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My experience renting a 2010 Prius V

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by cycledrum, Oct 5, 2009.

  1. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    I had it in the back of my mind to do a very extended test drive of a 2010 Prius by renting one. Today was the day. I knew who to call, Toyota Sunnyvale who rented it for $54.99 w/ tax.

    I was hoping to get a III since that might be what I'd buy, but they had most of their 2010's rented. Thought I was going to get a IV, but they produced a V. I wasn't complaining. :)

    So, I topped it up with gas, all of 70 cents, checked tires at about 38 psi ( door said 33/32, oh well). Off I went. Soon I endded up on a part of Hwy 85 with expansion joints (sp?) and thought the V's suspension might be a bit harsh for my tastes. Turns out the road was very bumpy.

    So, I got on 101 freeway with much smoother pavement. The ride was nice and the car tracked very straight on its own. Very little steering input required. Sort of seemed like the car was driving itself.

    I really enjoyed the driver's seat. The leather felt great and having the seat all the way back and down made lots of room for my 36" inseam legs. Most of all, the 2010 seat bottom felt great because of the shape and its tilt back due to lowering the seat. The seat felt 'right' whereas my 2009 seat usually feels, um, not so good.

    Stopped and ate while admiring the Sandy Beach car. Then I headed up Hwy 92 with one of the steepest grades in the SF Bay Area, up to Ralston Ave. I could hear the engine spin up, but the car was moving fine at about 55 mph. BTW, this car was brand new with 3 total miles when I left.

    Along the way I noticed the JBL sound system is very good and improved over the 2009. I like the separated left / right sound stage over the 2009's sound with center speaker. The bass had a really nice presence.

    It was a great drive South on Skyline Blvd. I wasn't pushing hard into corners, no way I'd do that on such an expensive rental. There was very little body roll. I had to duck a little sometimes to see under the rearview mirror which was pushed up as far as possible. No biggie.

    While backing out of a space at Skywood Trading Post (which btw is 'motorcycle central' in the SF Bay Area, across from Alices Restaurant) ...

    > the brakes got into a bit of grabiness while backing out. IOW, the car was jerking when gently applying the brakes. But it may have been operator error since I pushed the Power button on, then off before backing, not wanting to try power mode in a parking lot. Jerkiness only happened this one occasion. All other times backing up were fine.

    I had expected ride to be a little bumpy on the backroads, but surprisingly, the ride was quite smooth and composed. It was also very nice in the city too.

    I'm getting kinda tired now, but I'll finish with the best part -

    I drove 73 miles when I refilled up with gas, and it took on a whopping 1.245 gallons. Tisk, tisk ...

    J/K ... that's 58.63 MPG average. Wow!

    2010 Prius V - A very nice car indeed!

    :cheer2:
     
    #1 cycledrum, Oct 5, 2009
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  2. Felt

    Felt Senior Member

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    Your experience just about duplicates my findings. I own a G3, IV now with 4500 miles. Reading some of the post on this thread really makes me think I am too easily satisfied .... I have no rattles; no noises from unknown places; it does not collect dirt more than normal; the seats have not caused back pains; and on and on. My gas average for 4500 miles is 53.9mpg; fit and finish are excellent; I am 6' 3" and find the car comfortable; and, I like the center console.

    I do think it takes a bit of time to learn how to drive a Prius ... for example I get slightly better mileage than my wife. You will discover it goes uphill with the best (I live in N. Utah amid the mountains). On the freeway I drive 70 mph which is a nice fuel efficient speed. I am a bit concerned about ground clearance in the snow, but several friends have Prius and they all say that Winter driving has not been a problem. We shall see ... this will be my first Winter.

    At first I was disappointed with the NAV .... but again, it took some learning how to use it. I like the detail at 700 feet. My LG telephone works well with the bluetooth. I do not know what else I could ask of the Prius.
     
    #2 Felt, Oct 5, 2009
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  3. Tech_Guy

    Tech_Guy Class Clown

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    Hey, weren't you supposed to be at work today? What are you going to tell your boss tomorrow - you had a bad case of Prius Pox?

    Glad you had a nice ride.

    Keith :)

    P.S. You lied about Hwy 101 - it's one of the worst roadways here in the Bay Area (next time try 280). ...
     
    #3 Tech_Guy, Oct 5, 2009
  4. moss

    moss Junior Member

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    I never knew you could rent a new car from a dealer. Is this something most dealers do?
     
    #4 moss, Oct 5, 2009
  5. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    Toyota Rent a Car

    Put in your zip code. I saw 6 dealers around Seattle on the list.

    ------------------------------
    I hear ya Felt. I thought this 2010 was 'the total package' (I lifted that from an Edmunds video :)

    ----------------------------------
    Thanks Tech Guy , that sounds like a good excuse :)
     
    #5 cycledrum, Oct 5, 2009
  6. a64pilot

    a64pilot Active Member

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    I rented one for a week before I bought mine, although I rented a Gen II and bought a III. If you rent for a week, you'll know for sure if you want the car or not, otherwise?
     
