Off Topic: Anyone here own a Toyota Prius?

[nebula]

Sorry for the off topic post but my family is ready for a new car and I have been looking at the Toyota Prius for some time now. Does anyone here own one of these cars and if so how do you like it? Is the lack of power a huge problem with this car? How is the ride and the handling? Is the fuel economy as good as Toyota claims?

I really like the idea of the Prius being a hybrid design and the interior looks very futuristic. If anyone can give me some first hand feedback on this car I would appreciate it.

Bill

[tvuejohn]

Bill,
I own a an 06 Prius with package # 8 I think.
I LOVE this car ! I ride.. well several bikes but My most current & Favorite is a Triumph Tiger 955 I But I had to buy a car as the west coast Tele Vue Representative. Even with out this Job I would buy this car.
When I do Star Party / demos I can get an ez-up awning two folding tables, all the Tele Vue eyepiece cases & Dioptrx (5 in all) 6 telescopes, 5 mounts a chair, sleeping bag, Tent, Cooler etc. And still see out the rear window.
To answer your question ... this car is not slow. It has a 76 HP Gas engine and a 67 HP electric motor that work in combination (or some times not). If you step on it the car can break the tires loose if there is any sand or if the street is wet from a standstill but it immediately catches this and changes the power for traction. It's as fast as a stock Camry.

If you find them slow on the Fwy it's because we choose to drive it that way. I have a heads up display that shows your mileage and when you can see it fluctuate you tend to drive slower and smoother.

With a lead foot: you get about 39 MPG Normal to light foot about
44 MPG When I try I get about 47 MPG here in California, Fully loaded
on a 2800 mi trip to Washington I got 42 MPG. Just in Oregon where the speeds are lower I get 50 +.

If you do get a Prius, get the Prius Stiffing Plate offered on " Prius Chat" user group. About $ 165 I didn't find out about this till 21,000 mi. And I bummed I did all that driving without it. Basically it is a stiffer plate that is an easy bolt on.. replacing the OEM plate that is ... well weak. After putting it on (15 Min but you need a torque wrench @ 17 # and a Hex head socket set 1/4 i think).
The car will be more solid when passing trucks and cornering (and this car corners pretty well already).

John

[BT Technologies]

Hello Bill,

I own a 2005 Prius and it has been one of the most reliable cars I have ever owned. It takes a while to get used to the shape of it and I would not call it "sporty" but it actually accelerates and handles quite well for being a hybrid.

I usually average about 42 MPG with a mix of city and highway driving. I installed larger wheels and tires, 17" and my fuel economy has suffered a bit but has improved the handling a lot.

Prius Chat is an excellent resource for information on the Prius. There are literally thousands of posts about almost everything imaginable about the car!!