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Looking at buying our first new Prius

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by greenmanJon, Jan 27, 2010.

  1. greenmanJon

    greenmanJon New Member

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    Other Hybrid
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    I'm looking at purchasing our first new Prius.
    As you all know, the Prius is not a cheap vehicle so I want to be sure it's the best car for us.
    Since they've been out a few years and many people here have them, I thought I'd ask about your opinions.
    We don't need to go into too much detail just a brief response is all I ask.
    What I am most interested in hearing about are:
    1) what you have had problems with
    2) what you think are the strongest assets the Prius has
    3) what accessories/options you love or wish you had purchased when you bought yours
    4) any common problems discussed here
    Thanks a bunch to everyone who replies
     
    #1 greenmanJon, Jan 27, 2010
  2. Politburo

    Politburo Active Member

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    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Read the forum a bit. There are thousands of posts answering your questions.
     
    #2 Politburo, Jan 27, 2010
  3. paprius4030

    paprius4030 My first Prius

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    Location:
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    Two
    1. None
    2.gas mileage
    3.SKS
    4.Most of them have been posted here, buy the extended warranty from Troy and you don't have to worry about it LOL
     
    #3 paprius4030, Jan 27, 2010
  4. William Tell

    William Tell New Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
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    N/A
    I only had mine for 3 weeks so I will hazard a guess:

    1) what you have had problems with
    - Nothing.

    2) what you think are the strongest assets the Prius has
    - Coolness and practicality.

    3) what accessories/options you love or wish you had purchased when you bought yours
    - AUX input. Perhaps keyless entry. Integrated Parking Assistant :)

    4) any common problems discussed here
    - It is a Toyota.
     
    #4 William Tell, Jan 27, 2010
  5. 55+man

    55+man New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 13, 2009
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    Location:
    Massachusetts
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    I've had ZERO problems
    Obviusly 53+ mile/gallon after 8,100 mile is nice- car handles pretty well in the snow (live in New England)
    Love the option IV with sunroof & navigation


     
    #5 55+man, Jan 27, 2010
  6. alohabailey

    alohabailey New Member

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    Location:
    NY, NY
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III

    Goodluck!!!!!!!!!
     
    #6 alohabailey, Jan 27, 2010
  7. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    Vehicle:
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    Describe your daily commute / use, that will really help us determine if the Prius is a good fit.
     
    #7 spiderman, Jan 27, 2010
  8. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    2005 Prius:

    1. Minor things like the rear mudguard improperly installed and a rear bumper clip that wasn't clipped on properly. Both were easy fixes. Foglight cover cracked

    2. Hatchback flexibility, compact exterior dimensions (easy to park/maneouvre), roomy interior, high tech stuff and of course mpg/emissions.

    3. None. I bought all the accessories I wanted and in Canada, there were only 3 option packages in 2005 - base, premium, premium w/nav. We got the Premium Package

    4. Common problems for the 2nd Generation include cracked foglight lens and crappy Goodyear Integrity (15" only) tires. The TRAC is also an issue for early 04/05 models


    2010 Prius:

    1. Tonneau cover not retracting fully in cold temps (below freezing). CD player skipping while playing MP3 CDs (still determining if it's the type of CD i use or the car because that same CD worked in my previous car with no issues yet the Prius runs store-bought CDs just fine)

    2. same as 2005.

    3. I want the LED headlights but the packaging in Canada means the LEDs are only available in the Touring Package and not the top model

    4. There's a thread on this I believe.
     
    #8 Tideland Prius, Jan 30, 2010
  9. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    This is the best advice so far. :)

    Some commutes will not generate "good" MPG numbers.
     
    #9 F8L, Jan 30, 2010
  10. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    But they'll still be better than those of any other car under the same conditions.
     
    #10 richard schumacher, Jan 31, 2010
  11. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    True that!
     
    #11 F8L, Jan 31, 2010
  12. greenmanJon

    greenmanJon New Member

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    Durham, NC
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    N/A
    Thanks, guys, for your input.
    As far as problems with the car goes, I have tried to sort through all the messages.
    There are so many posted here that I don't feel confident that I am getting the info I want.
    In any case, it seems that the Prii you guys have are relatively trouble free.
    I'm not at all concerned about the recent recalls in fact, I am encouraged that Toyota is responsible to the point of making all the recalls it has without being required to.
    We'll see what kind of deal we can get.
    Thanks again.
     
    #12 greenmanJon, Feb 1, 2010
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