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Is Prius comfortable for a long trip?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by wowmgr, Aug 3, 2005.

  1. wowmgr

    wowmgr New Member

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    My wife and I take interstate trips 3~4 times a year.
    Other than that, we have an hour round-trip commute daily and drive 1~2 hours long drive in weekend. Recenty we'd driven a Corolla from Wasington DC to New York city that takes 5 hours one way and had no problem for comfort.

    If we buy a Prius, we like to drive it down to Florida that takes over 12 hours. Do you think a Prius is comfortable for the long hours trip?
    I found that Prius' tire noise level is slightly higher than Corolla's.

    I reserve a Prius with Pkg #4 without a navigation now and am considering to change it to pkg #6 with navi. Do you think it's worth to spend $3000.00 extra for the Pkg#6 including navigation, 6CD, JBL speakers, homelink, bluetooth? 6CD with a upgraded speaker looks attractive, but I can get a 3rd party navigation system for $1000 and don't care much about homelink and bluetooth.

    Salesperson said that I can get more discount on pkg #6, and I may spend less than $3000. She said that navigation is good for the resale of the car. I read the postings that showed many Prius owner enjoy their nevigation system.

    Is the Prius' navigation better than 3rd party one?
    What is the advantage of having one that comes with a car?

    Welcome to your advice and suggestion.
     
  2. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    IMO, for my body, no it's not comfortable for a long trip. I start aching in my back, my knees get sort and I really start feeling unsettled after anything longer than about 2 hours. I have driven for up to 3 1/2 though and it was tolerable, but I would not use the word 'comfortable'.

    That said, others have driven for much longer stretches with no complaints what-so-ever.

    I don't think the NAV is better as far as interface, ease of use or accuracy than aftermarket options. In particular is the new Tom Tom that has integrated voice and BT phone that sells for under $900. But, the convenience is very sweet and to me it was worth it. Had the Tom Tom been an option when I got my Prius I would probably given it serious consideration though...esp. since it would be portable car to car.
     
  3. Hybrid_Dave

    Hybrid_Dave New Member

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    I just did a drive from Richmond VA to NYC, then from NYC down to Jacksonville FL, and back to Richmond...it was a lot of miles...and I really wasn't that uncomfortable...about 1 hour away from Richmond on the way back from FL, and I had played all my CD's more than once, all that bothered me was boredom ;)

    Dave.
     
  4. BobA

    BobA New Member

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    I have just returned from a Denver to California round trip... I may not be as tall as Dr Evan.. both my wife and I are about 5-6 to 5-9 depending on who it trying to be taller.. she has a bad back and we do stop more than the average traveler.. our trip was two days into CA.. Denver to Green River UT.. to Barstow CA.. the weekend in Buellton CA.. on to Roseville CA..Reno NV.. Wendover NV..Rawlins WY and home (Denver).. I drove the entire trip and was not fatigued on any leg of the trip.. I don't mind any road noise that there might be.. we don't have a problem talking over it... and we averaged 52.7 mpg

    We have the NAV... used it to find a couple of places along the way on this trip and have used it around Denver.. probably is an expensive toy.. but with the tax deductions we got for the hybrid it was a wash.. we don't have a BT phone so can't say that is good or bad.. but a hands free phone is a safety issue...



    Bob Andersen
     
  5. HTMLSpinnr

    HTMLSpinnr Super Moderator
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    I routinely drive from PHX to SBD (Phoenix AZ to a bit east of San Bernardino, CA) which is 4.5-6 hours depending on how you drive and if/when you stop. Distance is ~295 miles. I tend to use cruise control and on I-10, keep it at 70-75 mph.

    I'm a smaller framed guy with short legs (5'4", long torso/short legs). I find the Prius quite comfortable for me. I've made trips from CA to AZ solo w/o stopping once and have been just fine. I haven't had any complaints from my wife or kids either, though with them I usually need to stop :-P

    It really depends on your build and proportions. Your best bet would be to rent a TRAC Prius and take it on a long trip.
     
  6. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    I should have mentioned, I'm ~5'11", ~175lbs...long legs (34" inseam).

    Tall, dark, handsome, Italian....oh, wrong web site.
     
    joelg1988 likes this.
  7. Hybrid_Dave

    Hybrid_Dave New Member

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    I guess it just depends on the individual's comfort zone then, because I'm 6'1" 195 lbs, and have a 33" inseam (long legs)...I'm fine with the Prius on long trips.

    Dave.
     
  8. Lora

    Lora New Member

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    We trecked our Prius all the way from Toledo, OH to Phoenix ,AZ and back again this summer.

    No complaints. We switched drivers every 3 hours or so...the passenger usually took advantage of the fully reclinable seat and snoozed.

    Spent $200 total on gas.
     
  9. rustyj

    rustyj New Member

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    Not for me, I love my 05' Prius, works great for commuting. I have made several long trips (300-400 miles), and after a couple hours I definately need to stretch. 6'4", 34" inseam.

    If I could get the seat to go back another 4"-6" it would be great.
     
