Rental problem

The worst part of buying without a test drive is the seats. I've seen several posts where someone saw a Prius on the lot and bought it on impulse, only to discover they were in pain after driving a half-hour. I don't have problems with the seats, but that will depend on your height and weight.

I was able to rent one from Enterprise (for 2 weeks), but that was a long time ago and they don't carry them anymore.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(aaf709 @ Jun 11 2006, 10:36 AM) [snapback]269492[/snapback]</div>

Yup!

 

FInd somebody who has one and ask them if they are willing to show you thier car. The enthusiasm amongst Prius drivers here in San Diego is high enogh that they'll probably take you for a test drive to show off the car.

 

Many of us early purchasers were in the same boat...deposit on a car we never saw, let alone test-drive. Worked out just fine for me, but it was a little scary.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(aaf709 @ Jun 11 2006, 09:36 AM) [snapback]269492[/snapback]</div>

Did an 800 mile day yesterday and it wasn't bad. I think they break in after awhile.
D Bird

 

first few time driving the prius made my back hurt...
but now, i love it B)

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Drift Motion @ Jun 11 2006, 02:29 PM) [snapback]269574[/snapback]</div>

I'm not sure I'd say I 'love' the seats but I, too, was able to adapt after an initial impression of 'Good God, these seats and driving position are horrible!'.

FWIW, the car with the worst seats I ever had was a 2003 BMW 330Ci. I don't know why, but those seats (which were the 'sport' seats and seemed like they should have been great) 'always' made my back hurt after an extended trip.

 

I am not familiar with your area, but I suggest calling around to all Toyota dealers within what you consider to be a reasonable distance. Many have test drive vehicles for prospective owners to drive around the block or whatever the dealer's "test drive route" is. Some allow an extended test drive route. *I will qualify this info with: This was the case when we were Prius-shopping in late 2005 and early 2006.*

We were looking at both the 2006 HCH and 2006 Prius and were able to test drive both within a few hours of each other one Saturday in early December 2005. Both places allowed us to take an "extended test drive" that was about 20-25 minutes longer than the typical test drive. Then, we were able to spend as much time as we wanted sitting in the car in the lot.

It may take some perseverance, but it can be done.

 

I think it's wise to drive one before you buy. I was not entirely sold after my first test drive, with the salesman, about 5 minutes. But I was lucky: he could tell I really wanted the car, but needed some more convincing, and he let me take the demo from Saturday night to Monday morning. After that, I was sold. But it does seem risky to buy without driving it first.

I do think the Prius is the coolest car in the universe. But it's no good for you if it's not comfortable.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(B Rad @ Jun 11 2006, 07:26 AM) [snapback]269487[/snapback]</div>

My memory of the drive from Kingman to Vegas was desert, desert, and more desert. You may have more luck heading toward Flagstaff or Phoenix. Maybe something in Laughlin.

I did a search on Prius Rental, came up with this link which may help....

http://www.evrental.com/locations.html

Good luck. (For what its worth I have no substantial complaints on the car)

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(B Rad @ Jun 11 2006, 07:26 AM) [snapback]269487[/snapback]</div>

If you are, you'll at least have company. I bought my Prius without ever having driven one. I did get to sit in one a
couple of years ago, but wasn't able to take a test drive because 1) it was already sold. and 2) the dealer had managed
to deplete the battery so they couldn't even boot the car to show me the display.

 

Desert Toyota on West Sahara used to have a couple of white Priuses in its TRAC rental fleet, but apparently they don't even rent cars there anymore.

 

I didn't get to test drive a Prius until about a month after I'd placed my order. The vehicle I test-drove was a 2005 Seaside Pearl fully loaded with cloth seats. The vehicle I ordered was a 2006 Black fully loaded with leather seats. I'm fine with the comfort level of the seats, having come from a very old Saturn. But the main thing for me with the test drive was making sure I felt comfortable with the size/dimensions and visibility of the Prius, which I was immediately comfortable with.

Not sure if it's too late, but I found a place in Vegas (2 locations) that rents hybrids...

http://www.carrentalexpress.com/agency/ERG...ehicles-12.html

Besides the Prius, they also have the Honda Civic Hybrid and Highlander Hybrid. Not sure about availability though. They seem to be in pretty high demand even as rentals at all the places I've checked out.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(B Rad @ Jun 11 2006, 10:26 AM) [snapback]269487[/snapback]</div>

I was in the same boat, but luckily got to rent one for a day. Didn't quite know what to expect, but loved the car and placed one on order as soon as I returned the rental. I don't think I would have without driving it first. Everyone has specific opinions and comfort levels concerning cars. I would keep looking for a dealer to test drive or rent a Prius. I'm still waiting for mine too, but glad I got my name in the name as soon as possible. Keep the deposit alive, but keep looking for that test drive.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(aaf709 @ Jun 11 2006, 10:36 AM) [snapback]269492[/snapback]</div>

Ditto on the seats. A friend of mine has a 05 Prius and I swear her seats are way better than mine which is an 06. The seats seem to have more support with better padding than the 06. Anyone else have this experience?