Purchase advice

[FlyFamily1]

First off, I apologize if this is a repeat. I have not found much in the way of answers using the search feature, but that could be me.

I am interested in purchasing a Prius, so I was hoping I could get some advice from current owners. My main hangup at this point is determining what options package to go with, but I also have some questions about materials quality:

1) How has the cloth interior held up in the prius? Is leather any better or worse?
2) Has anyone with kids (or not) had issues with items being put into what I think is the battery vent on the right rear passenger seat? Is it difficult to get at and clean?
3) How has the plastic on the dash held up? Has there been any changes to the plastics from the different model years?
4) Does the Navigation feature such information as current heading, current speed, time to destination and arrival time? I followed one link that sent me to a video for the Camry, but it wasn't very detailed.
5) I had the opportunity to test drive a coworker's Prius and have a question about the braking. When I step on the brakes, it feels to me like I am engaging the brake pads, but it seems from discussions on this board that it is the engine doing the braking, and that the brake pads don't come into play unless you really step on the brake pedal. At what point do the pads come into play?
6) Would the larger wheels of a Touring help or hurt mileage? My thinking is that a larger diameter wheel would be a hindrance to starting (but that is largely from the electric engine, correct?), but would provide better mileage overall. However, I wonder if the excess weight of the larger wheels would offset this.
7) Any advice on the pros/cons of HID? Are they a lot less durable then Halogen?

Newbie question...What does DH stand for? I've seen it in several posts, but cannot make it out for certain. Something Hybrid I suppose, referring to a technician?

Thanks for reading. I would appreciate any information that can help me decide from the many choices.
If it helps, I live in the Bay Area of California, and am currently commuting about 24 miles each way.

[efusco]

1) How has the cloth interior held up in the prius? Is leather any better or worse?[/b]

Over 4 years on my cloth and it's holding up very well...despite my 3 kids' best efforts to destroy it! I don't have leather in the Prius but our Highlander Hybrid has leather and it also is nice.

2) Has anyone with kids (or not) had issues with items being put into what I think is the battery vent on the right rear passenger seat? Is it difficult to get at and clean?[/b]

3 kids, never had one put anything in that vent (that I know of). Would not be very easy to get in to clean, but the slots are small and it would probably be better to just leave whatever it is in there unless it's valuable.

3) How has the plastic on the dash held up? Has there been any changes to the plastics from the different model years?[/b]

Yes, the dash material changed in the '06 MY. It seems to hold up well though there have been some issues with the upper glove box deforming apparently due to the heat. Not sure if that's been addressed in later models or not.

4) Does the Navigation feature such information as current heading, current speed, time to destination and arrival time? I followed one link that sent me to a video for the Camry, but it wasn't very detailed.[/b]

Of those it only shows a calculated time to arrival (minutes and hours) but that's based upon default settings for highway/city speed. Current heading...there is a compass needle, but no numeric readout.

5) I had the opportunity to test drive a coworker's Prius and have a question about the braking. When I step on the brakes, it feels to me like I am engaging the brake pads, but it seems from discussions on this board that it is the engine doing the braking, and that the brake pads don't come into play unless you really step on the brake pedal. At what point do the pads come into play?[/b]

Rapid or firm braking will cause the regenerative braking (done by MG2 (electric motor generator, not the engine) to kick out as will hitting hard bumps (for traction control reasons). Otherwise with moderate or lighter braking you'll be on regenerative braking exclusively until you get to 7mph or slower when it's pure friction braking.

6) Would the larger wheels of a Touring help or hurt mileage? My thinking is that a larger diameter wheel would be a hindrance to starting (but that is largely from the electric engine, correct?), but would provide better mileage overall. However, I wonder if the excess weight of the larger wheels would offset this.[/b]

In theory the FE should be a bit lower, but it doesn't seem to be a dramatic impact.
While starting can be done by the electric alone it's more efficient to have the ICE work with the electric when accelerating.

7) Any advice on the pros/cons of HID? Are they a lot less durable then Halogen?
[/b]

I think they do have a little shorter life expectancy and a few folks have burned them out if they use them all the time day and night. I use mine only at night (and dim/bad weather of course), have 67k miles and they're still going strong. They are very expensive to replace if they do go bad. But they give off great light for driving and I'd recommend them though I wouldn't go to a higher package if that was the only thing making you consider the higher package.

DH= Dear Hubby or Darling Hubby or some such

[JimboK]

Excellent info from the Doc (as always). Just a couple of additional comments.

I have the cloth interior. My only complaint is the seemingly flimsy cloth on the door armrests. I routinely rest my left elbow on the armrest, and after less than two years it's showing some subtle signs of wear. Good thing is that there are options for a DIY replacement/fortification job described elsewhere on PriusChat.

In addition to the dash material changing in 06, the dash texture changed too. Frankly, I wish mine had the newer dash. The 05 has a smooth surface that smudges and scuffs easily; the later models have a textured surface that would seem to resist -- or at least hide -- such marks better.

I don't have the HID lights or NAV -- and I don't regret for a minute not buying them. I've never used either, so I don't know what I'm missing. Maybe I'd have a different view if I had. But I don't want the replacement expense of the HIDs. I have a pretty good sense of direction and I know how to navigate with paper maps. Some forum participants seem to think an aftermarket GPS device like Garmin or Tom-Tom is just as good (maybe better), and it's considerably less expensive and movable between vehicles. One of these days I might break down and get one.

