rough roads, low ground clearance

Discussion in 'Prime Main Forum (2017-2022)' started by Alan Winston, Aug 28, 2017.

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  1. Bob Comer

    Bob Comer Active Member

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    Weirdly, I used to scrape the bottom on my 2010 Prius every once in awhile, but I haven't yet on my Prime. I guess my driving habits had been changed over the life of the 2010 and I keep out of trouble.

    to the OP, if you don't mind bad gas mileage, there's nothing better than a Subaru for bad but passable roads. Fun to drive too. I'd still own one if it snowed here.
     
    #21 Bob Comer, Aug 30, 2017
  2. MNdriver

    MNdriver Senior Member

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    I don't drive off road, but I plan to take snow days rather than try to plow through it with my low rider.
     
    #22 MNdriver, Aug 30, 2017
  3. Alan Winston

    Alan Winston Junior Member

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    The Subaru Crosstrek is on my list, and if I could wait for the plug-in version, I quite probably would. I have been dawdling about taking a closer look.

    Subaru has become the most common brand in my area. Our younger daughter has owned several, as have many friends, so they are far from unfamiliar.

    I have kind of a complex history with the local dealership, non-Subaru, mostly non-problem, more related to consulting & tech support work I did for them many years ago than to the vehicle I bought from them a few years before that. Ancient history, but I guess I just don't want to go there, literally or figuratively.

    My CFO/wife insists no more used cars, but I wonder if a dealership-brand, still-on-factory-warranty, 2016 Crosstrek hybrid might be okay, if such a thing were available.
     
    #23 Alan Winston, Aug 30, 2017
  4. Bob Comer

    Bob Comer Active Member

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    I'm not wild about used cars either, but the Crosstek looks like it would be a fun and capable car to have. Not sure if the hybrid system is worth it though, the MGP's are pretty close to the non-hybrid. Subaru's have even a better rep than Toyota for reliability, at least in my experience.

    As for gas mileage, not a good comparison against the Prime. :)
     
    #24 Bob Comer, Aug 30, 2017
  5. Alan Winston

    Alan Winston Junior Member

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    I suppose I could consider air suspension.

    Better rock hopping, better highway mileage.
     
    #25 Alan Winston, Aug 30, 2017
  6. Alan Winston

    Alan Winston Junior Member

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    I had forgotten that the Crosstrek hybrid doesn't have adaptive cruise control, so is off the list.

    Effectively, I am looking for a good adaptive cruise control, with a reasonably decent car to go with it.

    Preferably a plug-in: Mostly for the play value in SOC awareness, especially through regen management.

    Good mileage is primarily the reward for playing well. I feel bad about wasting gas, but that is much more about environmental awareness than personal economics.

    Dropping from plug-in to ordinary hybrid is a big hit. Dropping to ICE-only would be giving up.
     
    #26 Alan Winston, Aug 30, 2017
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i wonder if you could raise the suspension.
     
    #27 bisco, Aug 30, 2017
  8. Bob Comer

    Bob Comer Active Member

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    Wow. There's no way I'd consider a car without it either. It's a stupid decision by Subaru!

    I hear you, but there isn't always a perfect fit. If the volt would have had a couple of different things, it would have been a better fit for what I wanted, for my commute, and for green, but Chevy decided that they don't build Volts like I want them, so I'm driving a Prime.
     
    #28 Bob Comer, Aug 31, 2017
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  9. Washingtonian

    Washingtonian Senior Member

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    I also have a Prime and a Tacoma but the problem is not solved for me. Seems like the average parking lot curb is about 6" and my front clearance is less than 5". I haven't hit one yet, but often park too far back from one from that fear. The front distance sensors only pick up a car in front of you, not the curb. And I am not sure what the purpose is of the front camera as I have never seen an image from it. I am wondering if I could install a low mounted tiny camera on the front of the car to help in perpendicular parking. Has anyone done that? Or maybe I should just back into parking places as the backup camera shows me exactly where my rear bumper is.
     
    #29 Washingtonian, Aug 31, 2017
  10. Alan Winston

    Alan Winston Junior Member

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    Subaru may have the 2018 Crosstrek hybrid out before the end of the year (after skipping MY 2017), so maybe I can wait for that - waiting could also give me a chance to look at the Kia Niro plug-in. Crosstrek plug-in may come next year. My timing is lousy.

    I need to take another look at the RAV4 hybrid, also. I've been afraid to go back to the Toyota dealership and be re-smitten with the Prime, which easily rises above its ugliness, just not enough above the road. Then there's the Prius C, which delights me for size, especially for an errand car, but fails to meet some other needs.
     
    #30 Alan Winston, Aug 31, 2017
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  11. bps

    bps Active Member

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    I agree, it is a worry for sure. I was just joking around with the Prime + Tacoma comment. Your idea about a camera for the front bumper is a great idea! All Toyota would have to do is activate it when you slow down to less than 3-4 mph and the first few seconds anytime you put it into drive. Aside from the convenience of avoiding curbs, the best benefit would be safety to ensure a kid or pet is not in front of your car.
     
    #31 bps, Aug 31, 2017
  12. fneil

    fneil Member

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    I only seem to scrape on short steep speed bumps, when carrying a full load. And on the occasional high curb/didewalk in the front. Can't see down there, so don't really worry about it...
     
    #32 fneil, Apr 12, 2018
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