Posted by Ike on March 16, 2007, 8:21 pm
Dave wrote:
> Since when is a Crown Vic considered a luxury car?
It's the premium Ford logo'd car. Base price for the LX is about $7k,
and with all the goodies it's about $0k.
A comparable (in size, weight, capacity) Mercedes is twice that price.
Posted by Ashton Crusher on March 16, 2007, 7:09 am
On Thu, 15 Mar 2007 08:54:19 -0400, "Jim Smith"
>You're trying to compare apples to oranges.
>A luxury car to a Prius isn't a fair comparison. The OOMPH won't be there,
>neither would it be there in any 4 cylinder gas engine car. Seating comfort
>is somewhat lacking in the Prius. Something I believe Toyota should
>address. This is definitely a techie car. You've got to like bells and
>whistles, or you'll never like the car.
>I don't think this car is the type you can force on someone (fleet car
>purchase). You've got to like it, some come around to it, but others will
>never take to it.
>Sorry you don't like it, but it really is a nice car.
I like it OK and would even own one if I was the one paying for the
gas!!! But there are a few things that can still be improved. I am
amazed that after people have been making cars for around 100 years
they still make seats without sufficient lower back support.
If I gave the impression I thought it was a bad car that's the wrong
impression. But I think you are right, a lot of people will pass it
up due to looks, or size, or it's techieness. I know people who would
be very confused in trying to operate the AC and radio because they
already have trouble with the old fashioned ones with mechanical
levers and dials.
>> Just got a new Prius at work. It has the Touring Package. I've put
>> about 50 miles on it and my first impressions are a mixed bag. The
>> good news is I got 42 mpg on the trip home from the office, which is
>> about twice what I usually get. The car has no problem keeping up
>> with traffic. It rides ok and seemed relatively quiet inside but I
>> still had difficulty understanding some of the stuff on the radio and
>> the sound just seemed weird somehow.
>>
>> I did not find the seating position to be particularly comfortable.
>> The seat cushion is angled too low in front and isn't adjustable and
>> there is not enough lower back support, which is also not adjustable.
>> The tilt steering wheel only has a tiny amount of up and down
>> adjustment, hardly worth bothering with. The touch screen is cute but
>> I'm not in love yet with having to pick a menu to get to the AC
>> controls and radio controls. But since they also have them on the
>> steering wheel I'm sure that once you learn which buttons to push its
>> not a problem, just takes familiarization.
>>
>> The "numbers" for acceleration indicate it's got enough power to keep
>> up with traffic but I find the lack of immediate OOMPH when you push
>> the pedal takes some of the fun out of things but realize it's
>> undoubtedly a tradeoff for the better gas mileage. The drive train
>> sort of feels like things are connected with bungee cords. Brakes are
>> great, steering feel good.
>>
>> The Smart Key system is great, I wish all the vehicles I drive had it.
>> If I was paying for the gas I'd consider it a keeper for my commute
>> but since my employer is paying for the gas I'm going to send this
>> Prius to our motor pool and stick with my 2005 Crown Vic assigned
>> vehicle as it's got better throttle response and better lower back
>> support, two major items for me. And I think it's radio sounds better
>> too.
>>
>> It will be interesting to see how the users feel about it after they
>> get some miles on it, mostly they now drive Taruses.
Posted by newsgroups.comcast.net on March 16, 2007, 11:11 am
We have a 2007 Prius and love almost everything about it, except the lack of
adjustability of the driver's seat.
The Prius is by no means inexpensive, and I don't think it would adversely
affect mileage to allow a little adjustable thigh support.
--
-RL
> You're trying to compare apples to oranges.
> A luxury car to a Prius isn't a fair comparison. The OOMPH won't be
> there, neither would it be there in any 4 cylinder gas engine car.
> Seating comfort is somewhat lacking in the Prius. Something I believe
> Toyota should address. This is definitely a techie car. You've got to
> like bells and whistles, or you'll never like the car.
> I don't think this car is the type you can force on someone (fleet car
> purchase). You've got to like it, some come around to it, but others will
> never take to it.
> Sorry you don't like it, but it really is a nice car.
>> Just got a new Prius at work. It has the Touring Package. I've put
>> about 50 miles on it and my first impressions are a mixed bag. The
>> good news is I got 42 mpg on the trip home from the office, which is
>> about twice what I usually get. The car has no problem keeping up
>> with traffic. It rides ok and seemed relatively quiet inside but I
>> still had difficulty understanding some of the stuff on the radio and
>> the sound just seemed weird somehow.
>>
>> I did not find the seating position to be particularly comfortable.
>> The seat cushion is angled too low in front and isn't adjustable and
>> there is not enough lower back support, which is also not adjustable.
>> The tilt steering wheel only has a tiny amount of up and down
>> adjustment, hardly worth bothering with. The touch screen is cute but
>> I'm not in love yet with having to pick a menu to get to the AC
>> controls and radio controls. But since they also have them on the
>> steering wheel I'm sure that once you learn which buttons to push its
>> not a problem, just takes familiarization.
>>
>> The "numbers" for acceleration indicate it's got enough power to keep
>> up with traffic but I find the lack of immediate OOMPH when you push
>> the pedal takes some of the fun out of things but realize it's
>> undoubtedly a tradeoff for the better gas mileage. The drive train
>> sort of feels like things are connected with bungee cords. Brakes are
>> great, steering feel good.
>>
>> The Smart Key system is great, I wish all the vehicles I drive had it.
>> If I was paying for the gas I'd consider it a keeper for my commute
>> but since my employer is paying for the gas I'm going to send this
>> Prius to our motor pool and stick with my 2005 Crown Vic assigned
>> vehicle as it's got better throttle response and better lower back
>> support, two major items for me. And I think it's radio sounds better
>> too.
