Going from a 2005 Acura RL to a 2006 Toyota Prius

[tyrael]

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!

[Lola'05]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tyrael @ Jul 12 2006, 07:18 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]

Welcome. You are just a young one . You will soon learn all the joys of the Prius. Go with the car.

[hwalker911]

Wow, welcome to the family... good choice, wish you the very best.

Happy Motoring

Howie

[Tideland Prius]

wow..

Living in FL, you'll be one of the lucky few that actually achieve the 60mpg mark. The other would be TX lol.

[Cheap!]

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

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]

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

[marjam]

The Acura is probably a wonderful car but you have made such a great choice. The Prius will become more and more fun the longer you drive it. I have had an '01 and an '04 and would not consider any other car on the market today.

[Prianista]

Did the Acura have navigation? If so, how does the Prius navigation compare?

And, of course, congratulations on choosing a car even more wonderful than an Acura.

[TimBikes]

Glad to hear of your decision as it further solidifies my decision to go w/ the Prius. I wasn't looking at an RL - but when I bought I was considering a TL - which is a stunningly nice car, in my opinion. But also a good $5-$10k higher on base and not great mpg, not to mention requiring premium gas. Finally, the Prius hatch sealed the deal - very versatile - vs. a trunk with no fold down seats.

Enjoy the car!

[NuShrike]

Strange, the Camry is faster than the Prius.

Constant acceleration = you can't feel it.

[tyrael]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Prianista @ Jul 12 2006, 10:48 PM) [snapback]285405[/snapback]</div>

Did the Acura have navigation? If so, how does the Prius navigation compare?

And, of course, congratulations on choosing a car even more wonderful than an Acura.
[/b]

I haven't had that much time to actually play around with the Prius' navigation system, but one thing that I am already missing in the little knob that I used to navigate the screen. Scrolling through the map isn't that handy. Also, the fact that I can't have my passenger play with it off the bat kind of stinks. We had to pull over last night (he was driving) while I inputted where we wanted to go. The colors aren't as vivid and the voice technology is far better in the TL/RL series. There is also a bird's eye view that the RL has to offer which I have not found in the Prius.

It stinks that the only time in the day that I get to enjoy my vehicle is to and from work and the one other time where I had to do an errand. Either than that, I can't hardly wait for the weekend so that I can actually get time to spend with the new car. I'm loving it so far!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TimBikes @ Jul 13 2006, 12:32 AM) [snapback]285453[/snapback]</div>

Glad to hear of your decision as it further solidifies my decision to go w/ the Prius. I wasn't looking at an RL - but when I bought I was considering a TL - which is a stunningly nice car, in my opinion. But also a good $5-$10k higher on base and not great mpg, not to mention requiring premium gas. Finally, the Prius hatch sealed the deal - very versatile - vs. a trunk with no fold down seats.

Enjoy the car!
[/b]

I'm glad that you are able to feel a little more confident in your decision. Funny thing that I too also feel a little better that there is another member who also made the "choice." I do like the trunk and fold down seats! It's very convenient. The RL though and TL were definitely great vehicles!!!

Now, talking about Premium gas, I've also chosen to do the higher octane (only $1.50 - $3.00 more per tank) and haven't searched yet, but will it hurt me? I was or still am under the impression that the better burn is better overall by providing better performance and gas mileage.