Luv m'Pri but what is so geeky special bout Pri features?

Electric drive motors and a 200 volt battery.

 

I'd say the Nav unit, voice controls, the power display, stealth mode (especially with the EV Mode modification) the smart entry/keyless ignition (whatever that's called) and the shape of the car.

One caveat - this is from someone still waiting for one (curently have deposits at 4 dealerships ...) I have ridden in a friends a few times, and did get a short test drive at a local dealer.

I know that other cars have some of those features too - they're
still pretty geeky

 

VSC, traction control, automatic tranny without a torgue converter or 3 clutch packs and a band, a car that stops at traffic lights, I mean stops. Cars are cars and options that look good but don't do squat aren't really worth anything. 14 computers, PSD, Electric air conditioning compressor, you know important stuff. Plus good gas mileage. Low CD, electronic rearview mirror, Blue Tooth, given enough time probably more.

 

Lucyjeanne, my favorite near-geek experience was trying to explain the drive-by-wire user interface to my bride. She looked at me like I was speaking Ork :crazyeyes: .

Grok

 

Lucy Jeanne,
You are right, lots of the features exist on other cars. Though not a 'geek' thing, I think that getting all of the ones in the Prius, for the price, is right up there.

For me, the biggest 'geek' thing is the HSD system with the planetary gear transmission. Shift? What shift? Only a geek can truely appreciate the 'black box' things that non-geeks don't even notice Toyota says "just drive it" and if they took out the consumption/energy screens and had the shifter look/work like a normal mechanical one, who would know all the wizardry inside? The geeks

I really like the SKS. Maybe I should get my navel pierced and hang the fob there, then I wouldn't have to mess about putting it in my pocket every morning and taking it out every night ;-) (No I'm NOT going to do that!!)

 

Re: Luv m'Pri but what is so geeky special bout Pri features

I too would agree that the true unique geekness of this car is it's HSD and the things around it. Like even the A/C is specially designed with its own motor and a few other tricks to maximize it's efficiency with the hybrid system. And then Toyota makes that cool little display to show how the delicate dance of the HSD is going as you drive.

As far as the rest of the geek features, like NAV, bluetooth, the fancy mirror are certainly not unique geek to the Prius.

 

Re: Luv m'Pri but what is so geeky special bout Pri features

Lucy Jeanne, please understand that I have 2-3 more weeks before I can reply from actual experience, but........

My salesman, that infamous individual who has proven that he doesn't have a clue, claims that the BlueTooth option can communicate with your computer-controlled home electronics systems to 1)control the alarm system, 2)control the heating/air conditioning system, 3)check and download e-mail, and 4)interact with various other exotic systems too numerous (or unbelievable) to describe. :roll:

Seriously, if anyone can describe how they are using the BlueTooth option, I'd like to hear about it. My grandson was ecstatic when he saw that this option was included, but told me that I had to wait until he had a chance to play with it before he could explain it to me....now that scares me!

 

Re: Luv m'Pri but what is so geeky special bout Pri features

Lucy Jeanne...a true geek loves the latest and greatest technology, no matter what it is...loves to find out everything it can do and then enjoys trying to see if it can do more ... this thing is a geeks dream car...hybrid drive system, constant velocity transmission (CVT) (look ma, no shifting), regenerative breaking, Smart Key, the Heads-Up display, the information display with the consumption and efficiency screens (I don't have the NAVI installed), the electronic park, the unique shift lever, an engine braking mode...bluetooth, if you have it; the sleek, "this is not your average car" look....sure other companies give you a lot "geek" things on their vehicles, but rarely in one package, and for under $30K. And none of them, them get the fantastic MPG this baby gets. My $0.02 worth.
Red :clap:

 

Re: Luv m'Pri but what is so geeky special bout Pri features

I also forgot to mention what was brought up earlier too...the accelerate and break by wire concept, no mechanical linkages between the driver and the fuel injection or the brakes....nobody, to my knowledge, offers this technology in their autos yet....this has been reserved for the aviation industry prior to the Prius....

Gotta love technology...

 

Re: Luv m'Pri but what is so geeky special bout Pri features

Toyota has had the drive by wire feature for years on the forklift side of their business. 6 at least possibly longer. The brake pedal is still connected to the brake actuator and master cylinder as is a conventional car but has extra circuitry for the regen side of the HSD system and an electric powered hydraulic pump to charge the system and an ultra capacitor power pack to keep it operational in case of a total power interruption, HV and 12 volt, while the car is mobile.

 

Re: Luv m'Pri but what is so geeky special bout Pri features

Usually geeky things are not thought of has having a nice design (Apple excepted). I am reminded of a trolleybus I drove once when I flip the shift lever of the Prius. Is "flip" a good verb?

Back to design. It amazes me that the Prius is not a cluttered car. The many openings all close up and look clear and smooth (if you've dusted). There is so much floor space up front that some reviewers complained there could have been more storage space. And of course my cell phone with full duplex speakerphone (Kyocera 7135) fits in the cupholder so well I hope never to trade it for a Palm-less Bluetooth phone.

lucyjeanne, thanks for your tip in another thread about the double-ended touch-up paint pen from Hecht Toyota in Effingham. I spoke with them and learned not all colors are available yet, because they want to get it just right. So a little more waiting for Salsa Red Pearl. Thanks and here are 5 points.

Not that I'm bribing anyone, but I'd give 20 points to get 20 points :mrgreen: