New Prius Likes and Dislikes

Hello, fellow Prius twin!! What color interior did you get??

 

I think the footbrake becomes a bigger issue when you're tall. I find my left leg kinda bunched up against the side of the door and dead pedal because I don't want to go near the foot brake and there's nowhere else for my leg to go. If the wheel extended out it wouldn't be so much of an issue, but with the way it is now a handbrake would make the car more 'tall friendly'.

I don't believe anyone other than Toyota locks out the nav while driving. To blame it on the "american people" is misleading. It's Toyota being big brotherish.

 

This is the first car I've owned with a foot operated emergency brake. Of course, it's also the first non-manual transmission car I've owned, too. I'm not thrilled with the placement of the emergency brake, but it certainly wasn't a deal-breaking issue.

And I don't mind that those with NAV and integrated phone (I have the bluetooth option, but choose not to use it) features do not work while the car is in motion. But then again, I'm one of those militant "get-off-the-damned-phone-when-you're-driving" people. I've been nearly killed by those types while riding my bicycle too many times to think it's not an issue.

And on the upside, this is the first car I've owned where I don't have to sit on a pillow to see over the steering wheel (yes, I'm short). It's also the biggest car I've ever owned.

 

In a way? I'd say "certainly" we've brought it upon ouselves. We are no longer a society of "what is best to do" - it is now "what's in it for me?"

I would say that HOV decals are one indication of that. What's best to do is to actually CARPOOL to get the privelege of the HOV lanes. What's in it for me is driving solo in a lane intended for high occupant vehicles. Oooh, but I didn't mean to climb all the way up here on my box...

Congrats on the shiny new car! Lots to love, and a few quirks to work around. A lot like being married.

 

But the 06's (I am guessing that's what I saw today) are ugly, they look like boxes on wheels.

 

Being able to dive in the Carpool lane is worth a lot when you live in So. Cal. means being able to save about 30-45 minutes off of a commute that is impossible to carpool for, as no one lives & works near me.

 

Ok, then what was it, it said it was a Prius, but didn't have the typical window at the back (the window was all one piece and didn't go below the spoiler (I think that's what it's called) and it looked very boxy.

 

A Gen 1 Prius, perhaps?

Here is a picture of the 2006 Prius -

 

Perhaps it was an Aztek? They have a similar body style but more boxy than the 04-06 Prius.

[Broken External Image]:http://www.texaschapbookpress.com/magellanslog46/aztek.jpg

The 1st gen Priuses look more like regular 4-door sedans (like a cross between an Echo-Corolla-Tercel IMO).

 

wow. that aztek really does look like a prius.

 

Not an Aztec, it was a Prius, msut have been a 1st gen prius, ugly thing, in my opinion.

 

THAT is an Azten. THIS is gen I Prius

 

Gen I look more "mainstream" to me...

[Broken External Image]:http://www.car-buying-strategies.com/2002-photos/2002-toyota-prius.jpg

 

Our Prius has been real love/hate for us. Coming from more high end cars (BMW 735i, Acura NSX) the Prius seems lacking in many ways.

We bought our Prius because it's environmentally friendly and for the technology (we're both in IT). We anticipated that the Prius wouldn't please like our gas guzzlers, but we were not prepared for the shock. Strangely, our complaints have nothing to do with the Hybrid drive.

Dislikes:

1) Uncomfortable/unsupportive seats
2) No forward/back headrest adjustment
3) No seat hight adjustment
4) No memory seats
5) No memory mirrors
4) Irritating NAV voice
5) Over chatty NAV
6) No Nav voice choices
7) Horrible handling
8) Unstable in cross winds
9) Only 12 station presets (so why 14 ways to set your Nav destination?)
10) Disabled Nav features when driving
11) Disabled phone features when driving (disabled anything!)
12) Radio doesn't update what's playing on the non-selected stations
13) Very poor voice recognition (no training)
14) Context limited voice recognition (why?)
15) Hard plastic interior
16) Mediocre leather
17) Oversensitive accelerator
18) Totally numb steering
19) Somewhat over sensitive and numb braking
20) Jerky braking during gentle stops
21) Rear spoiler interferes with auto-dimming mirror sensor
22) Won't accepting reverse command immediately after starting
23) No Plug
24) Low capacity battery

Likes:

1) Low Pollution
2) Engineering, drive system
3) Quiet interior
4) Interior space/flexibility
5) Instrument display
6) Storage spaces
7) AUX input
8) MP3 capable CD player
9) In-dash CD changer
10) Keyless entry/start (IMHO, the most pleasing techno feature)


In my opinion, Toyota did a great job with the drive system, and now needs to focus on the handling and amenities.

There is no excuse for making the Prius such a boat. A more rigid body, progressive rate springs, better compression and rebound dampening would be a big improvement. A little more caster would go a long way in making the steering more communicative. Better brake by wire programming would complete the handling improvements. Maybe Toyota should offer a sport option package (#9?) for those that prefer a more controlled ride. The Prius could be as fun to drive as a Miata.

Thinking about the amenities, why is the start button in such an awkward place? Has anyone seen the right-hand-drive placement?, it's much better. Can we have a softer and warmer interior?, please. Only Audi interiors are more austere. Also, Toyota really needs to think multiple drivers! Our old 1988 735i has 8 way power seats with 3 memory settings including power mirror memory, that's 18 years ago! Toyota should also consider multi-driver radio settings. FM1 and FM2 are great for his and hers choices, but why just 6 stations? Can I trade a few stations for phone numbers/destinations. How about FM3 for when you're traveling? Our 1994 NSX has a seek and remember that doesn't overwrite the current settings and is made especially for when traveling. Think of this, a keyless entry system knows it's your fob and automatically sets the seat, mirrors, radio, climate, and phone book. This may seem wishful, but with all the over-the-top Nav options, too many of the really useful things have been overlooked.

Don't get me started on the pitiful EV capacity.

OK, I'm over it for now. Being an high performance car driver and computer programmer I probably expect too much.

 

Brasche,

Why didn't you spare yourself the agony and buy another BMW?

 

No, no. You worry about the other stuff. The EV capacity is MY baby.