A Perfect Storm of Doubt

Man I can't wait till the movie comes out...

There is always going to be pros and cons to any vehicle purchase. In the end they are all bad investments (economically), some worse than others.

Even with the above mentioned problems, I feel I made a good choice. If I went with the Corolla or another Camry, I would probably feel the same way. The great FE is just gravy.

If with all the information you have now still want a Prius, get one, if not, don't.

Just my 2 cents.

 

With all of those concerns why even bother? If it is indeed a perfect storm as you have put it, buying a prius now would be setting sail after you have weather reports stating the obvious. Do yourself a favor and buy something else. There are plenty of other Hybrids available and more are coming. :welcome:

 

I've had the brakes grab going backward, and had the brakes "slip" while going forward. No problem with the gas pedal, cargo net or squeaks and rattles, (other than all the junk I have floating around in the car). And yeah, there's going to be better cars come along eventually but I still would buy my 2010 IV again. I've had it six months and have saved over $800 in gas alone compared to my old car. I figure on keeping the car 5 years and the gas savings alone could come out to over $8,000, ($1,600 @ yr. x's 5 years), so yeah, I think it was worth it, to me at least.

Mike

 

Yeah, well you basically went to the ocean looking for water and SURPRISE! you found it! this is the first place i'd look if i wanted to find complaints and problems with a prius.

the truth is, some of the issues you mention aren't really issues for the majority of us....besides, how many threads on any forum are called "hey guys, nothin' to report, everything is fine with the steering wheel"?

the cargo net issue is fixed.

unintended acceleration due to floormat issues hasn't been documented on a 2010 prius

my dash doesn't squeak or rattle, at all. truthfully.

the grabby brakes thing isn't dangerous unless you're balancing a wedding cake on your lap as you experience the problem. the brakes are overly sensitive every once in a while (read as, maybe has happened to me 4 times ever), and is easily resolved by easing completely off the brake for a split second. its an issue, but the threads here read as really overblown if you've experienced it personally. i mean really, when you push the brake down, you can feel whether or not theres an issue immediately. if the brakes are gonna do the grabby thing, it feels like you've pushed the pedal down a half inch and it wont go any further. it is an issue, again, but its definitely not dangerous.

the brakes were designed to anti-lock when they sense they are not in proper contact with the road, so if you hit a dip or hole as you're braking, you're gonna experience it. this is an issue, but really, its only dangerous if you're about to rear end someone, and theres a perfectly placed pothole or dip just behind their car. dangerous, possibly. but its remote, and still should be fixed or sorted out. the thing to note: the brakes don't completely let go in this situation, although many here make it sound as if literally they could stomp the brakes for an hour while careening down a mountain unable to stop. they literally loosen up then re-grab, total duration is less than half a second, if that.


analytical patience? if you really wanted to be analytical, you'd be collecting data and test driving to confirm or deny. many of the issues reported here are invaluable to both toyota and us owners. but the ferver and passion of a post should not necessarily equate to its seriousness or outright danger to the public...and at PC, they often do. an analytical mind wouldn't put so much faith in anecdotal findings. its not to say that anyone here is lying, but there is a matter of degrees to which a user's entire driving scenario should be considered (the circumstances under which the grabby brakes occur is a good example).

another example where emotion seems to override an analytical approach: you are fired up about the cargo net issue, which has been resolved. if that fever for a perfect just off the factory line cargo net is #1 on your list of car needs, the prius is not for you. im not sure, but i'd bet there are very good cargo net options out there, many of which would incidentally come with a car properly attached.

someone else here posted a very serious rant about the "incompetent monkeys" at the toyota service department who, by the sound of it, just about ruined his prius....and by ruined of course i mean "set the tire pressure to factory".

you seem like a evidence driven person, so take some notes here on how to re-create the issues of importance, and go to a dealership. spend a week or so driving different prius'. get yourself the data. choose. spend.

 

My advice, if you already own a Toyota, keep it.
It most likely has a lot of years and trouble free miles in it.
If you really believe the Gen III Prius isn't quite there you can either buy something else or wait until the update comes out, most likely MY2012.

Maybe, if you think there is a perfect car, buy that. I seriously doubt you will find a better car than Prius but give it a go.

