My New Car!!

[RonMAIDEN]

The TDI engines might be reliable but unfortunatly the rest of the Jetta they were put into a generally not built well (built in Mexico says alot) and I spent alot of time around them in the last '90s and they had some of the worst ticky tack issues within the first 25k miles of ownership especially with interior trim and electronics.
Yeah,sure some owners will find that Jetta gem that was built well but for the most part I'd never take a chance on any vehicle built south of the border especially a VW from what I've seen from other owners.

 

[Thai]

This is a good and fair comparison IMO: http://www.edmunds.com/fuel-economy/fuel-sipper-smackdown-2.html

"The big news is that the 2010 Toyota Prius (base price $22,000) secures a straight sweep by achieving essentially the same fuel economy (47-48 mpg) regardless of driving environment. Conventional wisdom used to be that the Prius was good for city dwellers and that frequent road trippers should look elsewhere. These results would prove otherwise, and the new Prius proved to be a better long-distance car than before, with a bit more power and a more comfortable cabin."

 

[steezemcqueen]

 

[JohnsD90]

haha

 

[Thai]

2010 Prius vs. TDI vs. gasser: Hybrid: Reality - Article - Road and Track

Page 3 and on show some hard data about MPGs on different routes. The data pretty much confirms what Edmunds found above...Prius is a leader in MPGs on ALL roads, usually by a wide margin over the next competitor.

Conclusion from article: "So what is reality?
And did we enjoy ourselves?

To a great extent, reality coincided with perception: We think of hybrids as being particularly fuel-efficient, and indeed our hybrid Prius posted best mpg readings in every driving situation. Maybe even more important, though, the data suggest that the best of today’s cars are already well along toward that mandated 35.5 mpg fleet average (recall the cars’ contribution in 2016 is pegged at 42 mpg). Clearly the hybrid concept offers benefits, but conventional gasoline and diesel will play important roles as well."

 

[Thai]

Link: Newsroom : Toyota and Lexus Dominate 2010 IntelliChoice.com Best Overall Values of the Year Awards / Toyota

Toyota and Lexus Dominate 2010 IntelliChoice.com Best Overall Values of the Year Awards
CHICAGO, February 10, 2010 - - Toyota and Lexus once again captured more trophies than any other automaker in the 23rd annual Intellichoice.com “Best Overall Values of the Year” (BOVY) awards, announced today at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show. Intellichoice.com is a leading source for automotive ownership cost and value analysis of cars, trucks, crossovers and sport utility vehicles (SUV’s). The annual BOVY awards identify best-in-class vehicles that deliver outstanding value and lower than expected costs over time.

“IntelliChoice.com’s annual BOVY awards are designed to instruct buyers on the cars, trucks and SUVs that deliver the most value for the money over a five year period of ownership,” said Charlie Vogelheim, executive editor of IntelliChoice.com. “We rank every model on the market based on the most important cost of ownership factors, including retained value, fuel, maintenance and repair, insurance, licensing and fees.

Toyota and Lexus garnered five of the eight overall rankings for cars and trucks, and 11 of 31 total vehicle segments. Toyota winners included the Prius hybrid, Yaris hatchback, Avalon full-size sedan, FJ Cruiser mid-size SUV, Highlander mid-size crossover, Sequoia full-size SUV, Sienna minivan, and both Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4 compact pickups. Lexus award winners included the RX luxury crossover, and the IS 350 luxury sedan.

The Prius, Yaris and Lexus RX were all repeat winners. The Prius has taken top honors in the BOVY mid-size car segment every year since 2004. Listed below are Toyota and Lexus winners:

2010 Toyota/Lexus Best Overall Winners
• Best Car Value Under $24,000 – Toyota Prius
• Best Crossover /SUV Value Under $28,000 – Toyota FJ Cruiser
• Best Crossover/SUV Value Over $28,000 – Lexus RX
• Best Truck Value Under $28,000 – Toyota Tacoma
• Best Van Value Under $26,000 – Toyota Sienna

2010 Toyota/Lexus Best Overall Values of the Year
Cars
• Subcompact – Toyota Yaris Hatchback
• Mid-size Car – Toyota Prius
• Full-size Car – Toyota Avalon
• Luxury Sports Sedan/Wagon – Lexus IS 350 Sedan

Sport utilities and Crossovers
• Midsize Crossover – Toyota Highlander
• Luxury Crossover – Lexus RX
• Mid-size SUV – Toyota FJ Cruiser
• Full-size SUV – Toyota Sequoia

Trucks
• Compact Pickup 2WD – Toyota Tacoma 4x2
• Compact Pickup 4WD – Toyota Tacoma 4x4

Vans
• Minivan – Toyota Sienna

Woohoo!!

 

[CJ3Flyr]

I don't know what happened here... This thread morphed into a rule busting freezone full of attacks, hijacks and other non-complying nastiness. There's several threads in the hidden Moderator section about this thread. It needs to be done.


It's been 'cleaned' and locked.


