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First Time Prius Owner

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by RichardAK, Mar 17, 2012.

  1. RichardAK

    RichardAK Member

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2012
    121
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    Location:
    Fairbanks, AK
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    I just picked up our Prius v Three in blue ribbon metallic. The salesman recommended a non-Toyota autostart due to customer dissatisfaction with the limited range of the Toyota unit. The downside is another remote. I also had aftermarket seat heaters installed. Tomorrow, studded snow tires (we still have a lot of snow and ice). Pretty much purchased it sight unseen after test driving a 2012 Prius Two as there were no v's on the lot. The Two got stuck in our driveway with the stock tires during the test drive. This is replacing a Sienna XLE AWD. I've been reading this site for a while and have learned a lot.
     
    #1 RichardAK, Mar 17, 2012
  2. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

    Joined:
    Jul 5, 2009
    7,543
    1,558
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    Location:
    Alaska
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Hello Richard, welcome aboard! Always good to see a fellow Alaskan here.. there are few of us. It will be good to hear what you think of the v in Alaska.
     
    #2 spiderman, Mar 17, 2012
  3. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
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    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Congrats and welcome!
     
    #3 Tideland Prius, Mar 17, 2012
  4. RichardAK

    RichardAK Member

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2012
    121
    14
    0
    Location:
    Fairbanks, AK
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    Thank you for the welcome. So far so good though the studded snow tires (Nokian Hakkapeliitta 5) are a bit noisy though traction is great. Probably not great for mileage but at least no more beeping from the VSC system.
     
    #4 RichardAK, Mar 17, 2012
  5. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2010
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    Location:
    Redneck Riviera (Gulf South)
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Greetings!
    and....Welcome Aboard!!

    :welcome:
     
    #5 ETC(SS), Mar 18, 2012
  6. LindaAK

    LindaAK New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 5, 2012
    3
    0
    0
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Hello, I just purchased a like-new 2009 Prius and loving it! With an eye toward winter (and realizing I won't have the plow-through-snow capability ofmy former car, Subaru Outback) I'm researching studded snow tires.

    Seeking advice:
    1) Hankook w409 or Nokian Hakapiliita 7 (spelling is prob wrong). Both available locally. Hankooks have heavy steel studs. Hak7 have "street smart" titanium studs? Hankooks are much better price. Are Hak7s worth the difference?
    2) tire pressure monitors will add another $300+. Have been told they aren't really necessary if I can live with the sensor light being on and do manual tire pressure checks.
    3) am going to mount winter tires on 15" steel rims.

    I am glad to find the newbie forum. I spent time this morning reading the "what new owners shoul know" thread.

    Would appreciate tire advice. Thanks
     
    #6 LindaAK, Sep 5, 2012
  7. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

    Joined:
    Jul 5, 2009
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    Location:
    Alaska
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Hello and welcome aboard Linda. Are you in Alaska?

    I also have a set of steel wheels and studded snows (General Arctic Max or something like that). Looks like you are heading down that path which I recommend to any driver in AK.

    I did not get TPMS sensors and live with the light. It is getting harder to find a shop that will mount the tires w/o the units. Just need to take them in separately (not on car) and tell that it is for your old beater. :)

    I would also recommend the steel studs for longevity.
     
    #7 spiderman, Sep 5, 2012
    LindaAK likes this.
  8. stream

    stream Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2008
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    Location:
    Long Island, NY
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    Congrats--enjoy.
     
    #8 stream, Sep 6, 2012
    LindaAK likes this.
  9. LindaAK

    LindaAK New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 5, 2012
    3
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    0
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    spiderman Thanks for your reply. Yes, I'm in AK (anchorage). My Prius was formerly owned by an older gent in Fairbanks who took exceptional care of this car, based on the service record. I feel quite fortunate in having found this car.

    Your advice confirmed my gut feeling about foregoing the sensors and opting for the steel studs. With snow curtain starting to fall on the near mountains east of town, result of the big storm earlier this week, I'm feeling the need to get the tires ready to launch.

    Where in AK are you? If Anchorage, hope you didn't have severe storm damage or prolonged loss of power.

    Have notice a number of Prius (plural Priuses? Prii?) around town, since I've started driving mine. Reassuring that they can power through winter here.

    Thanks again to you and others for the welcome.
     
    #9 LindaAK, Sep 8, 2012
  10. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

    Joined:
    Jul 5, 2009
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    Location:
    Alaska
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Glad you found a clean machine.

    Actually I am really impressed with how many prii are driving around Anchorage. I noticed them quite a while ago but it was the redesign of the GenIII that did it for me. Glad we have it now.

    I got some steel wheels at one of the tire shops and found really nice used studded tires on Craigs list. Work great!
     
    #10 spiderman, Sep 8, 2012
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