Looking at the C compacts: Focus, Cruize, Elantra.........prefer a hatch due to a dog and other hauling chores, but MPG is important as is a QUIET RIDE. I've read several places that the Prius did not deliver one. This is one drawback for me, along with the idea that they are NOT manufactured in the US. Would like to hear thoughts and opinions of real owners PS: Can I still get the balance of the factory warranty coverage if I purchase a used car? Thanks, George
Yes, the warranties are transferable. Quiet and smooth at lower speeds, since the engine is off a lot, but at higher speeds the soundproofing sacrifices show up. Likely you can reduce some of the noise by choosing a quieter tire (sacrificing some mpg in the process). The Prius is quieter than our 2008 Civic, except up some hills whether the Prius' Atkinsonized 1.8L has to work noticeably harder than the Civic. But then, the Civic's not really known for being quiet. Take one for a test drive and make sure you cover different speeds and environments.
Yes, absolutely. Agree completely. OP, where are you located? Can you update your location info? Besides going to a dealer for a test drive or renting one, if you're in luck, you might be able to test drive one at Toyota USA - Events | Facebook. Those events have no sales pressure at all.
Renting gives you a chance to 'sleep on it' and drive it the next day to answer the questions you don't think about the first day. Two days is good but three days is perfect. Include reasonable 1-2 hour drive on the highway to some place, a lunch or snack, and then return. This will let you really find out if it is the car for you. Not everyone who gets a Prius is happy with so a couple of days rental pretty well settles the issue. Bob Wilson
Agree with the above. If a quiet interior is a big factor for you, the Prius probably isn't the car for you. It is--by far--the noisiest interior of any car I've driven.
I noticed that it is quite noisy at highway speeds, but like above, I think a lot of that might have to do with the tires. But I guess it doesn't matter WHY it's loud, just that it is. I don't expect anyone to buy a new car and automatically replace the tires so I understand it's a concern. Unless of course you are buying new wheels at the same time. I'm a big Hyundai supporter and you can get the new Elantra GT (hatch) which sounds like it might fit your needs. Perhaps the best part is that it's based of the Hyundai i30 (sold in Europe) and has better steering than the Elantra sedans. Of course, the GT isn't built in Alabama (like the sedan) which seems to be a concern for you as well.
I think that the Prius is certainly no louder than the other cars you listed considering. In fact it is probably the quietest of the bunch. Test drive all of them and see for yourself!
We have a 2010 and a 2012 (Plug-in). They have definitely improved the sound-proofing from 2010 to 2012. Take one for a test ride. Going up a hill, they do strain a little...with a bit more noise. But at cruising speed, the 2012 is fine.
If you want to give up about 2-3 mpg, Goodyear comfort treads give a softer ride and are really quite. My dealer changed mine when I bought my 2005 Pruis new at no charge.
Get the Prius. If you want it quieter, go to a car stereo shop, ask them to install some sound deading material, or better yet install it your self. I have the Prius III. I think it's quieter then the I and II, the pillars are furry. I'm not sure if there is extra sound deading treatement that was added along with the JBL stereo. The way I see it, the other cars you mentioned can't be made into a hybrid. While the Prius can be made quiter.
Now, I have a 2012 Prius Two and consider it extremely quiet. I have no idea whether you would agree, nor do I have any idea what would show up on a decibel meter. 50 mpg as a possibility is a fact that I can personally verify - quiet is an opinion that you will have to decide for yourself. As has been mentioned - test drive, maybe even rent one for a week, and make up your own mind.
i have had a 2004, 2007, 2010, briefly a c, and now a 2012. there is no doubt in my mind that the quality of ride, handling and lack of noise have gone up the scale by quite a bit. its so quiet (most of the time) that i named my 2012 black prius the phantom, because it is ghostly quiet
essentially you are right. i got my c in the beginning of march. its a neat little car, but in my opinion, its not quite ready for prime time (for me). its loud, very jouncy, and noisy and has absolutely no pep except at very low speeds. it is cool though and in my opinion is going to be much more refined in the future. for me ( and i emphasize for me)it is not ready for prime time
I don't consider the Prius quiet (except in low speed EV mode), but this is not an issue for me as a commuter car. I'd look at the Focus, Toyota Matrix (Canada), and Mazda5 (think this is made in Japan).
George, If you want a car that is manufactured in the USA with high mpg - get the Volt or wait for the Ford C-Max Hybrid (which is a Prius v copycat). About two years ago, Toyota scrubbed their plans for a Prius Factory in Missouri - so there's not likely to be a Prius made in the USA anytime soon. The Prius can be noisy when climbing steep uphill for an extended time in mountainous terrain (this is common attribute for most small compacts), but the Prius can also be very quiet - infact - way too quiet especially when driven with only the electric motors - so quiet that now 2012 Prius and future Prii are required by federal law to have noise makers -so visually impaired (but not deaf) pedestrians can hear a Prius coming to an intersection. Because the Prius is a hatchback - the cabin has more noise than a sedan, but I don't think its ride is any louder than any other station wagon or SUV/crossover. Most hybrids are not designed to haul much cargo (passenger+cargo=800lbs) - if you want to tow anything or carry more than 500 pounds of cargo - consider a diesel or a conventional gas vehicle which is design to carry the maximum cargo weight you desire. If you need to carry a dog crate and you dont need to tow then look at the Prius V-ersatile or the Ford C-Max Hybrid for the best mpg OR if you are on a budget look at a used Ford Escape Hybrid or a Hyundai Elantra Touring. If you need to tow or lug alot of cargo in the city -the quietest car would be an all electric (battery) vehicle like a Nissan Leaf or you might want to wait for the Ford C-Max Energi which I believe is a Plugin Hybrid - both are a bit more pricey though.
The USA Prius plant was going to be in Mississippi but when the recession hit, it was suspended. The last I heard they are going to make Corollas (which doesn't make a lick of sense.) Noise, I don't notice but then: Sometimes I have selective audio acuity but I've been married 35 years. Bob Wilson
Oops! . Mississippi ...thanks for the correction. Bob While you have been able to tow and haul a signficant amount with the Prius, the OP doesn't sound as capable as you and given that Toyota does not recommend this - I don't think the OP would be comfortable going outside official specs or accept the lower MPG when towing...
Aww man, you missed my best line,"Sometimes I have selective audio acuity but I've been married 35 years." <grins> Was I too subtle? Bob Wilson
