Dumped the 07 Prius after 5 weeks

Sorry to hear that you had to part with the new arrival so early. I hear what you are saying with the wind issue, however I added the BT plate and think it does help some. I do a long road trip of about 10 hrs round trip every other weekend all summer long so I will get my long term road trip test soon enough.

Although it does seem to blow easier than other cars, I didn' think it was unbearable but to each their own.

As far as the trade in value, the time right now is probably the worst time to trade in, all the hybrid models are in full stock on dealer lots (at least in my area) and they are offering great incentives and only the new buyers get the fed tax credit. So there is alot going against used Prius's.

Good luck with the camry, I am sure that is a sweet car.

 

Sorry to hear that. I haven’t had handling problems in my base 06 even on the highway passing big trucks or with a good cross wind and my stock tires are inflated to 40f 38r.
I know everyone is different and handles a car differently and no one car is perfect for everyone good luck with the new car. My mom just got the cambrid and loves it she is coming from a Cadillac so a much different transition than you.
again have fun and good luck

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(CheapChic @ Apr 7 2007, 10:03 AM) [snapback]419353[/snapback]</div>

No consolation, but trading in any car after 5 weeks is not going to be any less painful... If I'd been in your place, I'd have tried to sell it on my own, you might have done a little better financially. Sorry it didn't work out for you, good luck with your Camry.

 

I'm very sorry to hear about your problems, Cheap. It's threads like this that make me wonder if there are two different types of Prii out there. First, there are the ones that are horrible in the snow and the ones that aren't (like mine). Then, there are the ones that are impossible to get any gas into, and then the ones that aren't (like mine). Also, there are the ones that handle horribly on the highway, and then ones that are just fine (like mine).

I just don't understand how there can be so much difference between the highway handling of the OP's Prius and my Prius. My experience is that the Prius does feel a little "twitchy" on the highway and seems to be affected by wind more than other cars I've driven. However, while noticeable, the affect is rather minor and certainly does not make me feel unsafe. I mean, seriously: how can one car have a truck go by and say, "Hmmmm. . . The car swayed a little when the truck went by," while the other person can end up in the other lane?

BTW, I should just say that my car is completely "stock" (stock tires, no BT plate, never had any fancy alignment) and the tires are at 42/40 (although I also had no problems at lower pressures).

 

No handling problems here.

I suspect a wheel alignment problem as the source of the symptoms.

Harry

 

I just drove mine for a 4 hour highway road trip. Although the gas mileage is a bit lower on the highway it did great... better than my 04 civic.

 

Sometimes you get a tunnel effect between two trucks that are
diagonally close to each other; that could have created an extreme
crosswind case. Given the proportion of handling discussions on
the forums, though, your case definitely sounds like alignment.
I assume you didn't have it checked, let alone actually have the
measured numbers in hand...
.
_H*

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Betelgeuse @ Apr 7 2007, 11:06 AM) [snapback]419372[/snapback]</div>

It may just be what you're used to... I drove a VW Beetle for 7 years (the air-cooled kind), and you get used to responding to the wind. Before the Prius, I had a CRX, and in comparision, the Prius feels really stable and calm to me. I've had the gas burp thing happen once, but I put that down to the gas pump at that particular station. I've heard of this "snow" stuff, but haven't really had any to speak of here in Raleigh since we got the Prius. Tires at 38/35.

 

I'm amazed that in the course of 5 weeks you have managed to
Replace the tires and wheels
Add the BT Plate
Replace the wiper blades
Tinted the windows
Added Sirius Radio
Had the car spit up gas on you
Had Ipod sound problems
Had steering problems
Removed Rail dust
Got blown into the service lane by a truck
Traded it in for a Camry

All in 5 weeks? Did you do anything else but work on your Prius for the past 5 weeks? I've had my Prius for slightly over a year, bought the BT plate early on, but never installed it because I had no issues with handling on the stock tires. I've got to work on my Time Management skills because your Prius got more done to it in a mere 5 weeks than I've done in a full year.

I looking forward to seeing the post from someone who bought your Prius to see if this series of problems carry over to the new owner.

 

There's no way to reconcile individuals' expectations of any vehicle. Each person focuses on different characteristics.

When I first got our '04 Prius, the highway handling seem squirrely, particularly in a crosswind. After a realignment and becoming accustomed to the very tight steering linkage, I was no longer uncomfortable driving the '04 Prius. I find our '07 Touring Edition a bit more stable what with the firmer susbension, 16" wheels and Bridgestone Turanza tires {larger footprint on the pavement}. The '07's MPG ~3,000 on the clock seem to be catching up with our '04 Prius notwithstanding the lower tire pressures. I chose to run the Bridgestones at 35/33 psi as recommended by Toyota as contrasted to the 40/38 psi I ran the Goodyears on the '04 Prius. It seemed the firmer suspension and higher tire pressures was just a little harder than I preferred.

Seems Cheap's timing was particularly unfortunate with an adequate stock of new Prius on dealers' lots. Hope she will be happy with her Camry. Our 1996 Camry {112K miles} is still giving excellent service having had no major repairs and on its 3rd set of tires.

