1 year review of prius

[Dsuupr]

A little over a year and 36,000 miles ago my brother and his wife decided to buy a prius. I thought I would give my impression on the vehicle this last weekend.

1st I want to start off that they traded in their 120,000 mile 1998 Oldsmobile Silhouette. During it's 120,000 miles they did have to replace the battery (90,000 miles), tires (60,000 miles), and at 115,000 miles they were having troubles with the alternator, hence why they decided to trade it in. The only other fix the van EVER had was the lumbar support piece being broken off when new.

Now on to the prius.

He did comment on how they are loving the space of the vehicle. They were able to load up all 3 kids, camping gear, and a weeks worth of supplies on their recent trip to California. The car doesn't have much power, but they were able to keep up with traffic in the moutains with a full load and a heavy foot. They are averaging 45 to 48 mpg with mostly highway driving, only 3 to 6 mpg better than our Cobalt.

Now about that so called toyota quality. My Brother is very careful not to tell me of too many issues they have had because he doesn't want me to make fun of him for buying a toyota. I know the car has been towed in atleast once, but was never told why.

The easy and expected from toyota, 2 recalls so far. When checking out the NHTSA website, I'm guessing this is just the beginning of the recalls they should be expecting. The front plastic of the dash is coming apart. By that I mean the outer cover is peeling off varius areas. Funny how that "high" quality look comes apart quickly. There are various plastic pieces snapped out of place on the car and the car needs tires. Wow do this car have rattles. It almost feels like parts are going to come off because of this.

The short and skinny on it all. The car is falling apart at the seams. Funny how consumer reports shows a completely different type of product than our families have experienced.

[Paolino]

Well, you know all the hassle my friend has experienced...

It was towed within the first 6 months--OUT OF HIS DRIVEWAY.

Battery has been replaced twice.

He's currently averaging around 38mpg... with city driving... you know, the thing it's supposed to do better?

LOUD and POWERLESS.

Yes, it also has rattles galore.

Then again, this is after 2 years of ownership. And he beats the crap out of his cars.

[CARBIZ]

If the Japanese apologists would just take off their blinders, they would realize that a lof of Toyota's vehicles are not on par with their competition.

Really take a Corolla for a drive, for example. It shakes, rattles and rolls. Has no power. Lackluster performance. Yet the media (CR especially) gushes over this POS. The Cobalt will drive circles around a Corolla.

And we've discussed here before that the Prius just isn't worth the extra money. I am driving a 4 cylinder Malibu and I am getting about 31 mpg (Can gals) in city driving and I drive it hard. The Malibu LS is $15,000 less than a Prius in this market. That would buy a lot of gas.

[Paolino]

If the Japanese apologists would just take off their blinders, they would realize that a lof of Toyota's vehicles are not on par with their competition.

  Really take a Corolla for a drive, for example.  It shakes, rattles and rolls.  Has no power.  Lackluster performance.  Yet the media (CR especially) gushes over this POS.  The Cobalt will drive circles around a Corolla.

  And we've discussed here before that the Prius just isn't worth the extra money.  I am driving a 4 cylinder Malibu and I am getting about 31 mpg (Can gals) in city driving and I drive it hard.  The Malibu LS is $15,000 less than a Prius in this market.  That would buy a lot of gas.

189142[/snapback]

I'll be honest, my friend has a Corolla and a Prius--I find the Corolla has higher-quality materials inside, and more power than the Prius. Easily.

[pow]

The '06 Prius got better interior materials, though they are still rather cheap for a $21K car.

[Flybrian]

Thank you for the insight, Dsuupr.

The MSRP of the Prius seems to have been compeltely spent on the Synergy system and not on any tangible qualities of the car. Its look awful from a design and proportioning standpoint, handles lousy, and has junk materials inside. No leather option either.

[FAPTurbo]

Thank you for the insight, Dsuupr.

The MSRP of the Prius seems to have been compeltely spent on the Synergy system and not on any tangible qualities of the car. Its look awful from a design and proportioning standpoint, handles lousy, and has junk materials inside. No leather option either.

189172[/snapback]

But.. But Leather is cruel to the animals!

I find it funny at first that your brother isn't telling you everything about the cars problems...

...and then I find it very serious. Ok, so some of may not like telling people that our car has had problems, but the fact remains that some Toyota owners are wilfully not telling people about their cars' problems. Perhaps these same people are mailing Consumer Reports' survey...

[Paolino]

Thank you for the insight, Dsuupr.

The MSRP of the Prius seems to have been compeltely spent on the Synergy system and not on any tangible qualities of the car. Its look awful from a design and proportioning standpoint, handles lousy, and has junk materials inside. No leather option either.

