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I'm a Prius addict - going to rent Prius again - we'll see how fuel economy goes

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Fuel Economy' started by cycledrum, May 13, 2011.

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  1. Thai

    Thai Prius Neophyte

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    #41 Thai, May 18, 2011
    1 person likes this.
  2. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    Another shot at answering this ... not easy to answer.

    In Prius, I like the bigger wheels so that spells a V. I was not going to lift a finger to store OEM wheels and go aftermarket on a III. But V is pricey for me. Couple to few k out of range.

    Also, thought I might have a beef with the low hanging homelink mirror. I takes up some view from windshield.

    I need to see a little more refinement in 4th gen interior - 3rd gen door armrest is low. Shame to have to place pad on $30k car. They need to perfect size, shape, adjustability and placement of the steering wheel. Not sure about floating bridge. Let someone else decide.

    I get a better view, more refined interior, better overall drive in the Coupe, but I give up the stellar fuel economy and the neatness of Hybrid Drive.

    It's a tough call. Coupe is no slouch. I know eventually, they will just nail it in the Prius where complaints become so small and trivial and perhaps no one will again say 'who else traded luxury for a Prius V?' (Hard to imagine anyone saying that going from a BMW to an Accord EX-L, which is similar in price to Prius V)
     
    #42 cycledrum, May 21, 2011
  3. Thai

    Thai Prius Neophyte

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    Your complaints are trivial IMO. Low hanging mirror? Never bothered me...and never seen it even mentioned here on PC (did i miss it?). Really, it takes away from the front view???? Never had a problem looking at airplanes passing by or the street lights.

    Door armrest? The weird thing is that the Corolla is the same way. I would bet that the new Camry (when it comes out) will be the same way. I do NOT think that it is an "oopps" design. My 100% guess is that it is done for side crash protection. A higher up side armrest may intrude into the side airbags too much in a side crash and thus potentially intruding into the front passenger's ribs. Just my theory. And this is why all 4 armrests are the same design.

    As for the steering wheel, i can see how it is a problem for a few folks. But, like your claim that it is off-centered, it really does not bother most owners, including myself. It is likely that the lack of telescoping has to do with safety parameters. In a small midsize car like the Prius, the front seat adjustment is limited. I am sure that there is a safety formula where a steering wheel has to be at a certain distance from the seat. So, if the front seat is limited in its forward/backward movement, then the steering wheel also has to be the same.

    In addition, the steering wheel and front seat relationship may be important in how the steering wheel column collapses in a frontal collision. All theory by me.

    Don't forget the other stuff why the Prius is better than Accord Coupe: more space, much more cargo, significantly quieter (both road and wind noise), better stereo (IMO), better leather (although Prius leather is no Nappa!), less issues with powertrain, less maintenance (no need for ext. warranty), etc..

    BMW is not a luxury vehicle, unless you're talking about 7 series (maybe 5 series). 3-series is seriously lacking luxury stuff. Why would it be hard to imagine someone saying that when going from BMW to Accord EXL?? I don't understand that comment. You actually think that the Accord EX-L is "luxurious"?? Really? I would call the Camry more luxurious than the Accord because the ride is softer and is far quieter. Leather is better. etc.
     
    #43 Thai, May 21, 2011
  4. Thai

    Thai Prius Neophyte

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    And if Toyota does add more "luxury" stuff, then would you be willing to pay more clams??? You already mentioned how a Prius V is out of your price range...so, you're asking for Toyota to raise the price even further??? (Isn't that what a lexus CT200h is for?) You want to buy a Prius at the price of the CT200h?

    In addition, as you can see from CT200h, the only way to even get 40+ mpgs is to make the car smaller to keep the weight the same as the Prius.

    So, by adding these luxury stuff, you will add weight. Wouldn't that be counterproductive in maintaining good fuel economy?

    Everything is a compromise. More luxury while maintaining similar fuel economy = much smaller less practical car (aka CT200h).
     
    #44 Thai, May 21, 2011
  5. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    What's not trivial is not being able to get good looking OEM wheels in midrange Prius under $27k sticker price. I'm fine with fabric, and all other things on III, but hate wheels. If it could be had with nice wheels for reasonable extra, might have made the difference.

