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Hybrid Vehicles Toyota Prius Prius Owners w/50K - What We Think Now
194 messages, Last post on Sep 22, 2009 at 10:33 AM
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Purchased a Touring Prius in April ("Preferenced/Ordered it just before things got crazy with the 2-3 month waiting lists) Took a month but got the color and style we wanted. The dealer has some visibility as to whats coming off the production line in JPN. Findings: Live in Denver area and are in the Mtns every weekend. 2 adults in front, 2-70lb dogs and a beagle in the back seat. Built a carpeted/wooden platform for dogs in back seat & works great. Story tons of "stuff" in the hatch area & feet area of back seat. This car is replacing a Ford Explorer. while it obviously doesn't do all the Explorer does, with a few mods and a bit of packing planning it is exceeding our expectations and costing 75% less in gas. It doesn't set any speed records climbing the mtns but it actually does quite well. Engine & CVT transmission revs pretty high sometimes but other than that its just fine climbing. Weekend Mtn trips - 200 -miles RT - Car averages 39MPG up and 55MPG down. Sometimes at Hwy Speeds on slight downhill grade, a soft foot will find the engine running on Battery only & keeping speeds up. (round trip avg btwn 44 - 47 mpg car fully loaded sometimes AC running) Driving style makes a HUGE difference in MPG. Heavy foot = 35 - 39 MPG around town. Lite foot = 44-50 Mpg. Options & suggestions: Got option #2, added after market (front)HEATED, leather(front & back) seats thru dealer for $1500. More colors to choose from vs Toyota and didn't have to take Opt 6 to get leather. (Toyota doesn't seem to offer heated seats in Prius) Thru dealer seats are covered under warranty. Added Clear Bra thru dealer - $200. Strongly recommend it. DIY Options - Mud Flaps & 2" receiver/trailer hitch for Bike rack. (Both very easy to install & from Coastal Tech), clear Plastic headlight protectors. (prevents rock chips from pitting or cracking expensive headlight lenses), rubber honey comb cargo area mat. Keeps dirt & grime away. Costo Rubber Floor mats. Tinted Windows - first time to have them and love them. With all that glass area the tint makes a huge difference in keeping the suns heat out. Cost - ~$200. Tires- Spoke with local chain tire store have been using for years & trust them- they suggested when tires need replacing going with 205/55/16's. More choices than the stock 195/55/16's & lower cost too. the 205's are only about 1/3" wider & will fit and minimal/ possibly no hit on MPG. We love the car, no complaints yet after 4000 miles.... |
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Replying to: bubkis (Jul 09, 2008 8:49 pm)  corners of seats & Rr corners of the Rr mat. As to care of the car and many of the things you felt to address I would only add that I highly recommend "Wheel Alignment" at 35K to 40K. It preserves the tread a great deal. I know this to be true since this was learned the hard way. It's $$$ well spent just like frequent oil changes. 
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Replying to: railroadjames (Jul 10, 2008 4:25 pm) 35-40k. I know fast tire wear can be an issue with these great cars. (Why is that, by the way?) The twin fitted sheet I will remember, but our dogs don't like riding in the car for some strange reason!?
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Replying to: rick294 (Jul 11, 2008 7:44 am) I am not entirely sure why the tires wear so quickly other than to point to the Tread Wear Rating number of only 260.... ie. not long lasting Tread wear. |
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Replying to: rick294 (Jul 11, 2008 7:44 am) the right level. As I pointed out, the problem with Alignment can be a serious factor as to tire wear. I got 51K on my "OEM" tires and then only 22K when I came to realize I had an "alignment" problem that led to new tires again.
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It could be that I have mistaken the tread wear number on the OEM Prius tires. The same Goodyear Integrity tires on the 05 Corolla we had were rated at 460. Bubkis says his are 260. I did see that low of a figure on some Scion Goodyear tires before we decided to go with Prius. I had never seen a treadwear figure that low before. Pays to take a closer look, apparently. I'm unhappy that Toyota would put that low quality of tire on their products. Disappointing.
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Replying to: rick294 (Jul 15, 2008 12:00 pm) The Prius OEM tires are V rated which typically means "higher quality" softer compound with stiffer sidewalls, faster speeds (Corvette speeds) (and lower Treadwear) Why they put them on Prius is unknown to me.... Check out tirerack.com for the specs on the Prius OEM tires. The UTQG # is 260 for this tire. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Spec.jsp?make=Bridgestone&model=Turanza+EL400-02&p- artnum=955VR6EL40002&vehicleSearch=true&fromCompare1=yes&place=18 195/55VR16 Load Index 86 = 1168lbs (530kg) per tire Speed Rating “V” = 149mph (240kph) 86V SL Treadwear: 260 Traction: A Temperature: A260 A A
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Replying to: bubkis (Jul 15, 2008 3:04 pm)
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Replying to: 210delray (Jul 15, 2008 7:07 pm) The 15" tires (Non touring Model) are indeed rated at 460. Based on these subjective tread wear numbers, they should last much longer than the 16" touring models.  Check out tirerack.com. They have all the specs on OEM and replacement tires. Its an excellent resource including Customer reviews of tires. |
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I bought a used 2001 Prius in 2007 from N. Hollywood Toyota. There were a number of problems that the dealer needed to fix that were not taken care of before they sold it to me. I think I paid too much for the car and could not afford an extended warranty but the original warranty still had some time left on it. I had problems with the car not starting periodically but they seemed to have fixed that finally. Now, though, the problem has returned and the warranty has run out. It will cost $215 dollars just to get to the problem, which seems to be with the high voltage system, according to the diagnostic. In addition, a slow break fluid leak appeared a few weeks ago and I am told that it will take 5 hours and $500 just to get to the leak area because it is so buried under other things. Don't get me wrong, I love the car but I am disappointed with the reliability and the cost of the repairs, which I can't afford. Does anyone know if it is possible to buy an extended warranty at this late date? Also, I may need to buy a car - does anyone know of a good car broker? I don't want to make another mistake on price paid. |
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