Thinking of buying a Prius - Right move??

In a sense, the Prius is similar to an "image car" in that people recognize it and are impressed with it (or hate it). I still get asked about it when I'm at the gas station, and there are quite a few Prius owners around here.

It sounds like you are approaching it from the right standpoint, rather than just thinking of mileage. Most people try to compare it to a Toyota Corolla, but as you now know, it is a much nicer car than that. You see people do these convoluted financial gyrations to show that, unless gas reaches $8 a gallon, the Prius won't pay for itself ... but most of us don't buy a car for strictly financial reasons. If we did, we would all be buying 10 year old Honda Civics. We buy a car based on several factors, and if you are like me, mileage is one of them, total cost of ownership is another, and personal creature comforts are very important.

If you like the car and can get single rider HOV lane access still in NY (its restricted now in CA), then I think that pushes the Prius over the mark. You will love being able to drive in the car pool lanes. I have the stickers on my Prius, and even though my commute has changed and I don't use them every day, I love it when I'm able to. I also like the fact that it is very nearly zero emissions.

 

You're asking the priests if it's a good idea to believe in God.... Which probably means you're looking for confirmation that you are making the right choice. Small chance of finding anything else here.

This board is full of reasons to own a Prius, and a few well known issues that did not prevent most people here from getting one. May I ask, what are your main doubts? If it's image, only you can help yourself.... Can you rent one for a week or so and see how well you get along with it?

 

You're asking the priests if it's a good idea to believe in God....

Totally agree. Why does your family think you're crazy? Just curious. The Prius has the same storage capacity as a Camry (~15 cubic feet)and 5 less cubic feet of passenger space (96 versus 101). Would they think you were crazy to buy a Camry?

 

The thing is to check that the prius is the in category of cars that you will be happy with.

It aint a muscle car, a sports car, a luxury car, or MPV. Its definitely not a car to take off road.

It is a truly great commuter car. I find it relaxing to drive, particlarly in the part of my commute that involves crawling in traffic. Th technology is fun, and the mpg is pretty impressive when you are away from the high speed traffic.

There are a couple of features that I find really good - its got a very small turning circle which makes parking easy but also means you can do a U turn without having to back up, the informations screens are fun, the acceleration is good and the braking is sharper than most cars.

The only thing I dont like-the cloth covering of the centre box is naff !

Its a great car and I dont regret buying for a moment.

Hope that helps.

 

My previous car was a company Audi A3, brand new (basically a very posh VW Golf). When I quit my job to start my own business, I had the option to lease the Audi myself. I considered it because it was a very nice (fast!) car, but like your Lexus, it was too expensive. After taking a very hard look at everything I could buy, I realized the main difference between all these cars was their shape. Just sheet metal pressed into various shapes. Nothing very innovative about most of them. Except for the Prius.

The Prius did not win because of its looks or handling. I think it's not very pretty, and compared to an Audi or Mini, handles like a boat. The interior does not have the class of an Audi or even a VW. But in the end, what I really needed was comfortable, safe and financially sane transport for very heavy traffic. And that's exactly what it does best. If there was such a thing as Darwinian evolution for cars, all of them would be like the Prius now, fit for their purpose and environment.

How do I feel about it now? I don't get the looks or comments I got when I just had the Audi (mostly youth who thought it was awesome). I still get compliments, but mostly from people aged 50 or more who don't even know it's a hybrid. The shape is attractive to older people in a way I don't understand. I miss the sporty handling. The interior scratches too easily. Rattles in the dash come and go. The MFD died and was replaced (warranty). But I love the mileage (and I'm no hypermiler) and I don't want to go back to a car that runs its engine when standing still. The looks have grown on me, it looks better now, especially with new wheels. My next car will most probably be a hybrid, you can't go back once you've owned one. Just don't expect Lexus class materials or build quality, even though some components are used in Lexus models too.