 

With any new model there always issues, this is not my first new model purchase. The issues are usually always resolved and in fact many of the minor issues aren't really issues at all for most customers but the complaints of hypercritical individuals that get blown out of proportion on these forums..

I have owned the first release of at least 4 different vehicles from different quality manufacturers and each time the same thing. In each case after the first year or so was up I was glad I went ahead and adopted early on, i had a new model car before others and I saved money in the process due to price increases.

This is my 5th and I would do it again in a heart beat.

Good Luck with your decision.

 

Ha ha ha (or should we say Ho Ho Ho)

 

The Electric Me,

In no way meaning to be insensitive to your particular needs and desires,
I think what you've got is more like a tempest in a tea pot.

The alleged choice of getting a Gen III or no Prius at all is a false
dichotomy; there are in fact other choices, which may be better.

Have you considered a relatively low mileage, used Prius. IRC there
was a recent thread offering in Portland, OR an '08 Touring, ~30K
miles, for ~$19.5K. This may not be a knock 'em dead steal, but I
think it representative. You may be able to do better on Craig'sList, etc.

At any rate, back when the availability of the Gen III was anounced,
and not even availale, numerous posters opined that they would be
waiting a while to see how what the "new model" issues would be and
how they were handled by Toyota. Well, here we are now, and sure
enough there are "new model" issues. Are those folks proven right?
Yes and no, your choice.

Whether or not your goal is to get into a Gen III or ultimately a Gen IV
PHEV, getting into a Gen II now will have advantages.
* There are fuel savings over a typical IE-only car, but whether they
are meaningful, only you can say.
* More importantly, learning to drive a hybrid, and I suspect especially
a Prius, is not fall-off-a-log simple. I know you've read a lot of stuff
here on how to do it, but the practical application of the general
principals is highly dependent on the specific conditions in your driving
environment.
* The Gen III is still wet-behind-the-ears" compared to the Gen II and
the general Gen III owning community is far from really understanding
what is going on inside the inscrutible HSD black box. If the Gen II is
any example, it will be years before anyone does. An early indicator
will be the anouncement of Gen III workable ScanGauge XGauges.

In summary; get a good Gen II now. Get up on the high FE/MPG
learning curve on a solid, proven vehicle with known quirks and
idiosyncrasies. Stop missing out on all the FUN.

I apologize for how long this post is. My bad.

 

hehe, thats not really keeping a can of worms closed...

thats generalizing an issue so as to blanket every prius regardless of year, instead of pointing out that the car you want to buy doesn't even have the issue in the first place.

i smell troll.

 

In the Spring of 2005, I was on a waiting list for Prius and then I got a call that 'turned me off.' The local dealer wanted to auction the next Prius. Four months later, a rain-slick overpass and we lost our '91 Camry. I had to find a replacement:

Now I knew my budget so I started shopping:

• Ebay stopped the local dealer's gouging
• Ebay opened the used Prius market
• A used, 2003 Prius, last of model year, fit my profile
  • 49,394 miles
  • $17,300
• Prius skeptics debunked ('traction battery FUD')

For price-performance, the 2007-09 Prius would be an excellent buy ... if you want an established, stable Prius. Of course that model is the one that is being recalled, not the 2010 Prius.

The worst thing in the world is to buy a car you grow to hate. At least you've done due diligence. It sounds as if the interior and handling are very important requirements and fuel economy not so much.

Now I expect gasoline (or diesel) will be getting more expensive over the life of our Prius. Like 401(k) investments or any guess about the future, it remains an open risk ... place your bets.

There is a techique in System Engineering that lists the requirements, applies a weight to each, and then using an evaluation scale, allows someone to 'pick the best match:'

	Column 1	Column 2	Column 3	Column 4	Column 5
0	Requirement	weight	Car A	Car B	Car C
1	predictable braking	5	1	3	3
2	interior quality	3	1	2	3
3	fuel costs	2	3	2	1
4	products summed	10	14	25	26

In this case, braking rules out 'Car A' and interior quality gives 'Car C' a slight edge that fuel efficiency of 'Car B' can not over come.

