Two weeks with a Prius

[Zenmervolt]

So, for this two-week stint at my client, the nice people at Hertz have given me a Prius. Nifty little car. At the end of my rental period, I'll have to put together a little write-up on it and let you all know what a car guy thinks of it. Initial impressions after driving from Philly to Harrisburg:

- Hatchback is fantastically practical. Excellent design.

- Why the miniature steering wheel? Really. Also, the pedals either need to be farther away or the wheel needs to be able to telescope, the "knees up" driving position is not a favorite of mine.

- I would gladly trade the gee-whiz eco display screen thingy for a decently-adjustable driver's seat. There is no thigh support at all. If only there were a way to raise the front of the bottom cushion, this could be fixed.

- Not scorchingly fast by any measure, but does a frankly surprisingly good job of staying out of its own way. I have so far not found myself yelling at the little car to "Come on! Go!".

- At 70 mph on concrete the tires have a pronounced and annoying high-pitched "whistle".

- There is a surprising amount of lateral grip from this car. Sure, it doesn't feel very happy around corners, but it behaves very well considering. I was frankly expecting it to understeer like that was its job.

Overall initial thoughts: Fix the uncomfortable seat and add a telescoping steering wheel it's an admirable appliance.

ZV

 

[zerocool84]

Yes but to actually pay for it with your own money is a different thing. You can get something with similar quality that still gets very good mpg for a lot less. It's just a status symbol car.

 

[SSSnail]

It's a badge, nothing more. Instead of luxury badge like Merc or BMW, it's a "green" badge but not really. It sucks as a car. I would NEVER pay for it with my money, or anyone's money if I can help it.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: zerocool84
Yes but to actually pay for it with your own money is a different thing. You can get something with similar quality that still gets very good mpg for a lot less. It's just a status symbol car.

True. When you can load up a Matrix for $1,500 less than a base Prius (or get a base Matrix for about $6,000 less) you're looking at the same utility for less (or a lot less) money.

Still, I hadn't quite expected the Prius to be as livable as it is. I guess I was expecting a few more "squeeze out that last 0.001mpg" compromises.

I got the Prius because Hertz was out of Fusions, which is what I usually rent. The Prius was the only other car in the same price range where I could be sure of getting it if I reserved it (too many times I've "reserved" a Mazda 6 and ended up with a Malibu, which I dislike). I figured it would be an interesting chance to drive a different car.

ZV

 

[Vette73]

^

You do know the prius gets about 100% better gas milage right?
Matrix, 2.4L, gets around the low 20's in the city while the Prius get in the low 40's. Base model Matrix, 1.8L, does a little better on paper gas wise.

Even at $2 a gallon it should not take long to make up the differance. That and if you drive a lot more then average it will take no time at all. A lot of taxis use the prius now.

 

[LTC8K6]

1.8L is rated 26/32
2.4L is rated 21/28

Prius is 48/45

 

[Strk]

Originally posted by: SSSnail
It's a badge, nothing more. Instead of luxury badge like Merc or BMW, it's a "green" badge but not really. It sucks as a car. I would NEVER pay for it with my money, or anyone's money if I can help it.

I think Jay Leno said it best when he was on Top Gear. People like everyone to know the good they're doing anonymously. The Insight is a much better option. If you're willing to pay for a Prius, do yourself a favor and spend a little more and get a hybrid Fusion.

 

[YetioDoom]

What model year?

 

[Gillbot]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Why the miniature steering wheel? Really. Also, the pedals either need to be farther away or the wheel needs to be able to telescope, the "knees up" driving position is not a favorite of mine.

ZV

When a car is designed, they have a target audience and they cater to that target. Everyone else gets what they end up with. IIRC, this car's target was females and "hippie" types which are usually smaller in size.

 

[Zenmervolt]

More thoughts from this morning:

- A reverse camera? The Prius has exceptional visibility; there's just no need at all for a reverse camera on this car. I realize that Toyota thinks they need to use that giant screen in the center of the dash for something, but really, the expense of that system really would have been better spent on a properly-adjustable driver's seat. Function instead of bling would be nice. (If you can't tell, the driving position is getting to me.)

