Anyone got a Prius? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

dougone · 09-14-2004, 11:37 PM

I'd like to know what owners think of the Prius. The later model 2003 or newer? How does it perform? Things you like and dislike? How much are the additional service cost?

green girl · 10-31-2004, 11:15 AM

I just got my new 2005 Prius on Friday after a four month wait!

It is absolutely the best car I've ever owned. I sold a Ford Explorer Limited, ('02), loaded because once a week I was paying $42 for a fillup with regular gas.

I'm already getting 44.-- mpg (city) while I learn how to drive it.
Features:
DVD map - I really relied on the compass in my Explorer, but the map on the Prius is excellent! It will search specific POI's )Points of Interest) and provide voice directions. The computer screen is easy to read in all light conditions. There are convenient controls located on the steering wheel so I can switch between in depth fuel consumption info to the map and back without compromising safety. It's taking me a little time to learn how to work this feature, but when I get it right it's great!

I haven't set up the bluetooth feature for my Motorola V600 phone yet, but I'll post when I do. This feature is fabulous for my son ('04 Prius and Sony Ericsson phone).

The interior is roomy with lots of storage compartments and enough cargo room to move everything I can carry with one other person to my new house. My 6'4" husband is comfortable in the passenger front seat.

The ride is smooth, easy to handle, quiet and there is no significant difference between my Ford (v 8 engine) and the Prius in pickup. The Ford would take everything at stoplights for probably $10 a pop. The Prius responds quickly and safely.

The smart-Key entry system is as good as the key-pad on the Ford. You cannot lock your keyes in the Prius! You never have to use a key to unlock or start the Prius, so your keyes stay conveniently in your pocket or purse.

The climate control functions in the background to keep the cabin comfortable, and so far, no blowing in our faces at start-up.

Things I would change:
The windows aren't tinted as darkly as the Ford (tinting blocks GPS system) and the visors don't block the sun at sunset unless I sit very straight and adjust constantly. Most serious flaw, imo.

I would like leather upholstery. I have two dogs! (who fit beautifully in the back - Golden Retriever 100lbs and Beagle-mix 30lbs.)

The Ford had auto headlights on-off *sniff* and auto door locks when in "drive gear".

Lastly, I don't know what driving in Cols, Ohio snow will be like. The Ford would go through anything! I'll post my experience on this board in Jan or Feb '05.

VVT-i Owns · 11-04-2004, 02:48 PM

Congrats on the car.
You can probably set the car to lock the doors once you move the transmission out of park. Have a look in your manual.

Toysrme · 11-04-2004, 02:52 PM

Great article about it here

Hatch · 11-04-2004, 02:53 PM

I HATE AUTOLOCK

but now onto you...You can turn the autolock on/off on the Canadian Prius, so I would assume you could do the same with the American version. The prius has a undocumented breakin period, you wont see your real fuel economy till after 8000km. With the skinny wheels and the weight of the car, the vehicle handles great in the snow and starts just fine. I dont own a Prius but I sell them

Yotalicious · 01-26-2005, 01:45 PM

Ive heard these vehicals have terrible reliability with their batterys? There is a guy on another forum who has a fleet of them (9) and he has had to send 4 back with battery cell issues...they are all 03's though, maybe they've changed it sence then?

Hatch · 01-26-2005, 02:14 PM

we have never ever replaced a bettery, and their was a recal on the 03 and previous with corrosion building up the battery posts. This has since been replaced and in the new one it uses a totally different system.

ea8631 · 01-31-2005, 03:08 PM

I got nothing wrong related to the battery issue with my 2001 toyota Prius with 168000km on it. Although I receive the recall letter.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yotalicious

Ive heard these vehicals have terrible reliability with their batterys? There is a guy on another forum who has a fleet of them (9) and he has had to send 4 back with battery cell issues...they are all 03's though, maybe they've changed it sence then?

02RSX90camry · 02-19-2005, 10:04 PM

my sister got an 04 (with 18k miles) in December. We love it. She's not getting great gas mileage (around 40ish) but it's still a cool car. We had a problem with the screen not working for like 5 minutes when we'd first start the car. but teh dealer took it back, replaced the entire unit, and it's working fine now.

hey greengirl, where'd you get yours from? I'm also from columbus (Dublin actually) we got ours from Toyota Direct. It was like one of 4 used prius' in the state, and it cost like a couple grand more than the MSRP of a brand new one

Hatch · 02-20-2005, 02:11 AM

The prius was not built for fuel economy (that was just a by product) it was designed for extremely low emisisons.

S92GT · 02-24-2005, 02:40 AM

grandparents had an 02, and have an 05 now. I've driven both I like 'em well enough, but it's not my cuppa tea.

the only problem they had with either one, was when driving a long distance (across a few states) they suddenly drove off the map on the navigation system. they stopped at a dealership, who showed them how to switch the zone, and all was well. they drive a lot of freeway miles and they always take the cars to the dealership for all repairs, and haven't had any problems at all, grandma loves it a lot, grandpa folded down the seats to use it to move small furniture when they moved. Priuses are great!

noofa · 03-07-2005, 05:10 AM

i have a 04 model for a work car, top speed 170km/h comfort 8/10 interior layout for a 6"6' person is shithouse

colin1 · 03-10-2005, 01:34 PM

Hatch,

Will you please post the insructions for activating the Auto Door Locking function in the Prius.

Thanks