Raves & Rants

Picked up my red V (no nav or ATP) Saturday. First time Prius owner. Now that I've lost my virginity, here's a synopsis of my views so far:

- Good experience at my chosen dealer, 190 miles, 3 hours from my home. But MSRP, no dealer fees and no forced port options. Ordered 3 options, port only had one and...installed the wrong one. My bumper applique' turned out to be the black plastic bumper guard - which was pointed out by me and was quickly removed (no damage from tape). They reordered the applique, will send to me and arrange for my local dealer to install. Only misstep in the entire sales/delivery process.
- Drive home 47.3mpg, almost all highway varying speeds 55-70 for proper break-in. I was very surprised to reach that number (17" tires).
- The fit & finish is superb - kudos. The placard states built on 5/09, received in Jacksonville port 6/8. Serial # 1628. Toyota sure has it down to a science. Feels odd to sit in a car that was 1/2 way around the world being built 5 weeks ago.
- The SKS system is so convenient - love it!
- Seats are VERY comfortable, esp the back support and power lumbar. Bottom is a bit flat and firm. Loads of adjustments. I easily found a perfect driving position. First car I don't have the tilt wheel all the way lowered. Both armrest and console are way too low - can't hold the wheel 10-2 or even 9-3 and rests your elbows.
- Position of MID is great - the digital speedo...perfect IMO. I can have my hand at 12 and not block any gauges etc as in a 'normal' car. Getting the hang of the MID info and hybrid info. Like the 3D look, but a bit more color variance of the info esp hybrid screens would be nice.
- Good design of dash and center stack - all within easy reach. The color of surrounding and switch faces would be more appealing if lighter in color - they're very dark gray. The dash top, nice texture, but almost black and a sure dust magnet -already. Also saw some reflections on the windshield even with the dark color.
- Lots of interior room - from side<>side and front<>back. And headroom. No cramped feeling at all. The interior smell -wonderful leathery - hope it hangs around.... Don't like the small door pockets - front gloveboxes very roomy - maps fit perfect in the upper box. The second cupholder in the console - bad design - it is relegated to a coin box for me. Leather is textured nicely and perforated with nice stitching, not buttery soft but seems to be decent grade and should wear well.

Rants...
- The rearview mirror vibrates with bass from the sound system (no rap playing...) I tried adjusting et al - no matter - irritating.
- From the inside all doors closed with a nice thunk. Outside, esp when opening, feels and sounds cheap and hollow.
- There is a rectangle dark metal sticker, perhaps with imbedded chip, at the very top of the inside windshield about 1"X4". Distracting as heck. The dealer rep said it is the antenna for SKS. If so the placement stinks. I att a pic. Anybody know?
- Headlight washers - complete waste of $$$. I doubt if I will ever use. It rained on the way home from the dealer so I tested the washers in the garage - most of the hood gets sprayed with sudsy water - stupid! Pic attached. They automatically spray if the lights are on and the windshield washers are activated - again stupid.
- No mute on the JBL with blutooth - low end unit does, but mine uses the switch locale to load CDs.
- The back wiper is almost useless. It covers such a small area and mostly on the driver's side - test it - you'll see... Would be OK for snow, but leave a large swath undone.

Sorry for the length of this - I won't cover my impressions of driving and hybrid op here. BUT - it is fantastic - and the handling of the V - sportscar-like. The steering - 1/8 turn of the wheel around exit ramps. All this exceeds my expectations. 240 miles so far - awaiting a lot more...Way to go Toyota - and Japan.

 

My initial thought - placed there by the dealer to track cars for service. Just couldn't believe Toyota would place it there or that other posters would not have mentioned it by now. The dealer is 190 miles away, so if that's the case, 1) I will be POd that I was lied to and 2) off it comes like a bandaid.

To add confusion - the oweners manual shows the location of the various antennas - and there IS one for SKS near that location - but none of the other "near window locations" are on the window itself....
Can we get verification? I will also call the Service Mgr to ask THEM...

 

Actually, the rep that reviewed all the Prius operations and such at delivery did a fine job - except for that sticker, and when I pointed to the hole with the led/light near the dome lights...she said "Oh that's for the new Safety Connect later. I said - nope it's an LED to softly light the shifter. She appreciated the info - but I'm still ticked about that sticker - does anyone have difinitive proof that's it's NOT part of the Prius assembly? I will call the Service Manager tomorrow too. Just to close the loop.

I'm certain most of us here could demo and sell these cars better than most of the dealer reps out there. But, we're geeks for this stuff I guess. And in my case - know zip about the other Toyota vehicles they need to sell.

 

Jason great timing for your questions, and I'll try to be brief. Now - I'm still just past virgin territory (250 miles), but.

17"ers -them plus the steering mods - OMG.... I've had sports cars, MR2, 300ZX, Supra in the past. Now I won't compare the V to them but - it's not far behind. The thing corners, as they say, like it's on rails. I did the quick-turn back<>forth thing Indy & F1 cars due to warm up the tires before a race. The Prius barely has roll and the steering is SO quick. Reviewers that say it wallows or dives are prejudiced. I'd recommend a fun test drive in a V.
LEDs - Jyst got back from a night drive - the LEDs are very white with a bluish tinge. Completely covers the swath ahead with no voids or bright spots, and a perfect cutoff. Don't know how the self-leveling works...or even why, for now. So from the inside driving the car REALLY illuminates the area ahead (and Brights are huge). The fogs, barely see them light as driving. From the outside the lights are "wicked cool".
The EV mode - I live in a gated community about 1/3 mile from the main road. Both ways tonight stayed in EV with no issue - was up to 25. It is so cool. Seeing 100MPG. BUT - I tried Power getting onto the highway on several occasions - and another OMG - this Prius can HAUL. MUCH better pickup than my (sold now) Lexus RX. I could not be more pleased. I didn't punch it (still new), but got up to 55 really quick - and no shift points!!! Wierd..

And the interior lights and MID at night is really nice.
I am one happy camper...

 

You're EXACTLY right - very observant - the "sticker" is not connected by a wire, etching etc. But it does have a small bulge in the middle as if it houses a chip transmitter. Dollars to donuts - it is a tracking mechanism for service - like a hi tech bar code to ID cars for service. I just want to make 100% absolutely positively - as I've done stupid things in my life... What made me worried is that "antenna" illustration in the owners manual - BTW pg 58.

 

You???? When I got the call I had to drive myself to the ER - heart palpitations.