- I continue to hold out hope that I will eventually figure out a reasonably comfortable seating position as I get to know the car better.

- Buttons and knobs, the climate control and radio need buttons and knobs, the real kind. Once again Toyota tries to legitimize the giant LCD screen. The touchscreen is just not as convenient for accessing radio and climate controls as dedicated buttons and knobs are.

- No-one expects the guy in the Prius to jump out ahead from a stoplight. It's actually funny to see people's reactions to a person driving a Prius like it's a "normal" car (OK, so maybe I'm driving it more like I wish it were a sportscar) and not babying it for maximum mileage.

- The shape of the car (especially it's useful hatchback) becomes more appealing the more I drive it. Great visibility, lots of room. Why can't they make a car like this with a standard drivetrain for $15,000? Answer: It would cannibalize Prius sales. Still, it's a shame because it's a very utilitarian shape that's still reasonably attractive in a way that station wagons aren't.

ZV

 

[Possessed Freak]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975
Even at $2 a gallon it should not take long to make up the differance. That and if you drive a lot more then average it will take no time at all. A lot of taxis use the prius now.

$2 gas, avg 15k a year in mileage.

Using the 1.8 L with an average of 29 MPG = $1034 in gas
Using the prius, with an average of 47 MPG = $638 in gas

An average savings of... ~$400

Compare the stated base price differences of $6k and you would have to own the prius 15 years to break even.

Yep, no time at all. Alternately, if you look at it in raw numbers, you must drive the prius 225,000 miles for it to break even with the matrix at $2 gas. At $4 gas it would take 112,500 miles.

ALTERNATELY, you can do what I did and purchase a beater mid 90's vehicle that gets 30-35 MPG for $1,000 if you are truly intent on saving money and gas. My Saturn will pay for itself in gas savings alone after 18 months of ownership over my PT Cruiser GT. It has already paid for itself after 9 months since my insurance rates dropped dramatically.

 

[HopJokey]

Originally posted by: Possessed Freak

Originally posted by: Marlin1975
Even at $2 a gallon it should not take long to make up the differance. That and if you drive a lot more then average it will take no time at all. A lot of taxis use the prius now.

$2 gas, avg 15k a year in mileage.

Using the 1.8 L with an average of 29 MPG = $1034 in gas
Using the prius, with an average of 47 MPG = $638 in gas

An average savings of... ~$400

Compare the stated base price differences of $6k and you would have to own the prius 15 years to break even.

Yep, no time at all. Alternately, if you look at it in raw numbers, you must drive the prius 225,000 miles for it to break even with the matrix at $2 gas. At $4 gas it would take 112,500 miles.

ALTERNATELY, you can do what I did and purchase a beater mid 90's vehicle that gets 30-35 MPG for $1,000 if you are truly intent on saving money and gas. My Saturn will pay for itself in gas savings alone after 18 months of ownership over my PT Cruiser GT. It has already paid for itself after 9 months since my insurance rates dropped dramatically.

Beaters build character

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: Possessed Freak

Originally posted by: Marlin1975
Even at $2 a gallon it should not take long to make up the differance. That and if you drive a lot more then average it will take no time at all. A lot of taxis use the prius now.

$2 gas, avg 15k a year in mileage.

Using the 1.8 L with an average of 29 MPG = $1034 in gas
Using the prius, with an average of 47 MPG = $638 in gas

An average savings of... ~$400

Compare the stated base price differences of $6k and you would have to own the prius 15 years to break even.

Yep, no time at all. Alternately, if you look at it in raw numbers, you must drive the prius 225,000 miles for it to break even with the matrix at $2 gas. At $4 gas it would take 112,500 miles.

ALTERNATELY, you can do what I did and purchase a beater mid 90's vehicle that gets 30-35 MPG for $1,000 if you are truly intent on saving money and gas. My Saturn will pay for itself in gas savings alone after 18 months of ownership over my PT Cruiser GT. It has already paid for itself after 9 months since my insurance rates dropped dramatically.

Actually the real price differance is about $2600

TD Price adjustment

That and the Matrix does not average 29 if you do mostly city driving. My aunt had one and 95% of her driving was city and it was closer to 26mpg. And she was a very slow easy driver.

