Toyota Prius

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Comments

  • shoesshoes Member Posts: 131
    I have owned my Prius for a week and am getting 50 mpg on my first tank.

    Driving this car is boring. The two times I have driven it to work, I have nearly fallen asleep. I even missed my exit to work today because the drive experience is so numb. The steering feels like it was designed for children it is so light. Forget cornering. I have trouble keeping up with old diesal Mercedes sedans.

    Still like it in the city where I cannot go anywhere that fast anyway. Good thing my other car is an E55.
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    The Toyota salespeople realizing they have a captive audience and are forgetting Customer Service and are becoiming as snobby and arrogant as MB.

    It's unfair to lump all Toyota dealers together based on behavior of some. I have had a very good experience with my local Toyota dealer so far. A sales rep responded immediately, via email, to my query about the Prius that I sent through Edmunds.com's service. In that email, he gave me lots of information about the car, pricing, packages, and availability. Without my asking, he has offered me $500 off MSRP. When I came in for a test drive with my family, he took time to explain the operations of the car to my DW, let us take the car for as long as we wanted, and used no pressure tactics on me afterwards. He gave me a detailed assessment of their backlog so I could estimate when I needed to place my order to ensure I get a car before the lease expires on my present car.

    I should note that this dealership is one of those "no-haggle, our-best-price-all-the-time" dealerships that are becoming increasingly popular in my area. The sales reps are not on commission. That may have something to do with how they act. It may also explain why they are the #3 dealership, in volume, in the entire Midwest region, and why they are selling on average 1 Prius a day and already have a 5 month backlog.

    P.S. I don't need financing incentives from Toyota when I can get a 2.5% effective rate on my home equity LOC. But I do need (want) a car like the Prius, and Toyota's the only one who has that kind of car right now (sorry, the Civic Hybrid doesn't cut it).
  • SylviaSylvia Member Posts: 1,636
    ...and not got off track on what other people may or may not be driving. I believe the MB v. Prius or MB + Prius detour has come full circle here. Let's move and talk Prius.
  • little_pogilittle_pogi Member Posts: 149
    of my 2004 Prius today. It took 27 days for my dealer (Longo Toyota) in S. California to get me one. When I first ordered it last Oct. 17 and put that $500 refundable deposit, my salesman mentioned I was 97th in line and it may take around 60-120 days to arrive. I was very specific about the MSRP only pricing, color, trim and package I want that the salesman admitted that 60 days was a very optimistic forcast. 2 weeks ago he called me up and said a different color was available that instant if I wanted it. I turned it down. To my surprise this morning, he called me again informing me that my Prius has arrived.

    I've been to over 15 dealership here in SoCal hoping to find one. All were taking orders only. Most dealers were asking $2000 over MSRP. One dealer called me later to say they had one but was asking $7000 over MSRP when I came in to close the sale. Ran out the door right away. I think Toyota is making extra effort to deliver the ordered Priuses. A good dealer may be able to deliver in less time than what they promise and will sell it at MSRP at the most.

    I also got the Toyota's extended warranty for $1460. It covered 7 yrs or 100k miles whichever comes first. Has anybody also pruchased extended warranty and how much did you pay?
  • vdubtimevdubtime Member Posts: 4
    is pria, according to a friend of mine who actually took latin. most people are saying priuses, though.
  • little_pogilittle_pogi Member Posts: 149
    may actually be right. But most people may not really know when I say "pria", I'd rather still stick to "Priuses" for now to be understood.
  • wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    PRI(marily)US.

    ????

    Then what's plural?
  • djasonwdjasonw Member Posts: 624
    I've had mine for about a week now. I'll only mention this once since I don't want to stray off topic. In the last year I've owned an Audi allroad (sold it because I was offered a good price). I also have a Jeep Liberty (love it) and a leased C320 (boring car). I bought the Prius mainly because of all the wonderful technology. The car seems well put together but the steering is WAY too light. I have no idea what they were thinking! Also the tires are lousy so I changed them today. The car rides quite smoothly on nice roads but bumpy roads can give you a jarring ride (even with proper pressures suggested by Toyota). Also on very windy days (we've had constant wind here in the NE for the past few days) the car feels very light on its feet. After getting rid of the OEM tires the ride has improved and compliance over bumps has improved. Unfortunately, there is nothing I can do about the light steering. I still love the car and it's a pleasure to be able to drive for two weeks and still not need gas. Can I keep this car for eight years? Geeeez.... I don't know, but for now I will take one day at a time.
  • little_pogilittle_pogi Member Posts: 149
    Can you tell us what tires you used. AMPED on posting #1138 said that a Bridgestone Potenza RE950 upgrade resulted in a "favorable" ride transformation.
  • djasonwdjasonw Member Posts: 624
    I did some research and was torn between the Bridgestone RE950 and the Michelin Hydroedge (relatively new tire). I looked on tirerack's website and read numerous reviews. The Michelins were expensive and their high treadwear rating led me to believe that it would be a hard ride. Don't get me wrong, they have good reviews, just my gut feeling. ANYWAY.... I found out that Firestone makes a tire (they are now owned by Bridgestone) that employs the same UNI-T technology as the Bridgestone. It's called Firestone LH30 and the survey results and written opinions were very favorable. The price was quite reasonable and I'm very happy so far. Much more compliant on bumps, quieter on course road surfaces. I have yet to test them in the rain but will report back when I do. FYI... I looked closely at the Goodyear tires they removed and they look so cheap!!!
  • 51jerryp51jerryp Member Posts: 6
    Took a trip yesterday of about 450 miles through the southern tier area of New York state. My observations: the car is pushed around a bit by crosswinds, but is much better than the Echo I had before this. The ride is very smooth and quiet, even though I have 4 winter snow tires on now with pretty aggressive tread. The seat comfort is SUPER - for those of us that are getting up there in years, sometimes the back can kill you on a long trip and I found the seat to be perfect for me, no aches and no fatigue like I've noted in some 'plush' sofa-style seats. The fact that I drove though this beautiful area, getting 45 mpg and leaving behind 1/10 the pollution of a 'normal' car was very satisfying. The Prius, with all it's creature comforts, is the first 'fat' green car, and I love it more every time I drive it.
  • djasonwdjasonw Member Posts: 624
    I paid $1080 for the Platinum 7/100,000 from my dealer. I was fortunate to negotiate $100 of MSRP and I did buy a BC Silver. Since it was loaded, I asked my dealer if he could give me a good price on the warranty. Some people have paid $980 for the same warranty. I think its well worth it if you intend to keep the car for a long time. Especially true with all the new technology in this car.
  • jchan2jchan2 Member Posts: 4,956
    I'm thinking of getting one instead of an entry level luxury car... (Think TL, S40, TSX, A4, X-Type, I35) Am I crazy???????
  • jchan2jchan2 Member Posts: 4,956
    that IRS tax rebate is really attracting me....
  • wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    you mean a LS430, then yes, you're off your rocker. Otherwise the Prius is an excellent choice.
  • footiefootie Member Posts: 636
    Go for it. Do something innovative, avant garde and good for the environment.

    To me, a Prius is a great vehicle. It will be our next car when the time is right.
  • markjennmarkjenn Member Posts: 1,142
    Not crazy at all. While some drivers have very specific requiresments in an automobile that limit them to one segment, most of us have some flexibility to trade off disparant factors like luxury, sportiness, cost, economy, styling, etc. Certainly, very few SUVs and pickup trucks these days are bought because people really need off-road capability and/or the ability to haul stuff in the pickup bed.

    So, if you like the Prius and you'd think you'd enjoy driving it, go for it! Just make sure that it will do the jobs you need done.

    Having said this, it would be tough for me to select a optioned-up Prius for $24K vs. a $26K TSX. You'd really have to place a premium on the technology and fuel mileage. TSX's are very slick cars and while they don't match the Prius's gas mileage, they generally return 25+. A very compeling package. It's the one car I keep thinking about and wondering if I made the right decision as I wait to receive my small car (a Cooper S).

