Questions before I buy a new Prius... thank you.

pola · 04-30-2007, 08:54 PM

[font=Comic Sans Ms][size=3]

I test drove a Prius recently and liked it better than 2 yrs. ago... have they changed it in '07 ? The rear visibility seemed better to me.

What trim level do you recommend ?

Do I need stability control ?

How can I find a discounted Prius online, OR how do I talk down the price at the dealer ?

Do you like the '07 touring edition better ? Does it get the same MPG ?

Should I be concerned about the low ground clearance ?

Should I buy bumper guards ? Do they protect your bumpers ? (front and back ?)

Are the '06's as good as the '07's ?

Should I hold on to my Volvo and wait for the 100 MPG Prius ????

If they come out with a plug-in, will the current Priuses be able to be adapted to plug in ?

Are the leather seats more comfortable than the cloth ?

Is there enough back support ?

Does the computer screen bother you ?

I test drove a Honda Civic Hybrid, it is not as large, and it does not get the same mileage as the Prius, but it had no computer screen, and I prefer knobs over a computer screen.

Thanks for your time, this chat group is great ....!
Susan

jenayroux · 04-30-2007, 09:14 PM

I LOVE my screen... can't live without it. GPS is great. Seats on my '05 could be more comfortable - but gas mileage more than makes up for that. I can not wait for the 100 mi/gal model to come out... only thing I could wish for is a suv with the same mileage... you will enjoy - esp. seeing that 50 / gal. on the screen... can't beat that (for now).

**Tideland Prius** · 04-30-2007, 09:21 PM

My responses are in bold

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(pola @ Apr 30 2007, 05:54 PM) [snapback]432897[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

[font=Comic Sans Ms][size=3]

I test drove a Prius recently and liked it better than 2 yrs. ago... have they changed it in '07 ? The rear visibility seemed better to me.

What trim level do you recommend ? Whatever you can afford but preferably at least the one with VSC

Do I need stability control ? Preferably. It's nice to know you have a backup in case you didn't see the black ice and start spinning or you took a corner too fast for the conditions

How can I find a discounted Prius online, OR how do I talk down the price at the dealer ? Starting with the invoice price would be good. See if you can negogiate with the PDI (i.e. freight). Avoid mentioning you have a trade-in until the Prius' purchase price has been set

Do you like the '07 touring edition better ? Does it get the same MPG ? Don't have one but it does have a slightly stiffer suspension and larger, lower profile tyres. It won't get the same mpg (all else being equal) because of the larger tyres (friction, air drag and weight)

Should I be concerned about the low ground clearance ? If you have a full load of passengers, yes. You may scrap the bottom if you go over speed bumps

Should I buy bumper guards ? Do they protect your bumpers ? (front and back ?) It's a matter of preference so I'll leave that up to you

Are the '06's as good as the '07's ? Same vehicle except side/side curtain airbags are standard for 07 (and you get the Touring editions)

Should I hold on to my Volvo and wait for the 100 MPG Prius ???? It may not arrive til 2008 or 2009 CY so if you can wait that long, then sure. If you want to start helping the environment and start saving on fuel and maintenance now, then now's a good time (even with the lower tax credit)

If they come out with a plug-in, will the current Priuses be able to be adapted to plug in ? most likely no unless you go to a 3rd party provider like CalCars or HyMotion

Are the leather seats more comfortable than the cloth ? can't comment. Don't have leather

Is there enough back support ? Decent. Again, depends if you have back issues or not. Some people have complaints in this area

Does the computer screen bother you ? nope not at all but it can be distracting to some. The other Priuses I've seen on the road at their monitor on the Consumption Screen cause it's less distracting than the Energy Monitor with the arrows flickering

I test drove a Honda Civic Hybrid, it is not as large, and it does not get the same mileage as the Prius, but it had no computer screen, and I prefer knobs over a computer screen.

Thanks for your time, this chat group is great ....!
Susan
[/b]

priusmaybe · 04-30-2007, 11:11 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Apr 30 2007, 09:21 PM) [snapback]432926[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

My responses are in bold
[/b]

Are 100 mpg Prius cars really only 2 years away?

**Tideland Prius** · 05-01-2007, 12:18 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(priusmaybe @ Apr 30 2007, 08:11 PM) [snapback]433013[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Are 100 mpg Prius cars really only 2 years away?
[/b]

I wouldn't be surprised. The current Prius gets 86mpg US in Japan (see? it's possible but noooo everyone here wants to do 80mph and not 80km/h on the freeway cause I gotta leave at the absolute last possible minute and rush to wherever I gotta be).

So 100mpg isn't too far fetched.

100mpg with US driving styles? Probably not for a long while.

pola · 05-01-2007, 12:30 AM

Does this mean that the touring package has better ground clearance ?
thank you !

Do you like the '07 touring edition better ? Does it get the same MPG ? Don't have one but it does have a slightly stiffer suspension and larger, lower profile tyres. It won't get the same mpg (all else being equal) because of the larger tyres (friction, air drag and weight)

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jenayroux @ Apr 30 2007, 07:14 PM) [snapback]432916[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Thanks for writing and giving me your opinion..

