Advice for newbies?

Read the manual. It took me about a week, reading a little every night. But it's worth it.

For maximizing your mpg, there's a sticky thread on this chat with plenty of advice.

 

Never let anyone put in more than 3.5 quarts of oil at a change. 3 is plenty. Always check the oil level yourself before you drive away.

When the last pip on the gas gauge starts to flash it means "buy at least 4 gallons of gas right now, dammit".

Always lock the car. If it gives a long beep it means you have left something open or on, which can kill the 12V battery right quick.

In Iowa you will never need to shift into "B".

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(kh67 @ Oct 2 2007, 02:25 PM) [snapback]520445[/snapback]</div>

Can I ask where you picked it up in Iowa and what you paid?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Husker4theSpurs @ Oct 3 2007, 09:57 AM) [snapback]520555[/snapback]</div>

Husker4theSpurs-

We're in Nebraska also, and just bought our 2008 Seaside Pearl #2 in Columbus-Ernst Toyota. They were great to work with, Mike was the salesman and Rex is the manager and we dealt with both of them.
MSRP was $23,824 with some added extras (floor mats, sticker thing by the trunk) and we paid a little over $900 less.

So maybe if the Iowa option doesn't work for you, then you can stay a little closer to home in finding one!

 

Congrats and welcome to the Prius owners club!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(toletiquesbysam @ Oct 3 2007, 09:22 AM) [snapback]520568[/snapback]</div>

Thanks! I was curious if Ernst really carried many ... do they seem to get many in? Did you have to order yours? I am originally from Norfolk, so I tend to run through Columbus a lot on the way back from Lincoln. Thought maybe since Columbus may not be a hybrid hotbed, they could offer some good deals

I am pretty set on a Black Touring Pkg 6 if I get one, but it doesn't seem that Black in Touring is being sent to this area as of now ... just a while back, black WAS being sent here in the Touring and white WASN'T being sent in a Touring. Confusing

So far here in Lincoln, I haven't had too great of an experience with Performance ... I think it was just my salesguy, but it kind of turned me off of them. I have no hesitation of going to Des Moines or Kansas City ... or Columbus Then again, I probably won't do anything for a few months yet ... and even then it might be getting too close to a major re-design to go ahead and purchase.

If Toyota nails the re-design (or even if they don't just screw it up completely), can you even imagine the demand for the new model? It's going to be crazy!

Thanks for the info!

 

Around here the acceptable plural forms of Prius are "Priuses" and "Prii." I think you could only get away with actually speaking the word "Prii" with other Prius owners who are active online though. Everyone else will give you funny looks

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Husker4theSpurs @ Oct 3 2007, 10:32 AM) [snapback]520575[/snapback]</div>

The reason we ended up at Ernst-Columbus was because of the salesmen's attitudes in Omaha area/Lincoln/Sioux City, my DH was about to give up. So he called Columbus and they were great to him, so we went to talk to them about the car and seeing about our trade in. They gave us a GREAT deal on our pickup and I think a GREAT deal on the Prius so I was Completely pleased! They had another couple the same day come for the other Prius so I think they sell them as they get them but we only had about 3-4week wait to get it so not bad at all.
Maybe by the time the new model comes out I'll have finally figured out how to pulse & glide and get my stealth on and learn all the other lingo that comes along with this baby! In the meantime.....Go Huskers!!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(kh67 @ Oct 3 2007, 09:51 AM) [snapback]520550[/snapback]</div>

"B" engages engine braking. Don't use it unless your "traction" battery is full, as it wastes energy. (similar to shifting down on an automatic transmission to slow down.)

 

Re: Advice for newbies

Hey FNG's!

My dealer puts on "New hybrid Owners Parties". the 1st Wed or every month, Rudy Luther, Golden Valley MN, puts out great food/refreshments, free coupons for oil/filter change & discount on parts, plus a DVD explaining how to use the not so friendy GPS/Bluetouth system and other assorted literature.
But the big deal is speaking to a top technician, asking ??, and looking at the under side of a Prius when it's on a lift!!! there were lots of people and great networking.
I learned alot and I've been driving a Prius for a few years....here's the best sites/info I could find for you new owners!!!!
PS: let's start a "hi-we're cool wave" when we pass each other {it worked in old VW's!!}

Enthusiast Forum
Hhttp://priuschat.com

A very informative forum where you can participate in online discussions related to Prius.


Owner Webpages
HJohn's Stuff - Toyota Prius Owner Index

Where find a variety of hosted Prius owner webpages with many photos.


Graham's website
Hhttp://www.ecrostech.com/prius/original/PriusFrames.htm

An owner’s website that thoroughly documents many aspects of the Prius.


john1701a's website
Hhttp://john1701a.com (and the best Owners Manual you can find anywhere!!!!

This is a very large Prius owner website. As of 11/25/2007 the combined Classic & HSD Prius content (148,195 miles combined) available consisting of: 838 webpages, 1571 digital photos, 1567 offline pages of personal logs, 83 animations, 66 wallpapers, 16 spreadsheets with graphs, 34 documents, 6 screen-savers, and 5 printable calendars, along with a few other Prius related items. There is also nature gallery with 151 photos.


see ya on the road!!