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New to hybrids I just got a slightly used prius v 5 and here are my thoughts

Discussion in 'Prius v Main Forum' started by bmwmdriver89, May 22, 2012.

  1. bmwmdriver89

    bmwmdriver89 Junior Member

    Joined:
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    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    i have been a bmw fan and car enthusiast for a while. over the years i have not been crazy about hybrids especially the first and 2nd gen prius. once the prius V came out though something drew my interest toward it. Over the past couple months i had been researching cars that would have a lot of storage space and get really good mileage. i was torn between getting the volkswagen jetta tdi sportwagen and the toyota prius V. I finally decided to go the prius route as one of my previous cars had been a 1997 toyota camry and i have always been amazed about how little maintenence that car requires. I currently have a bmw z3 m roadster that is such as gas guzzler and requires premium gas and only gets 17mpg:(
    a couple days ago i finally got a slightly used toyota prius V. IT is such a beautiful car. mine is red with tan interior. it does not have the advanced technology package but i don't think i need all those features anyway. I am blown away by how much fun this car is to drive and by how well it handles and brakes. It drives so much sportier than the 2nd gen prius. In my opinion the prius V looks really sporty kinda like a mazda 3 or ford fiesta. the wheels are gorgeous and not funky looking. everything about this car puts a smile on my face especially the keyless entry. so far my car has 5,000 miles on it and everything still feels brand new. This car feels like a dream because my last car( the bmw M) had a racing clutch and was so hard to drive as a daily driver and also didn't have air conditioning and mind you i live in florida. the bmw was very hard to get in and out of and was very hard to shift. the bmw s controls were very heavy. All kinds of stuff kept braking on my bmw since it is 12 years old. The prius has giant doors so it is a breeze to get in and out of. the airconditioning is so amazing in the prius as well. I used to make fun of people driving hybrids but now i am so happy with my prius that i want to get a shirt that says i love my prius V. I still have my bmw but its defineatly not going to be driven much now since the prius just is so much better as a daily driver. I feel like this prius is solid and will last me atleast 7-10 years maybe even more.
     
    #1 bmwmdriver89, May 22, 2012
    2 people like this.
  2. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    :welcome:Glad to hear that you're a convert and have seen the light. :)
     
    #2 cwerdna, May 22, 2012
  3. Keiichi

    Keiichi Active Member

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    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    That's kind of weird for a 12 year old BMW not to have AC... I know when I got my Nissan Sentra back in '97, I had air conditioning. It was a 96 model, and I think around then, AC was standard for most cars around that time.

    Anyhow, glad to hear you are enjoying your Prius v, and I say the BMW is probably going to be one of those 'sunday drive' type car for you, as it probably still a good ride for you, but the Prius will definitely be your commuter car and probably easier on your pocket book gas wise.
     
    #3 Keiichi, May 22, 2012
  4. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    Welcome aboard! Glad you are enjoying the new ride.
     
    #4 spiderman, May 22, 2012
  5. wilsonauy

    wilsonauy New Member

    Joined:
    May 19, 2012
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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
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    Model:
    Five
    I am also a new Prius v5 owner in Florida. I totally agree with you and no doubt that the longer you drive it, the more you like it.

    I think you will also enjoy the quietness while driving as me.
     
    #5 wilsonauy, May 22, 2012
  6. dfine1966

    dfine1966 Junior Member

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    Vehicle:
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    How was it a slightly used car? Did you get a good deal on it?
     
    #6 dfine1966, May 22, 2012
  7. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

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    Congrats on your Prius v!

    He says it's an "M" model so it probably was taken out to save weight (much like the Integra Type R had optional A/C for weight saving measures).
     
    #7 Tideland Prius, May 22, 2012
  8. ItsNotAboutTheMoney

    ItsNotAboutTheMoney EditProfOptInfoCustomUser Title

    Joined:
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    Vehicle:
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    Congratulations. 344 gallons less every 10,000 miles is a nice reduction in gasoline consumption. This is why US gasoline consumption keeps falling.

    Welcome to the world of Prius.
     
    #8 ItsNotAboutTheMoney, May 22, 2012
  9. 12get12

    12get12 Junior Member

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    If you think it's fun now, get some coilovers and for sure, the M will be sitting in your driveway much more.
     
    #9 12get12, May 23, 2012
  10. almypal26

    almypal26 Member

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    Welcome aboard. I was in similar shoes as yourself. I had a 2001 BMW 325 CI and used it as a daily commuter. The cost of maintenance between the BMW compared to the Prius is like night and day. I couldn't be happier with my Prius. I have 57K miles and counting in 2 1/2 yaers of ownership. Looking forward to 200K miles down the line. :mod:
     
    #10 almypal26, May 23, 2012
  11. clayton4115

    clayton4115 Junior Member

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    hi all

    the new gen prius uses Premium unleaded fuel, here is Australia it is like 10c per litre more expensive than regular unleaded, doesnt this extra cost kill the benefit of driving a hybrid that needs premium unleaded to say a normal car?
     
    #11 clayton4115, May 23, 2012
  12. Erikon

    Erikon Active Member

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    The Prius uses 87 octane, both gen 2 and 3.
     
    #12 Erikon, May 23, 2012
  13. NYPrius1

    NYPrius1 Active Member

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    Welcome to PC - Congrats on the New Car.
     
    #13 NYPrius1, May 24, 2012
  14. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    Welcome to the Prius family. It means a lot that those made fun of Priuses are buying Priuses and "getting" it.

    I think it is the best type of conquest sales for Toyota and Hybrid Synergy Drive.
     
    #14 usbseawolf2000, May 24, 2012
  15. austingreen

    austingreen Senior Member

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    I'm not buying it. All the M roadsters made in the USA had air conditioning. Maybe the air conditioning no longer works. It seems like the wrong car for him, if he actually owns one. I was loaned one when a car was in the shop, not the car for me, but the steering and clutch are great if you know how to use them.

    Anyway congrats on your new car. Get rid of the beemer, what ever it is if you don't like it. You might be happier trading the bmw roadster for a miata, as it is a light powered easy to use convertable.
     
    #15 austingreen, May 24, 2012
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