Delivery Mileage (Old Face) Prius T3

[4567234]

Hi all, I have taken the plunge and paid a deposit towards a delivery mileage Prius T3, 12 registration, which has about 22miles on the clock. It was for £17k. The dealers didn't really have allow any negotiation on the price, saying that at this price they have been flying out the door. Considering that the price was £21,055 before the face-lift, they said one has still saved ~£4k. I took it at the sticker price, only managed to get them to install a rear parking sensor and 1 more year's free service. I have taken a test drive and am still worrying how I will get used to automatic transmission. I read on there someone had to put their hazard lights on because they couldn't remember how to move off... hope I won't do that when I'm driving! Any thoughts? :)

[Chris Dance]

You have got a good buy. The Prius is an easy car to drive; you will find the transmission is no problem at all. The car almost drives itself. Happy motoring enjoy your new car.

[daveybee]

Hi there, and welcome to ToC.

To be honest, I think you will remember just fine, just keep your left foot tucked out of the way - two foot braking can be tough on the neck... and the nerves!

To start off, just put your foot on the brake and select "D", let your foot off the brake and the car will drift forward, push the throttle and you're off and running. To stop, just brake and the car looks after itself - it will not stall. When you stop for more than 30 - 45 seconds, select Park by pushing the "P" button and engaging the handbrake - to pull away, well, I'm guessing you can work that one out...

I realise that lots of regular contributors will chuckle at the above, but the first time you drive an auto can be a bit scary. That said, the question could be construed as a joke post - if that's the case, then the joke's on me, but sobeit - good job I don't take myself too seriously... Dave.

:goof:

[4567234]

Thanks guys. Some very good tips. I really did "stall" on the test drive by pressing very hard on the accelerator pedal when first moving off, and at some point during the drive I thought the left foot still operated the clutch and stepped on the brake very hard.... let's just say we proved the effectiveness of seat belts.

Just a shame that I am missing out on the latest gadgets by getting a pre-facelift one. But I asked around and even with brokers a new one will be at least >£2k more than the one I am getting.

[Grumpy Cabbie]

Until you get used to an automatic (which won't take long), ensure you keep your left foot planted on the foot rest. Even press the footrest when you feel the need to press a 'clutch', as that's much more preferable than braking with your left foot! :)

Try to walk before you can run, so just leave the car in drive with your foot on the brake when at traffic lights and only use park when you plan on parking. Once you've got the hang of the basics you can start getting more adventurous using Park a traffic lights and the Hill Start Assist function on hills.

I bet you'll wonder why you stuck with a manual all these years. My girlfriend got an automatic 18 months ago and now laughs, turns her nose up and gives a strong "NO" when I ask if she'd like to go back to a manual car. The reality of modern, bumper to bumper driving conditions makes an automatic almost a necessity these days, leaving a manual car more for the enthusiast (or !Removed! :) ).

[johalareewi]

Just a shame that I am missing out on the latest gadgets by getting a pre-facelift one...

Welcome.

You are only really missing the touch screen head unit, backup camera and bluetooth. And the power folding mirrors.

It is possible to add an aftermarket touch screen head unit and a backup camera with bluetooth if you really need it and you will get sat nav too. Plenty of help over on Prius Chat.

http://priuschat.com/forum/

[4567234]

Thanks! Really useful information there.

Just wondering, I think I will be picking up the car tomorrow. I have a few things that I know I will need to do before handover, e.g. asking them to programme the reverse beep, which apparently is very annoying. Is there anything else that I should do / check before handing over my money + part-ex? Thanks again! :)

[wass]

The reality of modern, bumper to bumper driving conditions makes an automatic almost a necessity these days, leaving a manual car more for the enthusiast (or !Removed! :) ).

Couldnt agree more.

[Dave R.]

I think it has all been said - the Prius is extremely simple - just remember (when stationary) to put your foot on the brake to do anything (start, put into Drive, Park or Reverse) Don't bother with the parking brake; Don't think you've stalled when you stop at a junction - it's impossible, and you soon get used to the silence! And as others have said - sit on your left foot!

The only problem you will encounter is that after a while when you get into a regular manual car, you'll forget the clutch and put your foot on the brake instead!

[Opifex]

Another little tip - if you're starting on a steep hill give the brake an extra push and there will be a bleep to show that the brakes are locked for a couple of seconds to give you time to move from brake to accelerator and start to move forwards.

[sparkymarky2]

A tip i picked up when I first test drove a prius, my first go in an automatic is to keep both hands on the wheel - at first I wasn't convinced...but when I thought about it...my hand always went to the gear stick a fraction of a second before my foot went on the clutch...so by keeping both hands on the wheel, you never go for the clutch!

[r04drunner1]

Good post Daveybee

I was a die hard manual driver, but a few years of commuting through city traffic have definitely converted me to the joys of an automatic. Life is so much easier and my left (clutch) leg feels so much better!

Good advice in this thread for anybody starting off in an automatic. Truth to tell, it does not take much time to acclimatise.

As an owner of a pre-facelift T4 I can tell that the OP has a great car and will enjoy it. Happy motoring!