Cannot pull the trigger to buy Prius v

I agree with Jimbo's answer, you do NOT need Premium on any Prii. Regular is fine. Having said that, I am not sure what gaso grades Sydney has. US regular is 87 R+M/2.

 

1) I don't know what your "car enthusiasts" are telling you. I guess it depends on what rocks your boat. For me, I get pretty enthusiastic every time I'm sitting waiting on a long red light burning no gasoline while I can hear the motors of all the cars around me. I love the car, find it a dream to drive, and don't find it boring one bit.
2) I have no groaning sound or any other problems.
3) This is the real reason you're hesitating, in my opinion. You said you need the space and you really want the superior gas mileage. Only you can decide if the higher price tag is worth it to you.
4)I bought my 4Runner in July of 2005. I have spent exactly $33,152.60 in gasoline for it. At the time I wanted to buy a hybrid but could not afford the only one that fitted my needs, which at the time was the Highlander hybrid. If the Prius v had been available then, I would have saved about $21,880 in gasoline in not quite 8 years. For me the Prius v is not only the practical choice, it's the only option. Everything about the vehicle fits my needs... space, Toyota dependability, gas mileage and price (30K is about my limit). There simply is no other vehicle in the North American market for me.

 

Maybe you can find a used i-Tech Prius v?

The most notable feature of the i-Tech package - essentially the same as the Advanced Technology Package option in North America - is the Pre-Collision System (PCS). Toyota is slowly making PCS available throughout its entire range - previously available only on the Land Cruiser and most expensive Lexus vehicles, last year made available on Prius and Prius v, this year available on the Sienna van and Avalon, next year on the Highlander.

Having experienced what PCS can do, we will never again buy a vehicle without PCS or a PCS-like system. That might not be too difficult since there is a high probability that similar systems will soon be required on new vehicles sold in the U.S.

 

Read this:

My new v
My new v | PriusChat



iPhone ?

 

Majority of those who complain about this is when they back up or move forward and applied the brake with only the electric motor doing the work. So during this time, the vehicle is so silent that you hear the groaning sound when you apply the brakes specially when you do it first thing in the morning. You won't hear this when the engine motor is running. To me, that is normal. We've been spoiled for so long with gas engines and comes new technology using electric engines. If you go the Nissan Leaf forum, there are all sorts of complain about noise in braking, acceleration, bumps and etc. When you have a car that is soooo quiet, you hear a lot of things.

 

Congratulations David!!

Post photos!!!

 

Post pics


iPhone ?

 

Maybe we get a moderator to make title say "Pulled the Trigger!"

 

Congrats David!!

 

The "dialogue" in this article between Mr. Frick and Mr. Frack cast no light on this subject; they are certainly not likely to make me choose a Prius over the other cars we're considering.

 

Rico, why are you buying a car? What are the important criteria TO YOU? My car isn't necessarily the right car for you ... my wife wants and drives a very different car from me (but borrows mine frequently) and that is all right with me. No car is perfect that I've ever had and I've had over 40 in the family.

 

Glad to hear you are liking your V.

 

I bought one (7 seater) in 2012 in Melbourne, Victoria. Its my first Prius. I have had it almost a year and its the best car I have ever driven. It sips petrol, it is very comfortable, quiet, and so far completely trouble free. I have experienced the groaning sound, but it usually disappears after a few kms, it does not worry me. The rear 2 seats are fine for kids (I have a 14 and 12 year old) and can accommodate 2 adults, if required for short distances. Its great to have the extra 2 seats as it gives us a lot of flexibility. We have done longer trips (600+ km) with 6 passengers (with my 14 year old in the rear seat) and luggage (the 7th seat folded down for luggage space) and used 5 L of petrol /100 km on this drive. I would not hesitate....go for it.

 

How true. How many of us think we are so environmentally cool because we own a Prius, but we will drive 12 miles to go get French Fries or a magazine...or even more to go to a casino. We are silly creatures. But I suppose it is better to do these things in a Prius rather than a Hummer.

 

Hey...because I own a environmentally cool Prius, I now pick up the French Fries and Magazine in one big single trip on the way to the Casino. That way the engine is warmed up and I get better gas mileage.

 

Hi David,

I'm from Perth, Western Australia. We bought a Prius V in Februrary this year, and it's such a fantastic car!

I've been browsing through PriusChat for a while now, and then saw your post and thought I'd setup an account so I can reply, but seems like you've 'pulled the trigger', Congrats! Anyway, I thought I'd sign-up, so that there are more Australian Prius V owners here.

We're consistently getitng 4.7l/100km with a mix of city/freeway driving, and not even doing any hypermilling etc. even flooring it time to time to overtake slower cars The Prius V is very rare here in Perth (not sure about Sydney), our other car is a Mazda 3, which is so common here, so driving the V you feel quite unique. Interestingly, the 3, although a 'small' car uses twice as much fuel, costs twice as much to insurance (we get a green car discount here), and has no where near the roominess of the V. Only area the 3 exceels is the 'sportiness' factor, since it's a 6 sp manual.

Anyway, if you have any questions about the Australian Prius V, feel free to ask away

Enjoy.

 

The Australian price is very competitive. It is the 2nd cheapest car in its class (after the Kia Rondo) plus you get a hybrid 'thrown in'. We looked at a 2nd hand Avensis and it was an easy decision to spend the extra bucks. Remember the standard version is 33K and it only has 5 seats.