Finally Bought A Prius...

[valmiki]

Hello everyone,

After much umming and aahing, I've finally bought one. Coming from a 2001 530i Sport Touring Auto (which was mechanically perfect but the trim was ever-so-slightly starting to go) it was the economy and interior space that sold it for me. My original plan was to buy a brand new facelift 2012 Prius with all the trimmings for around £25k, but for various reasons including the 'what if I hate it?' question I decided to buy a second-hand one and run for 2-3 years, and then let's see what the new Prius looks like. I don't do much mileage, it tends to be around town and commuting mostly, so the is perfect for me ;-)

The car is a 2010 T-Spirit 59 plate, pearl white, ex-finance lease, with 40k on the clock. Though not listed on any paperwork that I can find, it has the Style pack (chrome bits here and there) and the Protection pack (reverse sensors and boot mat). No moonroof, no leather seats. Bought at Car Giant in London, and paid £13.5k. Just under a year's warranty left, and was last serviced in Nov 2011. It only came with one key, so I've budgeted £150 or so for a new one (the local dealer reckons I need to pay to have it coded once it has been ordered, is there no way of doing it manually?).

First thoughts - it needs a through clean, inside mostly, I can see what owners say about the interior trim not 'wearing well' - it seems worse on the faux-suede on the arms of the doors. And the noise....I had test driven one before which had seemed a lot quieter, I'm betting the tyres don't help - Michelin Primacy's all round (4-5mm left on all of them), I think I may check out some LRR ones in a few months. Also the interior lights don't come on when the doors are opened, it was late last night and I was tired so I'm hoping that that's going to be one problem that isn't too taxing...

I'm tempted to get some mud guards fitted, and it also needs mats, I've looked but I can't see rubber mats available anywhere? Also (I haven't looked and I should stop being lazy and get my backside out there and look for myself) is the USB port standard or is that part of the Ipod connection kit?

All in all, it's early days, but I'm happy :-)

[ph47mf]

Ah welcome! T-spirit in white - excellent choice!

Did you get any problems in Car Giant? I have dealt with the Northampton lot before and they are a bunch of muppets who had no customer service skills and only cared about closing the sale. Truly awful and set a bad example for other car salesperson.

Rant over. Enjoy the car.

[Seamaster73]

Predicting that the faux suede wouldn't wear well was what prompted me to spec the Safety Pack to get factory-fitted leather.

I think we'll be seeing a lot of tired looking early T-Spirits turning up.

[Chris Dance]

Suggest you get the dealer to sort out any problems the car has. Are "Car Giant" Toyota approved dealers? My 2011 Prius is very quiet on decent roads. If you do get the car I would strongly recommend you only let Toyoya approved dealers service and maintain it. I think you will like the Prius.

[valmiki]

sorry duplicate post

[valmiki]

Hello everyone

Car Giant are a standalone operation, I think Ph47mf, you're thinking of Carshop or Motorpoint?

To be fair they were pretty good, I reserved it on the Saturday without making a payment (it had only appeared on the website on Friday) and I took the train down to London. I had a chance to go through the car, examine the history, etc. and then once I decided to buy it, go through the process of paperwork, etc. They do try and sell the 'paint protection' and finance, but it was easily batted away and the salesmen are pretty easy-going. I guess having a no-nonsense face helps! Lol.

I paid for the car by debit card and then had to wait for the car to be prepped while the paperwork was sorted out. It was only just before being handed over the keys that I actually paid in full, so it was a pretty hassle-free experience. Your experiences may differ! I'd recommend them though.

I hear what you're saying Seamaster73 about the suede, My drive back home last night was brilliant - in the dark, so I couldn't see the trim! I would have loved to get leather, but trying to find one second-hand was quite difficult (esp. pearl white and t-spirit). Plus, I'm sure the safety pack must have been a rare option due to the price, so must be hen's teeth on the used market.

Chris, Car Giant are a car supermarket, so not affiliated to any manufacturer, they've got about 5000 cars at any time. Thankfully the local Toyota dealer has a good rep, so I'll be popping down there at some point to haggle over prices (!)

[ph47mf]

you got any pictures of it?

[johalareewi]

It only came with one key, so I've budgeted £150 or so for a new one (the local dealer reckons I need to pay to have it coded once it has been ordered, is there no way of doing it manually?).

There is no way to do it manually. :(

Also the 'lost' key will still work if it ever gets found.

Can the dealer 'disable' the lost key?

Also the interior lights don't come on when the doors are opened, it was late last night and I was tired so I'm hoping that that's going to be one problem that isn't too taxing...

That could well be the switch on the roof above the centre console. It has 3 positions. All on, all off, and on wehn door open. Sounds like it might be in the all off position.

I'm tempted to get some mud guards fitted, and it also needs mats, I've looked but I can't see rubber mats available anywhere?

Toyota used to do them but you can also get them from carmats4you.com

http://www.carmats4u.com/Toyota-Prius-2009-Onwards/cid,2178293,index.html

Also (I haven't looked and I should stop being lazy and get my backside out there and look for myself) is the USB port standard or is that part of the Ipod connection kit?

USB was an add on for gen3 (but would appear to standard from 2012).

[valmiki]

Will post some pics this weekend, once I've given it a good clean ;-)

Thanks johalareewi, that's me sorted for now

[valmiki]

Popped into the local dealer this morning. They want £150+vat for the key and an extra half-hour service to code it, and £65+vat for a set of rubber mats. My BMW had cheaper keys than that and they recharged themselves! Discounts - none on the key, 10% on any accessories, and a maybe on any discount in the labour charge.

The mudflaps came in under £80 fitted so that was the only "reasonable" quote I had today.

If anybody knows of a dealer that can help out on the cost please let me know!

Thanks

valmiki

[Chris Dance]

Unless you use the car in muddy conditions I do not think mud flaps are essential. I found side protectors were more essential. I have the carpet mats and they look good and stand up to family use well. They are washable. My son has rubber mats on his Gen 2 but his car is a business car and gets used in the French Alps. Do not be tempted to put non Toyota mats in as other mats can slide up and jam the throttle. I think Toyota dealers are much the same on cost. Perhaps others may know somewhere else that genuine Toyota parts can be obtained.

Let us know how you get on.

Happy motoring. Chris.

[johalareewi]

Do not be tempted to put non Toyota mats in as other mats can slide up and jam the throttle.

Unless the non toyota mats come supplied with the appropriate car mat hooks.

FWIW Toyota mats will also slide if you don't fix them with the hooks.

[kithmo]

Mine's noisy on all but the smoothest of roads,Michelin Primacys all round the same as yours.

You don't really need mud flaps as the shape of the lower rear wings is almost flat and the side skirts make the side of the car perpendicular.

[valmiki]

Primacys I find last well but not necessarily the quietest, so I'll be on the hunt during the summer/autumn. I hear what you're saying about mudflaps, but to be honest I'm into the aesthetics more than anything else, though I should find some more pics first, what with all the white and the chrome strips. I've only had the car two days and already looking at some mods (I'm not a barry boy honest!). Spotted a wing mirror reverse-tilt module on eBay earlier (but can't find the link right now) and also liking the look of those illuminated sills on priuschat. But before all that it does need a really good clean on the inside...!