    In Accord manual, states NHTSA recommends steering wheel at least 10" away from chest. In my car it's about 16 or 17". So with Prius, I think it would be about 17.5", apprently well within safety range depending on airbag. I think Prius wheel is just good enough for me although 1/2" closer would be nice.

    About the off center thing, it's easier to see if you scoot your seat all the way forward, put base of palms together and see if fingers point to the Toyota emblem. It's awkward to test. IMO, it's only like a 1/2" to left. It's not a big deal really, do not know if there was an engineering conflict.

    With rearview mirrors, I like to at least see a driver's head while in their car as I drive by and they are on the right. I keep an eye on them and like to see them. If mirror too low, their head is blocked while driving by. I like to see most of pedestrian walking by, especially if she looks good too :)

    btw, how tall are you?

    I was referring to dubs IIRC who came in saying 'anyone else traded luxury for a Prius'? And wished for power seats and few other things. Not fair to compare Accord with Prius since sedan listed as full size car.

    I'm sticking by my low armrest claim as I used a yardstick and level - 3/4" lower than center. I have to stick about 1" foam. Can't buy the airbag claim because so many other cars feel in place to me - Camry, Venza, tC, Civic, Accord, and more.

    When renting the V two years ago, I was futzing with the adjusments a bit too much. Moot point out of my price range.
     
    #45 cycledrum, May 21, 2011
  6. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    No. Not a bunch of luxury items on Prius. Prius is much better than Corolla and Civic inside and out, except for base wheels with or without wheelcovers, don't like them much. Toyota would be smarter to offer nicer wheel in midrange instead of trying to get people into V just for wheels. F* the aftermarket on wheels, not interested. Can't even get a 16" x 6.5" which is what I would target.

    Can get nice wheels on - Corolla S and LE, Matrix S, XRS, Camry LE, SE, XLE, hybrid, even Civic EX. But with Prius, if you want wheels, must buy top of the line. Eventually they will see this is keeping Prius from being more mainstream. Have any idea how many people would give up a mile per gallon for some 16" alloys on a Prius III or IV? Don't have to offer it with sunroof. Doubt they would be tearing off plastic covers, they would just like them.

    But the common retort is - 'it will just drive up overall cost of Prius'. Then why is offering wheel choices not a problem on so many other models of cars? Somehow Prius is different?
     
    #46 cycledrum, May 21, 2011
  7. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    I'm wondering if it's moreso the placement of the seating that's causing the steering position offset. It's possible that the seats were pushed in a bit to give more buffer room in the event of a side impact collision. The Prius has the greatest seat-to-door distance that I know of. My elbow can barely reach the window sill without being uncomfortable.
     
    #47 Tideland Prius, May 21, 2011
  8. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    That's a good point. Maybe they moved it over to allow more room for side airbag to come forward. I noticed the lower door panels are thick too.

    Off topic, but like I thing you said before, door metal is thin. Can see it flex when closing door. Weight savings.
     
    #48 cycledrum, May 21, 2011
  9. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

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    Sounds like you would be perfect for some sort of Scion branded Prius. Change anything and everything about it. Probably be a cross between the CT and the Prius. I think that is what will make it (more) mainstream. Sell it to the youth and aftermarket crowd. Basically target Honda.
     
    #49 2k1Toaster, May 21, 2011
  10. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Well the side airbag isn't that thick. It's probably to get 4 or 5 stars for side impact collision ratings. If you're further from the source, you'll have a better chance of minimising injury on the dummy.

    Yeah I don't like the doors. A Corolla has a better closing thud than the new Prius.
     
    #50 Tideland Prius, May 21, 2011
  11. Thai

    Thai Prius Neophyte

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    Ha...try seating in a Sienna!!
     
    #51 Thai, May 21, 2011
  12. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    I've sat in the front of the new Sienna but not the driver's seat.
     
    #52 Tideland Prius, May 22, 2011
  13. Thai

    Thai Prius Neophyte

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    This is what my Prius gets while driving home today from work. I set the cruise at 70 mph...the average mph went down a bit as i was getting into my neighborhood and slowing down to take a picture. So, this is mostly highway miles.

    (29.7 miles...50.2 mpg...average speed of 67 mph)
     

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    #53 Thai, May 27, 2011
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