Let me out of "The Matrix"!!!!

I don't know if this is exactly the right forum to post this in.

Unfortunately, and I haven't discussed it much, if at all in Prius Chat if only because I keep Prius Chat as almost a refuge for "positive" or benign discussion, and I've really been so troubled about this that I have just kept it to myself. ( Yeah, maybe not healthy). But I've just been taking my recent troubles with my Prius one step at a time, and hoping for a good resolution.

Long....I'm not sharing at this moment---story short...I've had unfortunate reason where I have had to seek Toyota Dealership and Warranty help with my Prius. (not mechanical, it is running great).

So to the point of this post.

Yesterday, I drop off my beloved Prius. They give me a rental car. Hmm....a Toyota Matrix.

Listen, I really don't want to bash The Matrix. It's a Toyota product, and it's a decent ICE hatchback. But if anyone ever compares a Matrix to a Prius? They can go jump in a river. IMO no comparison.

The only single thing that I would give the advantage to The Matrix over The Prius?- Seat comfort.

I don't dislike The Prius seats. I think they are fine. But I will admit, The Matrix seats are firmer and more comfortable.

But besides that? The Prius is so much nicer. Seems roomier, quieter, better appointed, and of course, I haven't driven The Matrix that much, and already the fuel gauge is dipping down? Where's that 3-5 days before I even lose a Pip on the gauge that I get with The Prius?

Again, if I had never ridden in a Prius or owned a Prius? I'd probably think the Matrix was a fine and serviceable hatchback. ( Honestly, I liked my Honda Fit a lot better than The Matrix....but different comparison).

But all I can say at this point is that I hope they resolve my issue with my Prius ASAP, and I can get out of The Matrix.

You don't know what you have,- until you lose it.

Let's just say this rental...is not tempting me to return to the world of purely ICE driving.

Also....for many years I was sarcastic about the Prius SKS system. But since getting The Matrix, I've been frustrated by getting in, sitting down, buckling up, and then realizing I have to pull the keys out of my pocket because there is no start button.

And I'm disappointed in myself, in so much as I keep parking the vehicle and turning it off and then automatically pawing the ground looking for the pedal mounted parking brake, only to realize the Matrix has a standard center console mounted parking brake. I'm relatively sure I'd adjust to this in time.

 

Nah....as I have said, and defended in the past,- I like The Prius seats.

But I will admit, for a relatively inexpensive hatchback, The Matrix has pretty comfortable seats. Just trying to find something I could put on The Matrix side of the ledger.

That was about it.

 

Well I'm comparing the 2013 Prius Two seats to a 2013 "Pretty Basic" 2013 Matrix, and I can tell you without reservation they are NOT the same seats.

Oh, My Prius Two has the limited drivers door only SKS system. But I have grown to like enjoy it more in function than I thought I ever would. It is nice to be able to enter, sit in your car, and start it without having to reach for anything.

And hey, that is a benefit not every vehicle sold today has "Yet". It's part of owning a Prius....but it is a feature that doesn't exist on all cars. So if I'm paying for it? I'm paying for it. I don't expect benefits or features to come for free. I think it would be silly to assume I'm not paying for it. Even if it's just blanketed into the total cost of a Prius.

If I was buying a vehicle that did NOT offer a push button or SKS system throughout the line, and it was only offered as an upgrade, I certainly wouldn't be insulted or surprised that they would want to charge me more for it.

I definitely perceive push button starts and the SKS system as an upgrade. IMO it IS better than the standard way of entering and starting a vehicle. This represents a change since I've owned a Prius.

I wouldn't NOT own a vehicle because it only had a key ignition and starting system....but SKS is a benefit.

 

I hung around Prius chat for years before finally buying my Prius. I use to kind of laugh about both the defending of the SKS system, and also the attacks against it.

Now that I actually have the system? I like it. On a daily, moment to moment basis, it's a nice addition to have. However, I also agree that if you lose the key, or have some problem with the system the complication can become a much bigger problem to deal with than just a standard set of keys.

A few months ago I took a long road trip to California. I brought with me my single Fob. Left the spare at home. The whole time I was in California I was highly paranoid about where the fob was...and worried about losing it. This worry was all born out of the fact that I knew "If" I lost it, I'd really have a problem. I never worried about that with my "regular" car keys. Worst case with them was that I might have to call a lock smith.

I suppose the solution is of course to always travel with your spare, kept somewhere entirely separate from yourself. Just incase something does happen.

But you are right, the cost of replacement, is considerable. I really think Toyota should be able to produce and offer the fobs cheaper, as well as give you 3 instead of just 2. I'd like 2 for travel, and one kept safely at home at all times.

 

Why would making a duplicate key make me feel better? As you point out all that can do is get me in the car. Still stranded.

I don't mean to present it as being a big deal. You're right, any key with a transponder can be a problem. Next time I take a road trip, I'll just bring the duplicate along, wrapped in tin foil and in a metal box, and keep it with my luggage, hidden somewhere separate from myself.

That way the paranoia over the extremely rare possibility that I could lose my fob should be lessened. I'm not saying my paranoia in this matter had much foundation, but the whole vacation, road trip, every place I went the first thing I did upon getting up to leave was tap my pocket to make sure the Fob was still there.