New owner impressions @ ~300 miles

Great info thanks! Picking up mine Thursday!

 

Mine came with 300 miles because they drove it in from Jacksonville or something like that, but that's cool. I have the same blue and love it, and I also had a pretty open mind on color. I'm now at 500 miles and am averaging 45 MPG. I'm happy with that, but I'm guessing it will go up according to what I've read here.

I had one frustration - I couldn't figure out why the lights behind the sun visors wouldn't turn on. I assumed it was a defect, until I searched the forum here and found out they only light when the switch is on and the mirror is opened. I wouldn't have engineered it that way, but it's a minor thing I'll probably never use.

I love the touch screen controls for the climate and audio. I didn't get a GPS because I don't need one. I can't believe how solid it is. My last "car" (my last 3 have been trucks) was a dodge that rattled itself apart, literally.

 

Welcome to the A.P.O.G. Arkansas Prii Owners Group.... :grouphug: Now if there was only such a thing in reality, we could set up some meet and greets... :cheer2: When you learn the fine art of "Pulse & Glide" you will easily be up over 50mpg. I have a pkg. 5 Super white '08 that is about to get a Blue "Ripped" wrap this week. Been waiting for some warmer weather to get that done. I'll post pics when finished. Anyone else in Central Arkansas want to set up a meeting?... jf

 

I appreciate Mike's comments about the Prius and want to add my own impressions after just four weeks/700 miles of ownership on a new 2008 Package #6.

I bought the car at the end of February when we were having light sleet and freezing rain. In fact, the day I bought the car, it was literally encased in ice when I got to the dealership. Before buying the Prius, I had primarily been driving a Lexus 400h with all-wheel-drive, so I was afraid that I would be very disappointed by the way the Prius handles in wet/potentially slippery conditions. I was pleasantly surprised. I have had no problems or complaints regarding handling in wet conditions (although, admittedly, our winter weather was very mild this year).

I've read a lot on this site about the uncomfortable seats. I do not find them to be uncomfortable at all. I'm sure that's very much a personal issue, and any prospective buyer should make their own determination. I just want to state for the record that the seats are not universally uncomfortable.

When we bought the 400h, my first comment was that it felt much smaller than I expected based on its appearance from the outside. The front passenger's seat in particular felt surprisingly tight. The Prius is the exact opposite, and my husband and I often comment that it feels much bigger than it looks, and that applies to both the front and back seats. There’s also ample headroom, which is a pet peeve for both of us. My husband recently test drove several luxury sedans, including cars made by Infinity, Lexus, and BMW, and found them all irritatingly low. He bumped his head getting in and out, and sometimes his head was against the top of the car while he was sitting in it. He’s only 5’10â€. No such problem with the Prius.

The storage capacity of the Prius is also great. The hatchback design makes it very convenient to access the back. When the rear seats are folded down, the Prius has nearly as much storage capacity as the 400h, and more than enough to meet my needs.

I agree with the many posts on this site that criticize the tires on the Prius. I changed mine to slightly wider Michelin Primacys after 300 miles, and that made a nice improvement in the sometimes jittery/bouncy feel of the car. It now has a smoother, quieter, more stable ride. I did not experience a drop in MPG after making that change.

We did have a stronger than usual wind the other day, and I noticed that the car felt pretty unstable on the highway. I am hoping that the BT Tech stiffening plate and stabilizer bar will help with that issue. (I also discovered that it’s very easy to overcompensate with the steering under those conditions.)

I’m not a stereophile by any means, but even I can hear that the JBL sound system has no bass. I’ve ordered the very economical Kenwood subwoofer that many on this site have used, and I’m expecting that to improve the sound sufficiently to meet my needs.

I’ve also read commentary about the poor rear visibility in the Prius. I don’t find that to be a problem at all. I primarily use the side mirrors for seeing what’s going on around me. When I do want to look directly behind, I have no difficulty seeing what’s there through the rear view mirror.

I have the package #6 leather upgrade, and I like the interior of the car very much with the exception of the smoky plastic pieces on/around the radio and the cup holders. Those parts look cheap to me—like they meant to cover them with something and forgot or thought it was a way to sell dash overlay kits. Eventually, I’m going to figure out a classy way to cover those (but I don’t think the currently available flat dash kits are the way to go).

The gadgets in the Prius are a lot of fun, too. This is not a stripped down car economy car, contrary to what some people think. Just like in the Lexus, I have a built-in navigation system, blue tooth phone, satellite radio, 6-disk CD changer, and cruise control, as well as special hybrid screens that show me what my car is doing and how efficiently I’m currently using fuel. Everything is controlled via the steering wheel and/or the MFD. And available aftermarket hacks, like the Lockpick, make it possible to expand the functionality of the system even further. I added the Ultimate Lockpick 3+, so I now have functionality and flexibility in the Prius that I don’t have in the Lexus.

