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Need to know for new Prius Owners?

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by buckiebo, Mar 23, 2008.

  1. buckiebo

    buckiebo New Member

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    Hi all!

    Just discovered this forum today while searching for floor mats!! Man, Toyota sure does seem to get a premium for the "little things"

    Anyway, I have been researching the Prius since earlier this year and I am sit to take ownership of an '08 Package 6 Touring later this week. I have no doubt (buyer's remorse) that I will be very, very happy but, as with all major purchases, I always start second guessing myself at the last moment.

    I guess my question is actually several questions or maybe concerns.

    First of all, I know I am in the wrong place to ask the question "if you had it to do all over again, would you?" Pretty sure I know the answer to that one!;)

    What I am wondering though is this. When all of you were about to purchase or in the market for a Prius, did you discover anything that surprised you OR you did not know after you made the purchase?

    I just sold off my gas guzzling 04 LT Chevrolet Crewcab with 30k miles on it and it about killed me. Only when I start realizing the savings with this Prius will I start to get over that one. IMHO, every home needs a truck of some sorts and right now, we are without one.

    I went with the #6 Touring because I wanted leather, and of course the bells and whistles are nice as well. I was surprised that the #6 package did not include everything....floor mats, xm, cargo mats and whatever else I am missing.

    XM is a must for me and currently, the one I am set to purchase does not have it so, I am not sure what I will do about that. I know there are some nice aftermarket options out there but, I usually try to go "from the factory" when I can. Plus, that 499 for a XM tuner seems a little high for me.

    Anyway, just thought I would join up and start rambling on and on and one. Is there some kind of award for "longest first post ever?"

    Hope I can give back half as much as I have learned from this site just today!
     
  2. pbpuzzle

    pbpuzzle New Member

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    Hi Buckie,
    I'm new here too. I just traded a silverado 2500 crew cab diesel PU for my pkg 2 touring prius. Lots yet to learn.
     
  3. Jiipa

    Jiipa MGySgt USMC (Ret)

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    Welcome to PriusChat.

    To answer your question as to whether I would do it again, the April Consumers Report probably says it all with the highest owners satisfaction of 92% who answered "definitely yes". If they had asked me, I would be one of the 92%. When it comes time to replace my '94 Camry, it will be with a new Prius, probably the next generation Prius unless a totally new all electric comes out by then that would give me 80 - 100 miles at highway speeds at a reasonable cost.

    To me my biggest surprise was not the car itself but how it completely changed me and my driving habits from a aggressive lead footed driver who would try to get from here to there in the least amount of time to one that relaxes behind the wheel and cover that same distance with the most mpg.
     
  4. NoMoShocks

    NoMoShocks Electrical Engineer

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    If you haven't taken delivery yet, it is not too late to negotiated a tire upgrade with the dealer. This may be less important with the Touring model, but the Goodyear Integrity Tires on the base model are just plain inadequate.

    There is a upgraded brace to add to the rear chassis called BT Tech Stiffening brace that does wonders for the car's handling. If you ever get the sense the car is wandering or getting blown around too much in the wind, be sure to have the wheel alignment checked, and consider getting the BT Tech Brace.
     
  5. gambit

    gambit New Member

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    ok, so this is your first prius, and my first post.
    here's what i think you should know.
    1. keep your tires inflated. i keep them at about 40lbs+.
    2. at night, glare from your dash hits your wind shield at eye level and on coming traffic is blinded by your low beams.
    3. don't over indulge your climate controls because it kills mpg
    4. the more the engine warms up, the better the mpg
    5. smart key rocks (but finicky from one car to the next)
    6. heavy gas and break kills mpg.
    7. cold weather kills mpg.
    8. plan on trading in when the next gen prius arrives becaue you'll be hooked
    9. btw, when i say "kills mpg" i mean 40 mpg instead of a possible 50mpg, so you'll still be in good shape.
    10. oh, and be careful in poor weather b/c tires suck and the limited slip is too sensitve so it kills power to the tires with even the slightest slippage (if you get stuck in the snow, you're screwed).
    11. important!-- don't even come close to overfilling tank or the car WILL hurl gas all over your favorite outfit!
    but still, car is great so enjoy!
     
