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Why I'm Not Upgrading To A 2017 Prius

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by blane, Jan 16, 2017.

  1. blane

    blane Carmudgeon

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    I received an invitation from my dealer to trade in my 2011 Prius III recently. It promised an attractive trade-in value.

    I responded to the Sales Manager's email as follows:

    Dear Mr. XXXXXX,

    I might have considered replacing my low-mileage 2011 Prius III (I'm very satisfied with it, and XXXX XXXXX was a pleasure to deal with) with a 2017 Prius IV except for several unacceptable issues.
    • Styling is ugly (what were they thinking?). Too many unrelated creases and angles. Toyota / Lexus oversize black spindle grilles should be banished.
    • Rear hatch grab handles are way too high for my 5' 2" wife to reach (or even touch with her fingertips). If you can't close the hatch, you can't drive the car.
    • Dumb shiny white, reflective, distracting, console (black vinyl contact "paper" covering it will not suffice, and will no doubt peel eventually).
    • When is Toyota going to manufacture vehicles that utilize the Android Auto (and Apple CarPlay) smartphone capability on the car's in-dash screens? As a minimum, Android Auto is already available in the latest Acura, Alpha Romeo, Audi, Bentley, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Citroen, Dodge, FIAT, Ford, GMC, Honda, Hyundai, Infiniti, Jaguar, Jeep, Kia, Lamborghini, Land Rover, Lincoln, Maserati, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Peugeot, RAM, Renault, Subaru, Volkswagen and Volvo vehicles. Why is Toyota so far behind the rest of the market? Toyota's Entune just doesn't cut it.
    I just thought that you might appreciate the feedback.
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i just wish it had went further than his circular file.:p
     
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  3. bhtooefr

    bhtooefr Senior Member

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    As I understand, the appliqué pack is molded to the shape of the console, and has some rigidity to it, so it won't peel.

    That doesn't solve the other complaints, though.
     
  4. ePWR

    ePWR Member

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    I have to respectively disagree. very pleased with the interesting styling of my 2016. there is no black spindle grill. I pull the lowest edge of hatch to close with no problem. white console is not reflective nor distracting. never notice when driving. Cleans easily. no use for android auto. Enjoying my Prius.
     
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  5. Lucifer

    Lucifer Senior Member

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    So it's ugly, they all are, if the rear hatch is a deal breaker, wow, just attach a chord hanging down.
    You don't like the Toyota system like the one yoo already have, well it's ugly, they all are.

    Get better mileage with something more reliable and less expensive, good luck.
     
  6. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    The 2017 is less ugly than other Toyota/Lexus because it does not have the large black grilles.
    The Trim Two (& Two Eco?) have a matte black console.
    I believe some people have installed aftermarket radio units with some of the features you have mentioned. I think Toyota seems to think their platform-agnostic system is better than the vendor lock-in of Android Auto or CarPlay.
    Since the Trim Two just has basic Bluetooth, you miht be able to save some money a d install a head-unit with the features you desire.
     
  7. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    I don't really think any of them are deal-breakers - maybe the Apple/Android issue could be, but I've never used that tech anyway. Gen 2/3 looked quite ODD when first introduced - now it's quite normal to most eyes. The longer Gen 4 is around, the more normal it looks - partly because just about every other manufacturer (like most of those you listed + Bugatti and RollsRoyce which are the ugliest) have ugly cars too - is there a SUV or truck which isn't ugly? At least PRIUS has some reason for some of it's styling - it's been wind-tunnel finessed to be one of THE most aerodynamic cars around.

    And I far prefer the white to the shiny black which shows every fingerprint and every grain of dust. My Mum dusts my black at least twice a week when she gets in - the white has never been cleaned in 6 months and looks stunning.

    Instead of your list, it's a pity you didn't include the real legitimate problems. Like lack of storage, useless QI charger, useless glovebox - and the biggest I hate is the radio, that it's touch-screen is mighty difficult to use while on the go - go over a bump, you press the wrong "button" and you're back to square one, jumped to next track instead of rewinding, hung up the phone or dialed the wrong number. My previous cars had REAL BUTTONS - which you can feel in the day/dark and achieve things without taking eyes off the road (or speedo).

    Enjoy your Gen 3.
     
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  8. Anastaceyrose

    Anastaceyrose Member

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    .....aaand you just wanted us to know how much you hate the cars we have?
     
  9. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    I guess haters gonna hate. I noticed they did not like any other current Toyota products too.

    Most everything in life has trade offs. My car is not perfect but it has the important things to fulfill my needs at this time.
     
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  10. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    If I had to like everything about a car in order to buy it, I'd be walking. And if I had to like everything about anything else to buy it, I'd die from exposure. :rolleyes:
     
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  11. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    Yes, I thought after my earlier response - I looked, drove, crawled over a Brand New superseded Gen 3 and a Gen 4 - there really was no comparison, particularly when it came to driving - which led me to buy the Gen 4 though the Gen 3 was substantially cheap.

    A whole generation of improvements - apart from the touchscreen radio, storage and a few other minor quibbles. One huge improvement from 3 -> 4 - the Gen 4 RADAR Cruise is down to ZERO rather than about 30km/hr.
     
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  12. Roger T

    Roger T Member

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    I guess Asians like the look of the Gen 4... It sells well in Japan and as an Asian it looks awesome, in and out.
     
    #12 Roger T, Jan 17, 2017
    Last edited: Jan 17, 2017
  13. Absolu22

    Absolu22 Junior Member

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    I am not going to contribute making you feel good about not buying the new Prius, because I love it, like most or maybe even everyone who own one on this chat.
    That's being said, it's smart choice to keep your 2011 Prius for a longer time!
    Cheers!
     
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  14. ATHiker

    ATHiker Senior Member

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    The Gen 4 is like a beautiful woman.

    Wonderful to behold and appreciate for many, but not everyone likes women.

    Nothing wrong with that.
     
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  15. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    Since the seemingly major complaint is about Entune which is in their 2011 Prius, they should likely list the car on our Private Sales forum and get something that better meets their wants/needs.
     
    #15 Prodigyplace, Jan 17, 2017
    Last edited: Jan 17, 2017
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  16. greenmonster01

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    I like mine!
     
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  17. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Amen!

    Car manufacturers have been "progressing" in the wrong direction for decades now. I think the last time I could adjust which vents the air came outa, without taking my eyes off the road, was our lowly '81 Civic.
     
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  18. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    We have an up/down switch on the Gen 4 that cycles the settings. You need a Gen 4 :D
     
  19. Toppcat

    Toppcat Member

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    Looks!! I would never consider one.
     
  20. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    It looks much better than other Toyota/Lexus with the gaping black grilles, though. What other good options are there?