What Is The One Thing You Would Change?

I got mine just two days ago, really just moved into it yesterday. My major complaint is the fact that they got rid of 3/4 of the interior storage. Why did they do away with the storage in the doors and the drawer under the center console/arm rest? The Gen. II had all kinds of little places to put smaller items. They did away with the owner's manual holder in the back of the glove box and the shelf in the second glove box above that. Wish they had left those two things alone. I can't find a good place to put my CD's. I also don't like that the lid to the center console/armrest retracts back into the rear seating area. I was using a barrier to keep my fiance's dog from coming into the driver's area via the console, can't open the console if I use the barrier. The MPG info is too hard to find and to see, it is too small. The sunroof has some quirks. I don't like that it does not open and close all the way automatically, and I would like it better if it opened another 2-3 inches. I really don't like the design of that center console that contains the shifter. I preferred the more open styling of the Gen II in that regard. I did not mind it when I saw the car at the Owner's event. Seeing and using are two different things.

With all of that said, I am totally in love with this care, and am more amazed by it with each passing day. Who thought to put the CD access behind the NAV? They should have shown that on the previews, what an amazing thing. And I love the "miles to empty" feature. I really like the addition of the address book to the NAV.

 

Power seats. I miss power seats!

 

- Additions -

* Memory seats. Preset them in case different people uses the car, they have this option already in higher end Toyotas/Lexus.

* Tilt down side mirrors when reversing.


- Changes -

* Reverse camera in the middle. Why is it on the side anyways?

* Definitely better resolution on the Nav screen. Is this how it is on all the other Toyotas? Our previous Lexus had a much better screen, I wouldn't have mind paying an extra more for better screen.

 

Don't Buy A Nalgene Water Bottle Until You Read This : TreeHugger

I don't know if this is FUD

 

According to Gen II owners, the screen's resolution has been downgraded in the Gen III (probably as a cost cutting measure).

 

The backup camera lens bothers me. While it is great for generally seeing what is in back of you, it doesn't give you a realistic idea of how close you might be to an object. Something that is only inches away looks quite far away. Not very useful for parallel parking. It would also be great to see more to the corners of the bumpers.

 

I chose a II. I did not want/need most of the advanced features. But a few things that I've noticed so far that would make my new wheels even better:
Lumbar adjustment. My 1985 Prelude had a manual one, surely it wouldn't add that much to the cost and would be a big boost in comfort. I don't mind the manual and am generally the only one that drives the car. (until I take it in for service, then I'm sure I'll grumble about them changing it )
3 door smart key. This is my first Prius, but I've known others with the previous gen and that was a NICE feature that got my attention so I miss it, never even having had it.
auto adjust rearview mirror - I really can live with the flip switch, but the image quality seemed better in the auto chrome mirror. I've never had homelink but I think I would REALLY like that, too
And it would be great to have the backup camera standard and showing in the rear view mirror...optional would be ok, but it should be standard on all vehicles as a safety option IMO
And it's funny after reading all the other comments about the downsized storage, but coming from a Jeep with only a glove compartment (locking was nice but I rarely did so), a center console and two tiny little map pockets, I think the Prius has oodles of storage!

If I had to pick 1, it would definitely be the 3 door smart key!

Robbin

 

1) Make the cargo area's carpet match the cabin. That way my dark gray interior matches in the cargo area.

2) Dark Gray interior to be darker. I think dark gray in the Prius is light gray in other cars.

3) Non-Nav JBL to also have USB connect capability and Bluetooth Audio streaming. For what I paid for that "upgrade" ($1,000) these two items should be available.

4) Sunglass holder actually be large enough to fit anythign other than reading glasses.

5) 16 inch wheels on the II, III, IV instead of 15's.

6) The MID's MPG reading to not be off by 5%.

 

I can attest to the higher ground clearance, as I had less than 100 miles, when I pulled into a diagonal parking space and heard the dreaded scrape. I got out to look and almost threw up. Off to the local body/fender guy with a bottle of touch up, it does look a lot better now. How about a beep to let you know you are too close.

 

1) Significantly upgraded Nav system, including overhauled interface for nav and audio, a 3D nav view option, a usable iPod interface, stronger radio and XM signals, password-protected access, flash-based maps, cheaper and more frequent map updates, and a functional soundstage.

2) More dealer-installable add-ons for II/III models, including mudguards, Homelink, fog lights, and radar-assisted cruise control.

3) Lockable glove compartment.

 

But what do you do with the cases? There is no good place to store them, or any other CDs other than the 4 that fit in the changer. You can't stack everything on the tiny shelf in the console. I would think there has to be more space under than shelf where they could have put in a bin or door-type slot.

 

My CD case fits very nicely in the little niche to the left and under the driver seat. (By the gas door release) Very handy.

 

CDs are so 1990. Time to move to the iPod.

 

Wow--sounds like you push your Prius a little harder than I do...

Seriously, though, I have 6 or 8 CDs in cases in the lower glove box, with rubberbands holding them together so they don't rattle. Other than an umbrella, that's all I have in it (the owners manuals are in the area below the cargo area floor).

 

I agree 100%. I can barely see the red arrows from the ICE.

 

I would like it if mine had no rattles. thats all i would change.

 

I'd change the on-the-steering-wheel temperature control to the fan speed control.