Someone with a different set of priorities would come up with a different score:

	Column 1	Column 2	Column 3	Column 4	Column 5
0	Requirement	weight	Car A	Car B	Car C
1	predictable braking	1	1	3	3
2	interior quality	2	1	2	3
3	fuel costs	7	3	2	1
4	products summed	10	24	21	16

In this case, 'Car A' fuel economy trumps the interior and braking. The same car ratings but the weighting on each requirement has changed. This is how Consumer Reports gives a relatively low score for the 2010 Prius ... they rank obscured, unreported requirements higher than their publicly reported scores.

Utlimately, you have to live with your decision. I think you would be well served by renting a Prius for a couple of days and seeking out, testing every bad thing you've heard. Over a long weekend, say New Years, you can throughly test how the comments posted here rate in your hands. Rent the other candidates too, if you can find them. But after an extended test drive with the Prius, you'll be in a better position to test drive the other cars ... aggressively.

Bob Wilson

 

I do believe you hold the record for longest average post length...

 

I would agree 100%. The individual who started this thread has a lot of concerns, and apparently, a lot of insecurity about those concerns. That's no way to start off with any new car.

However, the reality of most web sites is - they attract people who need to whine and complain about things that the vast majority of buyers never experience (or are bothered by). That's not to say they may have valid issues/gripes...but those issues/gripes can sometimes be blown out of proportion. Nevertheless, if the consumer is seriously worried that they may fall victim of some of the issues posted here, then it might be prudent to find another vehicle...not that their experience with another vehicle will necessarily be any better. But at least they will feel better from the get-go.

That said, I couldn't be happier with my G3, and have no complaints.

 

Here's the short version of my earlier post:

You're overthinking this...
It is time to sh!t or get off the pot.

But you deserved better.

Really, do yourself a favor: make your best decision.
Do it, there will be a few minor regrets, move on.

Peace (wish we had a Christmas Smiley)

 

I understand your concerns - I have been shopping for several months and plan to purchase next week --- I have called Toyota at least 10 times with questions and have take 3 overnight to test drive. I know the least of the worries is about the mats but I believe that is not a 2010 issue as I call Toyota several times to ask the question - I was told that issue is up to 2009. I have heard a slight rattle in the dashboard when I took 1 of the iv's overnight ---that is what prompted me to find this web site which is great!
I'm going forward with my purchase and am very glad that I'm jumping in with my eyes wide open ---- which I learned this lesson a long time ago about a lot of things!! lol
Good luck with your decision!

 

Quite the opposite. That money is being long-term invested to reduce cost, by expanding battery production and starting to build Prius locally.

As for your patience, some would see that as a missed opportunity. Your delay means paying more.

Considering your purchase research, you're doomed. The internet amplifies. There are countless owners that are quite pleased, who we never hear a peep from online. Those who want to complain are much, much, much more likely to post.
.

 

Solved. Non-issue.

But this has nothing to do with the 2010 model. It was not affected by this and they have been delivered WITH Toyota floor mats.
Why even bring it up?

No, it's not since the first two issues that supposedly brought this to "Storm" level were non-issues.

This should be looked into but as has been mentioned before, it's not really dangerous and all you have to do is put in Park then back in reverse to get rid of it. Probably the worst that would happen is that you look like an idiot while trying to back up the car. But then on a positive note the three guys who were standing by me when it happened to me started to flirt with me so hey, maybe it's a benefit!

I have not noticed rattles and squeaks really. I thought maybe I heard a little something on my holiday drive but I'm not even sure about it. I'm going to listen again on the way home.

Completely inaccurate conclusion since the first two "issues" were non-existent. Therefore there is no "whole" or "trend".

I just felt this the other night and I am glad I had already read about it since my reaction was "oh, that's what they were talking about" instead of "OMG!!! Wth just happened?" Yes, this should be addressed by Toyota.

I don't understand what your issue is then if you can't afford the car.

To be honest, half your complaints are wrong in that there are no issues like that with this car. The others are pretty minor although a couple of them should be addressed, and perhaps will be in the 2011.

So, in reality there is no Perfect Storm. You brought up invalid complaints about a car you claimed you were ready to buy yet later admitted you cannot afford. Are you really that worried about this even though you couldn't even buy the car if you had no complaints or were you just looking for a reason to posts complaints about the Prius? Another board I frequent would call this a post by a "concern troll" and sarcastically thank you for your concern

Okay. Being analytical with false data will give you an incorrect conclusion. Reanalyze with the corrections posted in this thread and you'll most likely want to buy a new Prius as soon as you can afford one.