Thanks, folks, for being a great resource...

Well, the Corolla is a sure bet. It outsells the Prius by a wide margin and is simpler and thus easier to fix. A new version is coming in 2008.

 

Congratulations on your new Corolla!

Maybe next time you are in the market for a new car you can try out the Prius

 

The Prius isn't for anyone and you have a sound reality-based reason for your decision.

That said, I see the MFD being the "wave of the future". I think, eventually, all cars will have them. So depending on your spouse's age, she may eventually have to learn to work one.

 

The MFD need not be a distraction while driving. Toyota's climate system works very well in automatic mode. I rarely touch the controls other than adjusting the temperature up and down, for which the steering wheel controls are very convenient.

It did take me a while to learn that I didn't have to fiddle with the controls. This was made very apparent when my GF bought a new Civic. It's a fine car, but I find myself constantly adjusting the fan, the temp, and the outlet positions (defrost, midlevel, floor) while we're moving.

 

Nothing wrong with Corolla. It's not like you said, "I've decided to go with the Hummer."

 

Funny for me it was the opposite. I was attracted to the simplicity of the driver environment in the prius. When driving it's VERY easy to see the speedometer in the car and there are not a lot of other meters to read.

All important functionality can be controlled from the steering wheel or using the good voice recognition system. I rarely touch the MFD while driving.

I find that the Prius does a greta job of hiding all the amazing technology it uses. It's a very relaxing environment once you get used to it (after about 2 days).

 

The Corolla is a great car, but, you're not going to get 41 mpg. 35 maybe, which isn't bad.

I'm not real fond of the MFD, either. You have to use it to change airflow and fan speed settings, which I tend to do somewhat manically. Having to look for a "button" to touch instead of feeling for it is distracting.

Your point about your wife is well taken. We bought our Prius intending it to be my wife's car, but, she found it so bewildering she ended up taking over my Civic.

Make sure you're OK with a Corolla that will look old next year, or wait for the next gen model. I expect it to be a pretty stunning car, and wouldn't be surprised if it does get 41 mpg.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(MikeQBF @ Feb 11 2007, 11:18 AM) [snapback]388455[/snapback]</div>

If you are keen on highway driving+great mileage and you don't have a problem being seen in a Honda, then I would suggest you perhaps consider a 2007 Civic Hybrid. It has a more traditional driver oriented layout that may appeal to you, all the while giving you great mileage and very clean emissions. The key here is highway driving since the Civic has a more composed and buttoned down attitude at higher speeds.
The only thing it will not have is a very distinctive look as well as the cargo carrying capacity of the Prius. By the way, the Civic Hybrid trunk space is similar in size to that of the Camry hybrid.
As good as the Corolla is, the Civic may be worth a look just for giggles.



Cheers;

MSantos

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Slow & Green @ Feb 11 2007, 06:47 PM) [snapback]388617[/snapback]</div>

Depends on how they drive. "Normal" driving, agreed. But I was able to get 46 MPG out of my fiancee's 2006 Corolla (automatic tranny) on a weekend trip a few months ago using simple modifications of driving style learned while driving my Prius. The trip was about an hour and a half to and fro on the highway and an afternoon spent visiting several suburban and urban shopping venues.

 

I was very suprised by how quickly my wife felt at ease using the steering wheel controls and the touch screen. This is a person who still does not use our pc (2 desktops and 2 laptops in the house) even for email! We have had a pc in the house since the 8086 days. I still get calls on how to switch over the TV to watch a dvd, but when it comes to the Prius, no problems!

 

Actually, lots of people prefer the smaller, simpler cars over the mid size Prius with its state-of-the-art technology.

I think what you'd miss most had you previously owned a Prius is the lift back and all the available storage space, especially when the rear seats are down.

You have checked out rear seat leg room on both I presume.

What I've been amazed most with on the Prius is its reliability. My biggest fear on buying one of the early 2004s was the possibility of problems with all that fancy microprocessor apparatus. As it's turned out, it's been nearly flawless.

The MFD, to me, turned out to be one of this car's nicest features. Once you get used to it, it's hard to consider going back to old technology. I love most the big easy to access toughscreen displays for temperature control and radio.

Anyhow, good luck with your Corolla.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(MikeQBF @ Feb 11 2007, 10:18 AM) [snapback]388455[/snapback]</div>

I had the same beefs when I was deciding. I'm sure the Corolla will treat you well.

 

An Engineer said that his wife is "Dumb", news at 11pm. The Prius is a car in which you can do as many things while driving as you want or just a few. I smell fear of change or anything different.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(clearview22 @ Feb 12 2007, 07:11 AM) [snapback]388812[/snapback]</div>

Harsh. I don't blame people that are put off by some of the Prius's features, at times it does seem a bit different just for the sake of being different, but for me that's part of its charm... Sometimes. There are times I wish there was a fan speed knob for the climate control, or buttons for the radio station presets. I also feel like for a car that has a computer touch screen sitting in the middle of the dash, it's a bit ridiculous that I had to go and spend the money on a Scan Guage II just to be able to see things like water temperature.

 

I respect MikeQBF for though research.

It's true that a conventional fuel-efficient vehicle such as the Corolla would give good results.

These days, you just can't keep your eye off the road. Having said that, I'd think the MFD would eventually become second nature, just like using a standard transmission.

 

Why not look into the Hybrid Civic? Is the MFD really that bad?? I haven't played with one in person... this post concerns me.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Beryl Octet @ Feb 12 2007, 07:37 AM) [snapback]388825[/snapback]</div>

Yep, don't forget the good old RPM (that's what I got my SG-II for)

Cheers;

MSantos

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(nyconrad @ Feb 11 2007, 05:33 PM) [snapback]388661[/snapback]</div>

Sounds like my wife, but she has yet to want to even get behind the steering wheel.