It is done.

 

[Thai]

Good news for me (and other Prii owners): 2011 Toyota Prius 4 DR FWD | Safercar -- NHTSA

According to the stricter crash test by NHTSA for 2011, the Prius is one of the top scorers!! The Camry, for instance, did not fare well in the updated test. Civic was a disaster in the side crash!

And for the first time, they also list Forward Collision Warning and Lane Departure technologies! My car has both and more!

 

[Thai]

Here is a post last evening on Priuschat about Pre-Collision System (PCS) on my Prius (as part of Advance Tech Pkg):

"Yes, just last Friday, it saved me from serious injuries. I was driving about 30 miles/hour in a major street in DC under day light. There was no traffic lights, stop sign, nor other cars in front of me. But all of a sudden, a van making illegal left turn (or U-turn) appeared in front of my nose from my left. The next thing I knew was the flashing warning light, tightend belt, and "Ban", I hit directly into the van's passenger door. Two of the airbags exploded (one on the steering wheel, other under my knees). My car suffered substantial damage in front and not drivable. Fortunately no one was injured in this accident. The van driver got a ticket from police, who happen to be there.

I was very lucky indeed to have the PCS. I did not even touch the airbags, just saw one exploded on the steering wheel a foot from my face. I am sure if the belt did not tighten, my body would lean forward to hit the airbag. It could harm my face as many people reported. As I said, I did not have time to react to the van, so I did not conciously hit the brakes. But the PCS might have applied brakes for me. I couldn't verify it. However, I guess the damages to the front end of the care would have been greater if there was no braking at all.

The other driver's insurance is going to pay for the damage. But I am very sad for my one-year old Prius V."
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Update: That Prius was totaled...and the owner went out and got the exact same model again!!

 

[JohnsD90]

That pre crash programing was invented for people like him, most decent drivers notice stuff like that a few seconds before it happens (or atleast notice that a van has a blinker on ready to pull out) and can expect the unexpected.

 

[Thai]

That pre crash programing was invented for people like him, most decent drivers notice stuff like that a few seconds before it happens (or atleast notice that a van has a blinker on ready to pull out) and can expect the unexpected.

John, thx for your opinion...and this is from someone who swears that Land Rovers are reliable?!

 

[JohnsD90]

John, thx for your opinion...and this is from someone who swears that Land Rovers are reliable?!

Wasn't really for or against the prius, a defensive driver would have been aware of the van. It's kinda like the Mercedes Commercial saying the driver wasn't paying attention and the vehicles computer saved them from an accident or saved their lives. I'm just saying the quality of drivers is decreasing, maybe i am a bad driver too.

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

Wasn't really for or against the prius, a defensive driver would have been aware of the van. It's kinda like the Mercedes Commercial saying the driver wasn't paying attention and the vehicles computer saved them from an accident or saved their lives. I'm just saying the quality of drivers is decreasing, maybe i am a bad driver too.

Don't even get started John, the system in the Mercedes is to alert the driver if he/she is losing concentration from lack of rest. It's not intended for idiots who are not paying attention.

People fall asleep at the wheel all the time, they could be driving a POS Land Rover or a TDI Jetta, except those people would end up crashing without their car alerting them.

 

[Thai]

Wasn't really for or against the prius, a defensive driver would have been aware of the van. It's kinda like the Mercedes Commercial saying the driver wasn't paying attention and the vehicles computer saved them from an accident or saved their lives. I'm just saying the quality of drivers is decreasing, maybe i am a bad driver too.

COB is right. "Sh_t Happens." It could be that the above driver had sun in his face, is sleepy from studying for an exam the previous night, is too much into a Lady Gaga song, is distracted by his kids in the backseat, etc.. The point is not whether he is a good or bad driver or if this accident could have been avoided. The point is that this system HELPED him from being injured in the accident...even possibly saving his life! In addition, don't forget about the OTHER CAR...because this system automatically brakes (among other things that it does) the Prius to decrease the severity of the accident, this system also helps decrease risk of injury of the passengers in the OTHER CAR. So, it is a win-win situation for both parties.

Of course, the biggest support for this system is the fact that the above driver went out and bought another Prius with the same technology again....

So, please try and understand that point before posting again.... :redbrick: Oh yeah, try and reading the story of the driver again...because i don't think that you got the whole picture of what happened!

 

[Thai]

I found this rather eye-opening article: http://www.esafetychallenge.eu/download/challenge/esafety_background_paper.pdf

"Warning and Emergency Braking Systems detect at an early stage the danger of an accident with the vehicle in front of you. In the case of a potential collision, they warn you about the danger, and when there is no reaction to the warning, the technologies activate the brakes together with systems such as seatbelt pretension to avoid or mitigate a crash.

Benefits: “28% less rear-end collisions with personal injury”

Lane Support Systems can assist and warn you when you unintentionally leave the road lane or when you change lanes without indication. Sometimes a moment of inattention is enough to make your vehicle stray from its lane. The systems monitor the position of the vehicle in the road lane and while Lane Departure Warning warns you if the car unintentionally wanders from the path, Lane Keeping Support helps you correct the course of your car.

