Toyota Test Drive

[Gmac70]

Well Toyota UK are delivering a t spirit tomorrow for a 4 day test drive. And then on Friday a hybrid auris after that I'll make my choice.

Wish the prius dash was more like the auris as think that's what's putting me off at the moment. But the auris size is disappointing. Still not managed to view a 10th aniv model so hoping a local dealer will tAke delivery of one soon.

[Grumpy Cabbie]

Prius dash is cool. lol

You don't really need to refer to it much as you'll end up using the HUD all the time. Also, the luggage space in the Prius is actually quite large, esp when you make use of the under floor compartment (ideal for shopping as doesn't slide around).

Let us all know how you get on and what you decide.

p.s. the Prius is a second quicker than the Auris according to the official figures but why or how this can be the case using the same drivetrain baffles me.

[Jan&tone]

Not seen the Auris hsd dash, but like Grumpy, I think tha Prius dash is cool, loads of info and laid out just right too....

Just don't spend too much time checking the consumption rate

[Gmac70]

Not seen the Auris hsd dash, but like Grumpy, I think tha Prius dash is cool, loads of info and laid out just right too....

Just don't spend too much time checking the consumption rate

was really refferring to the amount of palstic and the quality rather than all the electronics, although actualyl the demonstrator isnt as bad as what i had thought when i looked in the showroom. Yes the Prius has much alrger boot space, and suspect its only faster due to more aerodynamic. Have only driven it from the office to home and was reasonably impressed. Have to get over the low ride of my honda civic and how it corners at speed and get into the more economy driving mode. Pipe and slippers - LOL :D

Was impressed when i put it in power mode though so no it can give when it wants to at the cost of MPG. will keep you all posted.

[FourFourTwo]

It's horses for courses depending on your personal preferences.

All I can say is that I am exteremly happy with my Auris HSD after having had it for two months and every passenger I have in the car is very impressed by the comfort, space and level of finish. To be honest, having been in a couple of Priuses since owning the Auris, the finish in the Prius feels a bit more plasticky and "cheaper" than the Auris, and I think there's more road noise, but hey, that's just my opinion.

Be aware that there is a bit of difference in the handling between an Auris HSD fitted with 15" wheels and one fitted with 17" wheels. The 15" will give you slightly better fuel economy and lower emissions whereas the 17" will give you better handling (apparently).

FYI, I have the 17".

In any case, whatever car you choose, I'm sure you'll be happy.

[Jan&tone]

Indeed, we all have a choice as to what vehicles we buy, at the moment anyway

That may not be the case in the future when we HAVE to drive electric only

[Doesn'tExist]

It's horses for courses depending on your personal preferences.

All I can say is that I am exteremly happy with my Auris HSD after having had it for two months and every passenger I have in the car is very impressed by the comfort, space and level of finish. To be honest, having been in a couple of Priuses since owning the Auris, the finish in the Prius feels a bit more plasticky and "cheaper" than the Auris, and I think there's more road noise, but hey, that's just my opinion.

Be aware that there is a bit of difference in the handling between an Auris HSD fitted with 15" wheels and one fitted with 17" wheels. The 15" will give you slightly better fuel economy and lower emissions whereas the 17" will give you better handling (apparently).

FYI, I have the 17".

In any case, whatever car you choose, I'm sure you'll be happy.

Funny that I found exactly the opposite when I had an Auris HSD for loan for a week. I thought it was much more noisy than the Prius. It was a 17" version as well and it did handle quite a bit different, though it was rock hard on bad roads and you sit relatively high.

So it is good they have multiple models as there is something for everyone.

[Gmac70]

Loving the prius went to gf's today about a 40 mile trip on a1 then some side roads. Give it a thrash in power mode and then just normal but got 54mpg over the 40 mile trip. Plastic dash not as bad as I thought. bluetooth audio streaming with iPhone good not yet worked out how to put music on hard drive.

Well that's all for now will update later I. The week

[Jan&tone]

music on hard drive couldn't be easier.... Press the close button - top left, put in cd, press close button again, press record icon Does it at 12 times normal speed and plays at the same time... A 20 track cd will play first two tracks while its recording all 20

Simples

[Gmac70]

Cheers will try in the morning

[Sweens]

Glad the test drive is going well. How did you manage to secure a 4 day test drive? Our local Toyota dealer advised me that insurance prevented them from alllowing extended test drives, but I would like to have an extended drive to put my mind at rest that it is the car for me. I don't think an hour accompanied by the salesman will resolve it!

[jont-uk]

Me too ... been asking my dealer and got told could only do a one day test drive :-(

Jon

4 weeks to go !!

[Jan&tone]

Lol, i'd pretty much made my mind up before i even sat in my gen2, and the gen3 was a done deal before i left home, the only condition on the gen3 was that it fitted my garage, being slightly bigger than the gen2.....

The test drive was the 10 miles from the dealer to my garage to try it, and then back to the dealers to do the paperwork and sign the card slip!

