What I hate about my Prius

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Dragonfire @ Aug 25 2006, 04:35 PM) [snapback]309463[/snapback]</div>

I respectfully disagree... I think the shifter is perfectly designed.

Up=reverse and down=drive is closer to the traditional P-R-N-D floor mounted automatic shifter, where R-N-D goes top to bottom. Having R on top is also similar to VW manual transmissions (AFAIK, but I've never owned one), where the R gear on a manual shift is up and to the left of 1st, not down & to the right of 4th like most others.

Of course, you can never please everyone all the time, so like any new car, some will just need to adapt to what is different from what they are used to.... and of course this is a very good reason why the car BEEPS in reverse gear by default (unless turned off).

Kevin

 

Wow, a LOT of reading in this thread.

Those people who are concerned because they don't have their car yet, EVERY car forum has one of these. Granted because the Prius is unique there are more issues as people get used to it, but I literally have seen $75,000 Mercedes owners go to town in these things then turn around and defend their car to a BMW owner. Nothings perfect, and just because people are critical doesn't mean they dislike their car.

Now, for the things I dislike (I just drove the Prius 600 miles on a trip, its my fiance's primary vehicle and I have a Lexus):

1. The driving position. Its partially the seat, although I've driven in worse car seats, but a lot of it is how upright one has to sit in the prius, the steering wheel is small and oddly positioned (The golf cart analogy works), the armrests are thinly padded, and the material of the steering wheel rim is hard on the hands. The Prius rides well, but its loud at 70-80MPH in both wind and road noise as well as engine drone. All in all, to me the vehicle is just tiring to drive. Certainly compared to the Lexus (which is obviously higher cost), but also compared to other $27,000 cars.

2. Cheap interior materials, the carpeting is thin, the seat and armrest materials are thin and age quickly.

3. The position of the nav screen causes it to wash out in sunight.

4. There are a lot of weird blindspots, but you get used to them.

I think the biggest issue for me, and it would certainly keep me from ever considering a Prius as my primary vehicle is the lack of driving comfort. I drive a LOT and driving the Prius every day would make my days harder. Although I might get used to it. It certainly would make my days cheaper!

Now, my fiance doesn't have an issue with any of these things and my suggestions to upgrade to a Highlander Hybrid have gone ignored, so its different strokes for different folks.

 

the camry hybrid is nicer inside... but of course you sacrifice mileage and storage space over the prius. might appeal to those who aren't so crazy about the prius seats and trim.

it's basically the camry xle (top of the line) with the hybrid system tossed in. DH had one last night to tweak the security system and he took me for a ride in it. i thought it was pretty nice.

 

Eh, I wouldn't go for the Camry Hybrid to replace the Prius, theres not enough utility. The Highlander Hybrid would do it.

 

I have to agree with SW03ES about the driving comfort. For me, the only real complaint I have about this car is the poor seat design and the lack of proper lumbar support. Toyota could do much better on this.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(San_Carlos_Jeff @ Jul 10 2006, 11:29 AM) [snapback]283868[/snapback]</div>

I had to try it. It is fine in reverse (just the red light on the dash with a picture of a car and doors open). But in forward (on my '06 pkg#4), I get a screen that talks about charging in neutral ( http://www.letsgoblues.net/door-open.jpg )!! What the heck?

That looks like a plain old bug. Get the lawyers!!

-jack
Seaside Pearl 06 - almost new.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(darelldd @ Aug 26 2006, 02:08 AM) [snapback]309735[/snapback]</div>

Regarding tinkering with the rear wiper so that it can lift up from the glass --

Isn't there a reason why it's been designed that way? For example, if you are going at high speeds, wouldn't the wind lift the wiper up and snap it off?

Perhaps it would be better to just remove the little cover when you need to wash the window and lift the wiper, without actually breaking off the little tab that keeps the wiper from lifting up. Then just replace the cover when you finish washing the window. I haven't tried it yet, so I don't know how easy it is to remove/replace the cover.

 

Driving comfort is definitely subjective. My mother and I took a trip last year that covered over 6,500 miles in a total of 10 driving days, so that included some VERY long days in the car (the two longest days were 1,350 miles and 965 miles). BTW I was the only driver, so that was a lot of behind-the-wheel time for me! We both found the car to be extremely comfortable, and my only complaint was that the seat doesn't go quite far enough back so I can completely stretch my long legs. Still, all I need to do is make a pit stop every once in a while to stretch my legs a bit, and I was very pleased overall with how I felt on the trip.

I had been a little concerned about long-distance comfort, because my '91 Camry had served me very well in that way. No worries with the Prius!

BTW I just don't get all the people who say the shifter is counter intuitive. Even on a steering wheel-mounted shifter (yes, I'm old enough to remember them...), reverse was ALWAYS up and drive was ALWAYS down (and in a floor-mounted shifter, reverse is forward and drive is back).

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(PriusRos @ Aug 26 2006, 07:18 PM) [snapback]309921[/snapback]</div>

I have done this mod to my Prius, and drove it at hwy speeds, and no problem. I am still not sure why Toyota had that piece of plastic there.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Curtis SAC @ Aug 25 2006, 10:28 PM) [snapback]309673[/snapback]</div>

GTcovers has Prius seat covers with a pop off flap for seat air bags.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(PriusRos @ Aug 26 2006, 07:18 PM) [snapback]309921[/snapback]</div>

Maybe at 200 MPH but not at speeds the Prius can handle.

