Former '06 Prius owner, now with Lexus SC430, has Prius envy again

Hi everyone, it's been a little while since I've frequented the Forum.

Formerly the owner of an '06 to which I'd added Touring wheels and lowered using TRD parts, I ended up buying my midlife crisis-mobile, a Lexus SC430. It's powerful and fancy, feels bigger than it is and heavy too, very luxurious and old fashioned in a way, gets a lot of respect on the road. Everything the Prius wasn't. Mileage is 27-30 on the highway, low 20s in the city, not bad for a car like that, but not good either, if you know what I mean.

Fast forward two or three years, and—I can't believe I'm admitting this—but I'm feeling the first tinges of Prius envy and am considering the purchase of an '11 Prius Five. I was never really happy with the way the GII Prius drove, no matter what I tried to do to it. I tend to expect too much, I think. But the GIII feels better to me.

It's only a tentative thing right now.

Anyhow, just taking a moment to say hello and do a bit of lurking. I hope it's possible to turn off the seatbelt chime and back up beeper, that'll probably be the first piece of research I perform here.

Curious about thoughts of anyone here who's owned a GII and drives a GIII now. Good things? Bad things? I'm not sure about the flying buttress center console thingie, but too early to come to any conclusions. The GIII sure looks nice on the road, though, especially with the 17" wheels.

 

I'd definitely be looking at a Prius Five, '11. Wondering if there will be a plug in version in '12, no rush, could wait another year. Plug in/a better traction battery would be sweet, worth waiting for.

I'm a little scared that, like the GII, I'll be feeling like a new Prius hasn't got quite enough performance and handling, but if even C/D and Automobile can tolerate the Five, perhaps there's hope.

Also worried a bit about the lack of respect on the road I noticed now and again in my '06. The Lexus is spectacular in this regard, has so much presence that if I even begin to encroach on the car in front of me, the driver will often change to another lane (I think it's the DRLs and the shape of the headlights at night, not sure though). I try to be careful about that. And no one ever tails me, if I'm in one of the middle lanes on the freeway and they want to go faster, they probably assume that I'm too self centered to even notice, and figure out how to get around me.

The lights on the Lexus are great, they swivel when the steering wheel is turned and I like that very much. Illumination is very good, too, without blinding oncoming traffic. More than one passenger has commented on it. I also like how the nav screen and stereo gear (the latter with two old fashioned round knobs, one on each side of the display, no less) are covered by electrically operated wood panels that match the rest of the dash, so I don't have to look at the gizmos all the time. It makes the interior seem very simple.

Renting is a great idea. I need time to wring it out a bit and see what I think. I read that the Five has a steering rack with a different ratio, that'd be a nice thing. I'll let y'all know how it progresses and what I decide.

 

I'm tellin' ya, it's true. I couldn't believe it at first. I didn't want to believe it at first. But I've since come to like it, if you want to know the truth.

I hope you're right though. I don't want there to be people out there who choose certain others to bully, based upon something so silly as one's choice in automobiles.

Two observations which support your belief: the Lexus has a big, tall trunk and a small rear window, and cars don't seem nearly as imposing if they do get close. Also, all three mirrors reduce headlight glare automatically at night (the GII had only a rear view mirror which performed this function) another feature which contributes to cars behind me seeming less imposing.

 

You're right about that. I'm my own best friend...and worst enemy.

 

Ahh, the fart can. You know, it was a good piece. It got a bit louder over time but only at idle, on the freeway or under acceleration the car didn't seem louder than before. Even with all the windows open, I couldn't hear anything except wind and tire noise. I kept the chrome muffler really shiny as long as I owned the car, even waxed it once. And the chrome tip seemed like it was well made, didn't rust or discolor.

I have to say, I really like cars with rear wheel drive. And a V8. And independent suspension all the way around. And with enough power where the transmission never has to downshift, even when accelerating on long steep hills. If I have to start driving more I'd probably change my tune quickly, but right now it's not an issue.

I'd actually consider, if my situation does change again, the purchase of the cheapest Yaris I can get. That way I could keep the midlife crisis mobile for...well, for I don't know what. Those fantasy trips to wine country with Mr. Right that I never have gotten around to taking, and likely never will.

The Lexus hybrid is not my thing, I like the four door plus hatch Prius, not so fond of four doors and a trunk. The Prius seems more pure to me, too, which I like a lot. If I get another hybrid, it'll definitely be a Prius.

The biggest thing I miss is the HSD, for all its imperfections. It was so smooth and seamless. Right after I bought the SC, I started it up, and the engine was at fast idle, and I shifted into reverse, and...woah, nellie!

At that instant I thought, "Oh, yes, I remember this, having to press on the brake harder when the engine is cold since it's running faster and that extra power has no place to go."

Viscerally, I like the SC430 very much. It's a pleasure to hand wash and wax, too. I'm spending way too much on Zaino products. Sometimes I go to the garage and just look at it.

But did I drive it today? Nope, rode my bike to the post office, bank, coffee shop for a pound of beans and then a meeting. In the rain...