    - Mark
  • djasonwdjasonw Member Posts: 624
    It can be tough choice to decide between a Prius and other entry level luxury automobiles. This is especially true when you get a loaded Prius. Funny thing is that I currently lease a C320 and when it comes time to go somewhere, I take the Prius. Perhaps it's the newness or all the bells and whistles that the Mercedes doesn't have.
    - Hatch
    - Bluetooth (love that feature)
    - NAV
    - CVT (love not having shift shock)

    When I turn myBenz in, I doubt I'll be getting another car. I also have a Liberty but use that only for hauling stuff and lousy weather.
    POWER TO THE PRIUS!!!
  • jchan2jchan2 Member Posts: 4,956
    I'm considering a cute ute'. (Think CR-V)
  • fndlyfmrflyrfndlyfmrflyr Member Posts: 668
    It is not an IRS tax rebate, but is an income adjustment. The tax saved is your tax rate times the adjustment amount (reduced amount for purchases made in 2004).

    The is a bill that would make it a tax credit, but right now it is just an income adjustment. Some states do offer a tax credit, but the amount varies depending on the state.
  • fndlyfmrflyrfndlyfmrflyr Member Posts: 668
    We like the 04 Prius, but I'm wondering how well it does at high freeway speeds. I've had diesel cars before and found that their mpg at very high speeds wasn't much better than a gasoline powered car.

    Around here it is not uncommon to cruise at speeds of 80 and more. Yesterday it took 80 to just keep up, with the left lane speeds much higher.

    I'm concerned that the Prius might run out of battery on long hills at these speeds. I also wonder what kind of mpg the car gives at sustained high speeds.

    The Prius would be a replacement for an old Avalon that makes hills seem flat and still gives about 30 mpg at high freeway speeds.
  • tharwoodtharwood Member Posts: 1
    I've had trouble finding 2004's in the Carolinas area. Anyone have tips on the best dealer in the Southeast and the average time it takes to get what you're looking for?
    Thanks,
    Newbie Lookin'
  • jchan2jchan2 Member Posts: 4,956
    Which entry level luxury sedan are you getting? X-Type, A4, TSX, TL, I35, G35, 3-Series, S40, S60, 9-2, 9-3??????
    And $200 off MSRP isn't bad for the Prius at launch, with waiting lists for orders backed up, if you order one now, I'd think that it'd be pretty optimistic to receive it in January or February.
  • djasonwdjasonw Member Posts: 624
    I don't know what midnight is drinking but I would NOT consider the handling of the Prius poor. The brakes are great and with good tires 60-0 can be accomplished in 130 feet. I've driven the car at 80 MPH for 50 miles with NO problems (hills encountered too). Granted it does not cruise as nicely at 80 as my C320 does, but that car is twice the cost. The Prius IS a really nice second car for me.
  • SylviaSylvia Member Posts: 1,636
    Great input here - thank you current owners for helping some of those "curious" or "prospective" buyers with your input.

    Just one small comment - remember to agree to disagree and no personal attacks.
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    Well, maybe "poor" is compared to the likes of a TSX, 3 Series etc. But as an overall statement, I wouldn't say the Prius is "poor" in acceleration (sub-10 seconds 0-60), handling, or braking. All are more than adequate for a vehicle of its type. But I'd also say if acceleration and handling were the most important attributes of my next car, I wouldn't be looking at a Prius.
  • john1701ajohn1701a Member Posts: 1,897
    > The was some question of poor handling actually if you will
    > check back on the posts on this thread several 2004 Prius
    > owners have complained of poor handling.

    VAGUE. I see no numerical details.

     
    > The tires on the Prius are very high pressure

    INCORRECT. The pressure is the same as most other vehicles, 35 PSI.

