T-Spirit on trial, and a question on de-icing...

Hi Bish!!

I'm not familiar with the T Spirit.... I don't think they sell them over here. Do you have a picture perhaps? Enjoy!

 

The T-Sprit, is the same as the Touring Edition Prius sold in the UK. There should be no problems with the heating or de-icing with the vehicle.

Happy Motoring!

 

No real issue with internal heat and demisting - might be a little slower to warm up than some cars due to less excess heat being put out by the more efficient engine, but I understand that can equally affect diesels. All heat comes from the engine, rather than the electric system. That means the engine runs more in cold weather - it will stay running just to heat you up. (You can test that by turning off the climate control or lowering the cabin temperature - it will stop the engine). The electric A/C compressor is automatically used to dehumidify. The rear window demist is conventional, and works quickly (although some early owners have reported that their lower rear window doesn't demist)

It doesn't take too many minutes to deice the windscreen, if you set the system to A/C off, MAX HOT, full speed and front defrost, as recommended by the manual. The user interface means that's a bit fiddly though.

The only real downer is the lack of heated mirrors. They were left off the UK-spec Prius for no apparent reason.

In some colder parts of Europe (and all of America, including places like Florida...) auxiliary electric cabin heaters are fitted, but again they were left off the UK version. That probably doesn't make a huge amount of difference though - they're pretty low powered.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(KMO @ Nov 6 2007, 06:54 AM) [snapback]535436[/snapback]</div>

I'll trade you the heated mirrors for the adjustable height drivers seat that they left out of the North American version. I have no need for heated mirrors in California, but my head is very close to the headliner.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dogfriend @ Nov 6 2007, 08:59 AM) [snapback]535505[/snapback]</div>

I didn't realize there were so many minor differences. I would have thought they would keep them as close as possible to save cost. I could see major difference such as features mandated by the government (crash rating related stuff, emissions, etc) but not minor things like adjustable seats, heated mirrors, etc. I do like the auto-parking feature on the European/Asian models. That would be cool for some parts of the U.S.

 

Yet to really need any kind of defogging on mine..........

I would have liked the spiffy keyless thing that the US versions have. Didn't know the US versions don't have intelligent park assist, but I understand most have the reversing camera anyway? The camera only comes on the the t-spirt in the UK.

bish - I took my Prius as a company car too, mainly becuase of its low tax rating. Me and the wife decided on the t-spirt as if we had gone for the t3 or t4 we would have wanted parking sensors and the dealer fits are about £400. That was about 18 months worth of repayments over the 3 year life of the vehicle.

 

Hello Bish,

I too have ordered a Prius as my company car (T-Spirit, Black) as it will make me a lot better off on the Tax front. I went for the Spirit in the end mainly for the Bluetooth and the JBL sound system.

Most of my department at work had been taking the p*** until I pointed out that I will only be liable for about £1000 a year on my tax code. After that they seemed to shut up a bit for some odd reason.

I had a demonstrator for a week from Toyota and was impressed. I also had a Honda Civic IMA (for 24 hours) which failed miserably on several fronts, the main one being it failed the "family" test. We could not fit the pram (buggy for those in the US) in the boot and I also couldnt fit a Proliant server in it either. Also the IMA was appauling to drive.

So in January it's goobye nasty Vectra, hello Prius.

You may see me bombing down the M5 occaisionaly.

Mick

 

Bish

I have had my T4 for two weeks and I love it to bits. It certainly takes longer to heat the interior than any other car I have ever driven, but that's the proce you pay for engine efficiency, I suppose.

It doesn not respond to the lihjtest touch on the pedal like my MG did but it gives me over 200 extra miles to the tank than my MG so, I can live with that!

Regards


Laurence

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bish @ Nov 8 2007, 04:59 AM) [snapback]536675[/snapback]</div>

...another reason the park assist should be on the US models. US drivers can't drive (and especially parallel park). Particularly drivers on the west coast.

 

Just about to go through 3000 miles on mine - and the lack of heated mirrors becoming increasingly annoying! Also miss the heated seats from my Mercedes! The rear view camera is great though! I agree the Park Assist is really too slow to be useful but it is a show stopper when showing off the car!
Still loving it though! Actually not really saving me compared to my last car on fuel but I love the quietness.

 

I'm a 6 days from my new company T-Spirt arriving and I can't wait.

Like everyone else said on here, UK people see it as a novelty car. I've already been laughed out the office and told it will be like driving a golf buggie...and just as fast.

I really can't wait..............hence why I thought I would join this wonderful forum....looking for other bits and pieces.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Futch @ Nov 9 2007, 03:59 PM) [snapback]537454[/snapback]</div>

That's not very reassuring. Every year my family from the UK visits the states around Christmas time and gives me a hard time about my huge gas guzzling vehicles. I was hoping now that I bought a Prius that I would gain a little respect on this trip. Are you saying I'm still going to be mocked? :huh: