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Prius v5 - The Stuff Dreams Are Made Of

Discussion in 'Prius v Main Forum' started by M8s, Nov 4, 2011.

  1. M8s

    M8s Retired and Lovin' It

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    "If you're going to spend money frivolously, spend it on experiences, not possessions."

    I've always liked that bit of wisdom. Generalizations like that provide motivation but not any specific direction. Isn't that the very essence of adventure? To just take off and deal with the risks and uncertainties as they occur? That statement speaks to us and encourages us to finally take a leap and spend some of the money we carefully earned and saved over the course of many years. "It's money and adventure and fame. It's the thrill of a lifetime and a long sea voyage that starts at six o'clock tomorrow morning." (It's not every day you get to quote a line from King Kong.)

    But how does that equate to our latest acquisiton? A Prius v5 is definately a possession - just ask the taxing authorities.

    It's because of all the possibilities it holds. Last summer we wanted to take a trip from our home in Colorado to Glacier National Park. But then we started thinkng. If we were going to go all that way, shouldn't we also see all the interesting sights along the way? And why not take a completely different route back and see more sights? While we're at it, let's squeeze in a few rounds of golf in Jackson, WY, Lake Coeur d'Alene, ID and Sun Valley, ID. Before you know it, we've got a 3,000 mile jaunt on our hands.

    As you can see, we have this problem. Our grand imaginations. We don't so much "do" as "overdo." And there's no way we could fit all the luggage and laptop and golf gear and ice chest and souveniers into our 2009 Prius. Not comfortably, anyway.

    So now comes the Prius v. It is the perfect cross-pollination of our beloved 1998 Sienna (long gone) and our 2009 Prii. Big and roomy, yet compact and nimble. Somehow, it's much larger inside than outside. There's plenty of built-in technology to keep you engaged, entertained and informed while rapidly travelling through space. Reliable as a stone ax. All coupled with wonderful, enviable fuel economy. We can bomb around the countryside like it's 1979 and gas is a buck a gallon. And that's just what we plan to do.

    Yep, for us, the Prius v has the right stuff. The stuff that dreams are made of (. . . and never end a sentence with a preposition).
     
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  2. rebenson

    rebenson Member

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    Enjoy the ride, and nice posting.

    Want pictures of some of your adventures...

    Do you think some people are going to ask you to borrow your V to move stuff ?
     
  3. M8s

    M8s Retired and Lovin' It

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    LOL, I just sprayed iced tea on my keyboard.
     
  4. Mike James

    Mike James Camaros and Prii go figure

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    Great Stuff! Looking forward to a road trip with my fam as well.
     
  5. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    Like said in another post .. Prius v fills a massive void in the automotive market that's existed for many years. Now people don't have to roll around in an AWD Subaru Outback, unless of course they need AWD.

    I'm glad you can see the beauty in the v, but I think most bonehead A%$^*$#@s will reject it because it's a wagon.
     
  6. DianneWhitmire

    DianneWhitmire High PRIUStess

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    Beautiful prose.
    Glad you're pleased with your new wagon - cars are SO personal. We spend much time in them, they are as familiar as old shoes or one's bedroom, really.

    Better change your tag line/sig line!

    :)

     
  7. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    You mean, "prepositions are not words to end sentences with?" :D

    Have an enjoyable journey on your new Prius v! It seems like a perfect road trip car (another couple on facebook were going to go from NS to FL in their new v)
     
  8. DeadPhish

    DeadPhish Senior Member

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    More thread hijacking....:rolleyes:

    That is the kind of arrant pedantry up with which I will not put.
    Attributed to Winston Churchill on being criticized for this*

    Well written, btw. I've heard that the pickup seems stronger on the 'v' than that in the iconic model. True? Fuel usage?
     
  9. Flying White Dutchman

    Flying White Dutchman Senior Member

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    those booths are made for walking song...

    the prius is not made for walking, and thats what you dont do ... the prius is made for youuuuuuu:rockon:
     
  10. Nantz

    Nantz Prius v5 AT Purchased 11/1/11

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    Just bought a Prius v5 with the advanced tech package a few days ago. Loving it. Husband and I took two little grandkids in their car seats and our labrador retriever for a drive and ended up at Costco. We were able to bring home a load of goodies even with the dog and the one and three year old in tow. We actually bought our Prius v5 while looking at a Rav 4. Went to a dealer while visiting a family member out of state. Went to test drive the Rav 4 and ended up falling in love with the Prius. Came home and shopped furiously on the internet and able to get it well under MSRP. Love the way it drives, so very quiet...the moonroof front and rear is a special treat. The head rest position is going to take some getting used to. I drive a MBZ SLK 350 and the seats and headrest are designed to wrap around the body. This forum gives some remedies that will make the Prius headrest work for me without compromising safety. I do love this car! Clear sky metallic- it glistens!
     
