May buy a Prius

1) A/C blows cold in Southern California. I only keep it at the norm setting and low fan, it is plenty cool enough. Don't notice it taking a dent on the fuel economy either.

2) No they are not, I rarely notice anything while driving, sometimes I do not even have the radio on.

3) 1,500 miles so far, not a single quirk or issue.

 

P.S. I had the full intention of driving the Jetta TDI and Insight after test driving the Prius, I never even left the Toyota lot

 

1. I live in a part of Idaho that can hit over 100F in the summer very often and last summer AC worked great.

2 NO rattles in my car.

3 Absolutely no other problems except for the blurry climate screen that Toyota fixed under a TSB.
Over 8000 miles on the G3 III

 

I think the A/C works great, but I haven't had A/C in a vehicle for the last... um almost ever! I'm happy with it. Used the remote A/C for the first time today but it was only on for about 10 seconds before I got to the car so I don't know how effective it was. I also leave the solar roof vents on all the time here in L.A..

I have only noticed one tiny, tiny noise when driving on the freeway and I'm not certain it isn't a bad speaker. It sounds like it's coming right out of the left front speaker.

Only things I've noticed are the brake issue which now has a fix that I will go in for, and the reverse braking lurch which is easily rectified by putting it in park then back into reverse. I've only experienced that once, but now I know if I see that brake warning light come on that I need to get rid of it before moving. It comes on if you push the brakes hard and quick at a stop, or I think also if you hit them a couple times quickly. Once I realized that it hasn't happened as I'm more careful about what I'm doing with the brakes while stopped.

I say go for it, ESPECIALLY a Barcelona Red Pkg III !!!

 

1) No problem with the A/C up here (Alaska)

2) Rattles become more prevalent when the temps are 40 and below. But nothing I would consider "bad".

3) Had the brake issue (on recall) happen for the first time in 7,600 miles. Did have the grabby brakes in reverse happen two times. Had the rough engine start twice but early on. My FE dropped by about 10 mpg from summer to winter.

Other than that, it has been wonderful.

 

I've got 2700 miles in 2.5 months .... everything works fine. Used the AC today in 85' weather, plenty cool. No rattles, but note that the car has higher pressure tires and will take the bumps more than a heavy car. Only minor notations would be: That the gas tank shows only having used 10% after about 120 miles (s/b about 20%) but then it catches up. The comupter's MPG is high by about 5% ... and I believe this to be more of an EPA fault since their testing is indoors on rollers.

Final note, it took me about 6 weeks to really start liking the 'feel' of this car. They are different. Now, I really like it.
Bart in SoCA

 

I'm also still considering a Prius (was thinking that I would finally get a new car this spring), the current news doesn't really scare me away at all. If it does, it's because of the reaction I might get from friends and neighbors who have been swept up by all the media hype.

I did actually test drive one last year, and as the previous post notes, they definitely don't 'feel' like my old car. I guess I would get used to it, but it definitely handles differently than what I drive now.

 

1) Not used A/C yet. Did find the one time I've tried to use Auto that it turned the fan on too much for my passenger (wife) so she decided to adjust temperature manually. You might want to test the behavior.

2) Have notice an occasional rattle that seems to be to my upper right somewhere when driving.

3) My issues so far have been minor: misleading messages (Key Detected = rear hatch not closed properly, Use Park when stopped = door not closed properly), 5% overestimate displayed economy, speedometer low by 1mph (low speed) to 2mph (high speed) low (at least compared to a ScanGauge and a quick GPS check - I should test with GPS again).

Oh, remember to research and check out the dealer-settable options before buying so you can have them set appropriately. I forgot to ask for the reverse beep to be reduced to a single beep (it's annoying but it has helped us both a few times).

 

I currently have a Mazda, soon buying a Nissan, also have the Toyota. I can tell you the quality of the Toyota is by far superior. It might not look great or fancy, but it rattles a lot less and is way more consistent than any of the cars I have.

 

I finally broke the car a bit longer today driving from Sac to SF about 100+ miles back and forth and used the AC for the first time as it finally hit the mid 70s. AC works just fine and cools the cabin quickly, though I do have it on 1-2 bars and circulation mode. I haven't heard any squeaks though I usually have the USB iPod or Bluetooth Audio from my Droid phone connected and music on a little louder. Was finally able to average 50+mpgs roundtrip even after a bit of stop and go traffic on the Bay Bridge to Oakland.

