The good, the bad, and the ugly

Aschillumeit · 03-13-2007, 05:25 PM

I'm considering buying a Prius, and have been for a while, but I've only recently started to research it. I want "insider" info, meaning anyone who has one. Tell me everything you can whether it is positive or negative. I've heard about bad tires, strong smells and such. Also if you know about the standard vs. touring editions, or what options in the packages are the best, or the options that aren't so great. I really want to buy a prius, but I want to make the most informed decision possible. Thanks in advance!

donee · 03-13-2007, 06:29 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Aschill @ Mar 13 2007, 07:25 PM) [snapback]405024[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I'm considering buying a Prius, and have been for a while, but I've only recently started to research it. I want "insider" info, meaning anyone who has one. Tell me everything you can whether it is positive or negative. I've heard about bad tires, strong smells and such. Also if you know about the standard vs. touring editions, or what options in the packages are the best, or the options that aren't so great. I really want to buy a prius, but I want to make the most informed decision possible. Thanks in advance!
[/b]

Hi Aschill,

Well, my year 2000 new Saturn SL2 had the same PU (Poly Urethane) smell.

The Firestone tires on it were much slipprier than the Goodyear Integrity's, which is how I discovered the Michelin Hydroedges. I put on Hydroedges on both my Prius and the SL2. In fact, when my SL2 was two weeks old, I had to do a full panic stop from 25 mph. And the car slid just 5 feet too far on wet asphalt, and was smacked by a big american car pulling out between two lanes of traffic. The big pickup truck blocking her veiw probably waved her out. I could see the nose of her car, which is why I went to full brake. Wouldn't you know it, the truck did not stick around! The ABS worked well on the SL2, but all the force is between the tires and the road and if the tires are poor, forget it.

The first time I came to a stop sign on a wet road in the SL2 with the Hydroedge tires, I stopped two car lengths short. I was used to pressing much harder on the pedal with the Firestone tires.

People complain on here, because the average Prius driver is used to a high end car. Upgrade from the typical economy car, and the Prius is just fine. Upgrade the tires, and put on a BT Tech plate, and its more than just fine, but still not a 4 wheel drive SUV or low-slung curve hugging Sports Car.

mooney · 03-13-2007, 07:09 PM

Well, I just picked mine up yesterday, so I'll give you the quick impression.

I don't have the smell in mine, it's just fine. My biggest pet peeve is that there is no lockable storage in the car.

Other than that, I'm thrilled with it. I got the Package #3 just so I could get the Bluetooth integration. It's awesome, my wife reports that she can't hear any car noise at all. It seemlessly integrated with my Blackberry.

JamieS · 03-13-2007, 07:21 PM

We got a Prius last week and I love it. Silver pine mica, package #1.

I'm not used to fancy cars [we have a 2005 Hyundai Sonata and got rid of a 1996 GMC Safari van for the Prius]. The prius is sleek, high-tech, and, most importantly, environmentally friendly. It drives incredibly well and is just beautiful.

When I told my friend about it [the Smart Key and all] she was like, "Damn, it's like a BMW!" It's an amazing car. Amazing.

[Yeah, I'm on a Prius high, so I'm biased.]

Ichabod · 03-13-2007, 07:23 PM

The car itself is lockable, so there's your storage

My advice to those looking for it is search around for people asking the same question. There's lots of good info around here regarding the car.

My other advice is to ignore the advice and just buy the car! It's a great car, and you won't regret it.

itsme · 03-13-2007, 07:49 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Ichabod @ Mar 13 2007, 06:23 PM) [snapback]405079[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

The car itself is lockable, so there's your storage

My advice to those looking for it is search around for people asking the same question. There's lots of good info around here regarding the car.

My other advice is to ignore the advice and just buy the car! It's a great car, and you won't regret it.
[/b]

We picked up our 2007 Barcelona Red Metalic Prius on last Monday, now have 650 miles on it had 1 mile when first test drove and decided, we took a 25 mile test drive was sold on it since.

Same here no smell, has a lot of storage compartments, I do not like how the front seat belt catch is too far down the side of the seat.

also miss 4x4, but mileage makes up for that.

It had the annoying rear INSIDE beeper but with the help of this sitye that is a piece of history now.

I could only say I wish these were around 20 yrs ago even 10 love it and good luck with your new one when you get it.
BTW we traded our 95 jeep grand cherokee 4x4 for it.

JimN · 03-13-2007, 08:20 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Aschill @ Mar 13 2007, 05:25 PM) [snapback]405024[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I'm considering buying a Prius, and have been for a while, but I've only recently started to research it. I want "insider" info, meaning anyone who has one. Tell me everything you can whether it is positive or negative. I've heard about bad tires, strong smells and such. Also if you know about the standard vs. touring editions, or what options in the packages are the best, or the options that aren't so great. I really want to buy a prius, but I want to make the most informed decision possible. Thanks in advance!
[/b]

Read through www.carbuyingtips.com and go to www.toyota.com to see what is available in your area. I wouldn't buy options that won't be used. IMO the homelink and nav system are overpriced. Some of us find the seats uncomfortable for longer drives. Rent one for a week to see how it fits your lifestyle and to see how you fit in it. If you rent from a Toyota dealer they may apply a portion of the rental against the sale.

The touring edition will give you a stiffer ride for about the same price and they are harder to find. Take your time, don't be rushed into a decision. Happy hunting.

leanne · 03-13-2007, 11:15 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(regenme @ Mar 13 2007, 07:49 PM) [snapback]405084[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

We picked up our 2007 Barcelona Red Metalic Prius on last Monday, now have 650 miles on it had 1 mile when first test drove and decided, we took a 25 mile test drive was sold on it since.

