjoy your new baby!!

[roni]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tyrael @ Jul 12 2006, 06:18 PM) [snapback]285274[/snapback]</div>

Hello everyone. I'm posting tonight 2 day after I bought my Prius from Maroone Toyota in Weston, Florida (just west of Fort Lauderdale). It is my 2nd post on this board and am very excited to join such a great and intelligent crowd.

The decision was simple...I was going to check out the new Camry Hybrid as well as the Prius' after work just for kicks. I knew that there was little voice in the very, very back of my head saying that I need to get rid of the RL only because of the new cut backs that I have to take. I’ve always wanted to have a hybrid test drive experience, so I went. I needed to get rid of the RL because the gas was costing me about $50 a week to a week and half and that I just wanted a car with lower payments. I sent in an internet request in the morning and by late afternoon, I found myself test driving both cars.

the Camry
Initially impressed by the design and feel for the car, I went into it excited to see a new console and in dash display but was left behind by how sluggish the car felt. I mean, maybe because I was so use to the RL's torque filled V6 and AWD that when I punched the Camry, I didn't "feel" it. I drove it some more and did come to the conclusion that I had to just get use to it. The acceleration wasn't there and it seemed that if I wanted to get somewhere, I might as well floor the darn thing. The interior build was pretty descent without the Nav and the BMWesq MPG analog indicator was kind of fun. (That would be a good mod to the Prius maybe) The trunk definitely does suffer quite a bit of storage depletion due to the overwhelming battery placement and the seats do not fold down either. All in all, I would have to say that I would give it a 7+ to a 8- out of 10 just because I wasn't feeling it.

the sale...
I hopped into the Prius and was literally blown away! I knew that this was going to be it. I still can’t believe that I’m driving ones of these cars! Let me just say WOW again! I gunned it out from the low, and couldn't stop starrring at all the little arrows. I driven now only about 110 miles in 2 days as well as pretty much got the glide thing going for me, so you can say that I'm a happy camper. I live in Fort Lauderdale, FL and wanted to know if there are a few of us out there that can help me with all the mods? I’ve been reading around and am slowly getting the courage to do the rear view camera always on, but the video and the EV modes are just a little too much for me. I’ll keep reading on, but let me know! I’m always down to hang out!
[/b]

[PriusRos]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Cheap! @ Jul 12 2006, 08:30 PM) [snapback]285337[/snapback]</div>

If you are going to do mods then do the Anytime camera, speed sensor, navigation override, and the EV mod all at the same time. It is easier that way.
Take your time a read all the instructions first but then you can work under the dash one time and be done. Until you figure out another mod you want to do.

Congratulations
[/b]

Cheap -- Something I've been wondering about ... wouldn't doing mods to your electronic systems void the warrantees?

Congratulations, Tyrael. That was interesting reading about the contrast in your reactions towards the Camry and the Prius. I hadn't test driven a Camry hybrid, but had tried a Camry when I was car shopping for my last car 7 years ago and didn't like it all (mainly because of the slushy suspension).

[bruceha_2000]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bsoft @ Jul 15 2006, 04:46 AM) [snapback]286640[/snapback]</div>

I would agree that the Prius "feels" slower than it is, but I'm not sure if it's because of some lack of perception of (relatively) constant acceleration. The problem in the Prius is that you can't "feel" the speed of the car. I constantly find that I'm going faster than I think that I am because the normal cues aren't there: the Prius has no shift points to indicate your speed, and engine noise in the Prius is not directly connected to the speed of the vehicle as it is in a conventional vehicle.
[/b]

EXACTLY! A lot of "feels fast" is the drag, jerk, surge of other transmissions. For real "feels fast" you need something with so much power it shoves you back in your seat. That isn't most peoples' experienced "feel".
I had to rent a car when my rear bumper was replaced (due to an idiot who apparently didn't know that a line of cars stopped at a red light meant she should stop BEHIND the line (AND ME!!). I ended up with a Mazda 3. HATED IT. MUCH too stiff a ride. Too much off the line torque, though with a little practice, I could control it. But the thing pertinent to this discussion: I always felt I was going faster than I really was when I looked at the speedo thinking I was getting close to the posted speed. When I first got my Prius, I ALWAYS found I was going FASTER than I thought.

[Cheap!]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(PriusRos @ Jul 16 2006, 10:11 AM) [snapback]287139[/snapback]</div>

Cheap -- Something I've been wondering about ... wouldn't doing mods to your electronic systems void the warrantees?

[/b]

Maybe. The mod would have to be proven to have caused the problem. Yes, the mod can cause a short and that would be your fault. Of course you also want to think about selling the car to someone and if they have a problem they could come after you. I suggest using extra pins to insert into the plugs when you do the mods. That way when you are ready to sell, you can just undo all the mods, give her a good cleaning, and presto good as new.
Also you can look at all the members here who have done mods again and again. Have you heard of anyone having an issue yet from doing mods. Of course it only takes one.



To mod or not to mod?
That is the question.