 

I can't understand these complaints about highway handling at all. After our trip last fall from Pa. to Ca. and back, we encountered all sorts of different driving conditions. High winds, twisty mountain roads ect. Not once did I feel ill at ease. When the wind blows hard on the highway you do have to countersteer sometimes,.....I think it's called "driving the car"

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Trevor @ Apr 7 2007, 01:07 PM) [snapback]419395[/snapback]</div>

Trevor . . . Good Observation B)
Made the drive between MT & CA 3 times in the Prius. 1st time going down the Contenental Divide I noted sway in high wind conditions (exact amt. as our Guzzlin' SUV had . . . no more, no less). Alignment curred the high wind twitch that caused CheepcHick to "taker her marbles & go home". Se La Ve. The SUV that we got rid of? Alignment didn't help.

Even so, as another poster mentioned . . . there are TWO CAMPS:

1) ... Snow/slippage-Wind/Sway-GasPump/clickoff
and
2) ... Hugh? I think your nuts.

I'm glad I fall in the 2nd camp

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(paprius4030 @ Apr 7 2007, 10:13 AM) [snapback]419403[/snapback]</div>

My Prius is just as good as any of them on the highway, now. When I first took delivery (it had 3 miles on it) it was every bit as bad as the one Cheap describes. I would have dumped it, as she did, but I'm retired and had a little time to waste so I decided to try and get it fixed.

My car, as delivered, had a bent rear axle beam, the alignment was not just off it was "way off" both front and rear, and it had a bent wheel. You can't just take it to most Toyota dealers and say "fix it" that won't work. They will send some guy out to drive it around the block and tell you any problems are your imagination or imply it's your "driving". To make a long story short I finally got it fixed after doing some of the work myself (with help and advice of some PriusChat members). Toyota did replace the axle beam, the wheel is still bent but it's on the back so I don't notice it.

Most Prius owners have cars that are delivered without these kinds of problems and you are fortunate to be one of those. Having one that was very unstable and extremely difficult to drive and then driving it after it was fixed I saw a dramatic difference. I can absolutely guarantee you that it was not my imagination and had nothing to do with the way I was driving the car. The OP may well have had a Prius with some of these same kinds of problems, they are not that uncommon.

 

it's not unlike my wife and the temperature. She apparently has about a 0.2 degree tolerance range. Outside of that, it's either "so HOT!" or "so COLD!". Her temperature sensor isn't graduated. It's an on/off switch.

 

I've had my 2007 touring for a week now, and here are my general observations:

• The car is squirrely on the freeway, especially when passed at high speed by a semi or big SUV -- I can definitely feel it, but that's a far cry from being tossed into the next lane!
• Wind doesn't seem to be any more of an issue for me than with my '97 Integra. My '02 VW Jetta is far more stable at freeway speeds than the Prius, without any buffeting from passing trucks, but then again it only gets 25 mpg.
• The steering is quite sensitive and responsive, so you have to be careful at freeway speeds to always watch where you're going, or you will find yourself in the next lane!
• First tank I got 49 mpg, now on my 2nd tank and am getting about 57 mpg. This is a combination of regular driving and some pulse/glide.
• I find "pulse and glide" to be almost impossible at freeway speeds due to drag -- I lose about 10 mph in 7 seconds, and takes me about 15 seconds to recover that 10 mph using mild acceleration that won't pull from the battery. I can feel the drivers behind me seething, passing me somewhat angrily, and from time to time, cutting me off in a juvenile attempt to communicate their displeasure.
• LOVE the computer display, but it can be a hazard if you play with it while driving
• Overall I'm loving my new toy!

Possible improvements:

• Better bluetooth integration with my Palm device
• Beefier EV system that allowed for primarily electrical use with ICE backup or recharge (a la GM EV-1 w/ ICE for recharge versus plug-in)
• Diesel-powered ICE for greater efficiency, one that can also take biodiesel or even veggie oil
• Projector HID headlamps -- they seem higher end, although not sure if they function any better
• Skin the top of the car with a PV material that will charge the electrical system while driving or when parked
• I'd like to see a sportier, driver-centric console

My biggest immediate dilemma is coming up with a catchy 7-letter word for my alternative fuel plate. I should always have such problems. Ha!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(CheapChic @ Apr 7 2007, 10:03 AM) [snapback]419353[/snapback]</div>

Her mind was made up from the second she got into the Prius. Not sure why she bought it in the first place. Obviously, a normal car isn't enough, and she needs "special" handling...

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(paprius4030 @ Apr 7 2007, 01:13 PM) [snapback]419403[/snapback]</div>

I have to agree as well with you. I took a long 2 hour drive yesterday, all highway driving and it was windy outside. I felt perfectly comfortable. I have to agree with the previous poster about the alignment.

 

Yeah, we've driven back and forth to Kansas twice from Chicago and had no handling problems on that twelve hour drive.

Frankly, the OP is written a little too much like advertising copy for my taste. Color me dubious.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(MegansPrius @ Apr 7 2007, 11:40 AM) [snapback]419455[/snapback]</div>

OK Dubious, but if it really were advertising wouldn't she have traded it for a BMW or a Ford or something besides another Toyota?