[mingoglia]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JimboK @ Nov 2 2007, 04:42 AM) [snapback]533788[/snapback]</div>

... I have a pretty good sense of direction and I know how to navigate with paper maps. Some forum participants seem to think an aftermarket GPS device like Garmin or Tom-Tom is just as good (maybe better), and it's considerably less expensive and movable between vehicles. One of these days I might break down and get one.
[/b]

I'm one of the few that frequently use Nav even on my normal commuting trips (I've had Nav in my last few vehicles). I typically use it for an ETA on when I'll arrive (approximately of course) and how many miles I have left. In addition I frequently use the detour option. In fact yesterday I used it on the way home. I decided to take a slightly different route because I had to pick up a prescription and the road was backed up at least a mile. In the Phoenix area there's tons of cul-de-sacs and deadend roads going through neighborhoods (most streets don't go through). I quickly hit the route button, hit detour, tapped on the "1 mile" button (representing the amount of detour), it then had me make the next turn and zig zagged me through the neighborhood and ultimately had me come out the opposite end of the back up.

Mike

[IsrAmeriPrius]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ Nov 1 2007, 11:15 PM) [snapback]533743[/snapback]</div>

Of those it only shows a calculated time to arrival (minutes and hours) but that's based upon default settings for highway/city speed.[/b]

I believe that on the '06 and newer models, the actual estimated time of arrival is shown instead of travel time to destination. Also, it is possible to adjust the presumed city/highway speed settings that are the basis for the arrival/travel time calculation.

[Zoot]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Fly Family @ Nov 1 2007, 09:58 PM) [snapback]533737[/snapback]</div>

6) Would the larger wheels of a Touring help or hurt mileage?[/b]

Just a comment on the Touring version. I went in thinking the Touring would be nice as the handling would be a little closer to the SLK I've been driving for the last nine years. But after driving both I found the Touring just had all the bumps and none of the sportscar. I ended up liking the ride of the regular version a lot more. Also since I was wanting one with leather, the suspension/wheels was the only difference between them.

A personal preference thing of course, but be sure to test-drive *both* versions before making a decision.

Z.

[ny biker]

I actually did get a higher option package primarily to get the HID headlights, and I love them. I do a lot of night driving on roads with zero streetlights and they do a great job. It is worth the extra money to me because they are a safety feature that helps every day - unlike seatbelts and airbags that help you if there is an accident, they can help you avoid the accident in the first place.

As part of the same option package I got the auto-dimming rear view mirror, which I didn't much care about at first but now I love that too - it is better than a regular "flip" mirror at reducing glare from the headlights behind you. You can have a giant SUV behind you with the high beams on and they won't bother you at all with that mirror.

[JHSmith]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Fly Family @ Nov 2 2007, 01:58 AM) [snapback]533737[/snapback]</div>

4) Does the Navigation feature such information as current heading, current speed, time to destination and arrival time? I followed one link that sent me to a video for the Camry, but it wasn't very detailed.

[/b]

First, let me give a disclaimer -- I have an '07 Camry Hybrid w/ NAV, so YMMV or more accurately: YPMV -- Your Prius May Vary. )

On the '07 NAV system/disk, you can:

• easily and quickly shift between seeing ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival) and Estimated Remaining Time.
• Select having the map orientation set as either North up or Direction of Travel up. (And you can set up a "Split Display" where you can display two maps, side by side. I use this feature, and have the left map set at .5 mile scale and right map at 300 ft scale.) With Split Display mode, you can set map orientation individually.
• You cannot see GPS speed on the NAV display, you have to go into a "Maintenance" window and I don't know if that ability has been removed on '08's.

I hope this information helped.

[mldoc]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Fly Family @ Nov 2 2007, 01:58 AM) [snapback]533737[/snapback]</div>

6) Would the larger wheels of a Touring help or hurt mileage? My thinking is that a larger diameter wheel would be a hindrance to starting (but that is largely from the electric engine, correct?), but would provide better mileage overall. However, I wonder if the excess weight of the larger wheels would offset this.

[/b]

Actually, the outside diameter of the tires on the standard are slightly (0.02") greater than on the Touring version. The size difference is the wheel used, but the two have different sidewall profiles. While this should have a minimal impact on FE, it will give a firmer ride, IIRC.

[FlyFamily1]

Excellent information folks. Thanks a bunch.

I haven't heard anyone complain about the vent yet, so I suppose it is a non-issue.

I think I have at least made one decision. I am going to pass on the touring and focus on the base model. A few more questions please...

1) I need to learn more about the GPS. My wife has a portable GPS, so I am not sure I really need the built in one, except that it is really hard to mount the portable somewhere. Is there an online (PDF) version of the manual?

2) Is the alarm that comes with package #3 any good? Is it a motion alarm (goes off if someone bumps the car)? I don't know much about car alarms.

3) I went to the dealership to see the difference between the HIDs and standard lights. It was a bit difficult to see on the lot, because it was too well lit. I could tell that the light was whiter. Does the HID lights provide a wider field of view? We ran out of time to test drive.

4) I know this is largely a personal preference question, but what are your thoughts on comfort for longer drives? I know about the seat not being very adjustable and the steering wheel not telescoping. It seems the armrest padding is very thin.

5) The cloth around the armrests and center console look like they'd be prone to tearing. I can also tell that the interior is going to get scratched up. The ones that I see on the dealer lots show this. I tend to keep cars until they fall apart (15+ years). Do you think the interior will hold up this long? I know this is sort of a repeat question, but I'd like to get more input on the matter.

Thanks again for your time and information. It seems I can never get much information from a dealer. Many just don't have a clue.