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Comments
Absolutely. Don't forget to put the car in park!
Incidentally, in contradistinction to a few recent opinions expressed here, I find the Smart Entry system extremely useful. Since I usually approach the car with a child in one hand and some other small object (diaper bag, etc) in the other, it is very nice to be able to slip a finger around the door handle and unlock all the doors at once. My only beef is the replacement cost for the fob($232)!
That being said the Prius printed marketing pamphlet is not very accurate either. I was able to see the silver, the blue, and the gold at a dealer in St. Louis and the colors are significantly different than the pamphlet represents. Seeing the silver was what caused me to choose the Driftwood Pearl (gold) with the tan interior. The silver was more muted than I wanted and the gray interior was much lighter than I thought from the brochures. I was interested in the gray interior for hiding dirt/wear until I saw it's more of a white with gray in it. My point being that it's nearly as light in color as the tan and I thought the gold/tan combination was preferable in my case.
> very accurately.
However, BRIGHTNESS and CONTRAST personal preferences cause inaccuracy.
That's why some monitors now offer a "SB" mode. So you can work with darker (easier to view for long durations) and quickly toggle to bright to verify accuracy. Unfortunately, not everyone has that option. And to make matters worse, a battery saving technique for portables is to dim the screen.
JOHN
CRT types are especially subject to this but LCD/flat panel also.
Also remember that PC monitors are "sourcing" light, whereas objects in real life are selectively reflecting sunlight. And I dare you to show me a PC monitor that will convey the color effects of the paint that looks of a different color from different angles.
I'm wondering what we should watch out for when we go in to buy the car. What kind of potential sales tricks should we expect and how should we handle them? We were promised $500 off of MSRP back in August when we put down our deposit so hopefully that settles most of the negotiation ahead of time. But I'm worried about add-ons, manadatory accessories, financing tricks (should I just use my credit union?), etc. Considering the demand for the car, I expect them to pull something last-minute to squeeze more money out of us.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Doug
I'll have to agree with the monitor variations. Some friends and I have different laptops with different settings and we have looked at the Toyota site together. Totally different representations. Same eyes!
> and don't mind standing in the cold to fill up (just in case xcel was wondering!)
___I just hope you will eventually receive the capacity and range as advertised At your current fuel capacity and possible mileage, can you even make it to 450 miles? I have to fill up every 3 or 4 days/545 – 650 miles if I like it or not
___Good Luck
___Wayne R. Gerdes
-juice
Personally haven't had too much problem with these type of tactics but obviously some are trying them in certain dealerships.
Those of you That have it. Love it or Hate it???
It eliminates the key. That's a geniune convenience no matter you look at it.
You just pass your hand through the sensing area by a door. If the FOB is within the proximity range, the doors unlock. Not having to touch anything is pretty darn easy.
And of course, just pushing a button on the dash to start is much easier than dealing with a key... especially if you live in the cold north and want to keep your gloves on.
Naturally, you don't ever have to worry about locking the fob in the car, since you don't ever take it out of your pocket.
JOHN
First, there is no resemblance to a card in shape or function whatsoever. It's called a fob.
Second, if you attempt to lock the car with the fob still inside, an alarm activates. There is no possible way you could miss that sound. The label of "smart" is quite appropriate. You can't lock the fob inside.
Third, unless someone has actually used the push button start for a few days, I don't take their opinion to be objective. It's like reviewing a movie based on a preview, rather than actually watching the whole thing.
JOHN
Must have been hard of hearing or near a construction site. There is a distinctive sound rendered when the system is activated.
I have inadvertently tested the system on a recent trip with my wife. We exited the car and I attempted to activate the system with the button on the door handle but the system would not activate. The fob was clearly in my pocket. Her's, however, had fallen out of her bag WITHIN the car. As mentioned previously (post 1700), we really enjoy this feature.
P.S. Former winners of the recent past include the BMW Z4 and the Audi TT.
Now whenever I start my Prius, it automatically searches for my cell-phone zipped away in a difficult to reach jacket pocket. Then it tells me it established a connection. So if I want to place a send or receive a call, I can do it all through the Multi-Display instead. I never have to dig for the phone to use it while in the Prius.
You'd be amazed how convenient it makes using the phone, especially with all the dialing features available via the Multi-Display. And it's safe too. The buttons disable when the wheels are rolling.
It's actually a bit easier to talk with a person that way than someone sitting next to you, since it offers speaker-volume and the microphone faces forward. So you can hear well and you keep your eyes on the road rather than turning your head to acknowledge comments.
It's pretty sweet.
JOHN
Thanks,
Mike
Could you pass on more info on BlueTooth in the Pruis...is it compatible with any cell phone company? or must you buy into "BlueTooth" for your cell phone communications...also what is the cost of Bluetooth...I assume nationwide coverage and no overseas?
