1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

'The Truth About Cars' Rips 2010 Prius a New One

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by rudiger, Jun 8, 2009.

  1. rudiger

    rudiger Active Member

    Joined:
    May 11, 2006
    696
    45
    0
    Location:
    Cincinnati, OH
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Two
  2. bedrock8x

    bedrock8x Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 8, 2008
    1,483
    137
    0
    Location:
    California
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
  3. DeadPhish

    DeadPhish Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 10, 2005
    2,010
    353
    0
    Location:
    Outer Banks of NC.. Retired to play golf and poker
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    :lol Obviously not one of the targetted audience for the Prius. I wish he would have come out with what he really felt instead of beating 'round the bush.
     
  4. Lafferty

    Lafferty Member

    Joined:
    Apr 20, 2009
    163
    67
    0
    Location:
    Pacific Palisades
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    This is another one of those articles that sounds like the author hated the car before he even drove it. The author owns a HCH though, so I guess this is to be expected.
     
  5. Wooski

    Wooski New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 13, 2009
    241
    63
    15
    Location:
    London, UK
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    That review is laughable. What a jerk.
     
  6. a priori

    a priori Canonus Curiosus

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2007
    3,083
    407
    23
    Location:
    Chicagoland (West)
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    True enough. I don't know that from his point of view he hated the Prius before even driving it. He'd already seen one and, likely, driven the Gen2. What I get from the article is that he doesn't like the unconventional.

    He claims not to be the Neanderthal gearhead, so I suppose he'll simply cop to "gearhead." You won't find many people who love cars for the Vroom, Vroom and tight handling who will like the Prius -- except if they are looking for a second car to give them great gas mileage.

    There are just two things that really are upsetting about the article:
    1. The smugness of the conventional mentality doesn't allow a person to enjoy owning AND driving a Prius -- by the author's definition, such people cannot be rational. The constant reference to cost, to hybrid premium, is really sickening. How does he justify the money he spends on a BMW? Because he likes the car? Because it says to the world: "I'm a real auto enthusiast and can afford this car!"? Hmm. Change a few words and it is just what he complains about when describing Prius buyers.
    2. The absolute disdain will keep people from even looking at the car. I know that reviewers are supposed to be helping people make good decisions and avoid mistakes, but this article is written so as to have fun with the words. It is a well-written piece. It is fun to read and the words are well-chosen. Still, the author is making a living by demeaning people who are looking for change and looking to find personal transportation that doesn't hog the freeways and waste limited resources.
    Oh well. To each his/her own. I suppose the Prius will be just another DeLorean, confined to the waste heap of auto failures. I just hope I can hold on to mine before the Smithsonian grabs one for a display.
     
  7. Indyking

    Indyking Happy Hyundai owner...

    Joined:
    May 28, 2009
    1,280
    90
    0
    Location:
    I don't know... Indy, Chicago, Madison (WI)... it
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    And that one was not my fault!!!:flock:
     
  8. DeanFL

    DeanFL 2010 owner - 1st Prius

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2009
    1,015
    355
    0
    Location:
    Leesburg Florida USA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    Yep, this guy sure has something up his yingyang about Prius. It's nice we live in Freedom of Speech Land to get other points of view no matter how whacky they may appear to be.

    However, I find these reviews much more credible and are received by HUGE audiences:


    Toyota Prius :: MotorMouths
     
    5 people like this.
  9. phillig

    phillig New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 17, 2003
    4
    0
    0
    Location:
    Waldorf, MD
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    We own a Porsche 911 (997), Lexus LS430, and a 2004 Prius. The Porsche and Lexus are arguably 2 of the finest cars in their respective classes. If I had to give up all my cars for just one, the 2004 Prius (soon to be replaced with a 2010 Gen III) would be the one I would keep.

    Just another opinion as that of any rambling car test guy for what it's worth.

    If you are thinking about a Prius try one and decide for yourself.
     
  10. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2006
    19,011
    4,081
    50
    Location:
    Grass Valley, CA.
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A

    I am one of those few. I converted from this:





    to the Prius and never looked back. :rockon:
     

    Attached Files:

  11. Jared

    Jared Member

    Joined:
    Jun 2, 2005
    209
    10
    0
    Location:
    Long Island
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    So the Prius is a quiet, efficient appliance, but not a "real" car. In that case, I'll take the appliance and macho man can have the car.
     
