Sayonara Prius, Ciao Fiat ;)

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Dolce_Vita, Dec 19, 2011.

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  1. Dolce_Vita

    Dolce_Vita Member

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    Reow, interesting how quickly fanboys get their claws out! Haters gonna hate, don't forget the Prius is probably one of the most universally trashed, laughed at and disliked cars.

    Those who think a 3 year old Fiat will self destruct, my parent's Ritmo/Bravo has 60,000miles all trouble free - not one warranty claim. Although that said, i got 3 years warranty on my Punto.

    Sexiness is in the eye of the beholder, although honestly, every non-Prius fanboy would say a Prius isnt exactly a supermodel.

    Last time i checked it's pretty rude to down someone when they obviously like some thing and are excited about it - i'm 17 and i can recognise such cattyness. I never actually downed the Prius, i said it's a great car and i still love it, i just find it ugly and dont like the trans.

    Any how, adios amigos :)
     
    #21 Dolce_Vita, Dec 19, 2011
  2. macmaster05

    macmaster05 Senor Member

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    ^thats why this is so sad. You have PRIUS owners making fun of a car. Shows you how sexy it is. ;)

    We're all joking anyway. Sorta.
     
    #22 macmaster05, Dec 19, 2011
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i'm sure you'll be welcome with open arms at fiatchat, but we'll miss you, ya big lug!
     
    #23 bisco, Dec 19, 2011
  4. uart

    uart Senior Member

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    Borat's not going to need to pay extra for the "pussy magnet" with that little beauty. LOL I love it!
     
    #24 uart, Dec 19, 2011
  5. uart

    uart Senior Member

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    Yep, pretty high prices compared to the US, but pretty low compared with much of Europe. We're typically only about 10% to 15% higher than Canada, so in global terms not all that bad. Europe is where the real killer prices are, over $8 US/gal in UK and almost $10 US/gal in Norway..

    The "high" price of petrol here has not been enough to deter people from buying large 4WD's though. According to a recent report their sales are up another 17% this year, with one in three passenger cars sold in Australia in the last 12 months being a 4WD or SUV.
     
    #25 uart, Dec 19, 2011
  6. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    The mobile guy who does paint recon work for Maita could probably refinish your hood for $200-300.

    MB860 ?
     
    #26 The Critic, Dec 19, 2011
  7. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    The body shop said they would charge $200 per panel. At this point I need the hood, both front fenders and the bumper cover. :( I'll likely do it someday. I put the 17s back on today and this thing looks so much better!

    Dolce, don't take our jibes to heart man. We like you around here. :)
     
    #27 F8L, Dec 19, 2011
  8. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Congrats on the Punto! I actually like your parents' Bravo better ;). hehe.

    It depends. Some SMGs have a creep feature like the US-spec smart fortwo (yet the rest of the world gets a "normal" SMG with R, N and +/-). That's too foreign here so they made it a PRND layout with a +/- beside D and added a creep feature. Boy was it annoying!
     
    #28 Tideland Prius, Dec 20, 2011
  9. Dolce_Vita

    Dolce_Vita Member

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    Yea, i've heard the US market isn't keen on SMG or smoother DCTs, hence why Dodge delayed release of their DCT. If driven manually the single clutch gearboxes are fine, but they're pretty hopeless as an auto - although i dont expect them to be anywhere near as good as a real automatic. I think the Toyota Multimode trans has a creep feature, although apparently it shouldnt be used for long periods as it overheats the clutch (as it slips the clutch to creep). I don't mind either way, PRND or other patterns doesnt make a difference. When in P/park, did it leave the gearbox 'in gear' to prevent rolling or did it leave it in neutral?
     
    #29 Dolce_Vita, Dec 20, 2011
  10. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    Let us know if it irritates you to have your gas engine idling whenever stopped. I'd steam a little under the collar with long stop lights and the Accord Coupe.

    Do you get an instantaneous fuel economy gage? I hated not having one in the coupe, but now I've got plenty to keep entertained with in Prius, weeee. :cheer2:
     
    #30 cycledrum, Dec 20, 2011
  11. Pinto Girl

    Pinto Girl New Member

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    The Prius is one of those cars that's good in traffic, but not super engaging to drive.

