| 2005 Toyota Prius ... after 50,000 miles Overall Score US: 9.0/10.0, Canada: 6.0/10.0 US MSRP $20,950 base / Canada MSRP $29,500 base Contributor: len December 13, 2007 |
Faults, for the Prius as a whole I can only mention one. The gas tank is lined with a
bladder to prevent evaporation losses. This however, especially in cold weather, can
lead to the tank burping out a bit of gas when you pull out the nozzle while filling up. It
only happens if you get it close to full but when it happens it is hugely annoying. This
one little tweak to save mileage could have been skipped as far as I’m concerned.
Other than that there is the lack of explanation on how the hybrid drive will work in low
traction situations and the ‘Braking’ function on the drive controls. This is not a fault
in the design or function of the car, just an over site and maybe lack of experience
leading to the driver having to figure it out for themselves. Specifically, the ‘Braking’
function on the controls disables the hybrid drive making the car simply a gas
powered car. I could not figure out what this could possibly be useful for since in the
book it talks about using it to ‘engine brake’ and I can’t think of a situation where you
wouldn’t leave the car to ‘regenerative brake’ or charge batteries. That was until I
found myself in slippery start situations. The electric motor has high speed
protection and will ‘cut out’. If you are at a stop on ice this can be a problem, but if
you put the car in ‘Braking’ mode or ‘B’ and the hybrid function is turned off … then
off you go. Once down the road a bit you just put it back in ‘D’ for ‘Drive’ and the
hybrid is functioning as intended. I have yet to see this type of use for the ‘Braking’
function anywhere.
Finally, there is the value of the car and hence my different ratings for it if you are
buying one in the US or Canada. The car in terms of quality and functionality is pretty
well on par with a Toyota Corolla. In the US if you include the cost of operation with
the payments for a Corolla (0 down, 5 years), you come up even between a Corolla
and a Prius making the choice between giving more or less money to Exxon relative
to Toyota. In Canada with the price elevated close to $10,000, the value
consideration is quite different. Top that off with the Canadian pricing for a vehicle
like the Pontiac Vibe which has the same functionality and it’s a ‘no brainer’. Forget
the Prius if you’re buying Canadian. If you have to buy a Toyota Hybrid, the Camry
Hybrid is a better deal in Canada.
bladder to prevent evaporation losses. This however, especially in cold weather, can
lead to the tank burping out a bit of gas when you pull out the nozzle while filling up. It
only happens if you get it close to full but when it happens it is hugely annoying. This
one little tweak to save mileage could have been skipped as far as I’m concerned.
Other than that there is the lack of explanation on how the hybrid drive will work in low
traction situations and the ‘Braking’ function on the drive controls. This is not a fault
in the design or function of the car, just an over site and maybe lack of experience
leading to the driver having to figure it out for themselves. Specifically, the ‘Braking’
function on the controls disables the hybrid drive making the car simply a gas
powered car. I could not figure out what this could possibly be useful for since in the
book it talks about using it to ‘engine brake’ and I can’t think of a situation where you
wouldn’t leave the car to ‘regenerative brake’ or charge batteries. That was until I
found myself in slippery start situations. The electric motor has high speed
protection and will ‘cut out’. If you are at a stop on ice this can be a problem, but if
you put the car in ‘Braking’ mode or ‘B’ and the hybrid function is turned off … then
off you go. Once down the road a bit you just put it back in ‘D’ for ‘Drive’ and the
hybrid is functioning as intended. I have yet to see this type of use for the ‘Braking’
function anywhere.
Finally, there is the value of the car and hence my different ratings for it if you are
buying one in the US or Canada. The car in terms of quality and functionality is pretty
well on par with a Toyota Corolla. In the US if you include the cost of operation with
the payments for a Corolla (0 down, 5 years), you come up even between a Corolla
and a Prius making the choice between giving more or less money to Exxon relative
to Toyota. In Canada with the price elevated close to $10,000, the value
consideration is quite different. Top that off with the Canadian pricing for a vehicle
like the Pontiac Vibe which has the same functionality and it’s a ‘no brainer’. Forget
the Prius if you’re buying Canadian. If you have to buy a Toyota Hybrid, the Camry
Hybrid is a better deal in Canada.
The poster child of hybrids had that cool appeal in 2005 when I
purchased my Toyota Prius and it was not common for a mid size
sedan to have a 60/40 split back seat at the time which was also
attractive to me. When I walked into a dealership in Warner
Robins, Georgia, found that they actually had a Prius, I bought it
on the spot.
Prior to owning the Prius, I owned a S-10 Chevy 4x4 pickup which
I drove for 10 years, then I had a ¾ tonne gas powered Silverado
which I had for 5 years. Finally, after finding the used Chevy
Lumina van worthless on the resale market, I sold my truck and
drove the van for a couple of years. Since I did not need a
vehicle to tow an RV anymore, it made sense to sell the truck and
keep the van.
purchased my Toyota Prius and it was not common for a mid size
sedan to have a 60/40 split back seat at the time which was also
attractive to me. When I walked into a dealership in Warner
Robins, Georgia, found that they actually had a Prius, I bought it
on the spot.
