1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

New Aussie almost-owner - a couple of queries

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by OzFenric, Mar 24, 2009.

  1. OzFenric

    OzFenric New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2009
    2
    0
    0
    Location:
    Melbourne, Australia
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Hi! I've been reading these forums for a fair while now while investigating the purchase of a car. Wanted a Prius for years, but wanted to be sure it was a good idea! Have picked up heaps of information from Priuschat so thanks to all.

    I've just put a deposit on a 2004 Prius, less than 34000 Km on the clock (pickup this weekend, all going according to plan.) I just have two questions for now - doubtless plenty more when I take delivery!

    First, my current/previous car is a Toyota Paseo. Lovely little car - which automatically locks the doors if the engine is running. Has Toyota left this little bit of engineering in the past or does the Prius do anything similar? Possible to lock yourself out of/keys in the Prius? Every car owner ever has locked their keys in the car at least once. Will the doors lock if you press the button with the key still in the dash or inside the car?

    Second, I read about all these 'packages' that the US version is retailed with. I'm assuming that the Australian standard version doesn't match any 'packages' and is a base model? Or am I wrong on that? Any Aussies know?

    Look forward to learning far more about the Prius over the coming weeks and months!
     
    #1 OzFenric, Mar 24, 2009
  2. gooch

    gooch New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 16, 2008
    14
    0
    0
    Location:
    Melbourne, Australia
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Here is Aus the Prius came in 2 packages. One is the base model and the other is the I-Tech. The I-tech model, which is the one that I bought, comes with keyless entry so that you can just walk up and open the door while just having your keys in your pocket. I never lock myself out because of this. In fact, I believe if the keys are still in the car and you push the button on the door then it will notify you by beeping and not locking the doors!
     
    #2 gooch, Mar 24, 2009
  3. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    44,901
    16,125
    41
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    And yes, Toyota left it out in the Prius. The 2010 version will have automatic door locks.
     
    #3 Tideland Prius, Mar 25, 2009
  4. AussieOwner

    AussieOwner Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 12, 2007
    1,091
    67
    0
    Location:
    Sydney, Australia
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    :welcome:

    Always nice to see more Aussies around.

    As gooch said, we only have two models here in Aust - the base model and the fully loaded i-Tech. I have the base model and, so far, have not locked the keys in at any time - I use the remote to lock the car, so the fob is always in my hand when I get out, ready to lock. I find that the way the locks are setup in the Prius, it is not that easy to hop out, throw the lock and slam the door, so there is even less chance of locking the keys in.

    I did have that happen to me with my old Corona Avante where I hopped out to get some stuff out of the boot, and my passenger also got out, threw the lock which then locked all doors and slammed the door shut, not only leaving the keys locked in, but the engine still running.:mad:

    Every car I have owned since has had a remote lock, so I now I never touch the locks inside - just use the remote to lock and open.:)
     
    #4 AussieOwner, Mar 25, 2009
  5. OzFenric

    OzFenric New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2009
    2
    0
    0
    Location:
    Melbourne, Australia
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Thanks all. :) My Prius (presuming it passes mechanical tests etc. this weekend!) will be a base model. I was just wondering if our base model was the US base model or if we got some of the extras on the US packages - it's hard to find information about what's in the various packages in other markets. Not that I mind at all - the base feature set is the reason to buy, not leather seats and GPS...
    The auto lock 'feature' on the Paseo was progressive at the time, but made it very easy to lock the keys inwith the engine running. I'm now getting an idea of the way the locks work on the Prius and am relieved to see that the doors can be locked from the inside (if required).
    Again, thanks for the advice and I look forward to enjoying these forums for a long while to come.
     
    #5 OzFenric, Mar 25, 2009
  6. AussieOwner

    AussieOwner Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 12, 2007
    1,091
    67
    0
    Location:
    Sydney, Australia
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    #6 AussieOwner, Mar 27, 2009
  7. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    44,901
    16,125
    41
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    #7 Tideland Prius, Mar 27, 2009
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)