     
    JOHN
  • bean3422bean3422 Member Posts: 183
    The Prius does have special low-rolling-resistance tires. I believe this was what midnight was trying to describe. The unfortunate side effect of low-rolling-resistance is poor handling. Seems you can't break the laws of physics and get good performance and good gas mileage.

    Out of curiosity, those who have changed their tires, how much does this affect your gas mileage. I would be willing to bet that the low-rolling-resistance tires play a big part, especially on the highway.

    Low-rolling-resistance has nothing to do with the tire pressure. It is a tire design.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Toyota probably chose tires to maximzie fuel efficiency, i.e low-rolling resistance. Your priorities may differ.

    FWIW, 35psi does seem high for a manufacturer's recommendation. It's 26psi for my Miata, 29psi for my Subaru, etc.

    A $2000 tax deduction, for someone in a 40% tax bracket, amounts to $800. 28% tax bracket is $560, and so on. You might only see that a little after April 15th, of course.

    In MD you don't pay sales tax, so that saves you 5% state sales tax up front. That's actually a bigger deal, $1000 or more right up front.

    Plus you can ride in HOV lanes. That's cool. Think about it - pass a V10 Dodge Viper because he's stuck in traffic. Be sure to wave nicely.

    fndlyfmrflyr: it's actually a gas engine, not diesel. It would be running on the gas engine alone at those speeds after a while, with any reserve saved up for bursts, maybe to pass.

    -juice
  • footiefootie Member Posts: 636
    Tharwood -

    Many of the Toyota web sites in the South East Toyota distribution region will show you not only whether a given dealer has any Priuses, but also what is generally available in or inbound in the territory.

    The display shows 'availablility' date and how the cars are optioned out and the last 6 digits of the VIN number. It doesn't show you where they are located.

    So I'd search the website for car color/options to see what you can find. Then call your local dealer and ask him if he can get the car for you. He'll have to find it, but if it's on the website, it's in SET at or on the way to a dealer.

    The only caveat, is that the SET distribution organization is famous for putting pricey non-Toyota options on their cars, such as "Toyo Guard" fabric and paint protectors for $700. So make sure one of the ones you go after is sans balogna.

    Good shopping.
  • boxfanboxfan Member Posts: 180
    "The Prius has poor handling and poor acceleration and poor braking."

    The problem with making that blanket statement is that it makes the Prius sound like a dangerous car. Anyone who doesn't know much about this car might immediately cross it off their list after reading that. I've read most of the reviews that have come out about the car, and several of them comment that the handling (cornering) is pretty good for a small car. I think the most common complaint is that the steering is light, or "numb", but I've seen the same comment in car magazines/websites about many cars, including the Civic, Corolla, and Camry. Nothing in any review suggests the handling is dangerously bad. The acceleration is at least as good as a number of 4-cyl cars, including the Subaru Outback, which I drive and find a little pokey at certain speeds, but not slow enough to be dangerous. And the brakes of the Prius seem to be reasonably good, with a few complaints about the brake feel, but again, nothing that sounds dangerous (post 1163 is pure opinion, and post 1159 describes a sensation that doesn't sound like to me a dangerous flaw). I don't think I've read anything that justifies calling the handling OR braking OR acceleration "poor". I realize you've clarified your statement, and it's fair to say it's not the car for a driving enthusiast, but I think you have to be careful with generalizations.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Prius actually steps off pretty smartly off the line. You have 295 lb-ft at idle, nothing beats that for the price.

    99% of the time that's all you need, enough oomph to merge up to the speed of normal traffic (i.e. slow), and it does that well.

    They could improve 0-60 but then it would get 40mpg instead of 60/50.

    -juice
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I don't see a whole lot of near-lux overlap, those would start at $27k, just above a loaded Prius.

    I can understand cross shopping with a Camry or another mid-sizer, and the Prius' hatchback being its main appeal. Plus most of those cars don't handle any better, perhaps with a couple of exceptions (6, Altima).

    -juice
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Target market? Just my guesses:

    * early adoptors (of any trend or technology)
    * techie geeks (bluetooth users)
    * the "green" crowd (low emissions)

    Note the test drive event I attended was co-sponsored by Whole Food Markets, a trendy market that tends to sell organic/natural foods.

    TSX is a lot more performance oriented, plus it's a Toyota, not a Lexus.

    -juice
  • jchan2jchan2 Member Posts: 4,956
    TSX is an Acura, a division of Honda.
    Handling isn't my highest priority right now either...
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Sorry, I meant the Prius is a Toyota, meaning it would not compete with Acuras.

    Civic hybrid is the obvious target, and that model has a small trunk vs. a versatile hatch in the Prius.

    Maybe you could stretch and compare to an Accord, but not an Acura.

    Of course, it's your money, compare whatever you want, what do I know?

    -juice
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    No, and that was on purpose. I don't think it makes sense to pay $23k to save on fuel costs when you could just get an Echo or Corolla plus a liftime of fuel for less.

    I see range as a bigger benefit, actually. My wife hates pumping gas, that would be a huge selling point if she only had to do it half as often.

    -juice
  • stragerstrager Member Posts: 308
    Has anyone driven both the new Prius and the current Civic (non-hybrid) and/or Corolla sedans? If so, how would you compare the handling of the Prius vs these two cars?

    I used to own a Civic and it's fun to drive but found the Corolla to have a semi-numb steering feel.
  • john1701ajohn1701a Member Posts: 1,897
    > The Prius does have special low-rolling-resistance tires.

    The CLASSIC did. The 2004 does NOT.

    In fact, the tire type on the 2004 are the SAME as those on the Corolla. The recommended PSI is even the SAME too.

    Owners who have increased the pressure to 42 PSI have reported an improvement in handling. I agree whole-heartedly, since I use 44 PSI (the maximum available for that tire).

    Owners that report "poor" handling may have been running at pressure below the recommended PSI, especially since dropping temperature causes PSI reduction. That clearly would decrease handling.

    By the way, increased PSI not only improves handling, it also increases MPG, tread life, and acceleration speed. In short, it's definitely worth trying if you own a Prius.

    JOHN
  • masshockeymasshockey Member Posts: 11
    I rented a 2004 corolla from the dealer while I awaited delivery on the prius. I was very happy to change. I thought handling, ride were improved. The prius definitely has a much more "finished" feel to the interior. I think the prius handles rough pavement much better.

    I have filled up twice since purchase. The first time the last "box" on the fuel gauge came on with 3 gallons left. This time I waited for the blinking light- 3.5 gallons left. Any suggestions out there or do I start filling up using miles driven and mpg?
  • jchan2jchan2 Member Posts: 4,956
    I'm comparing the Prius with a huge list of cars from various categories, all worth a look because they all fit my needs and at least a few of my wants.
    My Wants:
    High MPG
    Prestige
    All-Weater Capability
    Decent Cargo Hold

    The List:
    Acura TSX
    Acura TL
    Audi A4
    Honda Civic Hybrid
    Honda Accord EX
    Infiniti I35
    Jaguar X-Type 2.5
    Lexus ES330
    Saab 9-3
    Toyota Prius
    Toyota Camry
    Volvo S40
    Volvo S60
  • vdubtimevdubtime Member Posts: 4
    Not to beat a dead horse, but, I checked with another Latin expert who says the plural of Prius is Prii. My apologies to dogmom2 who said it was Prii before I "corrected" her/him.

    In my opinion, Prius was not a great choice for a name since many people have trouble pronouncing it and even more can't pluralize it, including me, apparently.

    This illustrates a minor hobby of mine: evaluating car names. I imagine that Toyota wanted a name that they could use in all of their markets. And the concept good, the name portrays the advanced and cutting edge technology. But I think they could have done better, perhaps by using a place name that one would associate with a pristine environment.

    Okay, that's all. Back to the Prius versus entry level luxury discussion.
  • john1701ajohn1701a Member Posts: 1,897
    Checking with Toyota itself (US corporate), since the word is used as a name in this context not a term, you'll find that they chose "Prius" as the plural.

    JOHN
  • stillwaiting3stillwaiting3 Member Posts: 2
    I ordered my 2004 Prius on 19 September (in Colorado), and have not received my car. Also, as of 2 days ago, the dealer could not confirm it would be in the December delivery. I ordered a black Prius with Option 7, and expected that it would come in this month. Anyone else been waiting this long?
  • azstanazstan Member Posts: 74
    Anyone know if Prius headlights turn off automatically when you exit the car (and forget that you left them on)? Both the regular and HIV headlights?

    My 1986 and 1992 Camrys had this feature and it saved many "run-down" batteries
  • daysailerdaysailer Member Posts: 720
    Although generalizations are seldom absolute, INCREASING tire pressure (within the tire's pressure limits) will generally IMPROVE handling as well as fuel efficiency. And the fuel efficiency increase owes more to the decreased losses to tire flexing and heating than to rolling diameter. The handling improvement is particularly true of transient response due to the decreased distortion and "tread-squirm". It is only with tires that are seriously oversized (re load rating) that you may reach a point within the tire's pressure recommendations that contact area may be significantly diminished but transient response will still usually improve.

    The Auto manufacturer's pressure recommendations are often NOT the optimum for handling. Auto mfrs must choose a compromise among handling, ride comfort, fuel economy, tire wear, et al and handling is seldom optimized. A case-in-point, my Miata caries a recomended pressure of only 26lbs, at least 20% low, even though you would expect handling to be a high priority for that car. And the old Ford Explorer had an absurdly low recommendation, with disasterous consequences, presumably to reduce its rollover potential (i.e. to make the tires the limiting factor as opposed to the vehicle's overturning moment.)
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I agree with masshockey about the finishing on the interior - it is excellent. Not at all reminiscent of economy cars.

    jchan2: since cargo capacity matters to you, why not look at wagons? You did not mention the V50, V70, and Audi Avants. Just curious.

    -juice
  • missmyaudimissmyaudi Member Posts: 3
    Anyone having the same experiences?

    Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love the car, but. . .

    1. Averaging more like 45 mpg. After 2,000 miles, I feel Toyota is greatly exaggerating the 60mpg claim. I haven't been close to that mark and I feel the city mpg is worse, not better, than highway mpg.

    2. Has a 12 gallon gas tank, but indicator has me filling up after only 300 miles and 7.5 gallons. Someone in Japan leave his lunchbox in the tank?

    3. I feel like I have to coax the electric engine to kick in. Only after I accelerate then lay off the pedal (going sub 40mph) will the electric motor run solo. Also, I read a claim that it will accelerate to 35 mph on electric only power. No way!

    4. I can really feel the transition from electric to gas and gas to electric. It's not as subtle as I would like.

    5. The check engine light came on after only a few miles. It soon went out, but I brought it in to be checked and found that Toyota was not really prepared to diagnose any problems yet. Heck the service valet couldn't even figure out how to drive it into the service bay.

    TC
  • djasonwdjasonw Member Posts: 624
    I am averaging the same as you, but I consistently drive at 70-80. To get that type of mileage at those speeds makes me very happy. I am getting 3 times the mileage of my Jeep Liberty (which I still have and love).

    Gas tank size claim is 11.9. Filled it when I had one bar (dash) and it only took 7.4 gallons. I am thinking of testing to see how low I can get. Think they may have left some sushi in the tank??

    You can definitely accelerate to 35-40 on electric but you have to REALLY coax it and have a good charge. I have been on level ground and set the cruise at 42 and it is electric only.

    Transition is so subtle in my car I hardly notice it. I have to really concentrate.

    No CEL yet, and I am hoping it doesn't happen. I definitely agree that this car is still foreign to Toyota service people. Makes me a little scared!!
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    They need training and experience. That will come with time. Yours was prolly the first that valet drove, so it would be a rare 1st case.

    -juice
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