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My take on the Prius

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by bsd43, Apr 27, 2006.

  1. bsd43

    bsd43 Member

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    My 06 Prius (Pkg 3) is now one month old, with 2000 miles on the odo. I thought I'd post a few words about how I feel about my purchase...

    - The Prius is more fun to drive than I expected. Yes, the 0-60 numbers are in the 10 sec "ho hum" range, but I bet on a rolling start (5-60) or passing acceleration (50-70) it's actually not bad compared to other cars (I haven't timed these tho). No more downshifting to get torque, just press and voila! instant torque.

    - The handling is, again, better than I'd expected. The '05 that I test drove was different -- it rolled on corners and hard turns a lot more than my '06. Twisties are done without effort. There's some crosswinds sensitivity, but compared to my motorcycle, it's nothing I couldn't handle. I'm still debating whether spending $160 on the BT Brace is needed.

    - 44/42 tire pressures are way too loud and hard! I'm back down to the default 35/33. I will probably experiment with something like 38/36 and see if I can balance the fuel economy/handling/noise tradeoffs.

    - Current fuel economy is 44.8 mpg, as calculated by GreenHybrid.com's log, over 7 fillups. Haven't changed the way I drove, just commute the same way at somewhere far north of the speed limit. ;-)

    - Earlier in the week, I changed the oil to Mobil 1 5W30 EP. 3.9 US qts total, as listed in the manual was dead-on. Easiest oil change I've ever done, no need to jack up car. Mileage seems to have improved about 1.5 mpg on the MFD, but we'll see if it'll last. My drain plug didn't have a crush washer. Neither did the Scion xA, and it looked like the same plug, so I'm not too worried about it. I'll put one on next time.

    - Sound system is adequate. It lacks mid-range, and bass is overrepresented, but it's "ok" for paper speakers. Will upgrade shortly, probably with the Infinity set that people here used.

    - I'm also thinking about a DIN-sized VGA screen in that cubby under the stereo, and put a real computer in the car. (Has anyone done this yet? Does a full 1-DIN unit fit without huge modifications?)

    - I'm used to my 99 Passat's MFD, where there's not only a "average until reset" MPG meter, but also a "average per trip" that gets reset after 2 hours of engine off. It also gives average mph and time elapsed. Probably not hard for Toyota to have added this data in the computer output.

    - Why does the cruise control system reset after every power-on? Why does it not let me set a low cruise speed? Why is there only a light when the system is on? I'd like a SET light too... Small annoyances.

    - Seats are inadequate, and took me a couple of weeks to set to a butt-happy position. It completely lacks thigh support, which the Passat and Scion both have.

    Overall, I'm very happy with the car. Every car has its positives and negatives, and this one definitely has more "ayes".
     
    #1 bsd43, Apr 27, 2006
  2. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bsd43 @ Apr 27 2006, 08:28 PM) [snapback]246374[/snapback]</div>
    For 30-50 mph, Prius is one second faster than Camry 2.4 liter with 4 speed automatic, believe it or not. The instant torque is the beauty of HSD which I dearly love =D I use it all the time and I've been driving agressively recently and averaging 49.6 MPG this tank. I use the power wisely and anticipate the traffic ahead.

    Many cars / drivers on the road do not use their "peak" horsepower at all. I out-accelerate them and pass them in my driving style. I wonder what they were thinking ... maybe trying to save some gas?... It makes me smile if I think of it like that while passing them and getting about 50 MPG.

    Prius' quick (last car was 4-speed auto) responsive power delivery makes the control of the speed adjustment much easier. I love driving HSD powered car for this reason. This car's passing power continue to amaze me. Just today, I went up to 90 MPH passing (at HOV entrance merge) a slow car in the HOV lane. That driver definately acclerated from going at 60mph as I was trying to pass. It was not a problem for me =D.

    Dennis
     
    #2 usbseawolf2000, Apr 27, 2006
  3. Mr. Tuco

    Mr. Tuco New Member

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    Congrats on your new car! but you did what? you used synthetic oil on a brand new engine? Shouldn't all cars use mineral oil the first 5-10 k miles to allow the seals to seat correctly? I've always known that if you switch to synthetic too soon, you risk a life of oil consumption and loss of compression; and ultimately a shorter engine life. I hope I'm wrong, but hey...perhaps things have changed. Again, congrats on your new prius!



