Advice For A Potential Prius Buyer

[asfafa]

Hi All

I'd be grateful if you could provide any information and opinions on the hybrid car, and can answer my questions. I've been to my Toyota dealer in Bristol (after reading the brochure and seeing one at the recent Motor Show), and they've told me that there is a 3 month waiting list and they cannot get hold of a model for me to test drive yet!

The sales rep was also pretty useless at giving me any answers to my questions, so if anyone can put forward their experiences, then I would be extremely grateful:

- what the are maintenance and servicing costs?

- are there any problems driving in winter conditions? I'm concerned that it won't handle very well when there's ice around.

- Is the Prius a suitable car for me? I commute between Bristol and Bath using ring roads and back country roads (18 miles each way), but I also do 4/5 120 mile motorway trips a month.

- have you any problems, especially with the electronics? Are the AA/RAC able to fix the car if it breaks down?

- what don't you like about the Prius?

- does the gear stick have Gears "1" and "2"? I'm concerned about driving up or downhill in icy conditions.

- Does it pay to shop around? Although there are 2 Bristol dealerships, I regularly visit Burton-on-Trent and Derby. Basically, I am looking for a decent sales person!

- Is there an FAQ around? or any in-depth UK reviews (personal or magazine)?

Thanks very much in advance

paul

[rickers]

hi asfafa like the name LOL

hope i can answer soem of your questions.

i have not got a prius myself but have on eon order for my dad who has jsut moved from holland. but have driven one.

3 month waiting list

correct but there are some testers about. i know for defo that taunton has got one.

I'm concerned that it won't handle very well when there's ice around.

why, its got ABS you can drive it as sensitive as any car. I was dissapointed after test drive, cause it felt just like normal car, but i suppose thats why this car is soo good.

Are the AA/RAC able to fix the car if it breaks down?

take onwards journey option.

does the gear stick have Gears "1" and "2"

gearbox is ecvt (DAF) principle with traction control (not sure about this) so it has got 1 stick for forward revers and brake (and neutral)

I ordered mine form cornwall, just emailed a few dealers in my area, sort of, told them what i wanted and waited. only one got back with v good price and he now has the order, for delivery in early september (hopefully)

there are some yahoo groups around with tech stuff, jsut try it though search engine. like this one www.vinden.nl

good luck

rickers

[Braindead]

what the are maintenance and servicing costs?

They told me same as an Avensis. About £90 for a 10k service and £170 for a 20k.

Getting my 10k this weekend. They quoted £88.

Insurance is group 7 I think. Tesco insured mine for £300 including loan car etc etc.

Road Tax £65 per year.

are there any problems driving in winter conditions? I'm concerned that it won't handle very well when there's ice around.

I tried to provoke the Vehicle Stability Control when I was on snow over the winter. It wasn't needed, the car was just fine.

is the Prius a suitable car for me? I commute between Bristol and Bath using ring roads and back country roads (18 miles each way), but I also do 4/5 120 mile motorway trips a month.

Should be fine. Takes 5 mins to get warmed up so any journey of less than 5 mins from cold in not efficient (only about 25-30 mpg). It is at it's best on open roads at about 50mph. Around town I get about 53mpg. Motorways at 75mph about 53mpg also.

have you any problems, especially with the electronics? Are the AA/RAC able to fix the car if it breaks down?

No problems yet and just hitting 10k. Club Toyota includes full RAC membership and is free for first year then £55 I think.

what don't you like about the Prius?

Not a lot. It still makes me grin after 5 months! Rear visibility not brilliant.

Does it pay to shop around? Although there are 2 Bristol dealerships, I regularly visit Burton-on-Trent and Derby. Basically, I am looking for a decent sales person!

Bristol to Derby? Hmmmm, you work for Rolls-Royce or Allied Domecq by any chance? Anyway, I live in Derby and bought my car from Inchcape in Burton. Derby Inchcape were useless, business manager tried to talk me out of buying a Prius!!! Bought the demonstrator from the Burton branch so only waited a week :D

Getting it serviced at Derby this weekend so we'll see how good they are.

In terms of discount, look on www.drivethedeal.co.uk or something similar.

Hope this helps

BTW, if you're in Derby I could take you out for a spin in mine but wouldn't risk letting someone else drive "my precious" . Let me know if you're interested.

[asfafa]

Thanks for your reply. It's very useful, as it helps build up my confidence to splash out and order one!

I'm going to be in Burton-on-Trent this weekend, so I'd like to take you up on the offer of a short drive :D but you're getting it serviced, damn! I shall see if I can come up another time...

Did you get any accessories or extra bits? I shall see if I can get free mats, otherwise is there anything else worth having?

Also, did you consider the Honda Civic IMA? I was hoping it was on show at The Motor Show, but nope.

I'm really after information and experiences rather than a drive myself. It's a lot of money when for the equivalent I could buy a 1.9TDi Golf or a new S40 to replace my current one. Plus I like my cars to last years, and I'm not sure about the lifespan of the batteries and the eventual prospect of having to replace the important parts of the car.

I don't work for Rolls-Royce but my sister does in the Finance Department :-)

Thanks again

[Braindead]

Shouldn't worry about the batteries. The hybrid parts of the car are covered by 8 year/100,000 mile warranty.

Drop me an email and I'll let you know my mobile number. I live Burton side of Derby so if you give me a shout we can maybe set something up at weekend. Service only takes an hour (oh yeah!?)

Did look at the IMA but the MPG nowhere near as good and not so many gadgets. Also a manual. The IMA is a serial Hybrid which means it uses electric assist for the engine. The Prius can run on battery/petrol/both at will.

[Al J]

OK, it's over in the States but here's a link to a useful site for all hybrids. The owner, Jason, has a Prius and there also a forum over there which may be helpful.

http://greenhybrid.com

[asfafa]

Hi Braindead

I'm not a gold member yet, so I can't e-mail you. Can you e-mail me so we can get eachother's e-mail addresses?

Due to a work crisis, I probably won't be in BoT this weekend - hopefully next weekend though!

Thanks

paul