Same here no smell, has a lot of storage compartments
[/b]

I got a 2007 Gray Touring Package 1 this past weekend and I absolutely love it! We had to get our local dealership to bring in the exact Prius we wanted from 500 miles away, because it simply wasn't available anywhere nearby (it took some work on our part to find a dealership in our area that would do this). We ordered it without ever having test driven a Prius and we aren't disappointed at all. My previous car was a VW Golf (very zippy & tight to the road), the Prius is a softer ride than the Golf and that's why we went with the Touring. I'm very happy with how the Touring handles.

Today was our first rainy day since I got the car and I did notice the plastic/chemical smell after the rains, until today I hadn't noticed it. I find the seat very comfortable compared to my Golf and my parents (who drive a vehicle with what seem like cushy recliners for seats) even commented on how comfortable they are. I'm on the short side (5'4") and find that the seats and steering wheel are comfortable, even though they don't have a lot of adjustability to them. My only complaint is that the lifetime average miles was at 40mpg when I picked up the car with 520 miles on it, since they drove it in on the expressway, but I've already gotten that up to 43mpg in just 3 days.

We did our research and gained a lot of knowledge in this forum, decided there just wasn't another choice when it came to doing the most good for the environment, so we just went for it. If you aren't so sure, I really like the suggestion of renting one to try it out.

NCPriusNoob · 03-14-2007, 09:29 AM

We got ours a little over a week ago here are my current thoughts.

Good:

Fun to drive. It's a game to see how high you can get the mpg to go.
I have package 6 and I'm a gadget nut, I love the navigation, blue tooth, etc...
Has much more power than I expected.

Bad:

The Guess Gauge has me worried. I expect to be fine, and fill up at 2 bars, but I don't like guessing.
Interface buttons being locked out while driving. Some of the buttons seem to have been picked almost at random. Who says any particular function is more dangerous than some other function.

msmart · 03-14-2007, 11:43 AM

Thanks all for the good advice!

I've been checking online inventory within a 100-miles radius. There seems to be VERY, VERY FEW Touring Editions around. (Central, Tidewater, No VA).

One dealership had 30 Basic Prii on his lot, but only one Touring...without the package I wanted. He did give me a fair price and said he could get the Touring with the package I wanted. He must have some magic ju-ju in his cubicle.

Another dealership had no Touring Editions. The manager said Toyota has stopped production of the Touring. Can anyone confirm this?

03-14-2007, 09:29 AM	#9
NCPriusNoob Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 9 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	We got ours a little over a week ago here are my current thoughts. Good: Fun to drive. It's a game to see how high you can get the mpg to go. I have package 6 and I'm a gadget nut, I love the navigation, blue tooth, etc... Has much more power than I expected. Bad: The Guess Gauge has me worried. I expect to be fine, and fill up at 2 bars, but I don't like guessing. Interface buttons being locked out while driving. Some of the buttons seem to have been picked almost at random. Who says any particular function is more dangerous than some other function.

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03-13-2007, 05:25 PM	#1
Aschillumeit Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 1 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I'm considering buying a Prius, and have been for a while, but I've only recently started to research it. I want "insider" info, meaning anyone who has one. Tell me everything you can whether it is positive or negative. I've heard about bad tires, strong smells and such. Also if you know about the standard vs. touring editions, or what options in the packages are the best, or the options that aren't so great. I really want to buy a prius, but I want to make the most informed decision possible. Thanks in advance!

03-13-2007, 07:09 PM	#3
mooney Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 52 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Well, I just picked mine up yesterday, so I'll give you the quick impression. I don't have the smell in mine, it's just fine. My biggest pet peeve is that there is no lockable storage in the car. Other than that, I'm thrilled with it. I got the Package #3 just so I could get the Bluetooth integration. It's awesome, my wife reports that she can't hear any car noise at all. It seemlessly integrated with my Blackberry.

03-13-2007, 07:21 PM	#4
JamieS Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 74 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	We got a Prius last week and I love it. Silver pine mica, package #1. I'm not used to fancy cars [we have a 2005 Hyundai Sonata and got rid of a 1996 GMC Safari van for the Prius]. The prius is sleek, high-tech, and, most importantly, environmentally friendly. It drives incredibly well and is just beautiful. When I told my friend about it [the Smart Key and all] she was like, "Damn, it's like a BMW!" It's an amazing car. Amazing. [Yeah, I'm on a Prius high, so I'm biased.]

03-13-2007, 07:23 PM	#5
Ichabod Artist In Residence Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newton, MA Posts: 1,776 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #7 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 7	The car itself is lockable, so there's your storage My advice to those looking for it is search around for people asking the same question. There's lots of good info around here regarding the car. My other advice is to ignore the advice and just buy the car! It's a great car, and you won't regret it.

03-14-2007, 11:43 AM	#10
msmart Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 4 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Thanks all for the good advice! I've been checking online inventory within a 100-miles radius. There seems to be VERY, VERY FEW Touring Editions around. (Central, Tidewater, No VA). One dealership had 30 Basic Prii on his lot, but only one Touring...without the package I wanted. He did give me a fair price and said he could get the Touring with the package I wanted. He must have some magic ju-ju in his cubicle. Another dealership had no Touring Editions. The manager said Toyota has stopped production of the Touring. Can anyone confirm this?