Anyone out there own a Toyota Prius?

[dolphins]

And what do you think about it?

 

[geno]

If low gas milage is your thing: They're great
Depends on how Environmentally friendly you wanna be and how much you wanna save on gas, that'll probably define your view on them

 

[The Stigenator]

seen em around.. looks good. Looks like a normal car. Never test driven it though. Would love to.

 

[Eug]

Test drove it. Low speed ooomph is pretty good. Gets a bit weak at higher speeds, but this car is meant as a commuter.

It is dead quiet at low speed, except the low rolling resistance tires can be easily heard as speed increases.

The LCD touch screen is nifty.

The seats are not that comfortable, but it is quite roomy inside, despite the compact frame. It's mediocre build quality inside, like their corolla, but it has better standard options.

This will probably be my next car, but truth be known, the VW Jetta is a better deal at the same price. However, the Jetta isn't as geekified as the Prius.

OH YEAH:

Prius Forum

BTW, the 2002 model will probably go on order in the late summer. Expect to wait several months AFTER you order before you actually get it.


EDIT AGAIN:

From: NHTSA Region 9
Re: Prius testing

Dear Consumer,

Thank you for your email concerning crash data on the Toyota Prius.

The crash test results on frontal crashes for the Toyota Prius are as follows:


DRIVER SIDE - RATING OF 4 STARS (OUT OF FIVE STARS POSSIBLE)
PASSENGER SIDE - RATING OF 4 STARS (OUT OF FIVE STARS POSSIBLE)

The above ratings will probably appear on the NHTSA website after next week at
:
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/testing/NCAP/

Also for your information: there were no hybrid-electric-vehicle-related probl
ems found when testing for electrical shock or battery leakage on the Toyota P
rius.

As of last word, there will probably be no side crash testing data available i
n the near future (due to lack of budget funding).

< Above information provided by the New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) Crash Te
sting Facility >


National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
Region 9

 

[Raspewtin]

i'd like to know if hybrid vehicle repairs are more expensive than normal cars. I can't seem to find an answer to this question. Prius is a nice car though. If I was sure it wouldn't end up costing extra down the road I'd buy one for sure.

 

[Emulex]

get a jetta, they are much cooler. chicks will want to drive your jetta,
not a prius

 

[MegalodoN]

What about the Honda Insight? The Honda hybrid actually gets better gas mileage. What kind of pickup do these cars have. How about their top speed. Like will they only go 70 mph maximum?

 

[Eug]

The Insight is a much smaller car (two seater) and it's a manual only.



<< i'd like to know if hybrid vehicle repairs are more expensive than normal cars. >>

Probably MUCH more. Also, the batteries will need to be replaced after 8-10 years for about $2000-$3000 (at least today - dunno what batteries will cost then). However, in the US, the car comes with a 3 year maintenance package and a full 3 year warranty I believe, plus longer for other stuff like powertrain etc. (If I get one, I'd probably only keep it 4 years anyway.)

 

[StageLeft]

These things are VERY cool, but from an economical standpoint even if you do a hell of a lot of driving I'd highly recommend a VW TDI over either of these things. The diesel VW's are not as good with gas mileage, but VW is a decent bit cheaper and its a nicer ride, nicer car.

I think unless you really want to do well for the environment if you are looking at the purchase of a hybrid from an economical point of view unless you do an INSANE amount of driving its gonna take a while to break even on cost vs. something like even a civic which is almost half the price of an insight and larger. Or an echo which is around the same as a prius, but again half the price. Gas bill isn't everything

 

[Emulex]

those tdi manual vw's really do get 48-49mpg

 

[dolphins]

I just read Honda is going to rollout a fuel cell powered auto by 2003. As for the difference between the accent and the prius, you have to go with the prius for 2 reasons a: auto. transmission b: 4 door and just a bit more space than the honda.

 

[StageLeft]

You should check mileage as well. The prius gets better mileage in the city, although highway vs. highway I think the insight does better...so check if you're gonna buy either one.