What's your favorite thing about your Prius that you didn't know about before you bought it?

I didn't know that if you feathered the gas pedal just right, you could go into stealth mode and glide down the road. I feel pretty cool in stealth mode...

 

Maybe not the favorite, but the most unexpected was brake pad replacement being far less often.

 

Definitely agree about the stealth mode post... never thought I'd be able to do 5-10 minute stretches where I'm averaging 100mpg.

I was also surprised (I would hesitate to say impressed) by the acceleration onto highways... I thought it'd be sluggish and pitiful but its no worse than my previous car which was a V6 with 140hp.

 

For me it was the hidden box in the center console. Maybe the sales guy didn't know about it, but it was very cool to discover on my own! Everything else exceeded expectations (except the voice recognition phone dialing which is a joke at best!)

Enjoy your Prius

Lee

 

At 70,000 miles, minimal maintenance; Ive not have not had to replace:
- Brake pads
- Fan belts
- Suspension parts
- Battery (usually lasts onlt 2-3 years here in South Florida)
- Engine parts (PVC valve, valve seals, gaskets, etc.)
All of which I had ro replace on the last car I owned for 70,000 Miles (1986 Mercedes 300E)

 

Ability to glide and the "secret drawer"

 

I didn't know I'd like driving it so much.

 

^

And this is why I love this forum...I routinely learn new things here. Thanks for the tip.

As a former gamer (no time for that now with an infant daughter) my favorite unexpected benefit of the prius is the fact that I get to play a video game with my driving, and that game happens to be good for the environment.

 

I didn't know it was gonna change my life.

 

Never having to take the key out of my pocket is extraordinarily convenient

 

Until I go to drive our "other car" and can't find the key

For me it is how quiet and solid the car is and the ability to hold an absolutely constant speed with cruse control in the PA mountains (except I get frustrated by those constantly changing their speeds).

 

Which is why you'd like the 2010 model with the Adaptive Cruise Control Option (part of the Advanced Technology Package)

 

We didn't know that our Priuses would make us famous!

Our salesperson Nicole of Miller Toyota in Culver City hooked us up w/ Rachael Myrow of NPR, who was looking to interview early adopters of hybrid technology. Here's the result:

Hybrid Cars : NPR

 

How about the front page of the NY Times! (July 4, 2007)

 

I'm sorry I can't offer something not already posted, but I think it is worth repeating: I had no idea the Prius would have the passing response and speed it has. This nearly caused an accident the first time I took the car out for a long drive.

I was driving to Wisconsin on a State Highway and found myself behind an 18-wheeler that was a bit sluggish. I saw an opportunity to pass, and I thought I'd need to pick up some speed before turning out and crossing the center line. Not having thought much about the torque of an electric motor and the very quick response offered, I just punched it. Wow! I nearly went underneath the rear axle of the trailer and barely got across the center line without clipping the truck!

No, the Prius isn't a speed demon, and it doesn't accelerate like a sports car, but it is way ahead of any expectation I have ever had of the passing response of a small 4-banger.

 

I don't think any of those were replaced on my recent non-hybrids ('86 Honda, '97 Subaru, both still here) at that distance. Though starter batteries can easily last 6-9 years in Western WA.

My household is accustomed to 100,000 miles on the original brake pads of non-hybrids, so I was annoyed to get only a bit over 90,000 on the Subaru. What other distances have other folks achieved on their Prius vs. their previous non-hybrids? Will my (not yet acquired) Prius/Insight ever need replacement brake pads?