    #6 a64pilot, Oct 6, 2009
  7. Blind Guy

    Blind Guy New Member

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    * Excellent evaluation, I enjoyed your review, THANKS!

    David (aka Blind Guy)
     
    #7 Blind Guy, Oct 6, 2009
  8. Black Swan

    Black Swan New Member

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    I rented one from Thomasville Toyota in Thomasville, Georgia and drove it for two days. It's a wonderful opportunity to explore the car without a salesman there. I wasn't sure if I would like the car and, to my delight, fell in love with it. I've ordered a IV and am on a 60-day wait. Hopefully, it will be a terrific Xmas present!

    I highly recommend renting for those who aren't familiar with it.
     
    #8 Black Swan, Oct 6, 2009
  9. Dirk Lerxst

    Dirk Lerxst New Member

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    Those of you who have rented, can you talk about the actual rental experience? When you turn it back in, is there any pressure to buy? My wife is a little hesitant about the Prius and I'd like to have her check one out, and this sounds like a good way to get away from the dealership and really check it out so *I* know it's right for me in my own environment rather than the artificial "loop around the neighboring roads" environment that I'm not familiar with. But I'm not ready to buy right now. I'd like to rent, take it for a day or two, and turn it in with no hassles. Is that generally how it is? I already pretty much know who and where I would be buying the Prius from, and it's not one of the Toyota rental sites (buying via credit union program through fleet department.)
     
    #9 Dirk Lerxst, Oct 6, 2009
  10. a64pilot

    a64pilot Active Member

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    I rented mine from Toyota of Dothan. Separate dept from sales apparently, same exact requirements as renting from any other rental company. I did get a little off of the rental by saying it was a try before you buy though. No salesman was involved, cost like maybe $200 for a whole week and unlimited mileage. No hassle at all, and I would think you'd be crazy not to rent before you buy. My rental was not new, had several thousands of miles on it, which I liked as it gave me an idea of how well the car "aged".
    The only way you really can get to know a car is to live with it for a while. Take it out and buy groceries, run errands etc. Read the owners manual etc.
    I would definately find the most "decked out" one you can find and see if you need the options or not.
    Never did see a sales person, had to walk over to the dealership for that. The rental part was actually physically separated from the dealership in a small office trailer.
     
    #10 a64pilot, Oct 6, 2009
  11. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Thanks for the review. I can help you with the jerkiness bit when backing up cause that happened to me several times. A light tap on the brakes and the car comes to a halt. Someone here mentioned something about the brake boost pressure (I think). When you open the door, the car buzzes (and my guess it's something to do with the brake booster). If you sit in the car for a while and then turn the car on and back out, it can be super sensitive. I suggest either turning it off and starting it again or just come to a complete stop, push the brake pedal all the way down and release. That should return the braking back to normal.
     
    #11 Tideland Prius, Oct 6, 2009
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  12. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    Blind_Guy,

    I recall the tires were Michelins and seeing 'Pilot' on them. I sure did admire the 17" wheels. As for considering a V ... ahhhh, ha, I better save up lots of pennies for quite some time before considering. :D

    And, you're welcome sir.

    And to all too.
     
    #12 cycledrum, Oct 6, 2009
  13. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    I've rented from Toyota dealerships several times and there has never been any pressure to buy. Some times a customer whose car is in for service for a while will rent. I've always found the rental desks away from sales, no sales pressure at all. You'll do a visual walk around with the agent before renting and returning, for both parties protection.

    They just require driver's license, credit card and proof of insurance, and of course you'll need full coverage with comp and collision. Sign and drive like Mazda says.
     
    #13 cycledrum, Oct 7, 2009
  14. creativeguy

    creativeguy Member

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    I rented a few months ago. The rental desk was in the service dept, nowhere near the sales people. Nobody even asked how I liked it upon my return.
     
    #14 creativeguy, Oct 7, 2009
  15. bps

    bps Active Member

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    That's awesome that you were able to rent before you buy! It's a great way to really check the car out.

    Bryan
     
    #15 bps, Oct 7, 2009
  16. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    It was quite a thrill to experience what Toyota has done with the all-new Prius. It has grown up quite a bit. :)
     
    #16 cycledrum, Oct 7, 2009
  17. Black Swan

    Black Swan New Member

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    I had no pressure to buy from anyone. The rental manager gave me clear instructions on the car. I purposefully drove it in rush-hour traffic around my city. Neighbors drove it. It was a terrific way to get to know the car. I turned it back in with no problem, no hassle. When the rental manager asked about any damage, I smiled and said no....but lots of fingerprints.....from the neighbors.
     
    #17 Black Swan, Oct 15, 2009
  18. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    Hopefully the dealer said it's ok that someone else can drive the rental car. I think every Toyota dealer had me sign that I'm the only one that could drive a rental. Not saying that to call you out, but to avoid a liability if a small or big boo boo happened and dealer found out.
     
    #18 cycledrum, Oct 15, 2009
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