I LOVE my screen... can't live without it. GPS is great. Seats on my '05 could be more comfortable - but gas mileage more than makes up for that. I can not wait for the 100 mi/gal model to come out... only thing I could wish for is a suv with the same mileage... you will enjoy - esp. seeing that 50 / gal. on the screen... can't beat that (for now).

[/b]

Does this mean that the touring package has better ground clearance ?
thank you !

Does 'lower profile tires' mean that they are more vulnerable to pot hole damage, or hitting a curb ?

Do lower profile tires require inflation to a higher pressure ?

THANKS !

Do you like the '07 touring edition better ? Does it get the same MPG ? Don't have one but it does have a slightly stiffer suspension and larger, lower profile tyres. It won't get the same mpg (all else being equal) because of the larger tyres (friction, air drag and weight)

Thanks for writing and giving me your opinion. ! Maybe I'll get used to it.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jenayroux @ Apr 30 2007, 07:14 PM) [snapback]432916[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I LOVE my screen... can't live without it. GPS is great. Seats on my '05 could be more comfortable - but gas mileage more than makes up for that. I can not wait for the 100 mi/gal model to come out... only thing I could wish for is a suv with the same mileage... you will enjoy - esp. seeing that 50 / gal. on the screen... can't beat that (for now).

[/b]

**Tideland Prius** · 05-01-2007, 03:40 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(pola @ Apr 30 2007, 09:30 PM) [snapback]433054[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Does 'lower profile tires' mean that they are more vulnerable to pot hole damage, or hitting a curb ?

Do lower profile tires require inflation to a higher pressure ?
[/b]

Yes. That means the sidewall of the tyre is shorter. In other words, the distance between the circumference of the rim and the circumference of the tyre is shorter.

With regards to higher pressure, I don't know.

fan-atic · 05-01-2007, 09:55 AM

The 100mpg Prius is a LONG ways away! Probably never, in fact. Auto manufacturers will go to some new technology to get that. A "free piston" engine, perhaps. The 100mpg rumor stems from the Prius rating in Japan where the present 2007 Prius gets 90mpg.

Per · 05-01-2007, 10:03 AM

They only way you would see a 100 mpg Prius, would be on a short trip, where half the distance could be gotten from plug-in electricity. Remember, all the energy in the Prius comes from the ICE, and there is not much more efficiency that can be gotten out of the ICE.

Stringmike · 05-01-2007, 10:14 AM

Standard seats are quite comfortable for my six-foot frame.

I like the display, but if it bugs you, you can turn it off.

It'll be some while before we see a model that will manage 100mpg, although some predict the plug-in version may approach that for short-range city driving.

I'd buy one now and get the current savings and trade up in a few years.

Mike

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04-30-2007, 08:54 PM	#1
pola Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 120 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	[font=Comic Sans Ms][size=3] I test drove a Prius recently and liked it better than 2 yrs. ago... have they changed it in '07 ? The rear visibility seemed better to me. What trim level do you recommend ? Do I need stability control ? How can I find a discounted Prius online, OR how do I talk down the price at the dealer ? Do you like the '07 touring edition better ? Does it get the same MPG ? Should I be concerned about the low ground clearance ? Should I buy bumper guards ? Do they protect your bumpers ? (front and back ?) Are the '06's as good as the '07's ? Should I hold on to my Volvo and wait for the 100 MPG Prius ???? If they come out with a plug-in, will the current Priuses be able to be adapted to plug in ? Are the leather seats more comfortable than the cloth ? Is there enough back support ? Does the computer screen bother you ? I test drove a Honda Civic Hybrid, it is not as large, and it does not get the same mileage as the Prius, but it had no computer screen, and I prefer knobs over a computer screen. Thanks for your time, this chat group is great ....! Susan

04-30-2007, 09:14 PM	#2
jenayroux Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 13 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I LOVE my screen... can't live without it. GPS is great. Seats on my '05 could be more comfortable - but gas mileage more than makes up for that. I can not wait for the 100 mi/gal model to come out... only thing I could wish for is a suv with the same mileage... you will enjoy - esp. seeing that 50 / gal. on the screen... can't beat that (for now).

05-01-2007, 09:55 AM	#8
fan-atic Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Holliston, MA Posts: 58 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #2 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	The 100mpg Prius is a LONG ways away! Probably never, in fact. Auto manufacturers will go to some new technology to get that. A "free piston" engine, perhaps. The 100mpg rumor stems from the Prius rating in Japan where the present 2007 Prius gets 90mpg.

05-01-2007, 10:03 AM	#9
Per Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: San Antonio Posts: 171 My Car: Other Hybrid Package: N/A Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	They only way you would see a 100 mpg Prius, would be on a short trip, where half the distance could be gotten from plug-in electricity. Remember, all the energy in the Prius comes from the ICE, and there is not much more efficiency that can be gotten out of the ICE.

05-01-2007, 10:14 AM	#10
Stringmike Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 70 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Standard seats are quite comfortable for my six-foot frame. I like the display, but if it bugs you, you can turn it off. It'll be some while before we see a model that will manage 100mpg, although some predict the plug-in version may approach that for short-range city driving. I'd buy one now and get the current savings and trade up in a few years. Mike