I noticed the same thing, was in the grocery parking lot waiting on the wife and decided to catch a nap. I found that setting the park brake helped quite a bit to quell the bucking. Rudely awakened by a loud knocking on the hatch door.
hard to describe without experiencing, but i have had 3, and i would never describe it as 'bucking like a mule'. probably the only way you'll ever know is to drive a new one.
How about if you're not in Park? Can't say I've ever noticed a harsh start up, but don't think I've ever been in Park when it happens. What comes to mind specifically, is this parking garage. We like to park on the 4th level, due to a skywalk. Spiralling up through the garage at low speed the car invariably runs on the hybrid battery, and runs it right down. But when the engine comes on, it just feels...: engineish.
When was the last time you were in a regular car of a similar econobox style, started the car, and felt nothing? The ONLY cars I have been in that don't buck are high end luxury cars like the Lexus. When you are driving down the road, the Prius is great at making it very imperceptible. When you are parked though, it can't use its MG2 counter-spin trick because the wheels (what it is directly connected to) are stationary. So yes the car will rock. "Buck like a mule" is an exaggeration. I have had the whole car sort of roll before. The whole thing feels like you are riding a wave for a second. But again, only when not moving. If the car is violently shaking apart like an actual mule, that is a whole different problem. But something tells me you just wanted to be dramatic with that phrasing...
More like it shakes front to back, not quite "buck like a mule", but when it does it, it is obvious and the only time mine has done that is setting in park with the car in "ready" using the AC.
This use to happen to my former G3. I think of it as happening this way (not saying this is what actually occurs): a smooth ICE startup happens when the ICE is spun up to proper operating speed before fuel/spark is added while the rough start occurs when the fuel/spark is brought in too soon before proper ICE rpm has been achieved. IOW, a startup "hiccup".
That is a very personal question, Bisco. Kidding. I copy/pasted the title and ended up with huge, bold text.
