New Virgin Prius Owner

Re: New Vigin Prius Owner

Hey Bob. Can I call you Bob? :welcome:

We've had a 2007 for three years now, and just love it!
We did get the extended warranty, but have never used it. It's never been in the shop for anything - just oil changes and tire rotations, every 5K and 10K. We did replace the OEM tires with Michelin Hydroedges, and have never had an issue in the pouring rain (note: we live in Grays Harbor), ice, snow, or even those rare sunny/dry days!

The only thing that might catch you up on it would be the 12v battery. Replacement is not covered, and the OEM is just about as expensive (maybe more) than getting the reportedly better Optima Yellow top battery. If you have no weird electrical behavior, it's probably fine, but since it's 3 years old, do a search on 12v battery.

Here's one thread on 12v battery issues. Don't we have a sticky on this?

 

Re: New Vigin Prius Owner

New Vigin? Where's that?

Take your new ride for a road trip. It's the best way to get to know your car, and appreciate what it can do. Like a weekend camping trip.

Don't try to play the MPG game. Just reset for the trip in one direction, note your miles and MPG, then do the same on the way back, compare.

If you get 45 Mpg - rejoice. If 40 Mpg - rejoice. You'll only get below 40 mpg if you drive 85 MPH fully loaded with camp gear and two adults.

 

Re: New Vigin Prius Owner

The 12v battery is not a 'problem area', but we Prius owners not having experience with diagnosing a dead battery except by listening to the starter can be a problem. In a Prius, bad gas mileage, weird electrical 'glitches', and eventually no starting voltage are signs the 12 volt battery is end of life. If the power windows are much slower with the car in Acc than in Ready, be thinking 12 volt battery replacement.

 

Re: New Vigin Prius Owner

Your 12v battery is going to fail either sooner or later. Search for Maintenance Mode & check your readings. It's your choice whether to swap it out on your schedule or when you're stuck.

Also look for Galaxee's sticky covering the services you need & don't need.

Inflate the tires to max sidewall pressure & enjoy.

 

Re: New Vigin Prius Owner

Driving a Prius won't help you lose your virginity, unless you have a thing for the hairy armpit earthy types.

Tom

 

Re: New Vigin Prius Owner

Is that a cross betwixt Virgin, and Vegan?

 

Re: New Vigin Prius Owner

I had already decided not to go there, Tom.

And what's wrong with us earthy types, anyway? :huh:

 

Re: New Vigin Prius Owner

I like the earthy types, but it might be an acquired taste.

Tom

 

Re: New Vigin Prius Owner

Instead of buying an extended warranty put that $1000 into a bank. There it will give much more "peace of mind" and a significantly greater return (on average).

 

Re: New Vigin Prius Owner

I wonder if anyone has received a full refund of their extended warranty for not using it.

 

Re: New Vigin Prius Owner

Are you serious? You pays your money and you takes your chances.

Tom

 

Re: New Vigin Prius Owner

I also just recently purchased a 2007 Prius Touring. While I am definitely not having buyers remorse, I am curious about something and wonder if anyone has had similar experiences.
1.) I think my Prius is a package IV or V. It has the map button near the info & bluetooth buttons but doesn't seem to have navigation. (says external system is not connected...?)
2.) Both front parking lights just died (but turn signals still work) and the drivers side HID headlight sometimes goes out. It will come back on if I switch to high beams or turn headlight off then on again.
Are these electrical problems or do I just need new bulbs? And whats with the external system not being connected? Sorry to be such a Prius dummy... Thanks!

 

Re: New Vigin Prius Owner

1.) The Gen II Touring had navigation, as I recall, if what you have is really a Touring model. Some dealers added larger wheels and called it Touring when it wasn't. The navigation unit is located under the driver's seat, mounted to the floor. Perhaps yours was removed or damaged.

2.) Parking lights are normal bulbs. Most likely they are burned out. The headlamps are HIDs, which use a special bulb. Toyota had a lot of trouble with the HIDs in the Gen II Prius. In fact they eliminated them for the Gen III, which tells you how much they liked them. Generally all you need is a new capsule (bulb), which you can replace yourself if you are reasonably mechanical. Search this site for "HID replacement".

Tom

 

Re: New Vigin Prius Owner

3 miles a day - expect 35 mpg - it will never have time to warm up. Did you get about 12-15 mpg in your old car?

 

What's the source of your Buyer's Remorse? No offense intended, but if I replaced a Mazda PU with a Prius I would have remorse that I hadn't done it sooner. I replaced my 2001 Outback with an 07 Touring Edition and my only regret is not having done it sooner. Are you missing the hauling capacity, 4 wheel drive?