Toyota Prius: Problems & Solutions - READ ONLY

711 messages, Last post on Oct 27, 2006 at 3:23 AM

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#642 of 711 Re: Prius: great car if you can get the parts!$! [maryo2] by terry92270 Sep 01, 2006 (1:19 pm)
Replying to: maryo2 (Sep 01, 2006 12:41 pm) Sounds more like a crappy dealer and an owner (no offense) too willing to accept whatever they are told, rather than a "Toyota" issue. That many days in the shop, is totally unacceptable. Even if the part needed to come from Japan, five days tops would be normal. I am sure most of us would be very interested in you being more specific about what happened. Have you ever tried using another dealer
#643 of 711 Re: Prius in the Snow [casey515] by texvegas Sep 03, 2006 (11:07 am)
Replying to: casey515 (Aug 24, 2006 4:33 pm) I have been driving in Syracuse,NY winters since 1958. I have driven RWD,AWD,4WD and FWD with absolutely no problems.I have owned a 2004 Prius without VSC but with TRAC since December 2003. It is, without doubt, the WORST car I have ever driven on snow and ice. I have been scared s___less several times even while using extreme caution.The traction control will cause you to stop when you have to pull out into traffic. This could be fatal! The ABS along with the regen braking has caused me to go into a totally unanticipated skid that left me with white knuckles. Perhaps better tires and VSC would have made a difference but I think not.I love this car with 53+ mpg in summer and 46+ in winter and I am retired so I don't have to go out if the weather is bad. I cannot, however, take another winter with this vehicle and plan to trade it in for an AWD vehicle. I hope this helps you decide. Replies to this message: terry92270 (Sep 03, 2006 12:14 pm) texvegas (Sep 04, 2006 10:39 am) terry92270 (Sep 04, 2006 12:18 pm) and 3 more... midnightcowboy (Sep 07, 2006 9:50 am) gagrice (Sep 08, 2006 5:24 am) midnightcowboy (Sep 08, 2006 10:02 am) and 2 more... typesix (Sep 08, 2006 5:57 am) Mr_Shiftright (Sep 08, 2006 6:33 am) and 16 more... northernnyer (Sep 11, 2006 3:43 pm) pathstar1 (Sep 11, 2006 6:19 pm) and 1 more... midnightcowboy (Sep 12, 2006 7:18 am)
#644 of 711 Re: Prius in the Snow [texvegas] by terry92270 Sep 03, 2006 (12:14 pm)
Replying to: texvegas (Sep 03, 2006 11:07 am) Well, one would hope, Texvegas, you are changing to snow tires in the winter, given you aren't in Texas or Vegas anymore, and not trying to save a buck without them. That really could be fatal, in any car. Replies to this message: texvegas (Sep 04, 2006 10:39 am) terry92270 (Sep 04, 2006 12:18 pm) pathstar1 (Sep 04, 2006 7:51 pm) and 2 more...
#645 of 711 re: Prius in Snow by ewannama Sep 03, 2006 (12:24 pm)
What finally sold me on getting a 2005 Prius was seeing them at ski resorts in New England. Now I live in Salt Lake City (admittedly not ice central) and have not had any problem with handling as I tote my skis to the slopes. I doubt that I could get out of a ditch like I could by going 4WD in the old Yukon, but so far have avoided such scenarios by taking obvious winter driving precautions of easy acceleration and stopping.