  6. Oddest_raindrop

    Oddest_raindrop New Member

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    If I'm not mistaken the xm radio is an option so that it can be installed afterwards. You should still be able to get that ordered and the dealer install it so you get all the built in controls. Hell not 100% sure but you might even be able to do it yourself...
     
  7. okiebutnotfrommuskogee

    okiebutnotfrommuskogee Senior Member

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    Never a second of buyers remorse. The dealer loaned me one for a day and after that I knew that I just had to have one. Got one less than two weeks later. That was over a year ago and I still get a thrill every time I am behind the wheel.
     
  8. buckiebo

    buckiebo New Member

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    Lots of good info...some good common sense stuff!

    I will make sure to check the tires that come on the Touring and also on the XM dealer installed option.

    I did look at a DIY install for the XM but, I am not touching that one. I will let someone who has a clue what they are doing tackle it.

    From the Touring's I had to choose from in the Southeast, I would say these things are getting REAL popular. Reminds me of when I worked for Chevrolet and we were introducing the new Tahoe's and Suburbans....selling them for 2-3k over sticker.

    My how times have changed..and the more fuel prices keep climbing, the more and more popular these hybrids will become.

    I would say all the other manufacturers have a tough job trying to catch-up to Toyota. I doubt they ever will.
     
  9. Jack66

    Jack66 Kinda Jovial Member

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    Welcome! I agree that every household needs a truck -- it just happens that my truck was a Ford Ranger and now it is a Honda Odyssey minivan. I was very disappointed to turn in my truck for a minivan but was totally surprised when the Odysey could fit full-sized sheets of plywood better than my Ranger. Who would have thunk it? The Odyssey also tows a trailer like a champ and handles like an Accord. I only miss my Ford Ranger when I need to haul sod or cement. Now I am looking for a hybrid minivan.

    Don't let the dealer sell you any extras that aren't highly recommended by the people on this site or by PC folks from your area. Most of the dealers do not seem to be making the profit they used to on Prii and they sometimes try to make it up with unneeded and costly options. My dealer HIGHLY recommended undercoating and LoJAC. The undercoating was for the loud road noise that isn't there and the LoJAC was for a vehicle that is near the bottom of the list of cars that get stolen.:thumb:
     
  10. kimbermatic@mac.com

    [email protected] Kimbermatic

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    I traded in my Dodge Ram 1500 crew cab. It was very tough to give up driving a truck. I had driven a truck for the past 15 years. However, when I figured out that my friends used my truck for truck purposes more than I did, it was an easy decision. Add the fuel mileage and it was a no brainer.

    I have had my '08 for almost three months. Here are the items that I would add to the above lists:

    1. The seat, make sure you are comfortable in the driver seat. I really think Toyota missed the boat on the seats. I have modified my seat, but the lack of setting it further back can bother me.

    2. Be prepared to find your driving habits change significantly. Especially since you drove a truck.

    3. Read, and re-read the manual along with this site. I am still learning things about the Prius.

    4. The nav system is not the most intelligent navigation system I have seen, but it is adequate.

    As others have mentioned I would not go back on my decision.
     
  11. SumnerPrius

    SumnerPrius New Member

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    We traded in our paid off 2003 VW Eurovan for a 2008 Touring Pkg 3 just the other day. Getting rid of our van was hard - it was a great van and served us without a days hassle - but its value was such that the time had come to trade it in. It only averaged 14 - 17 MPG as a lot of our driving is local.

    We left the Toyota dealer lot with our new Prius and a 7 yr/75,000 mile warranty and 4 years of covered regular service for less than $5,000 out of pocket total costs and that was including taxes and plates, etc.

    Not bad at all and I would do it again in a minute.
     
  12. buckiebo

    buckiebo New Member

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    Good to hear from us "truckers" or ex-truckers! Someone feels my pain! It is hard to get out of that monster and into the Prius but, what is done..is done.

