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Toyota Prius Test Drive - What Do You Think? - READ ONLY

52 messages,  Last post on Feb 22, 2012 at 6:20 PM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Prius, Hybrid Cars, Car Buying, Hatchback, Sedan

Messages Page 4 of 6

#23 of 52 Re: Toyota Prius Test Drive: What Do You Think? [maxtest] by railroadjames

Apr 09, 2007 (12:33 pm)

Replying to: maxtest (Apr 08, 2007 3:59 pm)
I keep hearing "pricey" but the facts are that the car has great resale and with the extra extended warrantee on the hybrid system you really can't go wrong. About the ten buck gas... Say it gets over three bucks I think you'll see the interest in hybrids driven right back up again. I have a 3 1/2 yr old '04 Prius w/ 56 K miles and can't stop praising the car.

#24 of 52 Re: Toyota Prius Test Drive: What Do You Think? [railroadjames] by pathstar1

Apr 09, 2007 (12:46 pm)

Replying to: railroadjames (Apr 09, 2007 12:33 pm)
I thought it was over $3 per US gal. in parts of California already. It's $0.99 Can. per litre here in Edmonton. That's the lowest in Can. I'm told (with "normal" discounts, I pay $0.97 per litre). Lets see (calculator comes out), that's very close to US $3 per US gal. I wouldn't be surprised to see US $3.50 per gal. this summer. Probably over $4.00 next year. I don't even want to talk about how much it is in Europe! You'd think it would be hard to keep Prius in stock, the way gas goes up in price. I guess people just have very poor memories.

#25 of 52 Re: Toyota Prius Test Drive: What Do You Think? [pathstar1] by carlstraub

Apr 09, 2007 (2:46 pm)

Replying to: pathstar1 (Apr 09, 2007 12:46 pm)
Hi,
In Western Los Angeles County it is $3.25/gal for 87 Oct regular. It has been well over $3.00 for over a month.
NOW the driving season begins. It'll probably stay well over $3.00 in this area at least through Summer--maybe permanently.
That's one reason we bought 2 of the Cars.
Carl

#26 of 52 Re: Toyota Prius Test Drive: What Do You Think? [pf_flyer] by mickeyrom

Apr 18, 2007 (7:33 am)

Replying to: pf_flyer (Jul 15, 2006 7:37 pm)
I have driven a 2007 Prius at a dealer in Peoria Ill.I found the car very impressive.Normal acceleration was comparable to my 2006.5 KIA Optima, and the comfort level was even better.I didnt know that battery level would affect the power,so I cant comment on that,but overall my impression of the 2007 model was very positive.
Reading the comments on this thread however will make me think twice before buying one.

#27 of 52 would you recommend it to your friends by mickeyrom

Apr 18, 2007 (7:51 am)

That is how you can tell what you really feel about this neat little car.

#28 of 52 I sure would but they all drive big SUVs by stevegold

Apr 18, 2007 (8:45 am)

#29 of 52 Questions about your Toyota Prius Test Drives by krawitzmail

Apr 19, 2007 (2:49 am)

Replying to: pf_flyer (Jul 15, 2006 7:37 pm)
I took the Prius for a test drive down a 30-40 MPH winding road, and found its handling predictable with no problems accelerating quickly from slow speeds.
 
However, I have heard of two issues that might dissuade me from purchasing this car, and I would like current Prius owners to comment on their own experiences.
 
1. Slow acceleration from 40 MPH to 65 MPH, i.e., accelerating to "highway speed."
 
2. Loss of traction in snow or gravel causes onboard computer to incorrectly think car is in idle and shut down electric power to steering wheel and brakes.
 
Thanks.
 
Paul

#30 of 52 Re: Questions about your Toyota Prius Test Drives [krawitzmail] by mickeyrom

Apr 19, 2007 (4:59 am)

Replying to: krawitzmail (Apr 19, 2007 2:49 am)
Thats some interesting stuff.I sure hope that some owners can clear that up.

#31 of 52 Re: Toyota Prius Test Drive: What Do You Think? [pathstar1] by w9cw

Apr 19, 2007 (6:52 am)

Replying to: pathstar1 (Apr 09, 2007 12:46 pm)
I know I'm responding to a post 10 days old, but . . . I respect those who purchase a hybrid. However, if you do the math, and compare overall cost of operation and ownership, including purchase price, over say - a 5 year period - there are other more cost-effective alternatives for a new car.
 
For example, a Corolla, Yaris, Civic, or Fit will be cheaper to operate over that term than a Prius. I'm not sure what the median purchase price is for a Prius, but with the other alternatives, one is already starting with a $8 to $10K advantage over a Prius in purchase price. You'd have to buy a lot of gas to make up for that initial price differential. There's more than the price of gasoline when it comes to calculating total cost of operation of a vehicle.

#32 of 52 I don'r have either of thse problems with my 2004 Prius by stevegold

Apr 19, 2007 (6:53 am)

My Prius is the best car I've ever owned.
I live in the mountains of Colorado and have two problems.
 
1. It's not a 4WD so when heavy snow falls, I prefer to use my 4WD Subaru Outback if it's not being used by my wife. If she is using it, I use the Prius which has Blizak snow tires, and have never had a problem.
 
2. On long, straight, steep mountain passes, like on I-70 to Denver, the battery boost runs out after 5 minutes or so. You are then running only on the ICE gasoline engine which is about half the total power so you can't accelerate past 75-80 or keep up with trucks going that fast. It is worst in very cold weather, with deep snow on the road, and strong head winds. That "perfect storm" has happened to me only once in 3 years. Otherwise the car is fine. A larger engine or "bigger" battery would solve that problem but be less efficient the rest of the time. A turbo booster would probably be the perfect solution.

Messages Page 4 of 6

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