#646 of 711 Re: Prius in the Snow [terry92270] by texvegas Sep 04, 2006 (10:39 am)
Replying to: terry92270 (Sep 03, 2006 12:14 pm) Thanks for the response Terry. I really don't think that people who buy cars in the Northeast should have to buy snow tires for normal driving. I have successfully driven for over 40 years in this area WITHOUT them. INMHO the Prius is difficult to handle in winter conditions. Each individual hat to make their own decision. I was just giving an honest opinion to those in Upstate New York, where I live. Replies to this message: terry92270 (Sep 04, 2006 12:18 pm) pathstar1 (Sep 04, 2006 7:51 pm) terry92270 (Sep 04, 2006 8:22 pm) texvegas (Sep 06, 2006 2:31 pm)
#647 of 711 Re: Prius in the Snow [texvegas] by terry92270 Sep 04, 2006 (12:18 pm)
Replying to: texvegas (Sep 04, 2006 10:39 am) I completely understand. I have relatives living in the area, and did so once myself. However, even a casual review of accident report statistics show that driver confidence in doing without them is misplaced. Most people, including me, just won't put on chains for a "short hop" to the market, and that is when disaster often strikes. As with most bothersome safety precautions, it's hardly worth your life, or that of a family member, especially in areas of the country where lots of snow and ice are the norm, not the exception. Just chat up any State Policeman or Highway Patrol officer... All that said, I have owned several cars and trucks I found problematic in winter driving, even with snow tires or chains. So hardly something the Prius alone displays. Replies to this message: pathstar1 (Sep 04, 2006 7:51 pm) terry92270 (Sep 04, 2006 8:22 pm) texvegas (Sep 06, 2006 2:31 pm)
#648 of 711 Re: Prius in the Snow [terry92270] by pathstar1 Sep 04, 2006 (7:51 pm)
Replying to: terry92270 (Sep 04, 2006 12:18 pm) I look at it this way: Four "proper" or "competent" all weather tires, such as Nokian WR, will cost $400 - $600. One accident will cost a lot more! If you escape with your life. The stock tires on a number of different vehicles should not be used in winter. The Prius is one of them, along with the RX-8 and others. I'm putting Nokian WRs on my Prius as soon as I get it. Don't care if the stock tires aren't worn. It isn't worth the risk! The Nokians will stay on year round. Replies to this message: terry92270 (Sep 04, 2006 8:22 pm) texvegas (Sep 06, 2006 2:31 pm)
#649 of 711 Re: Prius in the Snow [pathstar1] by terry92270 Sep 04, 2006 (8:22 pm)
Replying to: pathstar1 (Sep 04, 2006 7:51 pm) I so agree! When I lived in Maine, I kept an extra set of wheels, on which I had snow tires, and at the end of the season, changed them out. Most people there did. At least those of us who lived out in the sticks, lol. In an accident, even if neither party is totally at fault, even some percentage of "fault" means increased insurance rates, especially if they find out you are driving in the snow and ice without proper equipment. And that is totally fair.
#650 of 711 Re: Prius in the Snow [pathstar1] by texvegas Sep 06, 2006 (2:31 pm)
Replying to: pathstar1 (Sep 04, 2006 7:51 pm) Thanks for the response. The fact still remains that Toyota or any car maker should not sell a vehicle with tires that do not meet standards that affect the area where it is sold.I personnaly feel that stock tires should not be so "generic" that people who pay the price for a car should NOT, repeat NOT have to spend any additional money for tires to make their vehicle safe.This is why I will not go through another winterwithtires that are unsafe. Those who are considering purchasing a Prius in the Northeast should consider this fact and plan on spending another 400 to 600 bucks on tires that should have come with the car. Please, no comments unless you live in Upsate NY. This in my opinion for people who live in my snow belt area.
#651 of 711 Re: Prius in the Snow [texvegas] by midnightcowboy Sep 07, 2006 (9:50 am)
Replying to: texvegas (Sep 03, 2006 11:07 am) Actually to be truthful, there are absolutlely no RWD that are good in the snow. The will kind-of sort-of work when you put snow tires on all four wheels, but RWD and snow don't mix very well. Any FWD car is pretty good in snow, even a Prius. And FWD car is especially good if you put snow tires on all four wheels. Now if you are in a really bad winter area use studded snow tires. Now if you want to try the absolute worst car in snow and ice get a manual shift 1970 odlsmobile 442 with anti-spin ( old name for antilock /traction control). It was RWD had a 455 cubic inch engine with 365 horsepower and so much torque 440 ft-lbs, it would spin the wheel when you slowly let out the clutch. Compared to any other car it is absolutely without a doubt the worst; especially with summer performance tires. Cheers YOMV the opinion express above was mine, MidCow Replies to this message: gagrice (Sep 08, 2006 5:24 am) midnightcowboy (Sep 08, 2006 10:02 am) dmathews3 (Sep 08, 2006 12:29 pm) and 1 more... typesix (Sep 08, 2006 5:57 am) Mr_Shiftright (Sep 08, 2006 6:33 am) stevedebi (Sep 08, 2006 12:42 pm) and 15 more... northernnyer (Sep 11, 2006 3:43 pm) pathstar1 (Sep 11, 2006 6:19 pm) northernnyer (Sep 13, 2006 4:59 am) midnightcowboy (Sep 12, 2006 7:18 am)