  12. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

    Joined:
    May 22, 2009
    9,083
    5,798
    0
    Location:
    Undisclosed Location
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Trust me I have no problem with using or attempting to use sarcasm and humor in communication. There are some funny lines within this piece. The problem is it's being presented as a serious review at a place called "The Truth About Cars". Hey, if you don't like The Prius, it's an easy target. As a review? It's such a shotgun blast I can't seriously take anything from it.

    In one breath, the 17 inch tires make the driving experience "worse" but in another breath it's so quiet and serene that it makes him fall asleep?

    That's one criticism that get's leveled at The Prius from time to time I just don't understand. Isn't smooth, quiet and serene normally a good thing? People have the freedom to seek from their automobile the driving experience they want, but why is it that so many assume road gripping feedback and cervical straining cornering equals superior experience?

    The Prius doesn't pretend to be a sports car. If it feels different in some aspects of driving it's because it IS different. The Prius is a different machine. Some people can't seem to handle that reality.

    I find The Prius driving experience tuned well for the majority of urban and suburban driving. No it's not the best choice for Autobahn or twisting mountain roads. Even though the comprimise in that area is lessening.

    That's a shotgun blast of a review, that makes the ultimate piece as a whole something nobody should take serious.
     
  13. mirak

    mirak New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2009
    127
    13
    0
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    I find these negative reviews refreshing, if only for the comedic value of the responses posted here. Many people get so defensive about bad reviews, you'd think they designed the car. If you like the Gen III, great. You don't have to justify your decision. This site offers a lot of useful information, but the pro-Prius kool-aid can get a bit nauseating at times.

    The mileage is fantastic - as the author of that review acknowledges - but the Prius also has definite shortcomings. Just from sitting in one, I can admit that the rear-vis is terrible, the MFD is a bit distant and monochrome, and the "green" plastics feel cheap. Even with all the high-tech gadgetry, the interior is not what I would expect for a mid-size car priced in the high 20s.
     
  14. CAR4TWO

    CAR4TWO New Member

    Joined:
    May 24, 2009
    239
    41
    0
    Location:
    Grants Pass, OR
    Model:
    III
    He is just trying to cause a stir to get his article sold to somebody. All media is biased and this article is no exception. We should not car what other people think. The only thing that matters is what we think. In my mind the entire media is made up of a bunch of losers.

    Dan
     
  15. Rae Vynn

    Rae Vynn Artist In Residence

    Joined:
    May 21, 2007
    6,038
    707
    0
    Location:
    Tumwater, WA USA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Actually, it's too bad he didn't like the Prius. I love his writing style!

    "driving experience designed by faeries..." :pound:

    You will notice that all the responses on that site that are also negative start off with, "I've never driven/owned/ridden in..."
     
  16. accordingly

    accordingly Member

    Joined:
    May 5, 2009
    268
    63
    0
    Location:
    Madison, WI
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    "The 2010 Prius’ ergonomics were designed for only two kinds of creatures: those who like to sit five inches back from the front windshield and orangutans. Everyone else will find that the steering wheel, adjustable now for tilt and reach, is still too far away for a proper seat position."

    I'll agree with him here. Tilt goes from high to higher. Put your arm on the aptly named armrest and you can't reach the wheel with it anymore. Long trips are going to be uncomfortable.

    "There is an Unbelievable Lightness of Steering"

    Also very true!
     
  17. PriusLewis

    PriusLewis Management Scientist

    Joined:
    Feb 25, 2009
    1,002
    84
    7
    Location:
    Denver Metro
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
  18. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2006
    19,011
    4,081
    50
    Location:
    Grass Valley, CA.
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    At 6'3" my arms are rather ape like so I have no issues but I could see how some shorter armed people would. That was pretty funny I admit. :)

    Long trips are fine for me. Once or twice a year I "sprint" up to Vancouver BC to see my friend Hyo silver and my sister.
     
  19. eglmainz

    eglmainz New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2009
    887
    141
    0
    Location:
    Chicagoland, IL
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    Mine was in the low $30s (Prius V with Navi), and even though I agree that the dash plastic looks a little cheap, it makes for a tight ride, that has no squeaks, and a vast improvement from my Ford. I love this car.
     
  20. ronhowell

    ronhowell Active Member

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2007
    681
    32
    0
    Location:
    Cypress, CA.
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    So what! I still believe in the old adage of my RAF flight instructor when referring to aircraft control ... "you handle it gently, the way a virgin handles a penis!"