New Prius Owner: Day 1 and Thrilled

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(himark1 @ May 20 2007, 10:56 AM) [snapback]446110[/snapback]</div>

Congratulations! I stopped by a dealer yesterday to look at accessories. They had 5 priuses lined up at the front side of the showroom, and there was a lot of activity.

The dealer where I bought mine had one in the showroom, but none on a close lot. They had to go to a parking deck to get one. Later I went to the deck myself. It is strange how different dealers market the Prius.

 

Welcome aboard! Now, the important question: Which color did you get?

 

I bought mine on Wednesday, and I'm averaging 45 mpg in primarily highway driving. It sure beats the 17 mpg I was getting in my truck. I would like to second the whole driving less aggressively feeling. I used to be the guy doing 75 in a 65 and constantly watching out for police. I find that I enjoy driving the Prius every bit as much as I did the truck, primarily because the feedback you get from the screen finally gives me positive feedback for driving conservatively.

I got the last Super White with package 5 in my city. Since I did my homework prior to contacting the dealer, I got a good deal too. No, I didn't get it for invoice, but I paid about 2000 less than the guy who bought the one before me who paid sticker. DOH! The money I'm saving in gas is paying half my car payment!

I've never had a car before with so many gadgets. The bluetooth feature is way cool! The navigation system is cool, and since I am new to my town, it actually helped me get home from the dealership. (I took a different route home than I took to the dealership.)

All in all, I couldn't be happier or more satisfied. If any of you are in Memphis TN, and considering a Prius (or any other Toyota for that matter.) I highly recommend David Dreyfuss at Wolfchase Toyota. He responded to my emails within 30 minutes every time, and was not only knowledgeable, but very professional and up front about the whole process. My previous experience at Toyota dealerships was always unpleasant once it got to the stage of visiting the dreaded finance guy. Wolfchase made the whole process easy, enjoyable, and pleasant.

If you are on the fence about buying one, you will not regret the decision to do it. My only concern now is can I get the vanity license plate that I want?!?!?!?!?

Does anyone else name their vehicles? My truck, a Toyota T100, is 10 years old with 186,000 miles, and the ONLY thing I ever had to replace was the starter. Hence his name, "Trusty". I'm still struggling to come up with a name for the Prius. Suggestions are welcome. Suggestions I've received thus far are: (remember it is white) Betty, Barry, and Moby.

 

I like "Barry White" LOL

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(himark1 @ May 20 2007, 10:56 AM) [snapback]446110[/snapback]</div>

I have also noticed this maturation, in 4 weeks I find it less interesting to antagonize others...

Congrats on your purchase.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ystasino @ May 20 2007, 09:34 PM) [snapback]446438[/snapback]</div>

Same here, I'm much less interested in zooming around and beating the guy in front of me to the red light. Now I just laugh at everyone else.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(himark1 @ May 20 2007, 10:56 AM) [snapback]446110[/snapback]</div>

that's so funny! i noticed the same thing after i got mine back in december... suddenly i was much less prone to borderline road rage! the jerks around me don't bother me, sitting for a long time at a light or in line at a drive thru doesn't bother me... i'm just tooling along in my little red car, blood pressure down, rocking some tunes & feeling pretty mellow... maybe it has to do with not being able to hear the engine - it's just so quiet and relaxing!

anyway, congrats on your new purchase!

 

There are so many "Should I or shouldn't I?" questions here regarding the Prius purchase. The short answer, as you have shown, is "Just do it!" to borrow a copyrighted phrase. Seriously, those agonizing over '07, or wait till ,09, or whatever, or those cruising dealers trying to save 100 bucks, just do it. You won't be sorry. I'm a previous lead foot, muscle car, sports car guy, and I just love the Prius. No worries about gas pains, very aceptable performance, and the price is really not that big a deal over several years. For the muscle car guy on the "fence", just remember that its more fun to drive a slow car fast, than a fast car slow. I really enjoy the quick cruise up to 80 or so in the Prius, and just back off a little, and watch the yellow mpg bars light up. Just do it. You will be glad you did.

 

Welcome. You’re going to love it even more in a month or two when you really get the hang of driving these things.

 

Congratulations, and welcome to PriusCrypt, himark1 in Seattle!

 

We bought our on Saturday and we love it! I can say that I've had cars I enjoyed and didn't really want to get rid of (Corolla, Tercel) but this is the first car I have really LOVED to drive. It is comfortable and fun - although I need to get over the novelty of the video display, too much risk of an accident while watching the mpg gauge.

We have put about 200 miles on it, lost our first fuel pip after 150, the second after 30 more, and the third right when we got home. We're hoping for 500 miles in this tank - but whatever we get, it's going to be better than the Sienna we traded in - $50 to fill the tank, and that got us about 350 miles.

My friends at work really couldn't believe that we would trade in our van for a smaller car, since we have 3 kids (1 in a car seat) and carpool to work/school. They didn't think it would be roomy enough, or have enough power to haul the 5 of us. Well, duh...we took everyone for a drive on the freeway to test it before we bought it! Yes, it's roomy enough, and yes, it has the power we need. I drove a couple of them to lunch yesterday and they were indeed impressed.

We are driving from AZ to CA next month and I'm sad that we'll have to take our 07 Tacoma instead of the Prius. But...we have a doggie door, a dog, a couple of suitcase we have to take over, and a 9' Christmas tree we have to bring back in addition to what we're taking over. So the Prius will just have to stay at home in the garage for that one. Bummer!

My husband says people used to cut him off in the van all the time - they assume if you're a man driving a van with kids, you're a wuss. They still cut us off in the Prius - but he doesn't mind so much, since the MPG tells him just how much better off he is than the guy gunning for the next red light.

BTW, ours is blue. I know that's important, since blue is scientifically proven to be the most aerodynamic color.

 

Congrats and Welcome

I too purchased mine on Saturday. I'm loving it just as much as everyone else here does.

Funny you should mention

"My husband says people used to cut him off in the van all the time - they assume if you're a man driving a van with kids, you're a wuss. They still cut us off in the Prius - but he doesn't mind so much, since the MPG tells him just how much better off he is than the guy gunning for the next red light."

I use to get angry too but this morning watched as i got passed and cut off repeatly by the same lady in a Corvette. At the next redlight it'd start all over again with me catching up and her gunning it away only to be right back beside me at the next light over and over. I'd wave to her and she'd get pissed and speed off. This continued thru about 7 lights and right to the same parking lot. I must admit i got a good chuckle from that because my gas consumption was a drop compared to hers. :lol: