Should I, Shouldn't I?

[lininjim]

I am about to start looking for a new car and hubby is keen on the Prius.

His journey to work is only 4 miles but it can take around 20 minutes because of the traffic.

At the moment we have a Clio automatic but it is really thirsty so thanks to some money passed on after my mum died last month we are in a serious position to buy a Prius.

Having read through this forum I am of mixed feelings now as to whether it will be cost effective. I know that the car will never pay for itself due to the travelling we do, or don't do but it is a neat idea.

I really like the new Scenic but that too isn't very fuel efficient so my question is this:

Should I go for it anyway, being a bit of a gadget freak, and hang the cost question?

[Braindead]

My journey is about 6.5 miles of stop/go travel in the morning. Still get around 50mpg and a smug feeling.

If you look on it as a spacious family car then it's not bad value with all the gadgets....but far from a cheap option.

Then read the J D Power survey and see what they say about Renault!

If I were you I'd test drive a Prius. See how you feel. I just couldn't resist it.

Costs apart from the high mpg are low. Same servicing costs as an Avensis, same insurance group (7), car Tax £65 a year, £700 grant (don't hold your breath) and no congestion charge in London.

Just think who owns one....apart from me. Max Mosley (head of FIA), the two guys who started Google, Lionadro di Caprio.

Go on - you know you want to.....

[BudJar]

Hi lininjim!

Welcome to the forums here. I was crazy about getting a Prius as soon as I realised it was possible to buy such a car.

Everything about it as far as I'm concerned is exciting. Not only the fuel consumption, the hybrid technology, low car charge, but the gadgets that the car has, all appealled to me.

If and when you take one for a test drive you should be able to see these things in action.

My advice would be to research more and you can't get better than by visiting and reading forums dedicated to the subject. Some places that I visit often are http://groups.yahoo.com/search?query=prius www.priusonline.com. In the Yahoo groups some groups are geared to the UK and Europe. You will find a lot information and feedback from happy Prius owners there.

Hope this helps.

Jason

[lininjim]

Well, we've been and gone and done it. We went into Derby today, spent a lovely 2 hours with Chris, and ordered a nice black T-Spirit.

Now for the bad news. We can't have one until September. At least it will be the new reg but it's such a long time!!!!

Still, this gives me long time to a: save up a bit and b: learn absolutely everything I can about it.

I'm looking forward to the voice activation and playing with the sat nav (I have it with my Ipaq at the moment) but it's so exciting.

The cruise control won't be used much on the drive to work, 25 mph is not achievable on the 4 mile crawl but the Battery will get a lot of charge.

We didn't discuss the grant, there didn't seem much point, from what I've read here we either get it or we don't and it'll probably be worth even less by September. It will come in for a holiday I suppose.

[SilverT4]

A wise decison indeed. And Septembers not too far away. It will be worth the wait.

You should have applied for the grant before ordering the car, but it may still be worth trying. You can download the application form from www.toyota.com

The grant is fixed at £700 for this year, so its worth applying.

[Braindead]

Spooky....tried to buy mine in Derby. I think Chris was the salesman who took me out. I was up for it but the Finance Manager talked me out of it! Tried to sell me an Avensis.

Couldn't do a deal with the Derby guys so went to Burton, bought their Black T4 demonstrator at £1500 off list.

Damn....I guess I'm not going to be the only Prius in Derby now and you've ordered a black one as well ;)

[Brian Berry]

I have seen a black one in a carpark and it looked great. Having difficulty in Hampshire in testing one. One Toyota dealer , after a 5 min wait, said to me' Sorry, I am not working today if you want to speak to me make an appointment.' I walked out.

Put my Lexus in for a small warranty job and arrangements made to test the Prius at another dealer. On the day in question no Prius around. They tendered apologies and promised to bring one around to my house. Ok I said and guess what, no one turned up.

Don't these Toyota guys want to sell their cars? Makes me wonder compared to the efficient Lexus crew.

[rickers]

Brian, your experience sounds like mine, some of em don't ring back, ect etc loads of bull. hate car salesman, but am looking for prius for my dad (he's coming over from holland), and possibly my wife, as she had shunt, and might be write-off :(

i will have to deal with them.

[BudJar]

I've got 16hrs 8 mins and 5 secs to wait before my Prius arrives! The wait has been so loooong, but am sure it'll before worth it.

My experience with new car/used car sales men is like this.