 

For me, buying my Prius was the right move. I have had a Camry and a Solara in my most recent past and had most recently inherited a Jeep Gran Cherokee V8 from my Dad. After driving that for 8 months and experiencing it's poor gas mileage, coupled with the fact that gas was getting very expensive was the deciding factor for me. I also like the fact that I'm doing something to address our dependence on middle eastern oil. I love my Prius and other than the cloth interior I can't think of anything that I would change (unless it was totally electric!) I wanted a car that would give me superb gas mileage, but not an entry level car like the Corolla. I wish that Toyota had given us a choice of luxury interior. The leather interior that I was offered was not worth $1000.

 

If driving a Prius allows you to use the HOV lane and that is important to you, then I think that is a plus. The mileage for 20k a year commute is also a plus.

I image that important? A Prius isn't a Lexus, then again the Prius has it's own image.

I have to agree with the above comment about the turning radius. I love that I can park so easily. I also love the transmission, such as it is. You can't even call it an automatic as there is no jerk every time it changes gears. It's a planetary gear and there is no shift. It's just....smooth. I think that's the part I love the most. It's what makes driving so relaxing for me. (I used to have a manual so this was a big change.)

My last car has leather, but you can have leather installed anywhere if that's what you want.

I would suggest renting for a week as the previous poster suggested.

 

After 20,000 miles, I would definitely recommend it. I would get the touring package, for a little bit more stable ride... and I would definitely get the package 6 (same as the package 8 in 2006 - which is what we have).

The car is roomy, very comfortable and extremely reliable. you can count on 43 - 46 MPG for sure even with a lot of freeway driving and without any special driving techniques.

 

If my Prius were lost today, I'd start looking for another one tomorrow. If the car can carry your stuff and if everyone is comfortable riding in it then just decide on a color. If the problem is "I won't be caught dead in a Toyota" maybe you can find someone to pull off the Toyota badging and stick on some Lexus badges.

 

Ron,

I am a Stony Brook University graduate and I am proud to own a Prius. Driving on the LIE HOV lane with me alone (passing traffic jam) is a priceless experience. Ultra smooth and quiet acceleration in electric only is another reason worth getting the Prius if not other HSD powered vehicles.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JimN @ Jun 10 2007, 05:34 PM) [snapback]459273[/snapback]</div>

Me too. When I have to rent a car, I hope they have a Prius. I love it. Of course, I've never sat in, much less driven/owned any of the expensive cars mentioned further up this post...

Everyone mentions gas mileage (=$). I think lower pollution and less money in Osama's pockets are just as compelling reasons to drive one.

 

Some inputs from a "non-priest"--haven't bought a Prius yet.
We have taken at least half-a-dozen for test rides in the last two years. I've found there is some inconsistency in handling between examples. A couple of cars we drove handled poorly on the interstate, yet others handled fine. Some here have mentioned wheel alignment could be the source. The seats rate poorly on our scale--my 93-year old dad (who still drives) thought the seats in a Matrix were much better than the ones in the Prius, and for my sake, the front of the seat needs to be raised (I'm 6'2"). Raising the front of the seat would be easy, though.
Mileage in the Prius is very sensitive to driving technique. Drive it aggressively, and you get little benefit out of the system. Use proper technique, and you will see very good mileage. I got 55 MPG in a 20-minute test drive in heavy traffic--we stood still most of the time, and this was with full AC going.
There is also noise from the hatchback, although this is better with the cover in place.
We find the interior eccentric--Motor Trend called it "office furniture from Pluto". This is of course a personal opinon issue--my idea of a car instrumentation is to emulate a jet fighter--I want to know everything the car is doing.
I guess I am one of the few that really like the exterior styling, one of the best designs since the Honda CRX.
Despite what anyone may tell you--you are the one the car will have to please, and you have to decide whether it suits your needs. Good luck in your selection!

 

I traded a Lexus RX 300 for a '04 Prius and now have an '06. Would not consider going back. The styling, driveability, and instruments are very pleasing to me. The comfort is all right, not great, but as good as my RX was. I too like to sit high and the Prius does have an upright sitting position. Sedans of my friends now make me squat much too low to get in. My senior body no longer likes to drag itself out of those low riding positions. Driving the Prius is more fun than anything I have driven since the 1950's sport cars.
Hope you find it to be to your liking.