Benefits: “15% less deaths on European roads”

Studies show that more deaths occur from rear-end crashes than any other kind. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has estimated that the Forward Collision Warning function with Automatic Braking alone could be relevant for around 2,268,000 accidents every year in the US, of which 7,166 are fatal.

The European Commission funded project eIMPACT estimated that if all vehicles in Europe were equipped with the Lane Keep Assist system, the number of deaths would decrease by 15% and the number of injuries by 8.9%. Given today’s number of deaths in Europe this would represent 6,300 lives saved each year.

In the US, the IIHS estimates that the Lane Departure Warning system could help in approximately 483,000 accidents every year, of which 10,345 are fatal."
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Interestingly, NHTSA, IIHS, and the Europeans are already collecting data to support these technologies. These are indeed quite proven technologies! Currently, these technologies are almost the "norm" on most high-end luxury cars. Over the next few years, we will see these technologies trickle down to lesser models. I am still shocked that my Prius has these techs for under $35,000!! There is not another car today that has these technologies for under $45,000! From the looks of things, IIHS and NHTSA will soon require all to have this...as is the case with rear-view camera for 2012.

 

[Thai]

These are two pictures comparing LED headlights (standard on Prius Five) vs. halogen projector lights on lower end Prius:

Halogen Projectors:

LEDs:

Although the pictures are not in the exact location, but you get the picture...the LEDs rock!

 

[Thai]

Here is a video of PCS activating with cardboard boxes: YouTube - 2010 Prius Pre Collision System Test

There is some folks that say that PCS would work more effectively with a more "substantial" mass (aka car) than cardboard boxes. Either way, PCS is made to reduce the severity of the crash.

In this video by Frenchies, you can see how PCS actually brakes the Prius to a stop with a solid object: YouTube - Crash test avec une Toyota Prius

Not sure if true or not, but i am glad that it is there.

 

[Thai]

2010 Prius Presentation video: YouTube - 2010 NEW TOYOTA PRIUS - ENGLISH VERSION - PRESENTATION

Prius HSD powertrain: YouTube - Prius HSD

Prius Life Cycle: YouTube - Prius Life Cycle

At around 4 min mark on the last video, it talks about recycling the battery...95% of the battery is recycled for reuse. :trophy:

 

[CookieRoe]

Nice!

Congrats on your car! If I were in the market for a hybrid, it would be the Prius hands down. The Lexus models I'm not impressed with. You mentioned earlier that you went with the Prius V b/c it exclusively came with the LED lights and 17 wheels. Did it cross you mind to "retro" the LED lights with and "add" the wheels later? After having almost all of my cars/SUVs with sunroofs, I swear NEVER to have another car without them! When I was looking at 4runners, there were some that were "nicer" (NAV/xreas/etc) than mine, but didn't have the sunroof, so I passed on them.

 

[Thai]

Congrats on your car! If I were in the market for a hybrid, it would be the Prius hands down. The Lexus models I'm not impressed with. You mentioned earlier that you went with the Prius V b/c it exclusively came with the LED lights and 17 wheels. Did it cross you mind to "retro" the LED lights with and "add" the wheels later? After having almost all of my cars/SUVs with sunroofs, I swear NEVER to have another car without them! When I was looking at 4runners, there were some that were "nicer" (NAV/xreas/etc) than mine, but didn't have the sunroof, so I passed on them.

For me, i am the opposite...almost all my prior cars had sunroofs, but i never used them...so, i am OK with either way.

Rims are easy aftermarket. However, there is a rumor on Prius forums that the factory 17" rims are specially designed for aerodynamics, even if it is not the lightest rims around. Some folks have changed out the rims and saw their mileage decrease a tiny bit. Not sure if it is true because there are so many factors to consider.

LED headlights are almost nonexistent aftermarket. No one makes them as HEADLIGHTS. You see plenty of LED daytime running lights, but as of now, i don't think that any aftermarket vendors makes LED headlights...at least not here in USA. Of course, if i had gotten a lower end Prius, then i would have gone with HIDs, instead of spending big bucks for the LED headlights (if avail).

For me, i did not want to do any aftermarket lighting...so, i just went with the Prius V (Five) for the LED headlights (for night driving) and the cool 17" rims. I also got the Advance Tech package, which has proven to be a great tool for me. It is well worth the price of it. ATP only comes on Prius V (Five).

I think that for sunroof folks, Prius IV (four) is a great car! My brother has one. You can get the sunroof, which includes the solar panels to power the small fan in the car. This fan runs when the car does not...and helps bring down the temperature in the car to be the same as outside temp. Remote A/C is also included in the package. Prius IV is the lowest trim that i would go...because i like leather and 3-door smart-key sensors. The lesser trims do with cloth seating and only 1-door SKS.