  10. paprius4030

    paprius4030 My first Prius

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    Doc your a HOOT! LOL. Well back on track....We went from Poconos to Florida in Nov. and Poconos to Jekyell Island, Ga. couple of months ago with no complaints. My wife thinks it's more comfy than our Chevy Venture
     
  11. Sufferin' Prius Envy

    Sufferin' Prius Envy Platinum Member

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    Longest one day Prius trip so far: 500 miles from Sacramento straight (I mean really straight) down I-5 to San Diego. Arrived feeling relaxed and not sore from sitting for hours. Me: 6 foot and 46 years old.

    The electric power-assist steering is a godsend on long trips. It really makes a difference not having to fight steering wheel feedback hours on end.
    The seats were very comfortable for me and my wife.
    The cruise control worked great.
    Stopping for gas half as often and not worrying about distance between stations - loved it!

    On the return trip, the weather and road conditions on the Pacific Coast Highway turned very nasty. The Traction Control/ Vehicle Stability Control kept us from feeling like we needed to pull over like the other cars. It actually did its thing a couple of times. We kept going an felt very stable and very much in control!

    We also had a Corolla. No contest, the Prius wins in all categories.
     
  12. wowmgr

    wowmgr New Member

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    Thank you for sharing your long trip experience
    I feel more comfortable to have a long trip in Prius now. ^^
    We are 5' 8" with 150 lbs and 5'3" with 104 lbs.
    My wife and I are amazed by the length of trips in such a small car!

    I think I stay with the reserve of pkg #4 and may add a aftermarket NAVI later if I really need it. I like the idea of sharing it with my SLK. By the way, do you have any recommendation for a good aftermarket NAVI?

    Thanks again. This forum is as helpful as the Mercedes SLK user forum that I've been involved for last 5 years.
     
  13. bethmaup

    bethmaup New Member

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    My husband and I took a trip from Austin to Yellowstone, coming back through Idaho and Utah because of Wyoming road construction we encountered on the way to the part. We travelled 3922 miles, leaving home the evening of July 11 and returning on July 21, so we averaged around 350 miles a day. Although we seemed to have stiff joints from sitting so long each time we stopped, neither of us complained about the car being uncomfortable.

    Beth
     
  14. lt1jane

    lt1jane New Member

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    I am 5'4" and my husband is 5'7" We drove from our home in Appleton, WI (near Green Bay) to Minneapolis which is about a 5 hour trip. This was the first time in my life I have ever arrived feeling rested and not antsy to get out of the car. Both of us commented that the car was quite comfortable for the trip.

    I have always driven economy cars, my last being a Saturn. The Prius for me is a HUGE step up in comfort and options. We bought our Prius used (walked into the dealership 10 minutes after the deal to sell it fell through). It is fully loaded with sound, Nav, everything. I'm spoiled now and would order a fully loaded Prius again if I had the chance.
     
  15. RMunroe

    RMunroe New Member

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    I just returned from a trip: San Diego to Salt Lake and back. Took two days each way. Reasonably comfortable, but not like the Buick Park Ave I replaced. Climbing the Cajon pass I went by al lot of Buicks and other big cars on the side of the freeway with their hoods open. (temps in the 110 F range) Lot's better MPG! At 75 - 80 MPH got 45mpg, so only one intermediate fuel stop en route.

    Strongly recommend the Nav system. San To SLC is highway 15/215 all the way but guidance (and forewarnings) for turns, off ramps, etc is great. When you pull off for food, the Nav will direct back to the planned route in unknown communities.

    Voice Command and bluetooth in package 6 also vey useful
     
  16. momsum

    momsum New Member

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    I haven't received my Tideland Pearl yet...maybe in one more week???? Anyway, I ordered pkg 6 mostly because of the VSC that comes in that pkg. I've read that the fog lights were so/so, but wanted them for safety reasons as well.
     
  17. removeum

    removeum Member

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    I just got back from a 3300 mile road trip Omaha to Sacramento and back. I must say no complaints as to the comfort of the Prius on long trips. I am 5’10 280+ and had no discomfort what so ever. I did notice something strange though. While traveling at 75 mph, 103 outside temperature, a/c set at 74 degrees. Between western Nebraska and Reno, Nevada you can draw the traction battery down to one pink bar many times.

    Ben
     
  18. clubmedic

    clubmedic New Member

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    I originally got the full package (NAV, bluetooth, etc.) just to spoil myself, not knowing if I'd really use them. But I've found them to be very useful on a regular basis. I had to buy a bluetooth phone, of course, but once I did the convenience was great. The NAV is a useful tool, even in my local neighborhood. It's shown me shortcuts I didn't know existed, and I've lived here 13 years.
     
  19. bobjeri

    bobjeri New Member

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    Not quite as comfortable as the Outback with fully adjustable seats but more comfortable than some other cars. Rear leg room comfort etc quite good.

    So far our trips have not exceeded about 300 mi one way.
     
  20. aaf709

    aaf709 Ravenpaw of ThunderClan

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    My wife and I have had trips lasting over 4 hours and have had no problems with the seats.

    The NAV system has worked well with us. Having it integrated is very nice. My original intention was to get one without one and get a third party system, but it was quicker to get a #6. I have not regretted it. Don't forget that the #6 package also includes the Vehicle Stability Control.

    Here is a link to the topic with suggestions of third party NAV systems to get. I saw an ad for one that uses XM radio to give real-time traffic conditions on the map.