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My 2010 Prius V is my best car ever!!

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by shawnb2, Jul 4, 2009.

  1. shawnb2

    shawnb2 Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2009
    533
    107
    22
    Location:
    Thousand Oaks, CA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    All I can say is I absolutely love this car! Had to force myself to stay out of it during this long holiday weekend. I have put over 1000 miles in about a week and a half, most of which is commuting nearly 100 miles round trip to work. But would find myself driving it just to go for a drive, not to mention inhale that new car smell. I have owned many other cars over the years and as much fun as the Camaro's, Trans Am's, Mustangs, 4-Runner and the like were to own there is nothing that compares in my opinion. It has plenty of power which really surprised me. I don't feel uncomfortable getting on the freeway or passing someone if I have to.
    The Tech. Package is amazing. I use the DCC all of the time. The LKA I see probably using on those long road trips more than anywhere else. The LED headlights are super bright. I love how quiet it is inside while driving.
    Toyota did an amazing job with this car. Are there things I would change or would like to have in addition to what I got? Yes of course, but any car is going to have that in one way or another. I will be changing out the stereo speakers with much better ones with a single 5 channel amp and a single 10" sub to really enhance the sound. Have already tinted all of the windows. Helps so incredibly much for me. I have sensitive eyes and am willing to take the risk for doing the front windows as well. I will probably be going with aftermarket 17" wheels probably next spring. I like these wheels enough but don't want to look like everyone else's car.
    Just wanted to share as to how happy I am with my new car. Definitely starting to see more around on the streets. Saw 3 yesterday and it was killing me that I wasn't driving mine. I guess my biggest thing that I am still adjusting to is being easier on the gas pedal and curbing my driving style a bit. Have only been able to break the 45mpg. mark so far, but it's at least still climbing. I'm sure part of it is changing my driving style as well as the engine breaking in. None the less, compared to the 17mpg's I was getting in my Camaro SS it is heavenly. Happy motoring!!
     
    #1 shawnb2, Jul 4, 2009
  2. damack1

    damack1 Member

    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2009
    123
    25
    2
    Location:
    Huntsville, Alabama
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    I've had mine 4 days now, and so far I think this is the best car I've ever owned, too. (Although, admittedly, most of my previous cars were just basic transportation.) I was a little disappointed with mileage at first. I thought I would get 50mpg right out of the starting gate, and I was staring at 46mpg for awhile. Today, I broke 50mpg for the first time, and that made me very happy.

    I've been very surprised at how solid the car feels. And it has an incredibly comfortable and smooth ride, which my mother commented on when I took her for a ride today. The smoothness and quiet just put me in a nice relaxed frame of mind.

    I'm also relieved that the various complaints that I've read here on PriusChat have turned out to be non-issues for me. I can read the screen easily even with polarized sunglasses, I think the interior looks and feels just fine (I have a IV with bisque), the wheel covers don't bother me, and I never would have noticed the wheel wells if someone here hadn't mentioned them.

    All in all, I'm extremely pleased with my purchase, and I expect to get a lot of enjoyment out of it.

     
    #2 damack1, Jul 4, 2009
  3. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2008
    8,245
    1,202
    0
    Location:
    NorCal
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Congrats on your new car!

    A salesperson at Sunnyvale Toyota warned about being careful adding electrical stuff into a Prius. He claimed it could harm the hybrid system if not done well. No details, just a warning FWIW.
     
    #3 cycledrum, Jul 4, 2009
  4. CAR4TWO

    CAR4TWO New Member

    Joined:
    May 24, 2009
    239
    41
    0
    Location:
    Grants Pass, OR
    Model:
    III
    We have the package III with Nav. I dialed down the base one notch and found it perfect. Maybe it was two notches. It is not a Bose system but darn close.

    I've got the Nav dialed in and really like it now. I have split the screen. I have a 300 foot view on the left and a half mile on the right. You don't need to see the road more than a half mile ahead. We have icons on the left and none on the right. You can see where your next turn on the right screen. Love it!... and I'm a Garmin Nuvi - Garmin 296 user.

    Yes, the new Prius is a World Class car. After driving the Prius, I can't understand why all cars aren't a hybrid.
     
    #4 CAR4TWO, Jul 4, 2009
  5. nola_Prius

    nola_Prius New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 21, 2009
    405
    62
    0
    Location:
    New Orleans
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    I too am currently a Garmin user.
    My Kenwood stereo has built-in Garmin navigation, so I don't really know which Garmin model it compares to, but I love it.
    I've only spent minimal time with the Prius's navigation while I was test driving at the dealership. I must say that I wasn't too impressed with the little exposure I had to it. In fact, I was a bit discouraged and dreading leaving my Garmin behind.
    Hopefully the customizations and changes you mentioned will make me a little more at ease with it when I receive my car.
     
    #5 nola_Prius, Jul 4, 2009
  6. shawnb2

    shawnb2 Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2009
    533
    107
    22
    Location:
    Thousand Oaks, CA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    No I definitely know about being careful and even though mine will be the installers first 2010 model he has installed upgraded systems in a few other hybrid models with no problems at all. Biggest thing to watch for is not to have a huge amp draw and the new HD amps by JL Audio and the PDX line from Alpine fit that bill perfectly. They are very efficient in power delivery and power consumption as they are fully digital amps. Very small in size and pack a big punch. You of course have to go with high quality products to get high quality results. No swap meet junk for sure. Once it's done next month I will report back with the results. Looks as if there is enough room to put closer to a full size battery and will probably do so just to make sure there is plenty of reserve power. I really don't see there being any problems and of course have alot of faith in my installer to make sure it's done right.
     
    #6 shawnb2, Jul 5, 2009
  7. wave_slider

    wave_slider New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2009
    201
    26
    0
    Location:
    the aloha state
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Congrats on the new ride! I'm sure that you will be getting 50 mpg in no time. If you are coming from v6/v8 engines, it takes a little adjustment because those engines pick up speed so quickly. I find that I push the pedal pretty hard to get to speed in the same way as my v6. That definitely nets lower mpg's.

    I work at the dealership and drive the car often (when there aren't any customers waiting to drive) and attempt to drive it differently to see how the mpg's are affected. I get about 18-19 mpg's on my current ride, and if I can average 50 mpg's, I will be very happy. Keep practicing the glide technique. : )
     
    #7 wave_slider, Jul 6, 2009
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