[Gmac70]

It's a company demonstrator. So covered on work insurance. Agree as it's my first potential hybrid didn't just want an hour. Does make u drive completely different

[Jan&tone]

It's a company demonstrator. So covered on work insurance. Agree as it's my first potential hybrid didn't just want an hour. Does make u drive completely different

Yes it does, but you get used to it very, very quickly and afterwards you won't want to go back to anything else....

[Gmac70]

By the way reversing beep is annoying would have to get this disabled asap

[Gmac70]

By the way reversing beep is annoying would have to get this disabled asap

[Jan&tone]

By the way reversing beep is annoying would have to get this disabled asap

Your choice of course, but frankly I don't even notice it now... and after all, how often and for how long do you reverse???

[Gmac70]

It's a company demonstrator. So covered on work insurance. Agree as it's my first potential hybrid didn't just want an hour. Does make u drive completely different

Yes it does, but you get used to it very, very quickly and afterwards you won't want to go back to anything else....

Well 1st full day with the Car, and must say at the moment its ticking most boxes. The plastic interior isnt as bad as i remembered from the showroom,maybe all the gizmos detract you frm it but, its not any issue anymore. bluetooth Audio sync with the sat nav unit seems to work fine, and the voice activation is much better than on my GF's Honda CRZ.

tried my rear mount cycle carrier and this doesnt fit very well, so will conisder the prius carrier. Dos nayone know whether this in validates any warranty.

Worked out the problem with recording to the HDD as it wasnt setup, I guess on the demonstrator they dont necessarily want people recoridng music to it. It doesnt seem to be able to record from CD's that are not core music CD's but MPEG's

Would be nice if you could transfer albums directly from IPOD.

Miss folding door mirrors and auto lights so might need t oexplore what additional cost these would be.

all in all im pretty impressed and will be more than likely placing my company car order next week, as I have to wait until 6 months before my car is due fro replacement and thats the 4th Feb so counting the days, but will wait until ive tried the auris, although i prefer the size of the prius to be honest.

[Jan&tone]

Worked out the problem with recording to the HDD as it wasnt setup, I guess on the demonstrator they dont necessarily want people recoridng music to it. It doesnt seem to be able to record from CD's that are not core music CD's but MPEG's

You can only record normal cd's, not mp3's but you can play mp3's from an ipod or ipad or mp3 player thru the aux in socket in the centre armrest

Towards the front of it at the bottom

Electric folding door mirrors were not an option when I asked, and there's a switch behind the steering wheel that turns the lights on and off when needed

[Gmac70]

Worked out the problem with recording to the HDD as it wasnt setup, I guess on the demonstrator they dont necessarily want people recoridng music to it. It doesnt seem to be able to record from CD's that are not core music CD's but MPEG's

You can only record normal cd's, not mp3's but you can play mp3's from an ipod or ipad or mp3 player thru the aux in socket in the centre armrest

Towards the front of it at the bottom

Electric folding door mirrors were not an option when I asked, and there's a switch behind the steering wheel that turns the lights on and off when needed

LOL - Cheeky git, but when you've had it done for you for nearly 4 years you miss it. using iPhone via bluetooth and that works great rather than wires

I must admit really enjoy driving it and want to go out in it now just for a mooch about. Not going far in it tomorrow but off to leeds on Thursday so will give it another good run out.

[Doesn'tExist]

The led headlights pack brings auto headlights. The led headlights are fantastic and the auto implementation is independent of the interior dash light sensor which is great as it is less sensitive.

In addition that pack comes with rain repellent windows which I must admit work a thousand time better than using rainx.

[Jan&tone]

Worked out the problem with recording to the HDD as it wasnt setup, I guess on the demonstrator they dont necessarily want people recoridng music to it. It doesnt seem to be able to record from CD's that are not core music CD's but MPEG's

You can only record normal cd's, not mp3's but you can play mp3's from an ipod or ipad or mp3 player thru the aux in socket in the centre armrest

Towards the front of it at the bottom

Electric folding door mirrors were not an option when I asked, and there's a switch behind the steering wheel that turns the lights on and off when needed

LOL - Cheeky git, but when you've had it done for you for nearly 4 years you miss it. using iPhone via bluetooth and that works great rather than wires

I must admit really enjoy driving it and want to go out in it now just for a mooch about. Not going far in it tomorrow but off to leeds on Thursday so will give it another good run out.

Didn't know about what the led pack gave, i couldn't afford the 1200 or so quid at the time, so i didn't even look at it!!

I'll go along with the enjoyment bit though, I've had mine since September and still not bored with it

[Seamaster73]

In addition that pack comes with rain repellent windows which I must admit work a thousand time better than using rainx.

I'll be getting that as part of the Safety Pack, but its only the front windows and windscreen, which seems bizarre when it's the rear hatch windows that need it most.

[Doesn'tExist]

Can't say I ever look out of then to be honest.