    "If you're gonna shoot, shoot. Don't talk"
    Tuco - The good, the bad and the ugly
     
    #3 Mr. Tuco, Apr 27, 2006
  4. bsd43

    bsd43 Member

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    I read up on oils a lot, especially bobistheoilguy.com, and I think I chalk the "break in oil" talk as either wives-tale-mythical, or passe information from another generation of engines. This will be my 6th engine that I've broken in this way, and all the other 5 engines are still running, all with 0 make-up oil needed.
     
    #4 bsd43, Apr 27, 2006
  5. nmrickie

    nmrickie Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bsd43 @ Apr 27 2006, 06:28 PM) [snapback]246374[/snapback]</div>
    Every Toyota I've ever driven is like this. It also resets itself when you slow down to a certain speed (35 or so).
     
    #5 nmrickie, Apr 27, 2006
  6. spindoc

    spindoc New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bsd43 @ Apr 27 2006, 08:28 PM) [snapback]246374[/snapback]</div>
    Good point. In the US we have school zones requiring transit at 20 or 25 mph. In my BMW I can set the cruise and cross the school zone at the exact speed -- not in the Prius. :huh:

    I'd like to see that improved.

    Spindoc
     
    #6 spindoc, Apr 28, 2006
  7. Magnus1

    Magnus1 New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(spindoc @ Apr 28 2006, 12:50 AM) [snapback]246484[/snapback]</div>

    Technology aside, i do believe you answered you own question.. toyota most likly dosent provide cruise control for under 35 because when you are actually driving through those zones, those are the times you have to be the most alert! school zones, residential, etc.
     
    #7 Magnus1, Apr 28, 2006
  8. tripp

    tripp Which it's a 'ybrid, ain't it?

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bsd43 @ Apr 27 2006, 06:28 PM) [snapback]246374[/snapback]</div>
    There's a bloke here named presto that has done this. Here's a link to a gallery of his:

    http://intdata.homeip.net/gallery/dansprius?page=2

    You can also look 'em up here and check out the links in his signature, they might be helpful.
     
    #8 tripp, Apr 28, 2006
  9. bsd43

    bsd43 Member

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    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tripp @ Apr 27 2006, 10:30 PM) [snapback]246496[/snapback]</div>
    Thanks for the link! Not as clean an install as I thought, ugh.

    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Magnus1 @ Apr 27 2006, 10:12 PM) [snapback]246490[/snapback]</div>
    I'd be more alert not actively staring down at my digital speedo to keep it at "25" and not "26", or looking around for motorcycle cops' radar guns hidden behind trees.
     
    #9 bsd43, Apr 28, 2006
  10. Rancid13

    Rancid13 Cool Chick with a Black Prius

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bsd43 @ Apr 28 2006, 08:28 AM) [snapback]246650[/snapback]</div>
    You don't have to stare at the speedo to see what speed you're going. I really like where they put it, so far forward on the dash, so you can look out the windshield and pay attention to the road and watch for traffic/kids getting out of school & running into the street, but still see the speedo in your peripheral vision.

    Glad to hear you're enjoying your Prius...I love its 'pep' and agree that the 2006 handles much better than the 2005 that I too test drove. :)
     
    #10 Rancid13, Apr 28, 2006
  11. etkal

    etkal New Member

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    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bsd43 @ Apr 27 2006, 08:28 PM) [snapback]246374[/snapback]</div>
    I've had mine for almost a full month now for 2200 miles, here's my take:

    Highs
    ------
    - Handles exceptionally well for a car like this
    - Pickup is good, no problems on hills with 4 people
    - Mileage is great! 49 overall, saw 60 for my 20-mile commute this morning.
    - Looks are good, getting lots of compliments
    - Ignore Kermit, it *is* easy being green!

    Lows
    -----
    - No full-auto headlights
    - Bug if you leave them on via driver's door auto-off and later use ACC from passenger side
    - Slight clunking in and out of dead stop
    - Inability to dial phone while moving, especially for prompts(!) and extensions
    - NAV occasionally picks stupid routes
    - No manual full-darkening of autodimming mirror (for high beam idiots)
    - Lack of LEDs for all incidental vehicle lights
    - Lack of factory EV switch
    - cheap ugly antenna
    - ODO/mi-km switch is not backlit, other switches could be brighter
    - km mode only affects speedo
    (Some of these can be addressed with mods, but there shouldn't be a need)
     
    #11 etkal, Apr 28, 2006
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