 

I live in central/south Florida, and the AC blows ice cold here, and have not one rattle in my Prius III.

Matt

 

Second Prius and no squeaks or rattles. First was a 2007 Touring, currently driving a 2010 'Five' model. AC never disappointed, but I live in NY. Everyone who ever rode in these cars was impressed, and my relatives all wanted the 2007 when I sold it because they were so impressed. The new one is even better. Most people whine too much, ignore most of it. The media has become too lazy so keeping the bash fest for the Toyota cars is easier than reporting actual news. I've bought over a dozen new cars in my life and I can say without question the two Toyota Prius's have been the wisest car payments I ever made. I predict you'll love owning one.

 

I live in the South, and the AC is great. Cools down quickly and no problem in keeping it down. FYI - The AC does NOT run off the engine, which is a unique feature. Ergo, there's no drain on the engine when the AC kicks in.

I've had mine since last June. No rattles to speak of. As the temperature changes, however, and things contract/expand, you will get some minor noises, but in my case, they are NOT constant, and it has to be extremely quiet to even hear them. So nothing (at least in my car) worth mentioning.

This site has a LOT of whinners, and/or trolls who like to pretend they own a Prius, but more likely, own a competing brand. If you read enough posts on this site, you will be amazed at the number of owners (or trolls) that haven't a clue about their car. That said, and knock on wood, I have 11K on my car, and only been back for oil change and tire rotation.

By the way, and you need to understand how most web sites work - Typically, you only hear from the complainers (or trolls). Most people don't bother to post that their car is great and functioning well.

 

1. A/C is great, it often gets over 100 degrees where I live, and I had my car in Arizona last summer. No problem with the climate control system at all.

2. Not every one has rattles, I do and in the winter they are bad. Less so in warmer weather but still there. I have managed to fix several of them but I have a couple I haven't found yet. A lot of dealers are not very good at fixing rattles.

3. I have had the rough start problem about 3 times in 16K miles. I think I have discovered a "work around" for it that I have been using. If you get the car and have that problem check the rough start threads or send me a PM and I'll let you know what works for me.

My car was one of the earlier ones built last summer, delivered in August, and did have a few quality control issues that are fairly common in new models from other manufacturers. Missing bolts from the front spoiler, headlights adjusted wrong, cruise control cancel switch adjusted wrong, fairly easy to fix problems but unusual for Toyota. If you buy a new Prius you probably won't have any of these problems, at least I hope not.

In spite of these minor issues It's really a great car, I would buy it again, but hopefully without the rattles. Good luck.

 

My car is great and functioning well.

Then again, it's only two days old, a Barcelona Red Prius II. I could afford more, but I decided that if I'm going for economical, then I'll go "all-in.". Plus, I wasn't crazy about the Prous Nav system, so I'm going to install a Kenwood and have a local shop reupholster the seats in leather.

 

Smart Choices. Consider having them add seat heaters, and bumping up the lumbar support. My local Toyota Dealer sells the II from the showroom with after-market leater and heated seats, a sunroof and pinstriping for a 5 grand upcharge. I would do what you have it makes perfect sense. Good Luck ! I predict you'll love it.

 

prius II. had it 2 weeks. 86 degree day A/C worked great.
i don't have any rattles. i've put 2000 miles on the car, and i'm averaging 51mpg without even trying for good mileage.
couldn't be happier with the car.

 

Have over 8,000 miles on my Gen III 2010 Prius IV and the A/C here in south central Texas worked great in 100+ summer heat last summer.
Only hear occasional rattles on really bumpy roads - otherwise very quiet.
Only warning lights I've noticed are time to change the oil - maintenance light; tire pressure low light (good thing!); and if you step really hard on the brake pedal when already fully stopped (i.e. putting all of your weight on the brake to straighten your jacket) the road slippage light might come on, but will go off when you step on the gas, so it is not a problem - I've learned to put my weight on my other foot on the floor!
Love this car! Great gas mileage and can easily put all of my groceries and shopping bags in the hatchback area.

 

Just bought a Blizzard Pearl Prius IV a couple of days back. No rattles heard. AC works great. Will need it during the hot summers that are coming up in Dallas. The car runs great!