Looking at buying a prius

I don't have any input on the animals as my spouse won't allow me to have a pooch...BUT...I do tend to carry quite a bit of crap around with me...The Prius has plenty of space in the rear and once you get those seats down, you'd nearly double your storage space!

I have 1 kid that rides quite comfortably in the back in her carseat. Like Evan said, there are three tether hooks for safety.

The Prius has quite a bit of spunk, should you need it...I try not to misbehave in The Rhino but sometimes, the pedal just sticks to the floor, ya know?

All in all, you should test drive before you buy...If you can't find a dealer with one, try finding anyone with one. If you live near Jacksonville, NC, I'd certainly let you drive mine! (I've let several people try driving the Prius, as experience is the only way to really sell the car!).

The Prius is a great car, especially if you commute a lot (I have a 30+ mile daily commute). It's also a great car for small families (expecting quintuplets, you may want a Highlander Hybrid or the Camry Hybrid!).

Just my opinions, of course...

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(eej5 @ Apr 5 2006, 07:25 AM) [snapback]235229[/snapback]</div>

If possible, try to rent one for a couple of days. Before I got mine I rented one for two weeks so see what it was like on a normal commute and taking my parents into the mountains. That way you won't have a sales pitch and let the car sell itself. The 2006 will be different from the one you drove a few years ago so you may notice differences.

As for pickup, the Prius is pretty quick off the line (at least to 34mph). 0-60 is about 10 seconds, with a top speed of 104 mph (there's software that prevents it from going much higher).

 

I think you guys really need a Highlander Hybrid. Especially if you will ever want to take the dogs and the kids at the same time.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(eej5 @ Apr 5 2006, 07:25 AM) [snapback]235229[/snapback]</div>

All cars buillt for the US after 2002 must have the LATCH system for anchoring child seat. All child seats sold after Sept 1, 2002 must be LATCH compliant . So, the PRIUS is LATCH compliant and if you buy a new car seat today, it will have all the necessary straps and the Prius will have the anchor points.

 

I think the Prius will suit you well. It is the most practical of all current and near-future hybrids; it's the most fuel efficient hybrid and yet it has plenty of storage space and is quite speedy enough for anything you need. SUV hybrids get mileage in the mid-20's, and they're really expensive, and the Civic Hybrid and upcoming Camry Hybrid don't have alot of storage space so they don't sound very appropriate for you.

 

my main passenger is my dog........!
she has scratched the plastic below the drivers side window.......and left some scratches on the passenger side dashboard.

I keep all the cloth seats covered with towels.......you should consider going with leather which is probably way easier to keep clean. We're by the beach so she's alway's tracking sand in the car. Not a problem ....just a reality!

Pep?.....lmao.....unless your drag racing superchargers......your gonna find the Pious has plenty of Pep for driving Stop sign to Stop sign...Highway speeds.....etc...uphill....downhill....blah blah blah. I find it pretty comical sitting at a light next to a 400 horse power vette or these old school New mustangs.....all dressed up and no where to go

I went from a 6k lb Chevy truck to my Pious........had many concerns....but.....i love my Pious.


Oh....here's my dashboard scratchin pooch....Rocks

http://web.mac.com/bruz1111/iWeb/Kiapet.co...ut%20Rocks.html

 

Nobody seems to have problems with dogs in the Prius, aside from the smell and hair. I have cats. Less smell, same amount of hair, a lot smaller body. One is a cage cat because he has a tendancy to hide under seats when you are driving and makes a lot of noise. Put him in a carrier and he gets quite and doesn't end up wedging himself someplace I don't want him to be. The other cat is very old and she just sits in the back and looks out the lower slit window. I don't drive with the cats much. Mostly to the vet when it is necessary.

When you put down the seats you have an amazing amount of cargo room. With the seats up you have good room in the back, and the under-floor storage is useful for hiding stuff you don't want seen or don't want sliding around in the back. The cargo cover is also good for hiding stuff and eliminating glare and reflections on the rear glass from stuff you might have in the back.

I've never herd of any problem with car seats. All the anchors are there.

The car is all torque, especially off the line. It can get up and go with the best of them, but accelerating to highway speeds takes about the same time as any 4-cylinder mid-sized car. Acceleration is smooth and without pause. It tends to fool you a little because you do not feel gear transitions as they are not there. Highway acceleration is good also. Basically, once you are at a speed the car tends to have plenty in reserve to go faster.

You are going to really enjoy this car.