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Great Car--But some things need to be improved!!

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by sydgurley, Sep 5, 2006.

  1. sydgurley

    sydgurley New Member

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    1. Steering is not precise-- weak centering--tiring on long drives -- car wanders when cruising on the highway and is very susceptible to crosswinds. Varying tire pressures doesn't seem to help (finally decided to have the alignment checked)
    2. Leather seat is uncomfortable and has minimal adjustment
    3 Steering wheel is not adjustible in and out -- problem for tall people with long legs
    4. Nav system works great, but is not very user friendly-hard to learn--driving input cutout mod needed to allow passengers to input data if necessary
    5. Radio is OK, but not top quality
    6. Armrests are not durable and have no padding-- very uncomfortable
    7. Difficult to come to a complete stop smoothly--switching to hydraulic brakes

    My 2005 Prius -- Based in Florida, 8600 miles , Average 51.5 highway at 70 mph and 47.0 around town.

    My comparison standard is a 2003 4 cylinder Honda Accord


    Prius Chat has been a big help in understanding this efficient engineering marvel and I would welcome any comments
     
    #1 sydgurley, Sep 5, 2006
  2. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Welcome to PriusChat sydgurley!

    Let's see if I can help

    1. It's electrically assisted power steering vs. hydraulic so it is a bit wooden on-centre. If you wish, you can purchase a BT stiffening plate to replace the stock brace. There are quite a number of folks here who have done it and are pleased with the results. Another option is replacing the rather poor stock Integritys with a better set.

    2. Don't know about leather since I don't have it on mine but I agree with the lack of adjustment

    3. Yep. I'm okay with that since I don't have to reach for a clutch pedal.

    4. Can't answer, don't have nav

    5. Just glanced at your package. I believe the top package for 2005 is #6? The JBL audio on other Toyotas (notably the Camry and Avalon) are far better than those on ours. I'm not sure why

    6.hmm, that means you got an aftermarket leather treatment? Cause 2005s didn't have a leather option. Also, if you had the seats covered, why aren't the armrests covered too?

    7. That takes practice. It's harder on the Prius than on regular cars.

    You're doing quite well with mileage. Keep it up!
     
    #2 Tideland Prius, Sep 5, 2006
  3. archermoo

    archermoo New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(sydgurley @ Sep 5 2006, 10:53 AM) [snapback]314627[/snapback]</div>
    1) Haven't had any problems with it at all. I quite like the steering.

    2) Don't have leather seats, though I like the non-leather ones I have. Minimal adjustment is just fine with me.

    3) Never had any use for in and out adjust on steering wheel, but then again, I'm not tall.

    4) Don't have the nav system.

    5) Don't generally listen to the radio, though I'm quite happy with the MP3 playing CD player.

    6) No comfort problems with the armrests.

    7) Haven't had any problems stopping smoothly since the first couple of days with the car.
     
    #3 archermoo, Sep 5, 2006
  4. ken1784

    ken1784 SuperMID designer

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(sydgurley @ Sep 6 2006, 02:53 AM) [snapback]314627[/snapback]</div>
    The 2005 Prius didn't come with leather seat from Toyota.
    It should be aftermarket ones.

    Ken@Japan
     
    #4 ken1784, Sep 5, 2006
  5. sydgurley

    sydgurley New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ken1784 @ Sep 5 2006, 09:02 PM) [snapback]314878[/snapback]</div>

    I purchased the 2005 Prius in Nov 2005 and the leather seats did come with the car (not dealer installed)
     
    #5 sydgurley, Sep 5, 2006
  6. ken1784

    ken1784 SuperMID designer

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(sydgurley @ Sep 6 2006, 10:37 AM) [snapback]314897[/snapback]</div>
    It is not a factory assembled package.
    It is called Post Production Options, sometimes installed at the port.
    Maybe, they didn't have such package in west coast.
    http://www.lotpro.com/cars/2005/toyota/prius/options/

    Ken@Japan
     
    #6 ken1784, Sep 5, 2006
  7. pagoda113

    pagoda113 New Member

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    I have no problems with the things you mention.

    I think my leather covered seats are comfortable. I do wish the headrest propped forward and cradled the back of the head some, it is less functional than on some of the luxury vehicles.

    The car's not perfect, I agree, but it's the best and most sensible car that is being sold today in my opinion. It's all a good compromise and casts a vote for improvement.
     
    #7 pagoda113, Sep 6, 2006
  8. ken1784

    ken1784 SuperMID designer

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(pagoda113 @ Sep 6 2006, 01:23 PM) [snapback]314997[/snapback]</div>
    The 2006 Prius leather seats are factory option and it's Toyota quality. :)

    Ken@Japan
     
    #8 ken1784, Sep 6, 2006
  9. philmcneal

    philmcneal Taxi!

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    when braking, lightly press the brake pedal to increase the rate of regeneration. Your speed should be dropping in a linear fashion, once your speed drops to like 12 mph or so, then the hydralic brakes will kick in and that's when you just modulately increase pressure until you come to a complete stop. When one thinks about it... its the reverse way of braking in a normal car, instead of hard on brake then easy up... its easy down then slowly increase pressure.

    I mastered it when I first test drove the prius, I'm sure you owning the car can make it become second nature. Enjoy!
     
    #9 philmcneal, Sep 6, 2006
  10. kenoarto

    kenoarto Senior Member

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    Sure doesn't work that way for me. At 4ish MPH, the brakes grab really hard and I have to really ease up on the brake. In the rain the problem amplifies-- the car almost jumps to a screeming stop. Sometimes it's genuinely scary if it's wet and there is a manhole cover near the intersection and the ABS kicks in in a wierd way, too.

    Toyota really needs to fix this.


    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(philmcneal @ Sep 6 2006, 12:56 AM) [snapback]315034[/snapback]</div>
     
    #10 kenoarto, Sep 6, 2006
  11. Stringer

    Stringer New Member

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    1. Yep
    2. Yep, i have no leather but the seats are not that great anyway
    3 Yep, you dont have to even have long legs to miss that one
    4. I dont have
    5. Yep
    6. Yep, but I think the in/out steering wheel would help with this too
    7. Disagree.
     
    #11 Stringer, Sep 6, 2006
  12. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(kenoarto @ Sep 6 2006, 04:07 AM) [snapback]315076[/snapback]</div>
    It shouldn't be. The 2G Prius' transition from regen to friction has improved (i.e. smoothen out).

    The manhole thing, yeah. It's actually the traction control kicking in, thus activating the ABS. It happens on railway tracks too.
     
    #12 Tideland Prius, Sep 6, 2006
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