before purchasing what are the pros and cons??

I love the intro... So, I'm bored and I thought I'd go sink $20K into a car... LOL!

I'm sure you've done more research than what this infers, or I hope you have! Before you go, at the very least, check Truecar.com for your area and get an idea what they are selling for so you don't get fleeced at the dealership...

To address your questions... You didn't mention if you are looking at a Prius III or IV, both are available with either Nav or Solar Package, but there is about a $5000 difference between the two depending on how they are equipped. I suggest you visit Toyota.com and download the brochure that lists all the differences between the various models...

Pros: Outstanding gas mileage, smooth, quiet ride, high tech gadgets galore...

Cons: Not the #1 choice for stop light drag races! Quirky styling, blind spots out the rear...

I like the Navigation system, but it does take some getting used to. Toyota does think the average driver is not responsible enough to safely use it while in motion, so several features are unavailable while driving. But, most are available via voice commands, another quirky feature I have yet to feel comfortable using. Something about arguing with a car doesn't sit right with me, and for some reason, most attempts at using the voice commands end in frustration because it doesn't understand what I'm saying... Maybe I just have one of those voices...

 

I have had my Prius III since last June (why they came out so early last year and so late this year is a mystery to me). I didn't get the nav. or the solar. 1. cost. 2. have great GPS on my phone. 3. I have never read that the solar is worth the money. I've added OEM fog lights, removed the wheel covers and placed toyota center caps in the holes in the wheels (still seem to get much better mpg than most without hypermiling), a Priushoods console cover (through Ebay) and a backup camera and aftermarket mirror with backup display and auto dimming. (WAY too many jet like little kids in my neighborhood) And saved a bundle over the packages necessary to get these items from Toyota as part of packages.
Just my thoughts,
Tony Renier

 

It is a good car for an adult to drive. Few juvinile features; loud exhast, funny wheels, scoops, fins or wings to explain.

It is a poor car to buy, then store for long periods of time. The more you drive it, the better the batteries like it.

 

I assume he means that it's not the best car to own if you are going to park it for a year while you go on deployment. The designers of the Prius assume that you are going to drive it at least every couple of weeks, otherwise the small 12V starting battery will tend to discharge. The big HV traction battery holds a charge, so it's really not an issue unless storage times are extreme.

If you are going to use it as a daily driver, or once every couple of weeks to the city as we do, it's an excellent car.

Tom

 

While the Prius is on, the computers all try to protect and pamper the HV Battery, which in turn gently charges the 12 v battery.

When the car is off, the batteries are on their own.

Prius used as taxis 24/7 often get extremely long battery life in miles 250,000 is not uncommon.

If you drove 12,500 miles a year that means your HV battery would need to last through 20 winters/summers, which is not as likely.

A number of folks here are unhappy with how their Prius reacts to long term storage, if you do not start your car for months at a time, the Prius may not be for you. If you repeatedly do not start your car for weeks at a time, the Prius may not be for you.

A related but not the same problem is the life of the 12 v battery, about 4 years, same as most car batteries. However, most of us know when the battery is getting weak by the sound of the starter. In a Prius, the engine is never started by the 12 v battery, so we have to learn new hints to go by. If the Power windows get much slower when the car is not ready, you may need a new 12 v battery.

 

That's a perfect application. You won't get the best mileage with that type of traffic, but you will get better mileage than with any other car.

Tom

 

You'd have a job finding a more ideal car for the above. This is where the Prius will excel. One con that nobody has mentioned is that you can't tow with the Prius. Some have fitted tow bars, but the official Toyota line is no!

 

^ from what I am seeing, a minimum 5-7 mile, level run @ 45-55 mph would likely give you the best results.

 

Pros: everything, basically, except:

Cons: most have been mentioned, the biggest are the rear visibility and the "dead fish" handling. The latter has caused me to find myself wandering toward the center line, or a ditch, when my attention lapsed for a second or two. No road feel in that steering, at all.

Other nit picks: road noise with stock (Yoko) tires, rough ride when tires are inflated to 40/38, horrible factory radio and nav. (save your money and get a II), oil filter designed for dealer service center profits - not ease of DIY.

 

I test drove the III but can't remember how the rear visibility was. I'm not sure what you mean by dead fish handling can you explain please?