 

[LTC8K6]

Actually the real price differance is about $2600

..

Well yeah, if you believe that comparison...

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
So, for this two-week stint at my client, the nice people at Hertz have given me a Prius. Nifty little car. At the end of my rental period, I'll have to put together a little write-up on it and let you all know what a car guy thinks of it. Initial impressions after driving from Philly to Harrisburg:

- Hatchback is fantastically practical. Excellent design.

- Why the miniature steering wheel? Really. Also, the pedals either need to be farther away or the wheel needs to be able to telescope, the "knees up" driving position is not a favorite of mine.

- I would gladly trade the gee-whiz eco display screen thingy for a decently-adjustable driver's seat. There is no thigh support at all. If only there were a way to raise the front of the bottom cushion, this could be fixed.

- Not scorchingly fast by any measure, but does a frankly surprisingly good job of staying out of its own way. I have so far not found myself yelling at the little car to "Come on! Go!".

- At 70 mph on concrete the tires have a pronounced and annoying high-pitched "whistle".

- There is a surprising amount of lateral grip from this car. Sure, it doesn't feel very happy around corners, but it behaves very well considering. I was frankly expecting it to understeer like that was its job.

Overall initial thoughts: Fix the uncomfortable seat and add a telescoping steering wheel it's an admirable appliance.

ZV

I've found a lot of Japanese cars suffer from a lack of thigh support in the front seats.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
More thoughts from this morning:

- A reverse camera? The Prius has exceptional visibility; there's just no need at all for a reverse camera on this car. I realize that Toyota thinks they need to use that giant screen in the center of the dash for something, but really, the expense of that system really would have been better spent on a properly-adjustable driver's seat. Function instead of bling would be nice. (If you can't tell, the driving position is getting to me.)

- I continue to hold out hope that I will eventually figure out a reasonably comfortable seating position as I get to know the car better.

- Buttons and knobs, the climate control and radio need buttons and knobs, the real kind. Once again Toyota tries to legitimize the giant LCD screen. The touchscreen is just not as convenient for accessing radio and climate controls as dedicated buttons and knobs are.

- No-one expects the guy in the Prius to jump out ahead from a stoplight. It's actually funny to see people's reactions to a person driving a Prius like it's a "normal" car (OK, so maybe I'm driving it more like I wish it were a sportscar) and not babying it for maximum mileage.

- The shape of the car (especially it's useful hatchback) becomes more appealing the more I drive it. Great visibility, lots of room. Why can't they make a car like this with a standard drivetrain for $15,000? Answer: It would cannibalize Prius sales. Still, it's a shame because it's a very utilitarian shape that's still reasonably attractive in a way that station wagons aren't.

ZV

:laugh: Tell that to BMW. I was riding in my friend's 335i the other day and fumbling through iDrive was fucking maddening...I'll never own a car with that miserable bit of technology.

Why the Japanese are copying it is beyond me.

 

[HannibalX]

Originally posted by: Possessed Freak
ALTERNATELY, you can do what I did and purchase a beater mid 90's vehicle that gets 30-35 MPG for $1,000 if you are truly intent on saving money and gas. My Saturn will pay for itself in gas savings alone after 18 months of ownership over my PT Cruiser GT. It has already paid for itself after 9 months since my insurance rates dropped dramatically.

Those early to mid 90s Saturns were great cars. Too bad GM practically killed the brand in 1996. I had a 1993 SL2 and it was a fantastic car and went 250k miles before being sold.

 

[sjwaste]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
So, for this two-week stint at my client, the nice people at Hertz have given me a Prius. Nifty little car. At the end of my rental period, I'll have to put together a little write-up on it and let you all know what a car guy thinks of it. Initial impressions after driving from Philly to Harrisburg:

- Hatchback is fantastically practical. Excellent design.

- Why the miniature steering wheel? Really. Also, the pedals either need to be farther away or the wheel needs to be able to telescope, the "knees up" driving position is not a favorite of mine.

