HELP

[williab]

Been reading all the chat items over the last week - trying to decide whether I want to buy a Prius- coming off an Acura MDX with many buttons & whistles but lousy gas mileage - however, the dead car distresses, and other tech issues are scaring me - I am technically challanged and there seems to a million things that go wrong with a Prius - I live in Syracuse where we get alot of snow and that is one of my concerns - I thougt I wanted Bluetooth and Nav but after reading some posts, I am confused - one person I know said she had issues with wind and the car seems to move alot - HELP - I really like the car but do not have the $ or tech knowledge to deal with a car that gives me problems - thanks for your input

[PapayaMom]

Lots of Northern New Yorkers drive and love Prius.

Get a BT plate if your worried about wind - and don't speed

It's a great car. If something does not work take it back to the Dealer - I am happy to use the Bluetooth and Nav and have learned where the kinks are by reading around here.

Good luck in your new car search.

[1fixitman]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(pie r sqd @ Aug 15 2007, 11:40 PM) [snapback]496671[/snapback]</div>

Been reading all the chat items over the last week - trying to decide whether I want to buy a Prius- coming off an Acura MDX with many buttons & whistles but lousy gas mileage - however, the dead car distresses, and other tech issues are scaring me - I am technically challanged and there seems to a million things that go wrong with a Prius - I live in Syracuse where we get alot of snow and that is one of my concerns - I thougt I wanted Bluetooth and Nav but after reading some posts, I am confused - one person I know said she had issues with wind and the car seems to move alot - HELP - I really like the car but do not have the $ or tech knowledge to deal with a car that gives me problems - thanks for your input
[/b]

A majority of the post you see are from a very small amount of drivers compared to how many cars are out there. The prius is a great car with great MPG's. Most of the cars do not have problems upon delivery except for alignments. If you get it new then a lot of things will be covered under dealer warranty. these cars actually give less maint problems compared to other vehicles in its class. That is all

[Danny Hamilton]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(pie r sqd @ Aug 15 2007, 10:39 PM) [snapback]496670[/snapback]</div>

however, the dead car distresses, and other tech issues are scaring me - I am technically challanged and there seems to a million things that go wrong with a Prius - HELP - I really like the car but do not have the $ or tech knowledge to deal with a car that gives me problems - thanks for your input
[/b]

Look at the consumer reports reliability information. Take a test drive, rent one for a week. These things will help put your mind at ease.

Due to the nature of this discussion board, people with a problem come here with their questions. This means you see an unrealistically high percentage of the conversation dealing with technical issues and problems. 99+% of the Prius drivers out there "just drive it". They don't have problems and they don't try to understand all the technology and methods for altering the car or their driving habits. Those people don't ask questions about the car, and so they aren't included when you read the conversations here.

For the first 3 years or 36,000 miles the car will be under bumper to bumper manufacturer warrantee. If you are one of the rare Prius owners that unfortunately happens to have a problem, you have access to expert assitance here at PriusChat, and acces to free repairs from the Dealership.

Some people are very passionate about tire pressure, others about type of oil, others about frequency of regular maintenance, others about maximizing MPG, and others yet about technical modifications to the car. That's great if any of those things interest you. If not, the owners manual reccomends an oil change every 5000 miles or 6 months, and a tire rotation at the same time. The brakes are likely to last you more than 100,000 miles, the "big" battery and the "transmission" are likely to outlast the rest of the car, and if you want to keep it looking good, you might want to wash it occasionally.

Look at how quickly they disappear from dealerships, and how difficult it is to find a used Prius (along with how high the price is on used Prius) and it becomes clear that people who own these are generally quite happy with their purchase.

[williab]

Thanks for your input - what is BT plate ?

[Danny Hamilton]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(pie r sqd @ Aug 16 2007, 07:00 AM) [snapback]496791[/snapback]</div>

Thanks for your input - what is BT plate ?
[/b]

Depends on who you ask.

Some say it is a placebo, others say it's a panacea.

As I understand it, it is a metal plate that is bolted to the chassis on the underside of the car to "stiffen the chassis" and improve handling.

Does it work? I refuse to get involved in that discussion, lots of opinions around here though. Just asking your question is likely to double the number of posts to this conversation.

[kenmce]

Been reading all the chat items over the last week - trying to decide whether I want to buy a Prius- coming off an Acura MDX with many buttons & whistles but lousy gas mileage - however, the dead car distresses, and other tech issues are scaring me -

I have an '01. Never died yet. If it does they have some kind of Toyota call for help number on the window. Never called it, I think they give you a free tow or something.

I am technically challanged and there seems to a million things that go wrong with a Prius - I live in Syracuse where we get alot of snow and that is one of my concerns -

Not mine. It just starts up and runs. I live south of you. Two things do come to mind. One is that they're all two wheel drive. The other is that the car is low to the ground (maybe six inches??) and if the snow is deep enough to touch the belly of the car you can get stuck. Subarus aren't hybrid, but they seem like a pretty good car and they're all four wheel drive. You might look into them if you want four-wheel.

I thougt I wanted Bluetooth and Nav

The bluetooth is a way for your appliances to talk to each other, never tried it myself. I want appliances that speak when they're spoken to, not chat all day. I tried the nav on an '05 the other day, thought it was spiffy. It shows you a little map and shows where you are on it. You can turn it off if you don't need it.

but after reading some posts, I am confused - one person I know said she had issues with wind
and the car seems to move alot

So wait for a windy day and go try one. Or go back and forth past some semis on the highway. There is something called the "touring" edition that has a stiffer suspension, but it's bumpier too.

- HELP - I really like the car but do not have the $ or tech knowledge to deal with a car that gives me problems - thanks for your input

It drives like any other car. It's as reliable as any other Toyota. If you're not technical you can just print out a picture of your cats and tape it up over the MFD (that little TV thing in the middle of the dash) then you just let the MFD make their eyes light up while you drive and don't worry about the technical stuff.

[patsparks]

The transmission of the Honda was more complex internally than the Prius's. If the car wasn't reliable Toyota wouldn't have released it. Can you name another Toyota with a reputation for being unreliable?
I haven't noticed my standard Prius moving about in the wind any more than my Camry did. Some say the BT plate helps, it goes on the underside of the car where there is already a plate, it may well help to stiffen the chassis, I haven't had an issue that caused me to want one.
The multi function display will teach you how to drive a Prius for economy, you don't have to see it as Kenmce said but it will assist you if you want it to.
If you can drive, you can drive a Prius, there are no special skills required as long as you don't find it a challenge to smile while you drive. Turn on, fasten seatbelt, put in drive, go, smile!

[NoMoShocks]

There are ways to address the wandering in the wind issue.

I didn't notice a particular problem with wind, but did think the steering wandered a little until I installed the BT Tech Stiffening Plate.

The BT Tech Stiffening Plate is a small rigid brace you can put in place of the original OEM brace. It cost $165 and has been the source of much controvery which was mostly from nay sayers whe have not actually tried one. Most people who actually have one are very satisfied.

Beyond that, you can upgrade the tires. I have not felt the need to do this yet, but those who have report fairl dramatic improvement in handling.

My recommendation, get a Prius as soon as posible.