    The HSD was great while waiting for someone at the train station or fighting a traffic jam. But in other situations, the HSD gives new meaning to the term, 'slushbox.'

    If it's anything like my Fit, I can see why the OP might purchase the car he did. I definitely wish my car got a bit better mileage and didn't idle when stopped. But I also like the directness and responsiveness of the drivetrain, especially when using the paddle shifters. And I love the instantaneous MPG gauge, huge hatch opening, ample cargo space, and short wheelbase. Oh, and the way the NAV doesn't lock out while the car is in motion.

    It's always a trade-off.
     
    #31 Pinto Girl, Dec 20, 2011
    1 person likes this.
  12. Dolce_Vita

    Dolce_Vita Member

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    Exactly!!

    The Prius is faultless in traffic, but on the open road and when you really want some power, it's too slow to respond, it drones and never really feels 'fast'. A Punto isn't any quicker than a Prius - yet it feels much quicker as the throttle response is much faster and the gears make it feel fast. I just found the Prius too disconnected - the steering, handling and throttle response - it does really fit the term 'slushbox'. Y'all have to understand that a 17 year old wants a fun, youthful car that feels (or is) fast/sporty. A Prius is well suited to older drivers who want something relaxing to drive. The Prius isnt bad, it just doesnt fit what i want from a car.

    The lack of a stop/start system doesnt bother me that much as i don't really sit in traffic often or at traffic lights that much. The Punto has an instant MPG (or l/100km in my case) display on its MFD between the tacho/speedo.
     
    #32 Dolce_Vita, Dec 20, 2011
  13. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Should have put lowering springs, a rear sway bar and 17"-18" wheels. It totally transforms the feeling of the car. :)
     
    #33 F8L, Dec 20, 2011
  14. GrumpyCabbie

    GrumpyCabbie Senior Member

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    I think the Prius has a dorky image in Australia. When I told some of my Aussie mates that I'd got one they all laughed, whereas here I get the odd joke made but with the cost of petrol as it is they also see why I got it.

    Now if I were 17 (and not double that) I might be easily influenced by my mates ridicule and go for something more mainstream. Still think it's more of a babe magnet than a Fiat though :) Perhaps a magnet for 'thinking' girls - which is no bad thing.
     
    #34 GrumpyCabbie, Dec 20, 2011
  15. Flying White Dutchman

    Flying White Dutchman Senior Member

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    ok looking at post one ... from a distance its a prius to me and not sexy at all..
    dont think th prius is sexy bit that fiat is nothing better

    but ofcourse what is sexy is a persons own thing
     
    #35 Flying White Dutchman, Dec 20, 2011
  16. J5A

    J5A Active Member

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    At 17, and on your second car nonetheless, your Fiat is a lot more sexy than my Honda Elite motor scooter I drove when I was your age. :)
     
    #36 J5A, Dec 20, 2011
  17. xs650

    xs650 Senior Member

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    OK
     
    #37 xs650, Dec 20, 2011
  18. LIPriusFreak

    LIPriusFreak Can I haz JDM?

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    the prius is NOT sexy...my Legend on the other hand, is ;)
     
    #38 LIPriusFreak, Dec 20, 2011
  19. mmcdonal

    mmcdonal Active Member

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    If you were wanting a so-called "chick magnet," that dated 90's styling probably won't do it either. It reminds me of a mid-90's Ford Taurus wagon. Seriously, sexy is as sexy does, but sexy doesn't do a Punto.
     
    #39 mmcdonal, Dec 20, 2011
  20. Dolce_Vita

    Dolce_Vita Member

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    Simply put, the Prius has a horrible reputation in Aus, they're nationally ridiculed, disliked and slammed in the media and on forums etc. You tell someone you have a Prius & you notice them holding in laughter.

    This doesnt really worry me, i dont need a car to pull babes (as cocky as that sounds, 90% of girls i know don't know the difference between a Prius and any other car)
     
    #40 Dolce_Vita, Dec 21, 2011
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