<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dipper @ Apr 10 2006, 04:25 PM) [snapback]237783[/snapback]</div> The Prius can get up there with no handling problems, at least mine can, I still don't understand this handling issue that so many are having.
I went 101 over the weekend in mine, for a few seconds in my attempt to get into the carpool lane for the first time solo. Every time there was an opening in the carpool lane, this truck would speed up just enough so I couldn't get over into the lane without braking and going 50 or slower and I didn't want to do that as I was cruising along at about 70 very merrily. I don't much like going over 75, but it did handle really well at such a high speed. Not that I'm in a hurry for a repeat though. And I was paying more attention to my own driving and other cars on the road to see what my mpgs were.
if you're going to crack 3 digits on the speedometer... careful of your tires. most are not rated over 100 mph and can melt. that said we've been up to the 109 limit, and then i yelled at DH to slow the &^% down :lol:
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(cmwade77 @ Apr 10 2006, 04:32 PM) [snapback]237786[/snapback]</div> I am not talking about "handling problem" of the car. But the steering wheel softness. When car magazines talk about the steering wheel, you hear words like "road feedback" or "force feedback". The Prius is the worst. The reason is... when you travel fast... say racing 100+ mph, you want the steering wheel to feel heavy. The heaviness prevents you from turning the wheel too much (causing a crash). The Prius sucks here that the steering wheel (from turn to turn) is soft at high speeds (the same feel you have driving 5 mph). Because of it, you have to keep the steering wheel as straight as possible... or the car will steer side to side from the little steering wheel movement. The problem for me is... I end up more tired keeping the wheel straight than just cruising on the highway relaxed in another car.
I cought myself doing 84 last night in the 210 (ca) carpool lane. I was keeping equal distance front and rear, and happened to notice the speedo. I routinely get 48+ on my 90 mile a day commute. 84 is the most so far, and I wasn't even trying...honest, officer!
Just test drove one, the dealer said try to go faster lol, I was up to 75 in no time and it didn't feel ANYWHERE near that. Very cool!!! <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(V8Cobrakid @ Mar 20 2006, 01:10 PM) [snapback]227398[/snapback]</div>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Mystery Squid @ Mar 20 2006, 04:18 PM) [snapback]227403[/snapback]</div> I agree, The car feels unsteady to me above 85 or so, I think it has to do with how twitchy the steering is. Its just plain not designed to be driven at those speeds, its a city car. My fiance's not comfortable driving it over 70, but I'm fine at 80 I just wouldn't press it any more than that.
On the way home from Las Vegas I had my 2006 Prius up to 109 with the cruise control on and was gett 24 mpg and on the downhill runs 99.9 miles to the gallon at top speed!
The Prius as we know has electric steering. I am so used to the car as I've had mine now for 2.5 yrs. I used to own a Mini Cooper and that car too had electric steering but had the best road feel of any car I've driven. All Toyota engineers have to do is tweek the programming and dial in some more road feel. I expect we'll see a change in the next gen Prius. I still love this car.
"My fiance's not comfortable driving it over 70" Better for MPG. Maybe an unforseen "handling issue"...get people to slow down for better MPG! :lol:
No, the prius has electric *assist* steering. It's not by wire. If it was, you would be unable to crank the wheels with power off. . I hadn't seen this thread before today, but the pic of the US vs UK dash lights posted at the beginning of it is VERY interesting -- shows where the EV light on the UK model is! I hadn't seen that yet. . _H*
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(finman @ Apr 12 2006, 09:38 AM) [snapback]238499[/snapback]</div> Could be LOL. Se actually keeps it on "69" because she likes how it looks on the speedo ^_^
