I would like to know how many of you would rather have your shifter in a more conventional location ? And how about not having a speedometer straight in front of you, can I ever get use to it ?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(B Rad @ Jun 10 2006, 04:26 PM) [snapback]269315[/snapback]</div> I'd actually rather all other cars had it where the Prius has it. I also like where the speedo is. My guess is that yes, you'll soon get used to it.
yeah, i've definately gotten used to it very quickly here... in fact, the few times i've had to drive another car (my sisters civic cause mine had a bunch of stuff in it for a few days), i found myself searching for the shifter and then the park and off buttons...
nah. I like the shifter where it is. It frees up space, yet doesn't require that ugly column shifter or the gun grip type of the CR-V. Props to Toyota on that part. Ditto on the speedo. It's large and high enough that I can see it without glancing down. Even if I have to, it's a shorter distance than regular cars.
I love it! My Sport Trac had a column shift so once in a while I turn on the wipers by mistake but it has been a while for a floor shift.
Both placements feel natural to me. I think I can shift faster with the Prius when I have to do a "K" turn or parallel park than I did with my last car. The speedometer configuarion that I don't like is where is in the center of the dash like my wif'e Toyota Echo. I prefer it to be in my field of vision.
I like where they are. I actually find when I drive my wife's Highlander that I reach for the shifter on the dash and forget to take the keys out of my pocket and search for the Start button. You'll get used to it.
I like it because it allows me to shift to neutral and back to drive when I am handling the steering wheel - as well as the cruise control. You'll get used to it. I didn't get used to the reverse beep, however, so I got rid of it.
I used to own a Mercedes (two actually) that had the center speedo, altought it was a column that would rise or lower depending on the speed. Both were column shift (one was manual). My last car had a center speedo, which was digital, and had a floor shift (automatic, with manual override). I don't mind where the shift is and am now in the habit of "slapping" it into drive. The odd part for anyone driving it for the first time is to tell them the shift lever won't stay either up or down (depending on Reverse or Drive), but returns to the center position.
When I first sat in a Prius I thought the placements were really well thought out. Now that I am an owner with some time under my belt I have to say I would love to see other cars be as user friendly. Just my 2 cents. Give it a chance.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tnthub @ Jun 21 2006, 01:01 PM) [snapback]274705[/snapback]</div> Some early 60s Chrysler Corp cars had pushbutton shifting on the dash. I once drove one and thought it was really cool.
As for the location of the speedo, the woman I carpool with commented on how weird it is in the Prius for the speedo to be high and in front of the driver. She then traded in her older Civic for a 2006 Civic. See where the Speedo is? Now that she's had her car for a couple months, she says that she loves not having to move her eyes much to check her speed. It's just more natural.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(NoVaSnow @ Jun 21 2006, 01:02 PM) [snapback]274706[/snapback]</div> My uncle's Rambler had the pushbuttons to the LEFT of the steering wheel. and remember the standard's with the shift on the steering column?
I love the shifter. I think I remember seeing some kind of Civic a year or two back that had a 5 speed and the shifter on the dash? The speedometer is in a great location, I've learned to live with digital but would still prefer analog. An analog mileage meter such as the Camry Hybrid's would be nice also.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(NoVaSnow @ Jun 21 2006, 10:02 AM) [snapback]274706[/snapback]</div> Heh, my father still owns his 1964 Plymouth Fury with the pushbutton shifting. It's pretty easy to use. <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tumbleweed @ Jun 21 2006, 01:18 PM) [snapback]274824[/snapback]</div> My last car (1990 Ford Probe) had a digital speedo, so there was no problem adjusting. The car before that (1967 Mercedes 230S) had a column that rose and fell according to speed. Kinda cool, really.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tumbleweed @ Jun 21 2006, 01:18 PM) [snapback]274824[/snapback]</div> That'll be the Civic SiR (Civic Si in the States).. the hatchback.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(B Rad @ Jun 10 2006, 04:26 PM) [snapback]269315[/snapback]</div> I liked both the shifter and speedometer locations and operation from the first test drive. With time, my appreciation has increased. Much more efficient use of space for the shifter, especially vs. the shifters in the center console. The speedometer is straight in front of me, and requires less head/eye movement to view vs. a traditional placement. Let us know what you think in 6 Months!