I didn't even bother listening to the radio...I assumed the JBL system would be decent though. Is it really that bad? I've gotten used to our corolla's stock system coming from a complete aftermarket setup in my mustang...diamond audio and eclipse setup.

 

PRO:

(1) If you learn to moderate and modulate on the gas peddle, you will find that the G3 Prius is capable of exceptional mpgs. Well beyond what the EPA says. In warmer weather, I routinely get over 60 mpg...without having to resort to extraordinary efforts. The high mpgs are for real.

(2) Very roomy. I am a big guy, and have plenty of room. Even in the back seat, with driver seat adjusted back, I have plenty of room. No problems transporting 4 large adults.

(3) Hatch and foldable rear seats is very nice to have for hauling stuff if needed.

(4) If your car is not in a parking garage at work, then the solar system is a nice option. It's also a unique option only found on the Prius. Not essential, and if it didn't also come with a sun roof, I probably wouldn't have gotten. But I've grown to appreciate the solar function during these hot Summer months.

(5) Having the power mode button is very nice. Makes the car much more responsive off the line. Almost makes you forget you are driving a Prius. I actually was able to burn rubber, on dry asphalt, in the power mode. Those in my car at the time, were shocked I could do that.

CON:

(1) Price. It is a fair amount more compared to other non-hybrids.

(2) Head turning factor. There is none that I can tell. Well, unless this counts...EV mode can be useful:

[ame="www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZJjTEmXaf8"]YouTube - Weeds Clip - U-Turn's Prius[/ame]


Great car, though.

 

The Prius is the best car for commuting to work in any cases. The more you have to drive, the better savings.

JBL sounds good enough, I like built-in bluetooth, steering wheel is very light (I have to drive with 2 hands, normally I drive with one hand on my Acura Integra)

Consider my experience as it's similar to you.

I bough 2010 Prius package III (I want JBL and bluetooth, get II if you are gonna upgrade these with aftermarket ones) last Nov. My commute is around 40miles round trip. My ave MPG is around 46-48 (I drive normal, not hypermilling. HWY 65-75)

Icing on the cake is the space in the back when you fold the seat down. You can carry a whole lot of stuff, more than you can imagine.

 

Is it bad to justify the III over the II not because of the solar but it's sunroof ability as well? Lol...I really just want a sunroof option and the solar is more of an additional kicker to the package.

 

Pros:

The car is a purpose built, dedicated, commuting machine. It does this job very well. Easy on gas, reliable, low maintenance (no belts, 10,000 OCI, easy on brakes), inexpensive long-lasting tires, quiet.

The nav with XM traffic is kinda cool if you drive on freeways that get backed up. I really wish I had this back when I lived in Houston. Hands-free over bluetooth works great too.

At normal power settings (not WFO), it's very quiet...much quieter than other eco-boxes that skimp on sound insulation and mechanical isolation.

The back seat is usable by adults, maybe not those 6'5"+, but you can put actual, real people back there.

With the 11.9 gal tank (10 of which are usable), and the great mileage, it has very good range for a small car. I'd prefer a 15-gal tank, since I hate taking the time to fill up, but 500 miles is still very good.

I like the solar roof and think it's worth the money. The hot day ventilation is effective. I park mine out in the sun at work, and up here, a normal August day gets to 105F. Mostly though, I just like the sunroof. I like to have it open on nice days.

Smart key is wonderful if you've never owned one like this.

Personally, I like the center console, but I know others disagree.

The AC is great. Because it's electric, not engine driven, it works the same in traffic as at speed, which is nice.

Cons:

It only does commuting well. It's not fast, good looking, nor agile. Power is adequate (a few years ago 0-60 in 10 sec would have been considered quick), handling is adequate. Basically everything is only adequate, except the aspects that make it a great commuter.

Did I mention that it's ugly? I know...form follows function, but really, couldn't they have done better with the wheel covers?

 

That's exactly how I ended up with the solar package. The sunroof was a must have on my option list. That said, after using the solar now for several hot months, I've grown very fond of this option. Here on the East Coast, the main way to combat 130+ temps on the inside, it to crack the windows and sunroof. Problem is, during 4-6 months of the year, a surprise thunderstorm can crop up and drench the inside of the car. It's happened to me several times with other cars. Now, I don't have to leave anything open, and the system takes care of reducing the inside temp.