- I would gladly trade the gee-whiz eco display screen thingy for a decently-adjustable driver's seat. There is no thigh support at all. If only there were a way to raise the front of the bottom cushion, this could be fixed.

- Not scorchingly fast by any measure, but does a frankly surprisingly good job of staying out of its own way. I have so far not found myself yelling at the little car to "Come on! Go!".

- At 70 mph on concrete the tires have a pronounced and annoying high-pitched "whistle".

- There is a surprising amount of lateral grip from this car. Sure, it doesn't feel very happy around corners, but it behaves very well considering. I was frankly expecting it to understeer like that was its job.

Overall initial thoughts: Fix the uncomfortable seat and add a telescoping steering wheel it's an admirable appliance.

ZV

I've found a lot of Japanese cars suffer from a lack of thigh support in the front seats.

It's weird, isn't it? My old Supra has great seats, the most comfortable I've ever sat in, but then again I think they bear my ass groove. I drove a newer Corolla and I felt like I was going to slide forward, it had so little thigh support.

I'm trying so hard to keep my car going. Actually, the only thing left are.. the seats. I'm trying to source new foam right now. I figure I better replace that if I'm going to redo the leather, which has been very easy to find.

That or I could just get some sweet sheepskin covers, but I want it to look original To my knowledge, no car has rolled off the line with navy sheepskin.

 

[Gillbot]

Originally posted by: Possessed Freak

Originally posted by: Marlin1975
Even at $2 a gallon it should not take long to make up the differance. That and if you drive a lot more then average it will take no time at all. A lot of taxis use the prius now.

$2 gas, avg 15k a year in mileage.

Using the 1.8 L with an average of 29 MPG = $1034 in gas
Using the prius, with an average of 47 MPG = $638 in gas

An average savings of... ~$400

Compare the stated base price differences of $6k and you would have to own the prius 15 years to break even.

Yep, no time at all. Alternately, if you look at it in raw numbers, you must drive the prius 225,000 miles for it to break even with the matrix at $2 gas. At $4 gas it would take 112,500 miles.

ALTERNATELY, you can do what I did and purchase a beater mid 90's vehicle that gets 30-35 MPG for $1,000 if you are truly intent on saving money and gas. My Saturn will pay for itself in gas savings alone after 18 months of ownership over my PT Cruiser GT. It has already paid for itself after 9 months since my insurance rates dropped dramatically.

+1

My old Ford Aspire would tickle 50mpg on the highway if it was flat and i drove at a reasonable speed.

 

[ElFenix]

so what kinda gas mileage are you getting?

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
so what kinda gas mileage are you getting?

41.5 mpg according to the little display and I've been driving it like I stole it. Still, that's mostly a 100-mile drive from Philly to Harrisburg at 55-70 mph. Today was the only real "city" driving. A V6 Fusion managed 30 mpg on the same stretch, but dropped to 25 mpg by the end of the two-week stint. We'll see what the Prius does.

ZV

 

[NaOH]

I love Adam Carolla's take on the podcast for today.

I drove the company prius a couple hundred miles and have mostly the same opinions about it. Especially the damn distracting screen, and the speedometer that feels like it's too far out. I also found it to be too floaty for me.

 

[imported_Imp]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

I've found a lot of Japanese cars suffer from a lack of thigh support in the front seats.

Japanese seats are perfect for me. Can't beat being 5'4", the ideal domestic "design height" the engineers had in mind.

Never drove a Prius even though it is pretty much my dream car. I just like the look (midget fetish), screw being green.

 

[vi edit]

I'm really interested to see how the new Insight from Honda turns out. It should hopefully be a little more interesting to drive and have a little better seat comfort than the Prius. It's several thousand less than the Prius too...so it's got that going for it as well.

 

[randomlinh]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
- No-one expects the guy in the Prius to jump out ahead from a stoplight. It's actually funny to see people's reactions to a person driving a Prius like it's a "normal" car (OK, so maybe I'm driving it more like I wish it were a sportscar) and not babying it for maximum mileage.

heh, yup, I was at a light and had to pass a prius (two left lane turn, one shared forward. thought he was going straight) and was not quite expecting the driver to actually keep up with me, heh. 98% of the prius drivers seem to baby them.