And the keyless entry system is awesome. I love not having to dig for my keys. I just put my hand on the door handle, get in, push the button, and go. That is so cool, and, no, the Lexus doesn’t have that either.

Speaking of gadgets, I’ve been reading PC for a month now and have been intrigued by the modifications that people have made. I, too, have gotten a bit “into†the modification scene, and it is quite fun. However, I also think that the Prius is great right out-of-the box, and I wouldn’t want a prospective buy who reads this site to think that, if they buy a Prius, they have to turn around and spend another $3,000 making it functional or livable. The modifications are fun as a hobby and can satisfy those who need to personalize a car or those who have a special need (e.g., a back problem that requires additional lumbar support). In general, modifications are not, in my opinion, necessary to make the Prius a great car.

As far as mileage goes, I’m only getting about 42 mpg. I attribute that figure to my relatively short commute (11 miles each way), the colder winter weather, and the newness of the car. I’m hoping to eventually average 45 mpg but really don’t expect to achieve better than that considering the nature of my commute. We’ll see. However, even at 42 mpg I’m not disappointed. That’s twice the mileage of the Lexus.

I have found that I drive the Prius differently than I drive other cars. Specifically, I tend to drive at or slightly under the speed limit; stay in the right lane; don’t race around, cutting people off; and don’t try to be the first one to get wherever I’m going. This is a huge change for me, as I have been a very aggressive driver all my adult life. Now, I watch ahead to ensure that I don’t over-use the breaks or the gas pedal. I try to use the pulse and glide technique, but I find it difficult on a short, hilly drive, with a traffic light every mile or so. I’m still working on it. I do sometimes have some nice down-hill glides. When I first got the car and decided to consciously drive differently, I figured that I would have to leave for work earlier just to get there at my usual time. Turns out that I only run about five minutes slower, and in return I enjoy a much more relaxing drive (as do those on the road with me, I’m sure).

There are things that I miss about the Lexus, like automatic windshield wipers, defrosting outside mirrors, outside mirrors that tilt down when you backup, headlights that follow the curve of the road, heated seats, and a sunroof. Some of those items I can, and will, add to the Prius. As for the others, whenever I miss them, I remind myself that you can buy two Prii for the cost of one 400h, and the Prius gets twice the gas mileage, even on a bad day.

I thought that I would miss the pick-up of a more powerful car, considering the 400h drives like a V8, and our other car is a Porsche Boxster S. However, I find that the Prius’ pickup is just right for my commute. It’s enough to get me where I need to be safely without tempting me into going twice the speed limit (which I inevitably do in the Porsche). Why, after all, does anyone need to go 0 to 60 in 5 seconds or drive 170 miles per hour on their daily commute?

In conclusion, I have to say that I love this car. My husband makes fun of me and hums the Queen song, “I’m In Love With My Car†whenever I wax too poetically about the Prius. I don’t mind the teasing. The Prius is a car that you can feel good about, because you didn’t spend too much money to get a car that’s really cute (and, yes, I really do think that the Prius is good looking), loaded with features, big enough to be versatile without being wasteful, easier on the environment, extremely reliable, and not a gas guzzler.

 

New owner impressions @ 3000 miles

I've had my 2008 Touring pkg #6 since New Year's and wanted to give some impressions in hopes of helping someone still trying to make a decision.

I was driving a Sienna van and it was time to turn in the lease or buy. I decided I didn't need such a large car anymore and wanted a more green car and better mileage. I liked being up high and was concerned about a smaller, lower car. Not only has it not been a problem, I've discovered I feel safer in it and love how easy it is to park in the ridiculously tight spaces we have in much of Caifornia.

There is something about a Prius that invokes devotion and I can't quite say what it is. I'm not prone to being in love with my car and yet I have a strong attachment to mine

The things I love most besides the obvious:

1 - Smart Key system - I don't think I'll ever be able to have a car without it!! Digging for my keys is now an occasional thrill. I have my office key on my purse handle attached with a spool so I just grab it, pull, open the door and let go

2 - The quietness of the car. The Sienna had a fair amount of cabin noise and I love how quiet it is on the freeway and at stop signs

3 - Roominess of cabin and storage. I had a friend say the rear had more leg room than their BMW 3 series

4 - Simplicity - I am over 50 and enjoying things being simpler, less clutter and gadgets. Now when I see high end car dashes they look frenetic to me

5 - Stability - we had some big windy storms in California when I got my car and it held the road really well, surpassed my expectations. Corners nicely, and I can sneak by big trucks without getting blown all over


Things I don't like -

1 - windshield glare - in sun I feel there is more glare than my van

2 - night time green light glare - that is just poor design Toyota, should have been fixed long ago!