Mike
For most of an entire day, I drove ESP-equipped cars versus non-ESP equipped cars in a test-track environment with all kinds of road conditions and at all kinds of speeds simulating emergency conditions, with sand, water, different kinds of pavement thrown in, various maneuvers, etc. An ex-Suzuki-rally-team driver was one of my instructors and was quite good. Anyway, let me tell you, I was fairly underwhelmed by the whole stability control idea at first, was concerned about giving up control of the car, concerned about ESP interfering with the driving experience, etc. Well, after a day on the track, was my mind changed. In my opinion, 99% of the time, and with 99% of the drivers, a stability control system will react faster and more appropriately to a difficult situation than a human. Yes, a very well-trained driver in some circumstance may equal the computers and sensors, but I think that would be the rare exception. I left Chicago very convinced that stability control is about the most worthwhile safety advance I've seen on a car. When I got back from the school, I ordered a new 2003 Jetta with ESP to replace our 2002 Jetta without ( not avail for 02 on VW ).
Having driven our ESP-equipped car in the icy/snowy/wet conditions here lately in Kansas City, I must say that I'm quite impressed with the performance of stability control, and for the low price of $280 on my VW, don't think I could have spent a better 300 bucks. It reacts very seamlessly and more quickly and "intuitively" than I would have thought possible.
To end the overly long post ( sorry ), my point is that I HIGHLY recommmend that if you potential Prius owners have a chance to get a Prius with stability control, go for it. If it saves your butt once ( or your insurance deductible even ), well worth it. You will appreciate it more over time of ownership than in a 15 minute test drive on a dry road. I'm intrigued by the "tech" aspect of the Prius and may indeed get one soon to complement our Jetta TDI wagon ( Prius and TDI household would be an ideal meld of strengths of both cars I think ) and if I get the P, it will have stability control for sure. Thought I'd pass along the SC feedback for those of you considering a Prius--GET IT! Enjoy your Priuses! ( Pre-i ? )
I also have a question for John regarding use. What is the process to initiate/answer a call while driving?
In response to the information request about Bluetooth the following definition is from whatis.com:
Bluetooth is a computing and telecommunications industry specification that describes how mobile phones, computers, and personal digital assistants (PDAs) can easily interconnect with each other and with home and business phones and computers using a short-range wireless connection. Using this technology, users of cellular phones, pagers, and personal digital assistants such as the PalmPilot will be able to buy a three-in-one phone that can double as a portable phone at home or in the office, get quickly synchronized with information in a desktop or notebook computer, initiate the sending or receiving of a fax, initiate a print-out, and, in general, have all mobile and fixed computer devices be totally coordinated.
Bluetooth requires that a low-cost transceiver chip be included in each device. The tranceiver transmits and receives in a previously unused frequency band of 2.45 GHz that is available globally (with some variation of bandwidth in different countries). In addition to data, up to three voice channels are available. Each device has a unique 48-bit address from the IEEE 802 standard. Connections can be point-to-point or multipoint. The maximum range is 10 meters. Data can be exchanged at a rate of 1 megabit per second (up to 2 Mbps in the second generation of the technology). A frequency hop scheme allows devices to communicate even in areas with a great deal of electromagnetic interference. Built-in encryption and verification is provided.
The technology got its unusual name in honor of Harald Bluetooth, king of Denmark in the mid-tenth century. Among other things, Harald is credited with joining Denmark and part of Norway into a single kingdom before he died in battle in 986 with his son, Svend Forkbeard.
Another thing - my 2004 Prius Pocket Reference Guide gives the emergency roadside number as 877-304-6492. THIS IS NOT A CORRECT NUMBER, says the Voice of Experience. The correct number is 877-304-6495.
Despite the above, I am truly enjoying the car and do not regret my purchase.
Regarding Bluetooth. I also purchased a "Bluetooth" compatible phone from Cingular. It was expensive ($169.00)and got nothing for my old phone which will end up in the recycling heap. Cingular has another phone that is more expensive and takes photographs.I have energised the phone for bluetooth but have not yet had a chance to return to my dealer to get their assistance in setting up the lcd display for bluetooth.There ARE instructions in the Navigation manual but they look complicated for an oldster like me and I would prefer expert assistance.
I took photos of every part of the one-time setup to make the cell-phone & Prius connect. So there will be a PDF available fairly soon providing a step-by-step example. It's surprisingly easy once you understand what the heck you are trying to accomplish.
INITIATING a call is simple. Just push the telephone button on the steering-wheel or the one on the Multi-Display. Then a number-pad appears. You can either use that, the directory transferred from your phone, or the in/out log to specify a call number. Then you press dial. Note, while the vehicle is moving only the quick-dial numbers are available; to access everything else you must stop.
ANSWERING a call is just a matter or pushing the telephone button on the steering-wheel or the one on the Multi-Display that automatically appears when the phone rings.
You listen through the audio system speaker by the driver and talk through the voice-recognition microphone hidden in the dashboard.
