1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

2012 Prius Noisemaker

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Maverick Hiker, Oct 4, 2011.

?

Would you Buy a 2012 Prius With Noisemaker (VPNS)

  1. More Likely, I like the idea

    9 vote(s)
    7.0%

  2. Would Not Affect My Decision

    62 vote(s)
    48.1%

  3. Less likely that I'd Buy a Prius due to the VPNS

    53 vote(s)
    41.1%

  4. Other (Please explain below)

    5 vote(s)
    3.9%
Page 3 of 4
  1. Maverick Hiker

    Maverick Hiker New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 28, 2011
    94
    2
    0
    Location:
    Baltimore MD
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Does it? I thought that was only in Japan.

    Anyway I bought a 2011 Prius last month, and the noisemaker in the 2012's was a factor in that decision. I don't like the sound in the video. It may not be that loud in person, but I'd still rather not have it. , It will be interesting to see if the new noisemaker hurts sales of the 2012 Prius.
     
    #41 Maverick Hiker, Nov 17, 2011
  2. RaZa

    RaZa Member

    Joined:
    Nov 7, 2011
    480
    93
    0
    Location:
    Florida
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    removed
     
    #42 RaZa, Nov 17, 2011
  3. KK6PD

    KK6PD _ . _ . / _ _ . _

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2008
    4,003
    946
    118
    Location:
    Los Angeles Foothills
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    You could make it sound like a friggin train, and people will still stand in front of it....



    :eek:
     
    #43 KK6PD, Nov 17, 2011
    1 person likes this.
  4. PearlJammer

    PearlJammer Member

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2011
    112
    23
    0
    Location:
    Georgia
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Wow, does that sound cool. I want to put one on my 2011.
     
    #44 PearlJammer, Nov 18, 2011
  5. Mudshark

    Mudshark Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 17, 2009
    33
    5
    0
    Location:
    Hooterville, Ohio
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Nope. I own one. There's no off button and the dealership won't turn it off for you like they'll do for the reverse beeper (actually they take that down to one beep).

    I literally had to pull out the manual to explain to the service people what I was talking about. They hadn’t heard of it.

    It’s not all that offensive though. I only notice it when pulling into the garage with the windows down.

    ...Mudshark
     
    #45 Mudshark, Mar 9, 2012
    1 person likes this.
  6. ArkiePrius

    ArkiePrius Junior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 28, 2012
    68
    13
    0
    Location:
    Arkansas
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    I actually didn't know what the noise was, I thought it was just something electric making noise when I pulled into the garage , maybe power steering or something. After reading some things on PriusChat about it, I decided that is what the noise is , doesn't bother me in the least. Now the crazy back up beeper inside the car is another story, will have it reprogrammed to one beep next time I am by the dealer.
    Arkie
     
    #46 ArkiePrius, Mar 9, 2012
  7. kstephens

    kstephens New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 29, 2012
    28
    3
    0
    Location:
    Kentucky
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    I was the same way - I didn't notice it at all, until I pulled it in the garage with the windows down. It is no louder than the gas engine would be at an idle. Honestly, I think it sounds pretty cool.
     
    #47 kstephens, Mar 12, 2012
    2 people like this.
  8. ghosteh

    ghosteh Member

    Joined:
    Dec 22, 2010
    146
    57
    0
    Location:
    Illinois
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    It should be programable, like a ringtone.

    I'll take one that plays the "Jaws" theme
     
    #48 ghosteh, Mar 12, 2012
  9. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2006
    19,011
    4,081
    50
    Location:
    Grass Valley, CA.
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    So do I!
     
    #49 F8L, Mar 12, 2012
  10. tommygun

    tommygun Who was that masked man?

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2012
    35
    1
    0
    Location:
    New York City
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    Before I took delivery I thought that I might find the sound annoying. My experience is the same as kstephens; I don't hear it at all with the windows up. After all, it is a very moderate noise that is only present from zero to 15 mph. To me, it is a non-issue.
     
    #50 tommygun, Mar 12, 2012
  11. Caydoc

    Caydoc Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 2, 2011
    32
    1
    0
    Location:
    Savannah, GA
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I've had my '12 for only a week or so and haven't been aware of the sound we're discussing. This could be because (1) it was deleted along with the reverse beep, or (2) I'm deaf, or (3) it's inaudible to the driver with windows up.
     