189172[/snapback]

Leather is now an option.

[Dsuupr]

But.. But Leather is cruel to the animals! 

I find it funny at first that your brother isn't telling you everything about the cars problems...

...and then I find it very serious. Ok, so some of may not like telling people that our car has had problems, but the fact remains that some Toyota owners are wilfully not telling people about their cars' problems. Perhaps these same people are mailing Consumer Reports' survey...

189180[/snapback]

Yes, why he does subscribe to cr. I'm sure he gave it a glowing report to them.

[john1701a]

3 years of driving using E10 for fuel (10% ethanol blend) with high-traction tires in Minnesota my average after 60,116 miles calculated to 48.7 MPG.

I am disappointed that GM won't be offering their competing hybrid design in a sedan or hatchback for a number of years still.

JOHN

http://john1701a.com

Edited September 5, 2006 by john1701a

[PurdueGuy]

3 years of driving using E10 for fuel (10% ethanol blend) with high-traction tires in Minnesota my average after 60,116 miles calculated to 48.7 MPG.

I am disappointed that GM won't be offering their competing hybrid design in a sedan or hatchback for a number of years still.

JOHN

http://john1701a.com

189460[/snapback]

Aura Green Line this spring (March, I believe). It's a mild hybrid, but should do well, and actually stand a chance of paying for the premium of the hybrid system. Another year or so I expect til we see the 3-modes come out. They'll be here before we know it...

[ponchoman49]

The Toyota Prius is the perfect car for people that don't care about cars at all!

[Intrepidation]

Even though I've dogged the `93-`97 Corollas and Prizms about some of their cheap parts, they do not rattle at all...good power too...even with 2 gears missing

[enzl]

If the Japanese apologists would just take off their blinders, they would realize that a lof of Toyota's vehicles are not on par with their competition.

  Really take a Corolla for a drive, for example.  It shakes, rattles and rolls.  Has no power.  Lackluster performance.  Yet the media (CR especially) gushes over this POS.  The Cobalt will drive circles around a Corolla.

  And we've discussed here before that the Prius just isn't worth the extra money.  I am driving a 4 cylinder Malibu and I am getting about 31 mpg (Can gals) in city driving and I drive it hard.  The Malibu LS is $15,000 less than a Prius in this market.  That would buy a lot of gas.

189142[/snapback]

Lemme get this straight...

Not only are Japanese car buyers Un-American, spineless wimps, they're also huge liars?

Please explain why Chevy, Ford or Mopar fan would be less likely to lie when reporting information to CR...

...you are basically implying that a huge, multi-cultural, multi-socioeconomic conspiracy to keep Toyota's residual values up? It just doesn't pass the laugh test.

Toyotas may not be as good as their press and US makes may not be as bad, but the logic being proposed in the above posting makes no sense.

[66fastback]

ive noticed there are no real positive posts of the prius it is often givien lackluster credit because the people who complain about it are the people who drive real cars and arents used to the huge lack of perforemance and will drive it to its upmost beyond pethetic potential and complain there only getting 40mpg if you drive like an old nanny you probably will get 60 mpg

but if not we can always count on the ricers to make a prius with 6 turbochargers and a horidd body kit that actualy manages to make the prius look worse yay for incompetence

[daves87rs]

I think you better talk to Satty first....

[regfootball]

gas is 2.29. i hope the extra $$$$$ for the hybrid pays off........

[loki]

i don't normally pay attention to thread dates at first... wow is this old, i though Dsuupr was back for a minute. havne't seen him around for a while

[A Horse With No Name]

Lemme get this straight...

Not only are Japanese car buyers Un-American, spineless wimps, they're also huge liars?

Please explain why Chevy, Ford or Mopar fan would be less likely to lie when reporting information to CR...

...you are basically implying that a huge, multi-cultural, multi-socioeconomic conspiracy to keep Toyota's residual values up? It just doesn't pass the laugh test.

Toyotas may not be as good as their press and US makes may not be as bad, but the logic being proposed in the above posting makes no sense.

I know this post is 2+ years old but

A big +1!

Chris

[CARBIZ]

I know this post is 2+ years old but

A big +1!

Chris

And I still stand by my original post 2 years ago. In fact, Dsuupr's original post bears this out: I've seen this many times when someone bitches about how crappy their American car is, trades it in for a 'superior' Toyota, then experiences the same amount of troubles - are they going to admit they made a mistake? Hell, no - that's human nature.

