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From Lexus to Prius

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Doody, Aug 10, 2009.

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  1. Doody

    Doody Junior Member

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    2012 Prius
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    II
    Hi everyone, I'm new to Prius Chat, I have my own company and I'm in the Oilfield business. I build Electronic Controls and Data Acquisition systems for the sevice side ofthe oilfield. Due tothe economy condition, I had to shrink my business a lot and accordingly a lot of other personal spending. I've been driving Lexus since 2001 and when things went down, I had to down size a lot and I started with a Honda CR-v EX-L with NAV and after driving it for a little over a month I decided that if I'm going to drive something gutless, I might as well drive something that would be good on gas. So, I went to test drive the Prius and for my surprise, I set it on power and I got to 75 MPH in a surprisingly short time that really exceeded all my expectaions for the Prius. After we got back to the dealer, the salesman asked if I need to try the Camry Hybrid ( I bought 6 Toyota vehicles from this dealer during the last 12 months ) and my reply was no, I made up my mind. I asked him to get me a Prius V with NAV and technology packages and he said that I might have to wait for a very long time as the V generally is a rare find in our region. Then when I talked to the sales manager, he confirmed what the salesman said but he also told me that they have a V in the back that they just got and were keeping it for one of their best customers. Anyway, wheather it was true or not, I asked him to look at it. I did and it surprised me even more than the IV with the ride and the handling and I bought it. First I was really worried about me liking it but I had it now for a week and I'm really in love with this car. I live a bout 130 miles away from the dealer, I drove the V home and I didn't even try to be saving on gas in the way I drove, I floored it at least 5 times to pass and still got 47 MPG by the time I got home. The perfomance was beyond my expctations, it handled very well. I can't compare it with the Lexus LS460 but from someone who was used to the lexus to admit that the Prius is a great car, I think that is something to tell people who tries to put the Prius down. Thanks to everyone.
     
    #1 Doody, Aug 10, 2009
    2 people like this.
  2. robnbill

    robnbill Junior Member

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    I agree with you totally. My previous car was a Lexus IS250. I loved the car. Now we have a Lexus GS350 and the Prius V with ATP. I use the Prius for my commute in DC. It allows me to use the HOV lanes as well as getting fantastic mileage.

    The funny thing is my husband who usually drives the GS 350, loves to drive the Prius. It is a fun car to drive. I am very happy with my switch from the IS250.
     
    #2 robnbill, Aug 10, 2009
  3. DeanFL

    DeanFL 2010 owner - 1st Prius

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    And mine was a Lexus RX300. I love my Prius, and it's nice to be closer to the pavement and corner easily. In Power Mode I'm sure (if I wanted) I could outrun an RX from a light.
    Oh, the upgrade from 19 to 48mpg is a bonus. Along with all the other good things.
     
    #3 DeanFL, Aug 10, 2009
  4. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

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    :welcome: to PriusChat! We have a good number of Lexus owners as well as other luxury car owners from other makes that have bought a Prius.
     
    #4 Tideland Prius, Aug 11, 2009
  5. jay_man2

    jay_man2 jay_man_also

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    Howdy, Doody! :D


    Can't believe I'm the first to get an opportunity to welcome you like that. :p

    There are two RX 330s in my past, one without NAV, one with.
     
    #5 jay_man2, Aug 11, 2009
  6. Baltechno

    Baltechno Junior Member

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    2012 Prius Plug-in
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    Plug-in Advanced

    I have now the Lexus IS250 (fully equipped) but I am not satisfied. The quality and ride performance is perfect but the cabin room is very bad. For backseat passengers it is a disaster, no legroom and narrow seating. You can hardly place three adults in the backseat. If I I rise font seat my head comes very close to the roof, if I lower it there is hardly no space for passengers feet. The trunk is is very small and difficult to load. You cant even fold backseats to make it bigger.
    Now I have ordered the new Prius generation III, fully equipped with, moonroof with solar panel, Hard Disk Navigation, LED headlights, HUD, leather interior, silver metallic. I ordered it June 16 and I will get it October 14. Nearly four months waiting but it is worth it, I presume. Only two months left now. Hope the new Prius will have roomier cabin. Certainly it will have less fuel consumption and I will love the technical features with electric propulsion.

    Anders
    SWEDEN
     
    #6 Baltechno, Aug 11, 2009
  7. Doody

    Doody Junior Member

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    Actually I have 08 LS460, 06 LS430, 05 Mercedes SL55 AMG and my wife has Lexus 06 GX470 and 05 SC430 but the Prius is a completely different creature and I have no doupt in my mind that it is on the top of it's breed. Believe it or not, it has a lot more room than the IS250. A lot of people compare the Prius with the VW TDI, I think it's like comparingapples to oranges. If anyone wants to compare, then they should pick another Hybrid, not a Diesel. Also, if these people ever owned a German car and had to deal with German car dealers in the service department, they will deduct at least 50% of the points they give the Jetta TDI. Service and parts are 2 very important factors they always ignore. And just for the record, the cost of ownership for a Luxury car like Lexus is much less than an economy German compact car.
     