    #51 Caydoc, Mar 12, 2012
  12. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2006
    19,011
    4,081
    50
    Location:
    Grass Valley, CA.
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    It is most likely #3 but could be #2 as well. :p

    I don't really hear it with the windows up unless it is VERY quiet outside. I can faintly hear it with the windows down. The only time it is "loud" is when pulling into the garage and even then it's not loud.
     
    #52 F8L, Mar 12, 2012
  13. lilfos

    lilfos Junior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2012
    8
    0
    0
    Location:
    20910
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    This is hardly a strong testament, but I forgot to listen for the noisemaker during my test drive and I didn't notice it at all. Windows were up. I noticed dozens of other things about the car, but I remained oblivious to the noisemaker.

    In retrospect, this explains why blind and/or distracted pedestrians kept jumping out of my way at every crosswalk.

    Kidding.
     
    #53 lilfos, Mar 12, 2012
  14. krkeegan

    krkeegan Junior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2012
    2
    2
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    II
    This is my first, of hopefully many posts to come.

    I just purchased a 2012 on Sunday.

    After reading that the VPNS was new on the 2012 I was a little concerned that I might find the system to be obnoxious, embarrassing, annoying, ...

    I test drove the vehicle and did not hear a sound from inside the car. In order to hear it I have to drive through a parking garage with my windows down. Even when I can hear it, it just sounds like a quiet "electric car sound."

    From someone who was very concerned about it, I can tell you that the VPNS is a non-issue. I may even go so far to say that it gives me some piece of mind that if I fail to see a pedestrian, that they may still hear me.
     
    #54 krkeegan, Mar 12, 2012
    2 people like this.
  15. whicks3

    whicks3 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 3, 2009
    23
    6
    0
    Location:
    Robbinsville,NC
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    My grand kids think it's really cool!! they call it the "spaceship" noise. I can only hear it with the windows down,no big deal. I don't know if it will help much,distracted people don't notice my one ton van coming with it's loud exhaust!!
     
    #55 whicks3, Mar 12, 2012
  16. boopie

    boopie Are we there yet?

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2011
    47
    7
    0
    Location:
    Starbucks
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    I notice it almost every day! Pulling into the parking garage, with windows down to swipe my parking pass, and the satellite radio cuts out.

    You know what would be cool, if the parking garage at work could be programmed to Homelink.
     
    #56 boopie, Mar 12, 2012
  17. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2009
    17,557
    10,324
    90
    Location:
    Western Washington
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Based on the number of young folks killed by freight trains around here, and even my own experience tapping the horn, I wouldn't rely on the sighted but distracted pedestrians to hear anything outside the conversation or music in which they are deeply engaged. The noisemaker seems geared more towards those who have no vision to use as a crutch to avoid using their ears.
     
    #57 fuzzy1, Mar 12, 2012
  18. sdtundra

    sdtundra Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 11, 2008
    1,314
    193
    0
    Location:
    Sacramento, CA
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I wonder if its just a speaker linked into the gas engine as its switch. Gas engine shuts off, speaker turns on...if thats the case, waiting for someone to hack it to play something like this..chevelle cammed idle 2 - YouTube

    The American Muscle guys would love it...people would definitely do a double take if a Prius in EV mode sounded like that
     
    #58 sdtundra, Mar 12, 2012
  19. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2006
    19,011
    4,081
    50
    Location:
    Grass Valley, CA.
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    #59 F8L, Mar 12, 2012
    3 people like this.
  20. theorist

    theorist Member

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2006
    365
    11
    0
    Location:
    Lexington, MA
    This reminds me of the work of the characters played by Vince Vaughn and Kevin James in the movie The_Dilemma.

    I like the idea of VPNS but find the chosen sound annoying. I think it would be brilliant if Toyota or some inventive aftermarket modders enabled Prius owners to choose from a menu of sounds. Of course I doubt pedestrians would enjoy the EV sounds we chose for our cars any more than we enjoy the ring-tones others choose.

    Still, what other sounds would you like to choose for your prius to make and use for VPNS? The clippity clop of hooves? Squealing pigs? The sound of a pack of Tour-de-France cyclists? The sound of "heave-ho, heave-ho" with whips cracking? Ben Hur's chariot? Your favorite sports car at idle? Your favorite car at full throttle? A Sherman Tank? The sound of Star Wars vehicles? The Lone Ranger theme? "Born to be Wild"? I'm sure you can come up with better ideas.
     
    #60 theorist, Mar 13, 2012
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)
Page 3 of 4