Human memory is a funny thing. I've had customers scream at me for a $300 service visit, but when I pull up their file they've only spent $400 in 3 years (including their oil changes!) on their car; yet, I've had import humpers justify $6k worth of repairs in a single year.

I mean, how does a Honda owner justify a $600 belt replacement on a 2 or 3 year old car in the 21st Century?

[A Horse With No Name]

And I still stand by my original post 2 years ago. In fact, Dsuupr's original post bears this out: I've seen this many times when someone bitches about how crappy their American car is, trades it in for a 'superior' Toyota, then experiences the same amount of troubles - are they going to admit they made a mistake? Hell, no - that's human nature.

Human memory is a funny thing. I've had customers scream at me for a $300 service visit, but when I pull up their file they've only spent $400 in 3 years (including their oil changes!) on their car; yet, I've had import humpers justify $6k worth of repairs in a single year.

I mean, how does a Honda owner justify a $600 belt replacement on a 2 or 3 year old car in the 21st Century?

Rational common sense has left car buying, just as it has left voting, sex, and every other area of our lives.

I really don't know how you deal with idiots day in and day out without loosing it right on the showroom floor.

Chris

[rivieraranch]

Many people buy a Prius just to make a political statement, about "caring for the environment" "saving fuel" "saving the planet" etc., I hate these cars. I have a big fantasy of deliberately smashing into one of them just to take it out.

Edited November 7, 2008 by rivieraranch

[Robert Hall]

I know about 10 people that own Priuses....one has had his 8 years (1st gen), the others anywhere from 6 months to 4 years (2nd gen)... all seem to be quite happy with them, when I've talked w/ them about 'em..

[Satty]

We're still happy with it, even if it is "only" getting 48mpg. Haven't had a problem yet.

[Z-06]

We're still happy with it, even if it is "only" getting 48mpg. Haven't had a problem yet.

Did you get it brand new or used? What options does it have? Do you mind to post pictures? - Yeah I know a lot of questions.

[wildcat]

Many people buy a Prius just to make a poltiical statement, about "caring for the environment" "saving fuel" "saving the planet" etc., I hate these cars. I have a big fantasy of deliberately smashing into one of them just to take it out.

Don't you dare smash your new Buick into one of those

I read how much thought you've given planning on buying it, figuring out the best deals and offers, etc.

May you have thousands upon thousands of happy miles of trouble-free driving!

[gm4life]

I would love to puke on every Prius I have seen. The car is a politcal and trendy progressive dare I say liberal save the earth statement nothing more. Folks concerned with saving money and planet are better off getting a Cobalt XFE, Focus, Civic etc.

[Robert Hall]

I would love to puke on every Prius I have seen. The car is a politcal and trendy progressive dare I say liberal save the earth statement nothing more.

What's wrong with that? Every car does make a statement about the owner's choice. Nothing wrong with the Prius' 'statement'. It is a clean, efficient, very modern car. Nothing wrong with that. Why the hostility?

Edited October 27, 2008 by moltar

[daves87rs]

I would love to puke on every Prius I have seen. The car is a politcal and trendy progressive dare I say liberal save the earth statement nothing more. Folks concerned with saving money and planet are better off getting a Cobalt XFE, Focus, Civic etc.

But it is going to teach us about the new techonogy of cars..whether we like it or not.

Every automaker benefits from a car like this.

As will the Volt......

[Robert Hall]

But it is going to teach us about the new techonogy of cars..whether we like it or not.

Every automaker benefits from a car like this.

As will the Volt......

Yes... there are lots of interesting directions powertrains can take in the future.... these are two good examples, along with full electrics, the fuel cell cars, clean diesels, etc..

[pow]

I would love to puke on every Prius I have seen. The car is a politcal and trendy progressive dare I say liberal save the earth statement nothing more. Folks concerned with saving money and planet are better off getting a Cobalt XFE, Focus, Civic etc.

Funny, I saw two Priuses today with McCain-Palin stickers. Lots of conservatives like to, uh, conserve fossil fuels, whether it's to reduce pollution or to stop importing oil.

Until the Volt arrives in two years, the Prius is still the best car to do that.

[gm4life]

And I don't agree with there car choice either. All Prius's I have seen had Obama stickers on them. It is more of liberal save the earth thing in my area.

[Robert Hall]

And I don't agree with there car choice either. All Prius's I have seen had Obama stickers on them. It is more of liberal save the earth thing in my area.

Nothing wrong with that...I have Obama stickers on my cars.

[gm4life]

I have one McCain sticker on my Impala. I am happy as long as you vote for someone. Then if you vote and your person loses you can b*tch. If you don't vote you have no right.