Prior to owning the Prius, I owned a S-10 Chevy 4x4 pickup which
I drove for 10 years, then I had a ¾ tonne gas powered Silverado
which I had for 5 years. Finally, after finding the used Chevy
Lumina van worthless on the resale market, I sold my truck and
drove the van for a couple of years. Since I did not need a
vehicle to tow an RV anymore, it made sense to sell the truck and
keep the van.
The handling of the car is superb. On ice it took a while getting used to how directly you
‘feel’ the road, but you get to appreciate the information and over time learn that the car
tracks true though all kinds of conditions. The only time I got the car to go out of control is
barely avoiding a deer that darted in front of me on an icy road … and it was the superb
handling that allowed me to dodge that animal. It has also safely steered me through the
remnants of Hurricane Katrina, North of Birmingham in Alabama. Most of all though is the
way it handles on the frightening roads of Northern Alberta during one of the worst winters in
a couple decades … this winter.
The drive train is the second reason, after the interior design, that I bought the car and it is
everything its designed to be. The DC electric motor has the instantaneous torque and the
Atkinson cycle gas engine it is coupled to gives you smooth top end power. The
combination is a perfect blend of economy and performance. It is the snappiest mid size
sedan I’ve driven and I rented a few driving rentals while on job interviews before returning
to Canada from the US. I checked and within a small margin of error I’ve averaged 42 miles
per US gallon or 50 miles per Canadian gallon and that includes warming it up in -30 C,
winter driving, sitting in 90 F Georgia heat with the AC full blast. In discussions with several
people I would say I’m getting slightly better fuel economy than a Toyota Echo, and get the
utility and comfort of a mid size sedan. You will get a lot of erroneous comparisons out there
and discussions about the new and old EPA ratings, but my only caution is to compare
apples to apples. Not everyone has an instantaneous mileage indication on their dash.
‘feel’ the road, but you get to appreciate the information and over time learn that the car
tracks true though all kinds of conditions. The only time I got the car to go out of control is
barely avoiding a deer that darted in front of me on an icy road … and it was the superb
handling that allowed me to dodge that animal. It has also safely steered me through the
remnants of Hurricane Katrina, North of Birmingham in Alabama. Most of all though is the
way it handles on the frightening roads of Northern Alberta during one of the worst winters in
a couple decades … this winter.
The drive train is the second reason, after the interior design, that I bought the car and it is
everything its designed to be. The DC electric motor has the instantaneous torque and the
Atkinson cycle gas engine it is coupled to gives you smooth top end power. The
combination is a perfect blend of economy and performance. It is the snappiest mid size
sedan I’ve driven and I rented a few driving rentals while on job interviews before returning
to Canada from the US. I checked and within a small margin of error I’ve averaged 42 miles
per US gallon or 50 miles per Canadian gallon and that includes warming it up in -30 C,
winter driving, sitting in 90 F Georgia heat with the AC full blast. In discussions with several
people I would say I’m getting slightly better fuel economy than a Toyota Echo, and get the
utility and comfort of a mid size sedan. You will get a lot of erroneous comparisons out there
and discussions about the new and old EPA ratings, but my only caution is to compare
apples to apples. Not everyone has an instantaneous mileage indication on their dash.
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Copyright © 2007 itsonlysteam.com
After learning the automotive mechanic trade operating and fixing the van, there came a
time when it was pointless repairing anymore.
I enjoyed the utility of the van and in researching the Prius the immediate appeal was the
utility in the design of the interior. In essence, being a hatch back, it is a small van that can
be turned into a mid size sedan when needed. Later I would find the luggage capacity and
seating adequate to comfortably tote 2 adults and 3 older children with luggage on a long
road trip. When relocating back to Canada after living in the US for 5 years (and importing
my car to Canada), I also packed up the car probably a little too much. Once, when
shopping at Home Depot, I discovered that 2x4’s easily fit in the cabin with the passenger
seat folded down as well. I would say the Prius’ utility has surpassed my expectations in this
regard.
As for the styling, I like it. Many people don’t. The only complaint I have is the symbolism of
the car which I didn’t fully take into account. I am not an ‘green radical’. I just like good
engineering, but yes I do recycle.
time when it was pointless repairing anymore.
I enjoyed the utility of the van and in researching the Prius the immediate appeal was the
utility in the design of the interior. In essence, being a hatch back, it is a small van that can
be turned into a mid size sedan when needed. Later I would find the luggage capacity and
seating adequate to comfortably tote 2 adults and 3 older children with luggage on a long
road trip. When relocating back to Canada after living in the US for 5 years (and importing
my car to Canada), I also packed up the car probably a little too much. Once, when
shopping at Home Depot, I discovered that 2x4’s easily fit in the cabin with the passenger
seat folded down as well. I would say the Prius’ utility has surpassed my expectations in this
regard.
As for the styling, I like it. Many people don’t. The only complaint I have is the symbolism of
the car which I didn’t fully take into account. I am not an ‘green radical’. I just like good
engineering, but yes I do recycle.