Never bought myself a new car from a dealership before, so wasn't initially prepared for the sales speak. I did managed to refuse the Toyato Sureguard offer (£250). This was even after he did a dramatic(tongue in cheek) demo of how effective it was. I was put off by the sheer fact it was so expensive and if someone was going to be trusted with spraying chemicals all round my motor, I surely wanted that person to be me and I bet I could do the equivalent at the fraction of the price.

That initial sales pitch just confirmed my fears, but fortunately (touch wood) nothing has caused me concerns since regarding the sales staff.

I will have to live with the fact of finding another toyota dealership to do warranty, service work etc as this particular one changed into a FIAT dealership. Fingers cross that all will be well once I've actually got the car.

As with us all, if we're writing here we are sure as hell checking out the rest of the internet and as a result will be very clued up and informed. So I've actually given up any technical question to sales staff as I problably know more than they do! For example the guy dropping the car off to me explained that he was very sorry but I will HAVE to live with fact I got a reversio beeper and reverse sensing beeper at the same time. Well, I bit my tongue and said that was fine, no problem, coz I know better!

This time tomorrow I'll be playing like a little boy with all the gadgets.

Rules have been laid with the kids re eating, dirty shoes and touching the windows. I made them rehe**** this today and am pleased to report that the girls proudly remembered.

The wait is nearly over.

Jason

Prius T Spirit Blue

[rickers]

Good for you, hope you like the car, you prob know the beeper can be switched off LOL, but they don't

let us know how you get on

rickers

[BudJar]

Got it

Have not been too well, so excitment level slightly. Icould tell that George the sales guy did not really have level knowledge enough to convince me during the handover demo of how the car works.

I nodded and agreed politely, as I just wanted him to leave really and let me get on. Had a bit fun and asked him what the EV button did. He said 'it changes the MFD'! I said 'ah, okay'. hehe.

So I've done a few short trips on my 1/4 tank of fuel. Just love making it working on Battery alone.

Think I'll be taking another sicky tomorrow (got temperature) and go and get myself a bluetooth phone to connect up.

So long for now peeps

Happy person

Jason

[Braindead]

BudJar - welcome to the club....did you get your free anorak?

You'll be able to bore your mates just like I do.

Congratulations

[Victor]

Think I'll be taking another sicky tomorrow (got temperature) and go and get myself a bluetooth phone to connect up.

Make sure the phone supports the Hands Free Profile. Lots dont yet :( My P900 from Sony Ericsson doesnt.

We have a test drive on the 25th, but a 9 month delivery <_< .

[BudJar]

Thanks Victor,

I've not yet bought one yet, will beware of p900. So they must have support for handsfree profile. is that all i would need to ask in a phone shop?

Regards

Jason

[Victor]

Thanks Victor,

I've not yet bought one yet, will beware of p900. So they must have support for handsfree profile. is that all i would need to ask in a phone shop?

Regards

Jason

I guess most of the "sales people" in your avarage Vodafone (or whatever) shop wouldnt have a clue what you were asking and would assume you mean "does it work with a blue tooth head set" or "is there a car kit"

Even looking on the SE or Nokia websites its not too clear which phones have the HFP.

I have see a list of tested phones on a German site. I will look for it and post the same list on my site in a day or so.

Regards

[Boro Sera]

but am looking for prius for my dad (he's coming over from holland), and possibly my wife, as she had shunt, and might be write-off :(

I sincerely hope you mean the car, not the wife !

Rich

[lininjim]

This buying a Prius experience is turning into a nightmare, regarding the grant. The Prius "expert" doesn't have a clue and then they said Toyota would handle the money because I bought before April. Huh? 8th May is the date on the receipt.

I have been on to Toyota customer relations and had a whinge and the dealer is now sorting out an invoice for me.

Good old Inchcape in Derby. Why didn't I buy from Burton where I live!

[SilverT4]

You did get a grant offer from the EST before ordering the car didn't you ? If not, prepare for a long struggle.

[lininjim]

You did get a grant offer from the EST before ordering the car didn't you ? If not, prepare for a long struggle.

Yes and no. We ordered the car, found out about the change of rules and then sent off for the grant. That has come through and we are awaiting a revised invoice from the dealer to reflect the change required.

After waiting 4 weeks for this revised invoice I called Toyota customer services yesterday and they contacted Inchcape and created a stink for us. The new invoice is supposed to be going out by recorded delivery today.

Funnily enough, I'm not holding my breath.

:ffs:

[lininjim]

Well, still no order form, but I do have a reminder from the Powershift people to send my form in.