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Ha - yeah, that's why Toyota recalled all the Priuses cause of people just making stuff up. Hoo boy.
This will be my first Toyota. I have had Honda Civics and Accords before, a total of 5. Drove a really old Toyota once, seemed ok.
It is just that there seemed to be some comments that were made specifically against Toyotas and Hybrids. Seems rather odd. As I deal directly with smog in the Los Angeles Basin, I wouldn't be a bit surprised if, by 2015, all cars were required to meet the emissions standards that hybrids meet (AT-PZEV). The cars may be diesel, fuel cell, or whatever, but the Air Quality people here are determined to drive down smog. Heck, they use the Prius as their company cars!
I might add that some of the "naysayers" are just people who try to see the "glass is half empty" aspect of virtually anything they encounter.
There are others who do not want to think that something new and good could come along and them not be a part of it. "How can this be so great if I don't have one already?"
Others just want to try to prove "Oh, Come ON Guys, Hybrids can't do what the EPA says" just so they can feel like they know more than the EPA and/or Hybrid owners/advocates.
Lotsa reasons. And a lot of the naysayers will come up with ALL KINDS of rationalizations to take themselves out of the groups we mentioned....:D
IMHO, the moulding should be either part of the options or an accessory added by the factory.
Checking it out...depends on what kind of moulding. I like the all rubber moulding on the Honda Accord. Just need to see what is out there...
Interesting article. Now I know why all those crash test are so positive and glowing.
So you were really serious about not getting the Prius because of the "brake" issues. I still have one on a gentlemen's agreement order. Had a BMW before, quite a few minor TSBs but remember 4 yrs or 50K free maintnenance. Drove a new IS250 AWD with 6-speed auto; it was pretty slick car. They also had a run of an auto 330 and a IS350 side-by-side and the I350 edged out the 330 because the 330 had a really slow take-off.
Prius or not; wife says I wouldn't be happy with accleration. Even she has shown me articles that the hybrids don't payout. Probably should just drive the 6-speed Accord and be done with it. However, a 6-speed Red Civic Si is an intriguing thought for a commuter car
Keep us post and good luck!
cruis'n in 6-speed bright red Prius GT,
MidCow
Just have to speak up Mercedes reliability has fallen off since they merged with Chrysler. An Jaguar is even worse.
Toyota/lexus and Honda/Acura are still the highest in reability. Prius will beat a Mercedes and a Jaguar in relability.
Lexus is very good, but you are in a whole different price category and Ledxus mainentance is high. Then when out of maintenance Lexus has a replace rather than a repair philosophy, which is very expensive.
Cheers,
MidCow
Thanks for the reliability report. You are so right. Consumer Reports recently released their latest statistics on reliability. The reports definately show the Toyota/Lexus Honda/Acura vehicles are better in terms of overall reliability. I guess the question for me is just how much all that means. Statistically, a Toyota could visit the repair shop once in two years to fix a non-scheduled issue, but the Jag, for example, could visit the repair shop three or four times in the same two years, and then it does indeed have three or four times the amount of problems. But is that unbearable, or statistically a big deal? I have many friends and neighbors with Land Rovers, Mercedes, Jags, etc., and they love them. I'd have to guess that they go in the shop more than the average Lexus, but if you get the full extended warranty, I'm thinking that maybe it doesn't matter as much if something does go wrong once in a while. I don't know. I wonder if Edmunds has any information about this on their site. You know, just how much difference do these reliability reports actually mean in terms of numbers of repairs, or something tangible to compare, instead of a Consumer Reports "bar chart" which simply makes some vehicles look incredible, and others look like junk. And then again, maybe luxury just does indeed come with a higher price, including service. Lots to think about. Thanks for the feedback!!!!! Really appreciate it!!!!!
TagMan
- Are you satisfied with its performance?
- Does it recalculate route automatically if you miss a turn?
- Do you know who the maker is?
- Can it use other maps than Toyota ones?
- Approximately how much are the map updates?
- Are there dowmloadable updates on the web for the Nav program or must this be done at a Toyota dealer?
Thanks in advance for any info!
Works wonderful. Easy to use.
Does it recalculate route automatically if you miss a turn?
Sure does. There is a setting to allow this
Do you know who the maker is?
I believe it is DENSO.
Can it use other maps than Toyota ones?
Unfortunately not. It uses its own proprietary maps. Keep in mind that most NAV makers rely on NAVTEQ for updates.
Approximately how much are the map updates?