[Robert Hall]

I have one McCain sticker on my Impala. I am happy as long as you vote for someone. Then if you vote and your person loses you can b*tch. If you don't vote you have no right.

I agree, if you don't participate, you have no right to complain about who get elected.

Talk about odd--I saw an Explorer with an Obama sticker on the left side of the bumper, and a McCain sticker on the right side of the bumper. A couple that had differing political views? Someone playing it both ways and hedging their bets?

Edited October 27, 2008 by moltar

[gm4life]

I know a few folks whom have both signs in there yard. They are a split house. I am sure that was the case. God Bless you for being a proud American tho.

[A Horse With No Name]

What's wrong with that? Every car does make a statement about the owner's choice. Nothing wrong with the Prius' 'statement'. It is a clean, efficient, very modern car. Nothing wrong with that. Why the hostility?

+1

Chris

[A Horse With No Name]

Also, to add one thought to the debate..TDI rules!

People in my local TDI group are both Democrats and Republicans, so I guess it has less political baggage than the Prius.

Chris

[Robert Hall]

Also, to add one thought to the debate..TDI rules!

People in my local TDI group are both Democrats and Republicans, so I guess it has less political baggage than the Prius.

Chris

Diesels rock. If GM were more forward-thinking, they would have some diesels in NA ASAP. I want to see a diesel CTS. A diesel Camaro (lots of torque, w/ a manual transmission). A diesel G8. etc..

[gm4life]

A TDI makes alot more sense than a Prius trust me.

[A Horse With No Name]

Diesels rock. If GM were more forward-thinking, they would have some diesels in NA ASAP. I want to see a diesel CTS. A diesel Camaro (lots of torque, w/ a manual transmission). A diesel G8. etc..

A diesel G8 would be a car I would buy in a second. Too bad Gm didn't put more thought into their diesels in the early 80's. Several of my friends in high school had parents who had these.

Pulling down 40+ MPG in an Olds 88 running 80 plus MPH...Now your cooking with gas (or diesel, as it were). We got 46-47 MPG in a Pontiac Grand Prix once.

Chris

[Robert Hall]

A diesel G8 would be a car I would buy in a second. Too bad Gm didn't put more thought into their diesels in the early 80's. Several of my friends in high school had parents who had these.

Pulling down 40+ MPG in an Olds 88 running 80 plus MPH...Now your cooking with gas (or diesel, as it were). We got 46-47 MPG in a Pontiac Grand Prix once.

Chris

I had a few buddies in high school that had diesel GMs that were hand-me-downs from their folks...an '81 Caddy Fleetwood Brougham, an '81 Olds 88, an '81 Pontiac Bonneville..all diesels in Marathon, FL. I had my '84 Ford Escort diesel. I got 58 MPG once in a long, flat 55 mph freeway drive...

[A Horse With No Name]

WOW! Wish I could buy a small diesel car like that now. MINI sells a diesel in europe that gets that kind of fuel economy, IIRC.

Chris

[Robert Hall]

WOW! Wish I could buy a small diesel car like that now. MINI sells a diesel in europe that gets that kind of fuel economy, IIRC.

Chris

Yeah, would like to see that here.

A small car with a diesel that would be cool to see here would be the new Fiat 500, I think.

Some diesel coupes would be great also..Europe gets the Merc CLK, Audi A5, BMW 3-series (coupe and convertible) all with diesel options.

[A Horse With No Name]

I would love to see the Alfa MiTo come here. I like that and some of the other small euro cars.

+1 On the Fiat thing.

Chris

[Robert Hall]

I would love to see the Alfa MiTo come here. I like that and some of the other small euro cars.

+1 On the Fiat thing.

Chris

Yeah...Alfa is supposedly coming, but they keep getting pushed back. I'd love to see the Brera here...it's really a beautiful car in person (saw them and the Alfa GT in Italy a few years ago).

[Camino LS6]

The thing is, if the Prius were offered in non-hybrid form, it would have the rep of the sort of lousy, quirkily-styled, little econocar that it really is.

That's something people have been blind to during its run.

[A Horse With No Name]

Camino, it is for sure the worst driving car I've ever driven.

A 38 Olds on four bad bias ply tires drives/handles better.

I just hate the driving dynamics of the Prius.

Chris

[gm4life]

I agree with 66.

[bobo]

I've driven several hundred miles in the original Prius, and shorter test drives in the current Prius and Camry Hybrid. These are obviously not cars bought for driving dynamics. For daily urban commutes, they are fine. If I were to buy a new car now, the Prius would be near the top of the list.