Concerns after test-drive

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I FINALLY found a dealer who had a Prius I could test-drive. I have a few concerns and I would love some feedback from 2005 model owners.

1) No, BUT... any LCD is impossible to read in direct sunlight. You don't really watch that screen anyway, even with the NAV package because the car will talk to you.

2) I thought the exact same thing on my test drive, but you get used to it within minutes and come to appreciate the spoiler at night as it tends to block the bright headlights of the guys behind you.

3) Can't address that one. I'm 6' 1" and the seats feel fine even on 10 hour long drives

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ggalanti\";p=\"51135)</div>

1) It's rarely a problem. I wouldn't say never, but very rare.
2) At first I hated that bar across the back, but now I love it. As Tony says, it blocks the headlights from other cars at night.
3) I'm 5'3" . In our old car, I used to have the seat pulled up close to the steering wheel. When I tried the same thing in the Prius, my gas-pedal foot and leg hurt. I'm not sure whether it was the angle of the foot that caused the problem, or whether my desire to control the pedal with a light touch created leg tension, but whatever the cause, it was no fun. So I tried experimenting with the seat position and things improved. I now sit with the seat rather far back. My arms are not quite as straight as Magnum PI's when he drives his Ferrari, but pretty close.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Marg\";p=\"51153)</div>

Remember too that you don't want to sit too close to the steering wheel in case the airbag deploys.

 

I agree with all that's been said. The rear window does take some getting used to.

I'm also 5'5" and try not to sit too close to the wheel, otherwise I do feel some discomfort. Take another test drive and try a different seating position. At the very least it's a good excuse to drive a Prius again.

 

I will only address the seat concern as I agree with the previous posts on your other questions! I am 5'4' and for the first 2 weeks I hated the drivers seat and always ended up with a kink in my neck / shoulders after driving. I also felt like the seat was too short to support my legs. I tried a cushion (did not work) and thenI kept adjusting the seat and am now comfortable for long drives (other than the flat butt syndrome that you always get when sitting for a long time). I have put 15000+ miles on since June and sometimes drive as much as 10 - 13 hours at a time with only a brief break(s). I would not hesitate to recommend the Prius to you - you will find the right position and become sleeping (driving?) beauty rather than princess and the pea. Enjoy :mrgreen:

 

Don't forget to try the tilt steering in different(lower) positions, it may allow you to feel more comfortable with the seat pushed back further.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TonyPSchaefer\";p=\"51145)</div>

At least for me, it is in the exact right position to block SUV and large pickup truck headlights.

 

Nope. The seat is no longer an issue.
I almost forgot about being able to adjust the steering wheel. I struggled with that the first day or two after picking up my car. Finally I found the perfect setting and haven't moved it since. On your next test drive take some time and play with both the seat and steering wheel settings. You'll find the perfect fit, I promise. By the way, I love the princess and the pea story!

 

Before I got my Prius, my very first-ever post to PriusChat was right after my test drive and I too was concerned about point #2: visibility out the back. I was used to a lot more viewing area out of the back of my Nissan Maxima (not too dissimilar from your Camry). I was concerned before placing the order.

I can definitively say that this is NOT an issue, after driving the car for only three months. I became acquainted with the veiw out the back very quickly, and now have no issues with it. Do NOT let this stop you from getting on a list - this is not a deal-breaker concern. You will get used to it.

Keep test driving if you're not happy. As recommended, try many different configurations. I didn't have the seat problems you and others talk about, but being comfortable in your own car is a high priority.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ggalanti\";p=\"51135)</div>

If you drive one or just a few different cars all of the time, I can see how this would bother you. I drive a lot of different cars so I have some insight into how rear visibility in the Prius compares to other cars.

Rear visibility in the Prius is worse than most cars. Other cars that I can think of that have poor rear visibility are the Dodge Intrepid and Ford Taurus (both have ended production), and the Prius is not as bad as either of them.

The Prius is nowhere near as bad as in many of the cross-over (car-based) SUVs I have driven. Infiniti FX-35, Lexus RX330, and Nissan Murano all have far worse visibility to the rear than the Prius (especially the Nissan and Infiniti). Those vehicles I would have to spend some time with to get used to the reduced visibility. I don't know if I could ever get used to the Murano. It took me no time to adjust to the Prius, and I don't find that it presents a safety problem to me.

 

The Intrpid and Taurus have ended production????

 

I would have liked a foot rest for the right foot, for those times when the cruise control is in use. I tend to tuck the leg back rather than hover over the accelerator as there is nowhere to put the foot.

Other than that, a bit more adjustment of the seat would be nice. The rear window is fine and you get use to the bar.

The reflection on the screen doesnt happen often, but beware if you use sun glasses that polerising lenses will black out the screen. I am getting a pair of non-polerised for next summer.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(victor\";p=\"51358)</div>

I ran into that one when I rented. If anyone knows a source for non-polarized clip-ons, PM me please, I can't find any locally!

 

I only have 1200mi on my 2005 Prius. I love this car and like others want to rusy to defend it, but I thought I'd try a bit more balanced feedback.

1. Yes you can't read the LCD with bright light on it. Some have said its not an issue as you don't need to look at it, this is 90% true. But you do if you want to adjust AC fan speed your, which was a problem for me one time on a long drive with unchaning sun. Not a reason to give bad marks.

2. Yes you get used to the reduced visibility of the rear. But I think it is getting used to it, not realizing that you actually have full visibility. I hae to move my head around a bit to get a better view. There are definitely some minor blind spots, that like on any car you adapt to.

3. This is my biggest complaint. I am 6'2" and my legs hurt after a 2hr. drive. The seats are not the most comfortable, offer little in way of support and adjustment and don't move far enough back so legs become a bit cramped.

Al