  11. M8s

    M8s Retired and Lovin' It

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    Posts like this put a big smile to my face. Keep sharing your enthusiasm - I'm sure other people appreciate it just as much as I do.
     
  12. Nantz

    Nantz Prius v5 AT Purchased 11/1/11

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    Yes M8s. Could not be happier. Seeing that beautiful car in the garage smiling at me takes my breath away. Simple, elegant and alluring.
     
  13. M8s

    M8s Retired and Lovin' It

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    Re: Prius v5 - Southern AZ Loop

    We bought our v5 to do road trips. Our first overnighter was a loop of SE AZ, to the fabled (and remote) towns of Bisbee and Tombstone. On the way we stopped and toured the Casa Grande ruins.
    [​IMG]
    Built by the Hohokam prior to 1350, it consists of a large structure (shown) surrounded by the remnants of many smaller dwellings and a curious, oval "ball court."

    Next, we headed down to Oracle to tour Biosphere 2.
    [​IMG]
    This structure cost $150 millions and, after a one-year experiment in which 8 "Biosphereians" confined themselves here, was turned over to the U of A for scientific research and caretaking. The "caretaking" is spotty, at best. Sure is in a nice setting, though.
    [​IMG]

    It is constructed entirely of relatively short steel tubes enclosed by stainless steel panels and glass.
    [​IMG]
     
  14. M8s

    M8s Retired and Lovin' It

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    Re: Prius v5 - Southern AZ Loop

    Later that day we visited the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum. I'm not sure why they call it a "Museum." It's better described as a botanical garden and zoo, with beautiful outdoor exhibits of plants and animals native to Arizona, including Coati, Wolves, Puma, Bobcats, birds, butterflys and every kind of desert plant imaginable.

    Next day we headed South, passing through Sierra Vista and Fort Huachuca, then into a high mountainous region to reach Bisbee.
    [​IMG]

    Established in 1880 following discovery of the Copper Queen Lode, by 1900 Bisbee grew to be the largest cosmopolitan area between St. Louis and San Francisco. The mines in this area produced more than $2 Billions (in todays dollars) in copper, gold, lead, silver and zinc. Main Street in Bisbee is not such a busy place these days, though.
    [​IMG]

    It is fun to walk around and see how people lived in the glory days. There are more long stairways to precipitous dwellings here than anywhere else I've been (and I've been to plenty of mountain/mining towns). Notice the "box of rocks" construction of the foundation.
    [​IMG]

    Stairways like these are everywhere you look in Bisbee.
    [​IMG]

    You needn't drive much in Bisbee but it is remote. It makes sense to have a fuel efficient vehicle to get those things Bisbee just doesn't offer. Like this, f'rinstance.
    [​IMG]
     
  15. M8s

    M8s Retired and Lovin' It

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    Re: Prius v5 - Southern AZ Loop

    The drive to Tombstone was very scenic, in a wide-open spaces surrounded by mountains way. Most of Old Town Tombstone, OTOH, was a major disappointment. I found it to have a fake and gimmicky "feel," for the most part.
    [​IMG]

    The first place we entered was the best. A former bar and dance hall called "The Birdcage," it still had old posters on the wall for the dancer who would go on to be known as "Little Egypt" as well as a very odd poster for "The Human Fly" and a number of bullet holes.
    [​IMG]

    The very narrow stairway to the rooms reserved for "ladies of the night" showed serious signs of use, judging by how thin the top stairs had become.
    [​IMG]

    Boot Hill was perched on a hilltop at the edge of town and had many graves (perhaps 70%) dating from 1882. Here's the mass grave of the Clantons and compatriots from the famous shootout at the OK Corral.
    [​IMG]

    Our trip extended 550 miles over a variety of roads and landscapes, but was perhaps 85% divided highway and the balance 2-lane highways. Our fuel consumption works out to an average 40.4 mpg but I'm sure it would have been better had we not had high winds to deal with 90% of the time.
     
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  16. mostholycerebus

    mostholycerebus New Member

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    It sounds to me that what you really need is a light touring bike. It can do all that and more, be a better experience with your head in the wind, and get 60mpg hwy.
     
  17. Cactus Hybrid

    Cactus Hybrid Member

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    Quote "This forum gives some remedies that will make the Prius headrest work for me without compromising safety. I do love this car! "

    My wife didn't like the headrest position either so I just slid it out and flipped it around for her and she is satisfied..try it out. I did the same for both so it looks the same..

    Just a thought..
     
  18. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Thanks for the fantastic tour, M8s!