Question For Former "Sporty Car" Owners.....

Went from a 2002 WRX to the 2009 prius. Cargo room and ergonomics are much much much improved. The WRX was only comfortable in the drivers seat and cramped everywhere else. The WRX felt a little "heavy-set" and the real satisfaction comes in only when the turbo kicks in. But I live in boston and I hit so much traffic in both my morning and night time commutes that I rarely ever get a chance to enjoy that satisfaction. The WRX also had a lot of little problems, I was just glad to move on. Couldn't be happier in the prius. From time to time, I do miss MT, but I smile when I'm stuck in bumper to bumper traffic.

 

I cam from a 5 speed Maxima that did 0-60 in under 7 so it was fairly quick. My last days driving it I was really having some misgivings about the Prius (slower than my other vehicle--a minivan!). However, I quickly moved on.

My main problem is I thought I'd not be able to go as fast in the Prius as in the Maxima and of course I can't, but one tends to use what they have; i.e. I drove fast in the Maxima because I could. There was a lot of power readily available. Although the Prius is much slower there's a certain fun to be had going near the maximum ability of any car, regardless of its speed; I think you'd have a greater thrill driving for example a Toyota Echo squealing around corners at 50 mph than a Corvette in the same corners at 50 mph which would not even be trying.

 

You will have fun driving Prius through energy management. There is no need for manual labor gear shiftings.

Driving Prius is "white collar" fun while driving a manual transmission car is "blue collar" fun.

Prius is a sports car in a sense because we compete for MPG and we show great sportsmanship while sharing tips.

 

Next time you are in town look me up, I'll show you how I get around corners. It's all part of maintaining momentum. I love my Michelins.

 

I disagree with this, as will most Porsche drivers. I've not seen many blue collars (other than the techs) when having my Porsches serviced at the dealer over the years.

 

I was referring to different types of driving enjoyment, not the owners. e.g, Chess vs. Boxing. They both are sports but one is metal and the other is more physical.

 

I had a 2000 VW Jetta GLX VR6 - really fun to drive. The Prius is a different animal, but I feel that I did not give up much of the fun to drive factor. In power mode (which at this point (3 day owner) I almost exclusively use), the Prius has very similar accelleration to the Jetta. I like that I don't give up much of the sporty feel but more than double the very best milage that I could get with the Jetta (26mpg). Even driving like a maniac (quick off the stop, zoom around corners, drive like I'm driving a Jetta) I get 45 mpg with the Prius. Love it. I loved my Forest green Jetta, but I am feeling a little dangerous in my new hot rod red Prius!

 

Seriously? For grins I decided to try and toss the Prius into one of my favorite corners (i.e. one the M3 loves). I was a little surprised then the Prius simply carried on in a straight line without even seeming to be aware that I'd turned the wheel. Brings a whole new meaning to the word understeer.

Of course, the Prius is not supposed be a corner burning animal, it's a comfortable, quiet commuter car designed to fully abstract the driver from the road, etc.

 

I came from a E92 M3. I'm happy with my Prius V and enjoy driving that. Both have their Pro's and Con's, so you can say I enjoy driving the Prius "equally" compared to the M3.

 

I came from a 3.5L power car and going to a Prius is hmmm sad. I have planned this car for 7-10 years so I am going to stick with it.

The only think I am happy about driving a Prius is that I don't need to visit the gas station as often as before.

If you can live with all the problems that a Prius Gen3 has then go for it otherwise I will go for the TDI.

 

Own a 07 STi (stock), 1996 Talon Tsi (500hp) and still have my 1968 Plymouth Road Runner that makes 1200hp.
Ofcourse the Prius isn't in any of these cars class, but I can easily get out of any of them and drive the Prius with not a problem. It's much more relaxing to drive to work in (150km round trip). It's just a really well thought out car that now has 140,000kms on it and not a thing done other then gas and oil.
As I once saw a VW new Beetle ad say: 0-60 Yes.

 

I just left a Nissan Murano (not so sporty) but I have leased a BMW 328I(2000 very nice) and also an Acura 3.2 TL (the best buick GM never made)...I have not regretted the Prius II Lease one bit. It is sporty enough...corners flatter than my Murano...has decent part throttle squirt (in power mode) and reminds me a lot of my '83 Mazda RX7 for accel, cornering, and ride. Driven agressivly I have never gotten less than 44mpg...so with gas creeping up again I feel pretty good and reasonably sporty...I note my 79 V-8 Cobra Mustang made 60 in 12.4 seconds! Boy was that fast in its day .....This Prius puts it on a sled!

 

Sorry the Acura is not made by GM but Honda.

 

I owned 4 corvettes, 6 Barracudas, 2 Mustangs, and 2 CRX's all of which I loved driving. The Prius is a different driving experience but I do not miss my sporty cars and will not go back to them.

 

wow I thought that Buick dealership I leased it from looked an awful lot like an Acura dealership...thanks for filling me in...I guess the silver calipers on the steering wheel should have clued me in also...I guess I was fooled by the ride and handling which I could swear was distinctly Buick like...also the failed transmission at 30K gave me a GM vibe...again my mistake....ok now that I checked the old lease paper work you are right it was an Acura...Thanks again!

 

These days you never know what car belongs to who. Surprised the transmission failed at 30k for Acura but they have known for their transmission problems. I had the Acura RL and it was wonderful except fuel economy.

 

If the original poster is still in this thread, I wonder how much cargo space he and wife are looking for.

Amazing how difficult it is to find a good car that meets the following criteria -

1) has 4 doors and a hatch or liftback (not CUV format)
2) seats 5 people
3) starting prices about $20k
4) desgined to seat a driver up to ~ 6ft 2in tall
5) can average at least 25 MPG / 30 highway
6) designed with some semblance of sportiness (bit wider tires, bit stiffer suspension and responsive steering)
7) decent cargo room (much as 2nd Gen Prius or more)


2010 Mazda 3 five door fails #4 - terrible seat
Honda Fit fails #4 also

2010 Toyota Matrix fails #4
VW Golf / GTI fails #7
2010 Prius fails #6
Subaru Impreza hatch a little low on #5
Scion xB can actually meet the criteria, if you want a box
Not too familiar with Chevy HHR

Why are there so few choices? Read on Wikipedia that many Americans prefer trunked cars (sedans), and if they want cargo utility, they prefer crossover SUV's, not hatchback / wagons.

I'm don't like the look of a Jetta sportswagen - old fashioned for me. But I do like the look of the new Matrix. Unfortunately, it's not designed for a driver over 6ft.

Europeans drive lots of hatchback cars and they have a larger selection.

 

Transmission surpised the H*ll out of me too...especially as I waited for 2 hours in a parking lot for a tow truck...No more Acuras for me...My dw does have a Pilot though and likes it well enough (its appetite for tires not withstanding).

What surprised me most is how little I liked the Acura...I really could not wait to get out of it and did not even look over my shoulder at the end of the lease. The experience was super ordinary even though it was a pretty expensive lease.

 

Yes Europeans loves hatchbacks. It can carry a lot of things and very pratical but I have to admit it is not that good looking.

 

Sorry to hear about your terrible experience. I guess there is a difference between the TL and the RL.