>>
>> It will be interesting to see how the users feel about it after they
>> get some miles on it, mostly they now drive Taruses.
>
Posted by markjb on March 16, 2007, 8:16 pm
I disagree totally on the respose when you hit the gas. I find the
electric motor's lack of any hesitation and never a misfire, to give
me confidence when pulling out into traffic. In fact I think that I
get to aggressive sometimes, since I know exactly how it will respond
when I hit the gas. I find the pickup to be totally acceptable for
legal road driving.
I thought the drive train was a bit twitchy at highway speeds first,
but you soon get used to that. It is just hybrid system doing its
thing.
I just got in from a snowy ride on the NYS Thruway and you got to love
the stability control. I was the only one in the left lane and I felt
totally secure. It just goes where you steer it, no matter whether
the rlane is clear on the right side and bumnpy with snow on the
left. It is totally new experience to drive in snow with the
stability control. Awesome! And I haven't even bought snows yet.
MJB
On Mar 15, 2:16 am, d...@moore.net wrote:
> Just got a new Prius at work. It has the Touring Package. I've put
> about 50 miles on it and my first impressions are a mixed bag. The
> good news is I got 42 mpg on the trip home from the office, which is
> about twice what I usually get. The car has no problem keeping up
> with traffic. It rides ok and seemed relatively quiet inside but I
> still had difficulty understanding some of the stuff on the radio and
> the sound just seemed weird somehow.
> I did not find the seating position to be particularly comfortable.
> The seat cushion is angled too low in front and isn't adjustable and
> there is not enough lower back support, which is also not adjustable.
> The tilt steering wheel only has a tiny amount of up and down
> adjustment, hardly worth bothering with. The touch screen is cute but
> I'm not in love yet with having to pick a menu to get to the AC
> controls and radio controls. But since they also have them on the
> steering wheel I'm sure that once you learn which buttons to push its
> not a problem, just takes familiarization.
> The "numbers" for acceleration indicate it's got enough power to keep
> up with traffic but I find the lack of immediate OOMPH when you push
> the pedal takes some of the fun out of things but realize it's
> undoubtedly a tradeoff for the better gas mileage. The drive train
> sort of feels like things are connected with bungee cords. Brakes are
> great, steering feel good.
> The Smart Key system is great, I wish all the vehicles I drive had it.
> If I was paying for the gas I'd consider it a keeper for my commute
> but since my employer is paying for the gas I'm going to send this
> Prius to our motor pool and stick with my 2005 Crown Vic assigned
> vehicle as it's got better throttle response and better lower back
> support, two major items for me. And I think it's radio sounds better
> too.
> It will be interesting to see how the users feel about it after they
> get some miles on it, mostly they now drive Taruses.
Posted by Ashton Crusher on March 17, 2007, 7:22 am
>I disagree totally on the respose when you hit the gas. I find the
>electric motor's lack of any hesitation and never a misfire, to give
>me confidence when pulling out into traffic. In fact I think that I
>get to aggressive sometimes, since I know exactly how it will respond
>when I hit the gas. I find the pickup to be totally acceptable for
>legal road driving.
If you jam your foot into it there's not much hesitation, but for just
what I would call a normal "fast start" it doesn't seem to like doing
that. Maybe that what resulted in you feeling you are getting a
little aggressive sometimes - you are compensating for the softness of
a more gentle foot.
>I thought the drive train was a bit twitchy at highway speeds first,
>but you soon get used to that. It is just hybrid system doing its
>thing.
>I just got in from a snowy ride on the NYS Thruway and you got to love
>the stability control. I was the only one in the left lane and I felt
>totally secure. It just goes where you steer it, no matter whether
>the rlane is clear on the right side and bumnpy with snow on the
>left. It is totally new experience to drive in snow with the
>stability control. Awesome! And I haven't even bought snows yet.
>MJB
>On Mar 15, 2:16 am, d...@moore.net wrote:
>> Just got a new Prius at work. It has the Touring Package. I've put
>> about 50 miles on it and my first impressions are a mixed bag. The
>> good news is I got 42 mpg on the trip home from the office, which is
>> about twice what I usually get. The car has no problem keeping up
>> with traffic. It rides ok and seemed relatively quiet inside but I
>> still had difficulty understanding some of the stuff on the radio and
>> the sound just seemed weird somehow.
>>
>> I did not find the seating position to be particularly comfortable.
>> The seat cushion is angled too low in front and isn't adjustable and
>> there is not enough lower back support, which is also not adjustable.
>> The tilt steering wheel only has a tiny amount of up and down
>> adjustment, hardly worth bothering with. The touch screen is cute but
>> I'm not in love yet with having to pick a menu to get to the AC
>> controls and radio controls. But since they also have them on the
>> steering wheel I'm sure that once you learn which buttons to push its
>> not a problem, just takes familiarization.
>>
>> The "numbers" for acceleration indicate it's got enough power to keep
>> up with traffic but I find the lack of immediate OOMPH when you push
>> the pedal takes some of the fun out of things but realize it's
>> undoubtedly a tradeoff for the better gas mileage. The drive train
>> sort of feels like things are connected with bungee cords. Brakes are
>> great, steering feel good.
>>
>> The Smart Key system is great, I wish all the vehicles I drive had it.
>> If I was paying for the gas I'd consider it a keeper for my commute
>> but since my employer is paying for the gas I'm going to send this
>> Prius to our motor pool and stick with my 2005 Crown Vic assigned
>> vehicle as it's got better throttle response and better lower back
>> support, two major items for me. And I think it's radio sounds better
>> too.
>>
>> It will be interesting to see how the users feel about it after they
>> get some miles on it, mostly they now drive Taruses.