3 - hard to see display in sun, but that isn't surprising, that happens with cameras and all sorts of LCD displays

4 - this is nitpicky but the low fuel warning going off when there is still 3 gallons (over 100 miles of driving) seems silly. Wish they had a computer setting and you could choose how many miles to have it go off at (maybe there is one and someone will let me know)

I am not getting as good a mileage as friends who have standards. I'm a careful driver and still think it has something to do with Touring tires but some Touring folks say they get the same mileage as with their regular Prius so I'll never know for sure. Lately it is running 47-48 and that is still excellent mileage.

I used to put 17 gallons in my Sienna and go for 375 miles. Now I put 8 gallons in and go for 400 miles. It is so fast to fill up I can barely get my windshield washed.

If you are a Prius "type" you will likely love love love this car. You can't expect it to be a Lexus or Nissan Murano or whatever, it is a smaller car. My neighbors got Civic hybrids because the guy is tall and says the Prius is too small. I think they don't like the looks more than anything!!

I am glad folks who have switched from larger, fancier cars find themselves slowing down and chilling when they drive. If we all went 55 the world would likely be a kinder, gentler place. I drive 60 minimum on the freeeway so I don't get shot as I live in a major metro area and the drivers are maniacs. But I'd vote for governors at 60 if it were up for a vote!!

Elizabeth

 

New owner impressions @ 3000 miles

I've had my 2008 Touring pkg #6 since New Year's and wanted to give some impressions in hopes of helping someone still trying to make a decision.

I was driving a Sienna van and it was time to turn in the lease or buy. I decided I didn't need such a large car anymore and wanted a more green car and better mileage. I liked being up high and was concerned about a smaller, lower car. Not only has it not been a problem, I've discovered I feel safer in it and love how easy it is to park in the ridiculously tight spaces we have in much of Caifornia.

There is something about a Prius that invokes devotion and I can't quite say what it is. I'm not prone to being in love with my car and yet I have a strong attachment to mine

The things I love most besides the obvious:

1 - Smart Key system - I don't think I'll ever be able to have a car without it!! Digging for my keys is now an occasional thrill. I have my office key on my purse handle attached with a spool so I just grab it, pull, open the door and let go

2 - The quietness of the car. The Sienna had a fair amount of cabin noise and I love how quiet it is on the freeway and at stop signs

3 - Roominess of cabin and storage. I had a friend say the rear had more leg room than their BMW 3 series

4 - Simplicity - I am over 50 and enjoying things being simpler, less clutter and gadgets. Now when I see high end car dashes they look frenetic to me

5 - Stability - we had some big windy storms in California when I got my car and it held the road really well, surpassed my expectations. Corners nicely, and I can sneak by big trucks without getting blown all over


Things I don't like -

1 - windshield glare - in sun I feel there is more glare than my van

2 - night time green light glare - that is just poor design Toyota, should have been fixed long ago!

3 - hard to see display in sun, but that isn't surprising, that happens with cameras and all sorts of LCD displays

4 - this is nitpicky but the low fuel warning going off when there is still 3 gallons (over 100 miles of driving) seems silly. Wish they had a computer setting and you could choose how many miles to have it go off at (maybe there is one and someone will let me know)

I am not getting as good a mileage as friends who have standards. I'm a careful driver and still think it has something to do with Touring tires but some Touring folks say they get the same mileage as with their regular Prius so I'll never know for sure. Lately it is running 47-48 and that is still excellent mileage.

I used to put 17 gallons in my Sienna and go for 375 miles. Now I put 8 gallons in and go for 400 miles. It is so fast to fill up I can barely get my windshield washed.

If you are a Prius "type" you will likely love love love this car. You can't expect it to be a Lexus or Nissan Murano or whatever, it is a smaller car. My neighbors got Civic hybrids because the guy is tall and says the Prius is too small. I think they don't like the looks more than anything!!

I am glad folks who have switched from larger, fancier cars find themselves slowing down and chilling when they drive. If we all went 55 the world would likely be a kinder, gentler place. I drive 60 minimum on the freeeway so I don't get shot as I live in a major metro area and the drivers are maniacs. But I'd vote for governors at 60 if it were up for a vote!!

Elizabeth