Picked up my red V (no nav or ATP) Saturday. First time Prius owner. Now that I've lost my virginity, here's a synopsis of my views so far: - Good experience at my chosen dealer, 190 miles, 3 hours from my home. But MSRP, no dealer fees and no forced port options. Ordered 3 options, port only had one and...installed the wrong one. My bumper applique' turned out to be the black plastic bumper guard - which was pointed out by me and was quickly removed (no damage from tape). They reordered the applique, will send to me and arrange for my local dealer to install. Only misstep in the entire sales/delivery process. - Drive home 47.3mpg, almost all highway varying speeds 55-70 for proper break-in. I was very surprised to reach that number (17" tires). - The fit & finish is superb - kudos. The placard states built on 5/09, received in Jacksonville port 6/8. Serial # 1628. Toyota sure has it down to a science. Feels odd to sit in a car that was 1/2 way around the world being built 5 weeks ago. - The SKS system is so convenient - love it! - Seats are VERY comfortable, esp the back support and power lumbar. Bottom is a bit flat and firm. Loads of adjustments. I easily found a perfect driving position. First car I don't have the tilt wheel all the way lowered. Both armrest and console are way too low - can't hold the wheel 10-2 or even 9-3 and rests your elbows. - Position of MID is great - the digital speedo...perfect IMO. I can have my hand at 12 and not block any gauges etc as in a 'normal' car. Getting the hang of the MID info and hybrid info. Like the 3D look, but a bit more color variance of the info esp hybrid screens would be nice. - Good design of dash and center stack - all within easy reach. The color of surrounding and switch faces would be more appealing if lighter in color - they're very dark gray. The dash top, nice texture, but almost black and a sure dust magnet -already. Also saw some reflections on the windshield even with the dark color. - Lots of interior room - from side<>side and front<>back. And headroom. No cramped feeling at all. The interior smell -wonderful leathery - hope it hangs around.... Don't like the small door pockets - front gloveboxes very roomy - maps fit perfect in the upper box. The second cupholder in the console - bad design - it is relegated to a coin box for me. Leather is textured nicely and perforated with nice stitching, not buttery soft but seems to be decent grade and should wear well. Rants... - The rearview mirror vibrates with bass from the sound system (no rap playing...) I tried adjusting et al - no matter - irritating. - From the inside all doors closed with a nice thunk. Outside, esp when opening, feels and sounds cheap and hollow. - There is a rectangle dark metal sticker, perhaps with imbedded chip, at the very top of the inside windshield about 1"X4". Distracting as heck. The dealer rep said it is the antenna for SKS. If so the placement stinks. I att a pic. Anybody know? - Headlight washers - complete waste of $$$. I doubt if I will ever use. It rained on the way home from the dealer so I tested the washers in the garage - most of the hood gets sprayed with sudsy water - stupid! Pic attached. They automatically spray if the lights are on and the windshield washers are activated - again stupid. - No mute on the JBL with blutooth - low end unit does, but mine uses the switch locale to load CDs. - The back wiper is almost useless. It covers such a small area and mostly on the driver's side - test it - you'll see... Would be OK for snow, but leave a large swath undone. Sorry for the length of this - I won't cover my impressions of driving and hybrid op here. BUT - it is fantastic - and the handling of the V - sportscar-like. The steering - 1/8 turn of the wheel around exit ramps. All this exceeds my expectations. 240 miles so far - awaiting a lot more...Way to go Toyota - and Japan.
It is probably something that was supposed to be removed. I am thinking about getting mine converted to a plugin after it is done a few times. Are there installers in the St. Louis, or Chicago area?
Lauren, I'm with you. That sticker looks terrible!! I'm going to have that sticker removed. I'm not interested in anything that is in my field of vision except for the rear view mirror. Dan
You might give them another chance. From my experience you can't test headlight washers with the car sitting still. They are set to be effective when the car is moving, to factor in airflow over the car while in motion. You might find they are effective after all. Try your windshield washers in the garage too, you might be surprised. Most I've seen will shoot clear over the top of the car without hitting the windshield when the car is standing still, but they work well when the car is moving. Best of luck... That doo-dad on the windshield seems odd. I didn't notice it on the two 2010's that I have test driven so far.
I don't have that on my car. Antenna for SKS? Could be a RFID tag for tracking while in transit. Get rid of it!!
My initial thought - placed there by the dealer to track cars for service. Just couldn't believe Toyota would place it there or that other posters would not have mentioned it by now. The dealer is 190 miles away, so if that's the case, 1) I will be POd that I was lied to and 2) off it comes like a bandaid. To add confusion - the oweners manual shows the location of the various antennas - and there IS one for SKS near that location - but none of the other "near window locations" are on the window itself.... Can we get verification? I will also call the Service Mgr to ask THEM...