    Couple things I wanted to throw out there that just dawned on me and also from reading on this site.

    I am aware of the seat issues and while it is not the most comfortable seat, I can make do. Would I move it, adjust it and so on if I could...absolutely. Will I once I take delivery? Depends if I can find someone I trust to do it and do it at a good price.

    Something else I read on this site was someone saying "those dreaded leather seats" While I have ridden in a touring with leather and a non-touring without leather, I honestly paid little attention to the seats during my drives.

    Am I to understand that the seats in a package 6 touring are NOT ALL Leather? I am not sure how I missed that one and if I read something incorrectly, I apologize.

    I have to have leather. I just feel better in it, think it lasts longer and is much easier to clean. However, if the seats are not totally leather, I will have to explore other options.

    Here is something I have no unearthly idea I missed. I worked out of my ex-truck. I have a laptop with me at all times, mobile broadband car, Garmin GPS and a 375W inverter to charge/power that laptop.

    After reading about people using the Prius to jumpstart other vehicles, it hit me. The batteries in this vehicle are not meant to charge all these devices nor power that inverter.

    I do have one of the jump...or JUNK boxes as I call them cause they never work. Yes, I can use it to charge the battery on the laptop IF NEEDED but, I have always used my power outlets in my ex-truck.

    Something tells me I may need to make another plan as to how to power these devices.

    Any suggestions here? Other than "yep, make another plan?"

    Not sure why I did not think of this until now and honestly, this is HUGE for me since that laptop has to be powered at all times and ready to roll. The GPS I am not worried about since the Prius has the "DVD Navigation" which at my first glance was less than impressive.

    As for options/extras needed/wanted or otherwise. 225.00 for carpet mats and trunk mats? 449.00 XM Tuner? 699.00 for "Toyoguard"? 129.00 rear bumper cover?

    These are just a couple of things I think are WAAAAY overpriced and can be had much cheaper. If I am mistaken, someone please chime in here.

    If I buy any of these, sure I want the OEM versions so everything matches but, these prices seem about 50% more than they need to be.

    Any input on all my rambles tonight is appreciated. I will check in here first thing in the am before I am supposed to go in and finalize the deal to see what the people that know a lot more than I do have to say about this.

    One more thing that I debated asking and if I am out of line, someone please let me know.

    I have gotten quotes from all over the Southeast and Virginia. Some of these fees that they claim to go directly to Toyota seem like "Fluff"

    Admin fee, dealer fees. What is the reasoning behind these? I know its money but, where does this money go? Is it on all Toyotas in the Southeast?

    What if I go up to Virginia (one of the places that gave me a very good quote)...they are not considered to be in the Southeast. Am I to expect instead of the fees we have here, they have "other fees" there?

    Just trying to get a better understanding on the pricing of these things. I keep hearing everyone is happy to find one, pay sticker and drive away. Well, I did very little negotiating and I got a much better deal than sticker (or more as some people have claimed)

    Im just wondering if my "better deal" is really a better deal or if all these added fees are to make up for them giving me that "better deal"

    I told all the dealers the same thing. I worked in the biz for 13 years. I understand everyone has to make money. I just did not want to pay more than I absolutely had to. I found the negotiating on my part went very well compared to many others.

    Are people REALLY paying sticker and sticker+++ on these things just because they are in such a short supply? I said it in an earlier post, reminds me of when I was with GM and Tahoe's and Suburban's were "all the rage"

    Kinda wondering if all these others are having to pay up for their Prius and why "special me" got what SEEMS to be an outstanding deal.

    Again, good to hear from the truckers and everyone else that have made my decision much easier and much more understandable.

    Nite all! Its late for an 'ol country boy from the South!
     
  13. stemchick

    stemchick Montana Rocks!

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    I don't know the answers to a lot of your questions since I am a new owner myself, but I can tell you that out here in Montana I felt like we got a good deal. We bought ours for about 1,000 below sticker, and got tire warranty ( a MUST on our roads in the country!) and GAP insurance figured in.
     
  14. kimbermatic@mac.com

    [email protected] Kimbermatic

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    I am a techie and have plenty of gadgets. However I have not tried to run the laptop thru a converter in the Prius yet. I had this in my truck, but haven't done my summer road trips yet. Sorry no answer to that one. One thing to remember is that the Prius by default does not have a continuous power on plug so my gadgets only charge when driving. Others have made modifications to get a "hot" plug at all times. I may try this in the summer.

    As for the extras you mentioned. I was able to get the dealer to throw in a Sirius radio, mats and bumper cover. Give it a try, I whined about my trade in and since they wouldn't budge too much they agreed to the extras as I read them off the Toyota site. To me the satellite radio is a must for those long drives, and the mats are of top quality.

    I have the leather seats and they seem fine to me.

    I did pay sticker but worked on my trade in and the extras above, so I don't know if it was a great deal. I do know that shopping around to other dealers gave me a better a price but lower trade in or no extras so in the end it evened out.

    Hope that helps and soon you will realize how aggressive trucks can drive:eek:. That hemi gave me a lot of power quickly but about 12 MPG:mad:.

    Let me know how it goes and good luck.
     
  15. Brodie

    Brodie New Member

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    Another ex-truckie here too....I just got an '08 Prius after driving an F150 for 15 years. I am still a little nervous about giving up the versatility of the truck but after driving 270 miles on 6.5 gallons of gas I'm a little less worried about it. I have not had to change my driving habits too much but my truck was a V6 so not too powerful anyway. I am finding that I need a little extra support under my legs on the seat (I am 5'7") but otherwise the seat and car are very comfortable. I have a package 2 so no nav....I have heard that an aftermarket nav system may be better than the one that comes with the car.
     
  16. October

    October New Member

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    My first post...
    I have an 07 Touring, Pkg #2, as I didn't want all the nav/XM radio stuff, as I figured I could add those later on.

    What I DID want tho, was leather and heated seats. My dealer added those on for an extra $1100, which still came out 50% better than a Pkg #6 would have been. The leather is excellent grade-and the heated seats are wonderful.

    I got the mats and cargo netting thrown in too.
     
  17. nerfer

    nerfer A young senior member

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    I had a Subaru Outback - no truck, but lots of space. Thought I would miss the space but I haven't (just the high clearance and AWD on occasion). When going to pick up large items we use my Prius instead of my wife's Accord - the Accord is longer & bigger trunk, but not a hatchback and narrower fold-down window from the trunk area to seating area. With the Prius I've put in several 100" (8'4") 2x10s or a 4'x3' piece of plywood and still closed the hatch. If folding the front seats down for a long item, take off the headrest to get it all the way down.

    About every 16 months something comes up where I need to rent a truck from Home Depot ($20 for 75 minutes I think). Makes a whole lot more sense for me to do that than to drive a truck every day.

    This is just as safe or safer than a truck. Less prone to roll-overs. Did you see the pictures a couple weeks ago of a truck/Prius collision, head-on at highway speeds? Both drivers were severely injured, but the truck had more deformation to the passenger compartment (a layman's analysis).

    Actually they can charge it. The aux battery doesn't store a lot of cranking amps, but the main (traction) battery has a dc-dc converter to keep the 12-volt aux battery charged. I'm not sure that a power outlet (cigarette lighter) can handle that wattage for your inverter, but you sure could wire it up directly to the aux battery in the back (if the inverter is fused properly). The Prius engine will kick in as needed to keep the 12-volt level if you have the power on. There are more threads on this, search for Prius as a Power supply.
     
  18. BBALLSTAN

    BBALLSTAN bballstan

    Joined:
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    Well, we've now had our 2008 Prius, Pkg. 6 for a week and it is just awesome. Great handling, mileage is a given, very comfortable and just a fun car. The questions I have are:
    Can anyone recommend a bike rack that doesn't use a hitch?
    Is there any accessory that is a must to have?
    Thanks a lot.