    #7 Doody, Aug 11, 2009
  8. nparker13

    nparker13 Member

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    I went from a BMW 3 series, and dont look back at all. Love the ride, handling is great, and AT package is amazing! Oh yea and the MPGs are great too.
     
    #8 nparker13, Aug 11, 2009
  9. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

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    :welcome: doody!

    Hey, nothing wrong w/ a Lexus ... that what we replaced our Range Rover with ... the RX-400h AWD. Heck the Lexus SUV has WAY more power than the RR, and almost 2X the mpg's besides handling way better and being FOUR times more reliable.
     
    #9 hill, Aug 11, 2009
  10. xerex

    xerex New Member

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    I'm going from a 1992 Lexus ES 300 (200K+ miles) to a 2010 Prius II. I'm really looking forward to the "downgrade".
     
    #10 xerex, Aug 11, 2009
  11. eglmainz

    eglmainz New Member

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    V
    Howdy Doody Too (Sorry, I could not resist)...

    Other than congratulating you on a great car (I also have a V, Blizzard with Navi), I am curious to know if the Sales manager gave you a car that he was holding for one of his best customers, or if he meant that it was for you? While I would probably take the car if offered to me (before I bought mine), I would feel awkward about stealilng one away from a buyer who may have been waiting for it. I would only feel a little guilty, mind you, as I would be having too much fun in my new car...
     
    #11 eglmainz, Aug 11, 2009
  12. tjp74

    tjp74 New Member

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    IV
    It's all sales man talk. If that car was sold or someone put a deposit on it, he would not have offered it.
    "This has been reserved for our best customer but if you are interested it, I will see what I can do for you"... sure.

    Our family car is a 2007 GS350 AWD purchased new 2 years ago. My wife mainly drives it and I've been driving a couple of clunkers for short daily work commutes. Then we traded in one of clunkers under the C4C program and got a Prius IV solar. For me, it's an major upgrade and I was hoping my wife would like it so much that this would be her new car and we can sell the lexus but she is already too spoiled she woudln't drive my car now :D

    She got spoiled by the features in Lexus such as dual zone climate, seat/steering/mirror position memory, air cooled softer leather seats, quieter cabin noise, power folding auto dimming mirror, parking sensor that displays nice graphics on the screen, power rear sunshade etc. she couldn't believe a $30K car with leather interior didn't have power seat let alone memory function. Honey, this is no ordinary car!

    Prius is fine for me and I am in love but I have to admit that I miss those luxury features in Lexus. but then I can always drive hers after work.
     
    #12 tjp74, Aug 11, 2009
  13. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    Come on! That's an upgrade.
     
    #13 usbseawolf2000, Aug 11, 2009
  14. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    I agree with usb, it's an upgrade.

    If a 2007 Camry XLE V6 is almost similar to a 1992 LS400 (more power from a smaller engine, more luxury... minus the extra sound proofing and the illuminated seatbelt buckle receiver and power adjustable front seatbelts), then your 92 ES300 is definitely an upgrade to a 2010 Prius.
     
    #14 Tideland Prius, Aug 11, 2009
  15. xerex

    xerex New Member

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    Especially since the A/C on the Lexus went out six months ago. It gets hot and humid here in South Carolina!
     
    #15 xerex, Aug 11, 2009
  16. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    They didn't have Smart Key System 17 years ago ;)
     
    #16 usbseawolf2000, Aug 11, 2009
  17. Doody

    Doody Junior Member

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    Edmond, OK
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    What the salesman meant is that they let their best customers only know that they have a V on hand. The car was not sold yet but it was not shown on their show area. When they have a preferred customer, they let him or her know that they have a V. And in our region, this is true cause I've been trying tofind another V for my wife for 2 days now and the 8 dealers within 250 miles around us say they don't have any. The 4 dealers close by ( within 130 miles ) acted like they were really impressed when we stopped by to check if they have one when they saw mine.
     
    #17 Doody, Aug 11, 2009
  18. howardbc

    howardbc Member

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    I owned a Jaguar a couple of cars ago. It rode like a dream but it had a lot of problems - expensive ones. I still love the looks of Jaguars but I won't get another one until they are electric and a lot more reliable.
    A hybrid just feels right for me now.
     
    #18 howardbc, Aug 11, 2009
  19. jay_man2

    jay_man2 jay_man_also

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    And to think that when Ford owned Jag their quality improved.
     
    #19 jay_man2, Aug 11, 2009
  20. Manolo1

    Manolo1 New Member

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    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Switched from IS350 to Prius IV with nav, roof, etc.
    Miss the Lexus at times but not all the time.
    We never used the Lexus on weekends as the rear is cramped. Now the Prius is also the weekend car as it is way bigger in the rear than the IS.
    My IS had no nav, so I am enjoying all the gizmos and the satellite radio, plus the iPod conection that works much better than the AUX in the IS.
     
    #20 Manolo1, Aug 15, 2009
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