 

I bought my Prius in Sept 05. I traded in a 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee. I was looking to go from a 16mpg vehicle to something better and also wanted something more reliable. I looked at a number of more fuel efficient sedans, but since my wife drives a subaru legacy (sedan) we would have lost out on cargo space. Once I found the Prius, I thought it would be perfect, but was concerned about driving a hybrid and how it would accelerate..etc. So I test drove it and I was sold. I don't know why anyone would ever say its not fast, I've noticed I've been doing upwards of 90mph many times on the highway, so it can move along with all the rest of them.

Mine has leather, but this was installed by a vendor the dealer used since it was not offered factory at the time. I love it and am so glad we went with it though.

What I would suggest is not to listen to what anyone else says (except maybe a financial advisor). If after you've done your research, test drives, rentals..etc, YOU feel its right for you, then get it. Before you know it. You may want to be prepared to buy a 2nd one though as I bet your familiy will want to drive it more than they think.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Ronald56 @ Jun 10 2007, 04:32 PM) [snapback]459270[/snapback]</div>

I just got a new package 6 last week and you won't hear a complaint out of me. The factory leather is great. I have the dark grey leather interior and it looks and feels really clean.

I did tons of research about the car and didn't even bother driving one before I put money down (I had driven one before however, so I wasn't completely in the dark). There may be a few (very few) things I would change if given the opportinuty to provide my 2 cents to Toyota's engineers, but the fact is that there is no other car that has as few.

I was talking to my wife today and had a realazation as to why I have been so obsesive about this car recently. What I came up with was this... Even if money were no object and I could own and drive any one car in the world, this would be it. Not many people can say that but I can honestly say there isn't another car in the world I would rather drive (or even tell people that I drive) than the Prius (package 6 of course .

I mean, just look at that thing....
[attachmentid=8755]

And here's a shot of the leather...
[attachmentid=8756]

 

I ABSOLUTELY love my Prius. I like the way it looks, drives, sounds - everything about it! The variable transmission is wonderfully smooth. I do not plan to own anything other than a Prius in the future.

The #7 package I purchased in June 2006 has everything except leather, so I had leather added through the dealership because there would have been a several months wait to get factory leather. My steering wheel was leather wrapped through the dealership. Of course, adding the leather and the wrapped steering wheel were addons and not inexpensive, but I would not want to be without either of them. The dealership has since received Priuses with leather, and, after looking at them, I like mine much better. However, the installation of my leather was very well done, and all custom installations may not look as good as mine.

When driving 55-58 mph on 2-lane highways that go through small towns, I average about 51 mpg. On the Interstate, driving around 73 mph, I generally average about 48 mpg through the very hilly country between Fort Smith and Fayetteville. In Fort Smith, which has many hills and inclines, I average between 35 and 40 mpg. I would imagine that people in areas with a more level terrain will get better mileage in town.

A couple of weeks after I bought my Prius, I took my granddaughter on a road trip to Sedona, Arizona and the Grand Canyon. We traveled 2,511.5 miles and bought 56.558 gallons of gas at a cost of $168.90. Every other vehicle I saw slowed down while going up mountains, but my Prius did not back off at all. When the cruise was set, the speed did not vary. We're going back to Sedona this year, and I am looking forward to driving my Prius again. It was a most enjoyable experience.

As you may have noticed, I don't think you can go wrong in getting a Prius. I know one reason I like mine so well is that I have all the options. I enjoy the navigation system, as well as the excellent sound system, the backup camera - just everything. So I suggest you include as many options as possible in your purchase. My dealership installs Sirius and includes 9 months of service. That's another thing that I don't want to be without now.

Good luck in your decision.

Wanda

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Ronald56 @ Jun 10 2007, 11:55 PM) [snapback]459500[/snapback]</div>