Not cheap. Close to $200. I believe the latest version for the 05 Prius is 5.1 or 5.2
Are there dowmloadable updates on the web for the Nav program or must this be done at a Toyota dealer?
Not to my knowledge, but that would be nice. I can do that now with my Garmin (firmware updates). Software for Garmin does cost too, but not as much as Toyota.
Make sure you get the NAV. With dead reckoning and voice commands (read the address into the system) it is better than the previous versions. PLUS... it will help resale as people that buy this type of car expect all the goodies.
Good luck and Happy Holidays!!
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pna/product/detail/0,,2076_3151_192089333,00.html
I think the price they quoted is fair considering there is quite a bit of labor involved. For that price I would do it. I've never used that brand as it appears they only make ones for permanent installs.
Motor Home?? As you always say... I guess you're one of those "fat cats".
Have a good holiday!!
PS
The only fat cat belongs to my wife!
MB Cruiser
=======================================
but you can bet that that subdivision won't show up on a new map for years. I updated my Street Atlas map program this past fall and they finally got a new highway on it that I have used for 3 years. As far as the subdivision goes even on the old map you should be able to plot it to the nearest cross street that most likely has been there for years.
PS
Happy Thanksgiving
Our Prius Nav system has gotten lost a few times mid route. If ignored, it does eventually recalculate and get back on track. The Acura (Alpine) system has never gotten lost or directed a trip around the block at the destination.
Chances are the DVD disks have data about a year or so old when they are released. The Acura upgrades are like this. The update for an Acura cost $185. I expect the one for our Prius will cost about the same.
The worst part about the Toyota system is that it cannot be programmed while the car is in motion. The voice activation for our 05 system does not work very well.
By comparison, Acura voice control works well and even the older systems allow programming while the car is moving.
The taxes at the gas pump have not been modified in 50 years, but it general ends up costing you based on number of miles driven. The more gas you buy, the more tax you pay. But if you buy an inefficient vehicle, you pay more.
Now with people buying fewer trucks and getting smaller, more efficient vehicles, and with ethanol and hybrids available, a special tax may be set up to recoup lost taxes due to market shifts in vehicle purchases, to paraphrase.
Obviously, this penalizes the smarter shoppers, as well as they hybrid technology in general.
Apparently, pointless wars, poor leadership (that would come up with ideas like this), natural disasters, international trade imbalances, corporate tax loopholes, and worldwide military expenses has nothing to do with our crumbling roads, higher taxes, and declining education facilities, and inabilities to defend ourselves from attack or natural disasters.
What I don't understand is the government has wanted the US automakers to come up with fuel alternatives and more efficient cars and trucks, and has been taxing them in that vein.
I guess it's pretty obvious what the gubmints plans have been all along.
Start a war. Spend the country's infrastructure money (taxes) on nice, new war! Brilliant! :shades:
Market bears a better technology. Tax new technology at point of sale. No tax, no infrastructure. :sick:
I thought starting a useless war was supposed to help the economy? I guess a Bush War ever ten years or so, when their thinking caps are left back at "The Ranch", isn't the cure all we all thought it was.
DrFill
DrFill
Wouldn't be the first time, would it? :sick:
DrFill
I am wondering if it is possible to buy a loaded Prius in the US and bring it back to Canada. Anyone had experience with this? Would the warranty (and the EPP possibly) be valid in Canda once the car has been legally imported (and taxed paid)? Would the mechanics have problem with a vcar made for the US market (maybe slightly different wiring, etc...)?
I can live without the leather (my wife does not like it anyway) but I really want the HID! I could possibly put an aftermarket HID but I understand that it is illegl to do so in Canada, it has to be factory installed OEM.
Any feedback on this would be greatly appreciated.
Here is the info for Canadians buyers:
Package B
Vehicle Stability Control (VSC)
Premium JBL Audio
AM/FM Stereo Cassette, Compact Disc Autochanger
9 Speakers
Audio Auxiliary Input Jack
Front Side Airbags
Front Head / Side Curtain Airbags
Smart Key System
Garage Door Opener
Electrochromic Rear View Mirror
Theft Deterrent System
Package C
Vehicle Stability Control (VSC)
Premium JBL Audio
AM/FM Stereo Cassette, Compact Disc Autochanger
9 Speakers
Audio Auxiliary Input Jack
Front Seat Mounted Side Airbags
Front Head / Side Curtain Airbags
Smart Key System
DVD Based Navigation System with Backup Camera
Electrochromic Rear View Mirror
Theft Deterrent System