As for the seat covers, its a $27,000 car not a 1990 Cavalier, I shouldn't have to put seat covers on to keep the interior looking clean for 4 months.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(PriusRos @ Aug 26 2006, 04:18 PM) [snapback]309921[/snapback]</div>

Wish I knew. I can't find one.

Nope.

If that makes you more comfortable, then that is certainly what you should do. Personally when I have a rag in one hand and cleaner in the other, having to set it all down and remove the plastic, not lose it, etc... I'd rather be able to just lift the dang thing with my pinkie. When we travel long distances, I clean the rear window at the gas station - again it would be so damn easy to lose that trim piece after removing it, that it isn't worth it to me.

I haven't heard of anybody having a problem without that plastic tab in place. Some folks buy aftermarket arms that don't have the limit built in, and they don't have the problem either.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SW03ES @ Aug 26 2006, 09:39 AM) [snapback]309773[/snapback]</div>

Quite true. The Prius is not the Universal Panacea for cars, no car is.

Fortunately, you can get a hood which helps with the screen and the sunlight. Not for every angle, but it does help some. You can also make one or if you're inclined to get a DashTopper dash cover, you can have them do a custom one that extends out more and acts like a hood.

 

Thats true, I have been meaning to look at one of those nav hoods

 

regarding those who suggest push-button gear selection... a friend of mine told me a story about his '62 rambler (which had push-button). once while driving on the highway, his girlfriend got cold and went to turn the heat on. she reached too far, hit the wrong button, and accidentally threw the car into reverse at 60 miles per hour. he looked in his rear view mirror and saw pieces of the transmission all over the road...

of course shifting is disabled on the prius at highway speeds, but it's a good lesson in user interface design...

 

You know, I've had some pretty neat cars over the years and enjoyed driving them, sometimes in Le Mans-emulation mode. But I told somebody today that the Prius is the first car I've ever had that I wouldn't trade in for anything, even those cars I've always dreamed of (but can't afford) whose names end in a vowel: Ferrari, Lamborghini, Alfa Romeo, Bughatti. (I'm sure I misspelled some of those but then I never was able to seriously look at them.) I love the challenge of driving this car!

I've flown some high-performance planes in my time. The Prius is the closest I've come to them on the ground. It's so smart I got mine into Mensa. The CHP won't let me go Mach 1 and I'm tired of fighting them. So forget the small stuff here and enjoy the best car on the road. And buy the new one in 2009 or about that will probably blow your mind.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TheParadox @ Aug 21 2006, 07:46 PM) [snapback]307117[/snapback]</div>

I have NEVER accidentally bumped the stalk. I'm not even sure how I could. I think a push button for each transmission position would be stupid The stalk is easy to find with your hand and the motion to get to any gear is always the same no matter what the current selection. I think it is brilliant. You would have to look at the buttons to see that you are pushing the proper one.

Don't use it, the computer will put the car in Park automatically when you power down. The only time I use the Park button is if I want to take my foot off the brake for some reason. Maybe in the fast food drive through while I get my wallet out or while 'standing' - any time you don't need to shut down but want to be in Park.

So you would replace it with an 'Accessory' button for listening to the radio and a 'Powered Accessory' button if you want to be able to open and close the windows without starting the car? Plus, I'm SURE you don't drive without your seat belt on, right? It takes at least 2 seconds to pull it across and clip it in. The car is Ready BEFORE you are.

Yeah, you are right, 3 seconds is WAY too long

To do what, pop it open? Might be useful if you don't have SKS but if you have to get the fob out to push the button, where is the gain?

This might not be known to all newbies - For some reason, you have to press the back hatch 'gel' switch once to unlock it then a second time to release the hatch so you can lift it. I found my wife was going to the front door to unlock the car, thinking the hatch didn't SKS unlock since just putting your hand near the switch didn't do it like it does on the front door handles. I don't know why Toyota didn't make it a 'proximity' switch like the front handles. You don't have to actually touch the inside of the door handles. Just sliding your hand into the space is enough. That is what I do if I need to unlock the car but want to put something in the back seat.

 

I have accidently hit the transmission selector while driving. Fortunately the system will not allow the car to go into reverse when going 40 mph.

As for the car not going into park if you push the button while the car is still moving... using the power button is not a the answer either. You still have to stop the car. I discovered this in a moment of sloppy driving about a week ago, I hit the power button before the car stopped moving completely when I pulled into my driveway. When I opened the door, even though the hybrid system was off, the car beeped with the warning about the batteries not charging in neutral. I took my foot off the brake and the car rolled.

I didn't have to power back up, but I had to push the park button to engage park (heard the prawl move).

If the car had a conventional shifter and park mechanism, I don't think it would be as easy to goof it up. Anyone that thrown an auto tranny into park while the car was still moving knows it is a noisy mistake.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bruceha_2000 @ Aug 28 2006, 05:21 AM) [snapback]310477[/snapback]</div>

Not true, at least in my 06 #6. I just need to lift up on the back hatch handle and after a short delay the doors unlock and the hatch opens. No need to press twice. Though I agree that it is odd that it isn't the same prox sensor that the front handles have.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Curtis SAC @ Aug 28 2006, 10:49 AM) [snapback]310616[/snapback]</div>

Just out of curiosity, how did you manage that?