Purchase advice

Excellent info from the Doc (as always). Just a couple of additional comments.

I have the cloth interior. My only complaint is the seemingly flimsy cloth on the door armrests. I routinely rest my left elbow on the armrest, and after less than two years it's showing some subtle signs of wear. Good thing is that there are options for a DIY replacement/fortification job described elsewhere on PriusChat.

In addition to the dash material changing in 06, the dash texture changed too. Frankly, I wish mine had the newer dash. The 05 has a smooth surface that smudges and scuffs easily; the later models have a textured surface that would seem to resist -- or at least hide -- such marks better.

I don't have the HID lights or NAV -- and I don't regret for a minute not buying them. I've never used either, so I don't know what I'm missing. Maybe I'd have a different view if I had. But I don't want the replacement expense of the HIDs. I have a pretty good sense of direction and I know how to navigate with paper maps. Some forum participants seem to think an aftermarket GPS device like Garmin or Tom-Tom is just as good (maybe better), and it's considerably less expensive and movable between vehicles. One of these days I might break down and get one.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JimboK @ Nov 2 2007, 04:42 AM) [snapback]533788[/snapback]</div>

I'm one of the few that frequently use Nav even on my normal commuting trips (I've had Nav in my last few vehicles). I typically use it for an ETA on when I'll arrive (approximately of course) and how many miles I have left. In addition I frequently use the detour option. In fact yesterday I used it on the way home. I decided to take a slightly different route because I had to pick up a prescription and the road was backed up at least a mile. In the Phoenix area there's tons of cul-de-sacs and deadend roads going through neighborhoods (most streets don't go through). I quickly hit the route button, hit detour, tapped on the "1 mile" button (representing the amount of detour), it then had me make the next turn and zig zagged me through the neighborhood and ultimately had me come out the opposite end of the back up.

Mike

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ Nov 1 2007, 11:15 PM) [snapback]533743[/snapback]</div>

I believe that on the '06 and newer models, the actual estimated time of arrival is shown instead of travel time to destination. Also, it is possible to adjust the presumed city/highway speed settings that are the basis for the arrival/travel time calculation.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Fly Family @ Nov 1 2007, 09:58 PM) [snapback]533737[/snapback]</div>

Just a comment on the Touring version. I went in thinking the Touring would be nice as the handling would be a little closer to the SLK I've been driving for the last nine years. But after driving both I found the Touring just had all the bumps and none of the sportscar. I ended up liking the ride of the regular version a lot more. Also since I was wanting one with leather, the suspension/wheels was the only difference between them.

A personal preference thing of course, but be sure to test-drive *both* versions before making a decision.

Z.

 

I actually did get a higher option package primarily to get the HID headlights, and I love them. I do a lot of night driving on roads with zero streetlights and they do a great job. It is worth the extra money to me because they are a safety feature that helps every day - unlike seatbelts and airbags that help you if there is an accident, they can help you avoid the accident in the first place.

As part of the same option package I got the auto-dimming rear view mirror, which I didn't much care about at first but now I love that too - it is better than a regular "flip" mirror at reducing glare from the headlights behind you. You can have a giant SUV behind you with the high beams on and they won't bother you at all with that mirror.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Fly Family @ Nov 2 2007, 01:58 AM) [snapback]533737[/snapback]</div>

First, let me give a disclaimer -- I have an '07 Camry Hybrid w/ NAV, so YMMV or more accurately: YPMV -- Your Prius May Vary. B) )

On the '07 NAV system/disk, you can:

• easily and quickly shift between seeing ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival) and Estimated Remaining Time.
• Select having the map orientation set as either North up or Direction of Travel up. (And you can set up a "Split Display" where you can display two maps, side by side. I use this feature, and have the left map set at .5 mile scale and right map at 300 ft scale.) With Split Display mode, you can set map orientation individually.
• You cannot see GPS speed on the NAV display, you have to go into a "Maintenance" window and I don't know if that ability has been removed on '08's.

I hope this information helped.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Fly Family @ Nov 2 2007, 01:58 AM) [snapback]533737[/snapback]</div>

Actually, the outside diameter of the tires on the standard are slightly (0.02") greater than on the Touring version. The size difference is the wheel used, but the two have different sidewall profiles. While this should have a minimal impact on FE, it will give a firmer ride, IIRC.

 

I have a 2005 Prius package 1 with side curtain airbags. Black with ivory fabric interior.

1) How has the cloth interior held up in the prius? Is leather any better or worse?

The cloth has held up well. It cleans so well in fact I don't think I'll go back to leather. Leather was always hot in the summer and cold in the winter.

