First Impressions

After hanging out on the forum for about a month and spending most of my time in FHOP (whew, that's a rough place!!! ), I've finally joined the rank and file membership of PriusChat with the arrival of my Prius yesterday. I used to enjoy reading all the first impressions, so here's mine: (comparing to my trade-in, which was a Toyota Matrix)

1. SKS unbelievably cool. You never have to take out the smartkey from your pocket. I actually felt low tech when I had to open my office door with a key. Can you believe that, a key! What is this world coming to.

2. Ride quality - fantastic, of course! Someone on this forum compared it to a mix between a Camry and a Corolla. Since the Matrix was built on a Corolla chassis, I would have to agree. The ride is very close to my wife's Camry. Quiet, smooth ride. The Matrix was harsh at times because of it's shape and center of gravity. Not the Prius. Handles very well. Been on the highway and country roads (no high wind yet) and the car tracked incredibly straight. Not sure if I'll get the BT stiffening plate. I think it rides excellent now.

3. Your speed is deceiving. Maybe because of the smooth ride, lack of noise, and shape of the windshield (much bigger view out the front), you think you are traveling slower than you are. Plus, you don't hear the engine that much.

4. CVT is smooth and I don't miss the engine rev sound with shifting gears. In fact, I thought I would miss shifting gears but I don't at all. Not at all! Not even a little.

5. Tons of interior space, little hidden cubby holes, the spot for sunglasses, the vanity mirrors that light up on the visors, my MP3 jack, the new car smell, of course, and not having your speedometer right behind the wheel.

6. Lastly, the cool factor. While I was waiting for the Prius, some of my 'not so environmentally friendly' friends (yes, as a liberal, I do have some of those - open minded, remember?) would make fun of me and tell me that the Prius "looked stupid". They looked at the car today, and ALL of them loved the car and are talking about getting a hybrid themselves. I took them all (not at the same time, must adhere to the 810 lb. weight limit ) for a ride, and they were mesmerized by the MFD and all the high tech stuff on this car.

We are all ambassadors for this car and are probably having an impact more than we know. We have all stepped up to the plate for various reasons and are making a bold statement.

To quote Kyle, from the South Park episode 'Smug Alert':

<div align="center"> Hybrid cars are important, they may even save our planet someday </div>

See you all on the forum! Good Night and Good Luck!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ghostofjk @ May 4 2006, 01:19 PM) [snapback]249793[/snapback]</div>

Funny

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Soylent @ May 4 2006, 01:24 PM) [snapback]249797[/snapback]</div>

I hooked up a Prius Cam outside the clinic I work in and have the feed routed directly into the LAN.

Gotta keep an eye out for those "Hybrid Haters" after all! :lol:

(I do look back at it before I go into the building.....shhhhh, don't tell anyone)

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DAT1 @ May 4 2006, 08:09 PM) [snapback]249977[/snapback]</div>

I am a really cool guy but unfortunately, the smartkey system only works with my biometrics only. You could hold the key fob but nothing would happen. You couldn't start the car or get into it. So you see, I can't loan you my car.

(psssttt....did DAT1 buy the line? The Prius is smart, but not that smart....don't tell him OK, let's just keep it between us )

DAT1, hang in there. Before you know it, you'll have your Prius. Submit a post when you do! See ya!