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Bye Bye BMW - Hello Prius V :D

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by M D, Nov 19, 2010.

  1. M D

    M D No more gas guzzler :D

    Joined:
    Nov 18, 2010
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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    After a couple of weeks research and plenty of lurking on PC umming and ahhing over whether I should go Prius, whether I should get a IV or a V etc, I traded my 07 328xi (fully loaded) for a black Prius V with ATP tonight :)

    The BMW was a lot of fun to drive but was due to become a money pit with the warranty about to expire and everything costing way more than I wanted to pay. So it's goodbye 14mpg on premium and hello 42mpg on regular (have only driven 20 miles so far - sure it will go up).

    Have to say it's quite amazing the variety of prices I was quoted on my travels (visited 4 dealers for test drives and negotiations) high-level prices came in at 31800 for a IV with 'no room to breathe' and 34k for a V 'it's the lowest you'll find' down to 27900 for a IV with roof (but accompanied with a real insulting trade offer) and finally the 30244 I paid for my V (with the 1500 rebate applied and not including tax and tags).
     
    #1 M D, Nov 19, 2010
  2. bigmike5

    bigmike5 New Member

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    Location:
    San Jose, CA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    How many warranty repairs did you experience with the BMW?

    Congratulations on your purchase, btw.
     
    #2 bigmike5, Nov 19, 2010
  3. M D

    M D No more gas guzzler :D

    Joined:
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    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    Thanks :)

    Warranty repairs were actually pretty few - passenger side door mirror motor went crazy and I got locked out when a fuse blew... great engineering that, one 15amp fuse blows and all doors apart from the drivers (which has a key) becomes inoperable... can't open from the outside or the inside.

    And the fix... they changed to a 20amp fuse.

    Oh, and they replaced the wiper blades for me a couple of months back.
     
    #3 M D, Nov 19, 2010
  4. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

    Joined:
    Jul 5, 2009
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    Location:
    Alaska
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Welcome and enjoy the ride.
     
    #4 spiderman, Nov 19, 2010
  5. Tonic

    Tonic New Member

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    Enjoy, i came from a Lancer Evolution X, so i do understand you! Different kind of automobile but sometime its nice to experience other car to really enjoy the Prius :)
     
    #5 Tonic, Nov 19, 2010
  6. caffeinekid

    caffeinekid Duct Tape Extraordinaire

    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2010
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    Location:
    Houston
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    We've had several BMWs and enjoyed them all in their own way- the 5 series were stealthy, strong and comfortable. The 3 series was fast and nimble on the turns. And the X3, even though it seemed to have a lot of body noise when under stress drove like a sedan and I loved the full sunroof. All the same, the Prius actually has better acceleration than what I was expecting, gets really nice fuel mileage and IMO even looks good. I don't have to worry about the handling as much because I don't really "drive" the thing like I did the BMWs. Do I ever miss the BMWs? Not really. And if I ever do, perhaps by then they will have their EV versions in production, but like you, I got tired of the costs involved after about 90K miles. One of my favorite bills was the one were the driver side rear spring on the 530 started to sound like an old horse drawn buggy. It turned out to be a bushing of some sort that cost $30 of the $700 repair bill- mostly labor, but anytime something in the suspension was messed around with, the damned thing had to be re-aligned at a premium.
     
    #6 caffeinekid, Nov 19, 2010
  7. samsprius1

    samsprius1 HEV Fanatic

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    Vehicle:
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    #7 samsprius1, Nov 20, 2010
  8. M D

    M D No more gas guzzler :D

    Joined:
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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    Thanks, SpiderMan.

    I too was pleasantly surprised with the acceleration - I was expecting a very spongy "we'll get there eventually" type of pull, when actually there is a perfectly acceptable amount of power available. And again, like you say, it's so different to drive than the BMW that you just, don't. I'm enjoying driving in a much more relaxed way, not rushing everywhere I go. I found with the bimmer that I'd leave a couple of minutes late giving me the excuse to speed a little to get there on time... now I leave a couple of minutes early.

    Thanks, Sam. Heading back over to that thread now - tried yesterday but only made it to your first post before drooling over the wooden dash - wood was one of the last things I was missing about the BMW.
     
    #8 M D, Nov 22, 2010
  9. jholder

    jholder New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2007
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    Location:
    Tennessee
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Congrats!! I come from having several Mercedes, Escalades, Lexus, Volvos...and have NEVER liked anything as well as my Prius. I spread the gospel of the Prius everywhere.

    At first I wondered what my clients would think of the big change...all have been WAY more impressed with the Prius. Plus, in this economy, it's just a better statement all around.

    Enjoy...you're going to love it!
     
    #9 jholder, Nov 30, 2010
  10. Scotty Danger

    Scotty Danger Junior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 1, 2010
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    Location:
    Scottsdale
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Nice move! I was in the same position 3.5 years ago, and I chose to go with the Prius. So far I've logged 65K worry free miles at around 53 mpg average. I made a few small modifications for better handling, and I'm extremely content. A little bit of limo tint, aftermarket wood, and leather really went a long way and transformed it into a pretty sharp ride.

    I absolutely love BMWs, but the Prius has given me so much over the last three years . . . and asked for so little. I know, that sounds cheesy, but it's true.

    I agree with jholder: the Prius is a responsible statement in the current economy, and both clients and babes have been equally impressed ;)
     
    #10 Scotty Danger, Dec 1, 2010
  11. E Street Shuffle

    E Street Shuffle Pa-Pa-Pa-Prius

    Joined:
    Nov 27, 2010
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    Location:
    Decatur, GA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I too just sold my BMW 530xi wagon for a Prius. I think I will miss the room of the wagon on occasion, but I really like the Prius so far. Of course, you really can't compare the two car - they have very different qualities (both good and bad).
    The Prius is certainly a more economical choice right now. I always thought I could actually see the fuel gauge of the BMW decreasing as I drove down the road :D
     
    #11 E Street Shuffle, Dec 1, 2010
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