2) Has anyone with kids (or not) had issues with items being put into what I think is the battery vent on the right rear passenger seat? Is it difficult to get at and clean?

No comment. No kids.

3) How has the plastic on the dash held up? Has there been any changes to the plastics from the different model years?

I have my dash covered with a dashmat on top. I have leather covers for the upper and lower glove compartments and the area around the steering wheel by "Priushoods" on eBay. She's Robin on Priuschat.

4) Does the Navigation feature such information as current heading, current speed, time to destination and arrival time? I followed one link that sent me to a video for the Camry, but it wasn't very detailed.

Sorry, don't have Nav.

5) I had the opportunity to test drive a coworker's Prius and have a question about the braking. When I step on the brakes, it feels to me like I am engaging the brake pads, but it seems from discussions on this board that it is the engine doing the braking, and that the brake pads don't come into play unless you really step on the brake pedal. At what point do the pads come into play?

I'll let someone with more technical experience answer this one. All I can say is the brakes work great and the car stops just fine. And regenerates the battery when it does.

6) Would the larger wheels of a Touring help or hurt mileage? My thinking is that a larger diameter wheel would be a hindrance to starting (but that is largely from the electric engine, correct?), but would provide better mileage overall. However, I wonder if the excess weight of the larger wheels would offset this.

You take a mileage hit but not that much. You'll still get much better mileage than an average ICE car.

7) Any advice on the pros/cons of HID? Are they a lot less durable then Halogen?

A few people have experienced theft in certain areas.

 

I'm 6'4" with a 34" inseam, so I need plenty of leg room. It's adequate in the Prius. My only complaint is the lack of thigh support, which probably would be better if the seat bottom had an adjustment. (My fiancee's Corolla has a simple mechanical adjustment -- why can't the Prius? But I digress.) I have an Obus Forme Seat, which seems to help. I've done a 2000 mile round trip, splitting each segment into 2+ days (not sure I could do 1000 miles a day in any vehicle), and as long as I took a break every hour or two, I was fine.

If you do a lot of long distance driving, especially if you have a large frame, you might consider renting one for a day or two and take it on the road to get a good sense of how well it will do for you.

WRT the interior's durability, it's impossible to say how well it will hold up for 15+ years. The seat fabric seems of very high quality, the armrest and console covers less so, as we've discussed. There's a lot of plastic around the dash (to save weight, I'm told), so who knows how well that will do.

I'm guessing that UV light accelerates deterioration of interior fabric. I've added tint to the windows to keep the car cooler in the summer and for a bit more privacy. The extent to which it helps preserve the fabric is a bonus.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mldoc @ Nov 2 2007, 07:43 PM) [snapback]534141[/snapback]</div>

My impression (after a relatively brief test ride) is that changing tires to 195/60s as done by many members of this group, made a much bigger difference in handling than the difference between the Touring and regular models. As mentioned above, the big difference in the Touring seemed to be that I could feel more bumps in the road.

The real brakes come on at below 7 mph, or during hard braking, such as panic stops.

At low speeds, eg. , 20 mph, they feel a little grabby during sudden stops. I recently got slammed against the seat belt recently when I had to do an emergency stop. . . but I did stop.

 

No smog check in California, at least for five years or something like that. When they first came out, I think they didn't know how to do smog tests on the car and are working at making it exempt or something. I'm not worried about it until I get a notice with my registration that it's time to smog it.

Armrests and console. These are a different material than the cloth and do soil easily and do not wear well. I have after market leather console and armrest covers I bought. On my next Prius, what I will do is take it to an Auto Upholstery shop and have them cover just the armrests and center console in leather. I'll keep the fabric seats fabric.

 

Quote "1) I need to learn more about the GPS. My wife has a portable GPS, so I am not sure I really need the built in one, except that it is really hard to mount the portable somewhere. Is there an online (PDF) version of the manual?"

Guess this only applies to certain portable GPS units but we have travelled on a 10500 mile trip with our portable Garmin 2620 sitting in it's bean bag type holder on the sloping dash without it sliding even when hard braking. It could, however, become a missile in a serious collision. We keep it clear of the airbag area.
Gary

 

I love the Nav system. I have a GREAT sense of direction, but i still use it often. It's great for looking up places I want to go, but don't know where the closest is, for example Taco Bell...I can look it up and it will tell me where they ALL are. So handy.

I also love the leather seats. Love the Bluetooth. The package 6 is totally worth every penny.

Best Wishes!

 

This is a good thing to bookmark. Its the link to a site that has a very similar Nav system . It shows video on using it.
http://www.lexus.com/lexus-share/demos/LS/.../Lexus_nav.html