HI I'm new to PriusChat so here goes...picked up my IV with Nav a week ago last Friday. I have the SKS and NO sticker like that and my locking and unlocking works perfect. The dealers and service folks really don't know that much about these cars at all. When I picked mine up I knew way more than the car salesman or anyone else for that matter since I've been lurking here for some time and reading and learning. In all fairness, my salesperson said they have not been trained on the 2010 because the dealer wants them to sell the '09 first. I also have a friend who has worked with Toyota for years and she confirmed that most Toyota folks at this point know little to nothing about these cars. I'd take the sticker off but call the dealer and correct them so they don't make that mistake again.
Actually, the rep that reviewed all the Prius operations and such at delivery did a fine job - except for that sticker, and when I pointed to the hole with the led/light near the dome lights...she said "Oh that's for the new Safety Connect later. I said - nope it's an LED to softly light the shifter. She appreciated the info - but I'm still ticked about that sticker - does anyone have difinitive proof that's it's NOT part of the Prius assembly? I will call the Service Manager tomorrow too. Just to close the loop. I'm certain most of us here could demo and sell these cars better than most of the dealer reps out there. But, we're geeks for this stuff I guess. And in my case - know zip about the other Toyota vehicles they need to sell.
Dean, Thanks for the great information. I want to know if you notice any plus to having the 17 inch tires, if the LED lights make a difference, and are you used to the initial slow start in trying to stay in EV mode?
Hi Wookie :welcome: Congratulations on your new car! I think sales guys are slowly but surely getting trained. This forum is a huge help in understanding the details of this new beast. Please post pics of your car and your driving impressions!
I have a Prius V w/ nav. You have a Prius V w/ no packages. I don't have a sticker on my windshield. Everything--including SKS--works fine. You have a random sticker on your windshield--which from the picture doesn't seem to be connected to anything. Do I have definitive proof? No. It could be part of the Prius V w/ no packages configuration. And given how the sales rep told you about that hole in the ceiling for safety connect...well enough said.
Jason great timing for your questions, and I'll try to be brief. Now - I'm still just past virgin territory (250 miles), but. 17"ers -them plus the steering mods - OMG.... I've had sports cars, MR2, 300ZX, Supra in the past. Now I won't compare the V to them but - it's not far behind. The thing corners, as they say, like it's on rails. I did the quick-turn back<>forth thing Indy & F1 cars due to warm up the tires before a race. The Prius barely has roll and the steering is SO quick. Reviewers that say it wallows or dives are prejudiced. I'd recommend a fun test drive in a V. LEDs - Jyst got back from a night drive - the LEDs are very white with a bluish tinge. Completely covers the swath ahead with no voids or bright spots, and a perfect cutoff. Don't know how the self-leveling works...or even why, for now. So from the inside driving the car REALLY illuminates the area ahead (and Brights are huge). The fogs, barely see them light as driving. From the outside the lights are "wicked cool". The EV mode - I live in a gated community about 1/3 mile from the main road. Both ways tonight stayed in EV with no issue - was up to 25. It is so cool. Seeing 100MPG. BUT - I tried Power getting onto the highway on several occasions - and another OMG - this Prius can HAUL. MUCH better pickup than my (sold now) Lexus RX. I could not be more pleased. I didn't punch it (still new), but got up to 55 really quick - and no shift points!!! Wierd.. And the interior lights and MID at night is really nice. I am one happy camper...
You're EXACTLY right - very observant - the "sticker" is not connected by a wire, etching etc. But it does have a small bulge in the middle as if it houses a chip transmitter. Dollars to donuts - it is a tracking mechanism for service - like a hi tech bar code to ID cars for service. I just want to make 100% absolutely positively - as I've done stupid things in my life... What made me worried is that "antenna" illustration in the owners manual - BTW pg 58.
I'd concur - it's an RFID or passive RF sticker for tracking and nothing more. Rear wiper is useful enough when stopped to clear the standing water. It's not even needed during rain while driving in warm climates. I use it more as a washer solution to remove that layer of dust that builds up.
I don't care what the sticker is for it shouldn't be right in your face!!! If it is an RFID tag, they should have put it somewhere else (maybe down near the dash and/or on the passenger side). I look forward to reading an update on what it the ugly thing is used for. I DO plan on using the headlight washer and the rear wiper for snow, so I think I'll be glad they are there.
