Driving Impressions -- 17" wheels on a non-Prius V

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by socal1, Oct 12, 2009.

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  1. socal1

    socal1 New Member

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    Like many of you, I am disappointed by Toyota's decision to not offer the Prius V with a factory installed sunroof -- although I understand the reasons for this decision. One response to this situation which a number of Prius owners and dealers -- at least in Southern California -- have apparently pursued is to equip Prius IVs with 17" or larger wheels. While I have read numerous posts on this topic, I cannot find one that compares the driving experience of a Prius V to a modified IV. I am particularly curious to this feedback since, in addition to lower profile wheels, a Prius V also has a quicker steering ratio and a modified suspension set-up -- two items that are not easy to modify. A test drive has convinced me that the Prius V offers a more responsive driving experience than other models and I am curious as to how much of a trade-off to the Prius V drive I might real realize if I elect instead to put larger wheels on a Prius IV. I am getting ready to buy a new Prius this weekend and any insight would be much appreciated.
     
    #1 socal1, Oct 12, 2009
  2. dc202

    dc202 Member

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    Quicker ratio definitely yes. "Modified suspension set-up"? What is this? Thanks.
     
    #2 dc202, Oct 12, 2009
  3. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    It has been my understanding that the suspension is the same for all 2010 Prius. The V doesn't have different suspension parts compared to the II - IV.
     
    #3 Paradox, Oct 12, 2009
  4. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Suspension is the same and they went with the sportier setup. The steering ratio is quicker on the V.
     
    #4 Tideland Prius, Oct 13, 2009
  5. socal1

    socal1 New Member

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    Please see the quote below from CarandDriver.com's review of the Prius. It points out that the Prius V has both a quicker steering rack and firmer shock tuning. C&D believes that these features, in combination with 17-inch wheels, provides the Prius V with a "more spirited persona". My question is how much of this persona can be captured in a Prius IV that has larger wheels but does not have the other drive related features of a Prius V.

    -------

    "Specify the 17-inch wheels and 215/45 tires (yes, 45-series tires on a Prius), however, and watch the Prius take on a more spirited persona. Priuses thus equipped adopt a much quicker 14.6:1 (versus 17.6) steering rack with just 2.8 turns lock-to-lock (versus 3.7), as well as firmer shock tuning, resulting in much more grip and less bitching on the part of the stability-control system. Toyota might want to break out the 17-inch-wheel-wearing Prius as a separate model, perhaps called the "Prius Sport," or something like that. It is a far better foe than the base car for the Honda Insight, which is fairly involving for a greenmobile."
     
    #5 socal1, Oct 13, 2009
  6. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    What Tideland and I are saying is that contradicts everything has told us. The V has the same suspension as the other models.

    If you put 17" rims and the appropriate tires on a Prius II, III or IV yes, you will probably see a bit of improved driving because there is less flex that the 17" tires will give.

    I have a V and my dad has a III and mine feels quite different. But the suspension is the same in both.
     
    #6 Paradox, Oct 13, 2009
  7. Airbalancer

    Airbalancer Active Member

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    I did try both, in everyday driving I did not notice any difference
    My want a sunroof
    May get 17 for summer, and leave 15's for winter tires
     
    #7 Airbalancer, Oct 13, 2009
  8. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    When I drive my Dads III and them my V on the same route to and from work, the difference is noticeable, both in the firmness of the ride and the feel in corners like ramps on and off highways. That's IMO at least.
     
    #8 Paradox, Oct 13, 2009
  9. wvgasguy

    wvgasguy New Member

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    I thought that review was before the introduction and that Toyota later said all US models would have the European suspension setup (as found on the V) (But not the quicker steering ratio)
     
    #9 wvgasguy, Oct 13, 2009
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  10. wvgasguy

    wvgasguy New Member

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    The low profile tires and the quicker steering would both contribute to that feel.
     
    #10 wvgasguy, Oct 13, 2009
  11. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    You'd rather quote C/D than believe those of us that actually went to the L.A. event???


    The suspension setup may have been different on the pre-production models that the journalists drove (heck, I think they were different on the cars we drove) but we were told by Toyota that the final production versions will all have the same "Euro-tuned" suspension.
     
    #11 Tideland Prius, Oct 13, 2009
  12. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    Correct, that's why I was shocked Airbalancer didn't notice a difference. To me it is pretty noticeable when switching between both cars.
     
    #12 Paradox, Oct 13, 2009
  13. Blind Guy

    Blind Guy New Member

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    BINGO! You hit the nail on the head. the prototypes the Auto Magazine journalists drove WERE tuned differently, the II, III and IVs were tuned with the U.S. in mind, the Vs were tuned with European tuning.

    Doug Coleman with the Prius Team, later disclosed to the Forum that ALL production models would have the sportier European suspension tuning, ONLY the tighter steering rack would be given to the Vs.

    Hope this helps clear things up for him.

    David (aka Blind guy)
     
    #13 Blind Guy, Oct 13, 2009
  14. Econ

    Econ Member

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    suspension is the same but steering quicker. great in the corners , on and off ramps etc.
     
    #14 Econ, Oct 13, 2009
  15. jburns

    jburns Senior Senior Member

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    Does the V have a larger turning radius than the others?
     
    #15 jburns, Oct 13, 2009
  16. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    Yes, it does.

    17.1 ft. (15 inch tires)

    18 ft. (17 inch tires)
     
    #16 Paradox, Oct 13, 2009
  17. Airbalancer

    Airbalancer Active Member

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    it was just a city drive I did with the Touring model, did not drive it hard
     
    #17 Airbalancer, Oct 13, 2009
  18. dfran1

    dfran1 New Member

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    I do not feel a huge difference in driving Performance from my IV to my V!

    Now stating that:
    1. My tires in my IV are 42 PSI front and 40 PSI rear.
    2. My tires in my V are 46 PSI front and 44 PSI rear. (As of now)
    3. I do not drive aggressive (I do seem to feel better cornering, etc.. with the V)

    Now I definitely feel more drag with the V, meaning I do get about 3-4 mpg less than the IV and I have to struggle a lot more with the V to achieve best MPG than the IV hands down!

    Best of luck to all
    Don
     
    #18 dfran1, Oct 13, 2009
  19. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    Couldn't agree more... I said that some months back immediately after my dad got his and I got to drive it around as well...


    Having said that, I wouldn't give up my V with AT to get back those extra few MPG's...
     
    #19 Paradox, Oct 13, 2009
  20. dfran1

    dfran1 New Member

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    I totally agree!!!!!!!!!
    Don
     
    #20 dfran1, Oct 13, 2009
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