JOHN
On page 241, when all jumper connections are made, Step 9 say to “Start the hybrid system.” So, from the “Owner’s Manual” it looks like I can have the car with the booster battery running (around 2000 rpm) and then connect the jumper cables and then start my hybrid system. Am I mis-interpreting their directions? Thanks, Tony.
> phone like bluetooth is still very distracting and is a
> bigger cause of major and fatal accidents than drunk drivers.
At this point with cell-phone technology, how different is it from talking to someone next to you?
One push of the thumb is all it takes to answer.
JOHN
What I wanted was input about the other jumping methods. By selecting one of the unusual options and only listing that, I did in fact get the feedback I desired. (Sometimes, you just can't rely on the subtle way providing enough opinions.)
The second draft (not available yet) is different, much like the manual now.
JOHN
Otherwise, wait for the Scion tC Coupe due next June. It'll have the 2.4L engine in a bigger (European Avensis based) chassis, tuned for comfort and economy with some sport from an available manual tranny. Also very aggressively priced like the rest of the Scion lineup, and the first Scion available nationwide.
http://www.edmunds.com/news/autoshows/articles/100691/page016.htm- - - - - l
On the same line of thinking, since the ICE does not run very often, it looks like I don't have to change the oil until around 6,000 miles. Plan to make my first oil change at 600 miles (Mobil 1) and then 6,000 there after.
Tony.
MC,
Thanks for finally coming out and detailing your needs. I have advice: Toyota isn't making cars for you in the 21st century. You sound like a Pontiac guy. Try the new Grand Prix. For $30k you can also purchase a stripped down Lexus or a mid-level Acura. They have message threads, too. Please go find them. You also overestimate the "ROI" of the luxury midsize market. Toyota is going to Highlanders next with HSD because THAT's where the big sales are.
PT Barnum,
If you go back and take the time to read the 1700 posts here, you'll understand how ridiculous you sound. At least Wayne is engaged enough to make lucid points about those two non-competing vehicles you threw out.
Peace.
HSD will spread, but Prius is already very innovative.
-juice
Right thumb button answers the phone.
Left thumb button powers off the audio system.
Both buttons have a dot on them so you can feel for their location, looking down is not required.
JOHN
I've owned three Mazdas. Each time the attraction ended after the high-maintenance rotaries ate me alive with maintenance and repair costs, though I know all but the RX-8 are piston powered now. Plus Mazda, being the niche player that they are, take more of a depreciation hit than most of the majors in their segments. Couple that with overblown PR lately (bloated hp claims as mentioned that resulted in some buybacks), periodic financial bailouts, and you have to wonder whether you'll wind up with an orphan.
Oh, since their US debut in 1973 I've heard: "I think the company to watch out for is Mazda!" Still watching and waiting, but for what?
http://www.epa.state.oh.us/dapc/echeck/waiextem.html#whatisthedif- ferencebetween
There's also contact info there to find out if your car would qualify for any other exemption. But I'd think the Web site would have mentioned hybrids if they were exempt.
One thing I don't understand is the concerns about safety when using the Prius' Bluetooth phone, if I understand how it works. It appears it can be operated (making and answering calls) just by using the steering wheel thumb-buttons and voice commands. So your hands never leave the wheel and you never have to take your eyes off the road. Based on that, I'd say using the Bluetooth phone is safer than driving while doing the following activities:
* smoking
* eating
* sipping a beverage
* adjusting a stereo (unless the controls are on the wheel, then it's equal)
* singing along with the stereo (a bit less safe than talking, especially if you are moving your head while singing)
* opening a window or sunroof
* following visual directions of a nav system
* shifting a manual transmission (takes one hand off the wheel)
* talking to someone else in the car (due to tendency to move head in their direction)
* holding a regular cell phone in one hand, taking notes with the other hand, and steering with your knees while driving in rush-hour traffic at 70 mph (I actually saw this once!).
Actually I think it would be great if every car came with Bluetooth. And maybe in a few years with the usual drop in cost of technology over time, they will.
Per our telephone conversation of today I have entered an order for a Prius, model #1224, in a Package #3/AF configuration with a color preference stated as follows #1-03Q3 Salsa Red, #2-06S9 Tideland Pearl and #3-08S2 Seaside Pearl. The Sticker Price/MSRP of this vehicle is $21,524 and includes the Destination Charge. Our stated "Best Price" is $21,024 plus the appropriate sales tax, title and license fees. I have entered your order request with our Inventory Manager using the VISA card number you gave me over the phone to cover the required $500 deposit, which is completely refundable should you decide not to take the vehicle when it arrives.
Then print it and archive the softcopy in case there's any misunderstandings later on. Also you might want to call the sales rep or manager to ask what number in line you are--that will confirm your order is "on the board".
Plano - I agree with the others, DON'T get a demo, especially if there is not a substantial price break. You have no idea how the test drivers and sales staff have treated the car ("let's see what she'll do!"). The dealer has received value from the car as a demo model, so they should be willing to reduce the price of it accordingly. Or maybe instead of a discount you could negotiate an extended warranty.