2003 Toyota Prius -- from North America - Comments

Nothing has failed.

We purchased a Prius for several reasons: mileage, quietness, smoothness, comfortable cabin for two senior citizens, and the environment.

Current view: It is the sheer serenity and comfort coupled with the maneuverability of the machine that now speaks most strongly to me as a driver. We would replace it "on the spot."

Negatives (Mild) : Homely exterior, driver leg room, and as with early Porsches, I will want to be careful of potential, abrupt over-steer on slippery surfaces. Also, the machine is vulnerable to side winds. I suspect all these negatives will be eliminated or reduced with the forthcoming model (Fall, 2003).

I agree that the technology is fascinating, even if I do tend to be a V8 guy! I just wish someone would make a bigger one, as I've 3 daughters, ALL in car seats. (oldest is 3 1/2) But it is a REAL GOOD start!!

Congratulations on considering a vehicle which does not solely rely upon fossil fuel energy. It seems like a most sensible choice to me.

It's a shame that these cars are still selling at a bit of a premium, but hopefully you early adopters will pave the way for the rest of the populace having the opportunity to own a similar vehicle.

I myself have only seen one totally electric car (making no engine noise at all -- weird!). I agree that safety is also an important factor when considering a vehicle. Imagine a pedestrian being hit by an electric vehicle not hearing it coming.

One of my friends rented one for a week because his truck broke down. (At 20 bucks a day I recommend renting one to see if it will work for you.) I sat down in the car buckled up and waited for him to start the car. Suddenly we start moving which was a surprize to me because I thought the car was off. That is how quiet it is. On the freeway it was switching between the gas engine and electric motor. The electric motor made no noise and you could hardly notice the gas engine. If the radio was on I couldn't hear it at all. Oh oh oh, talk about roomy. I could stretch out my legs, lean back, and relax in that car. Everything is on the steering wheel. Less horsepower than my Nissan Altima, but faster due to how light it is. Sleek and smooth inside and out. Good sound system. 50 MPG freeway and 66 around town. He had driven it 110 miles and only used about 2 gallons of gas. Only one thing I would change: I wish it came with a sun roof. Other than that we just have to find a way to strap a motorcycle to the top of it :) I really enjoyed riding in this car even if it was only for 20 minutes. I am now finding out a way to buy me one. YAY.

I have to say, I too am intrigued in the Hybrid technology, but my complaint is the fact that the Prius is (in my opinion) -SO UGLY! They need to make more of these things that look just like regular cars people actually want to drive! I think Ford is on the right track with the Escape hybrid, at least it looks like a regular car and not a deformed potato! I think the ethanol fuel will be even better, it is made here, creates jobs here, and the only pollutants of pure ethanol are carbon dioxide and water-seems like a no-brainer.

Three points:

1) Claiming that carbon dioxide is a good emission is faulty. What you mean to say, I assume, is that it REDUCES CO2 emissions.

2) Having SUV hybrids is really a step in the wrong direction. Getting SUVs to achieve the mileage of a compact car may sound wonderful, but the reality is these vehicles remain inherently unsafe and are a threat to all motorists on the road. Plus, these vehicles never achieve their mileage. One auto magazine reported 14 mpg in a Highlander Hybrid SUV.

3) While you may think the Prius is ugly the marketplace does not. Seems the marketplace wants hybrids to look different than their conventional counterparts. Sales of the Honda Civic hybrid prove this. That said, more and more cars (mainly Toyotas/Lexuses) are using hybrid technology without changing model design.

1) Carbon Dioxide and water emissions are much less toxic than what the cars put out now, don't forget, Hybrids still use gasoline, just less of it. If cars were actually running on pure ethanol, there would be no sulphur dioxide, unburned hydrocarbons or nitrogen oxide-non naturally occurring chemicals, unlike carbon dioxide.

2) Several resources I looked at rated the Ford Escape hybrid at 36 city/31 highway, hybridcars.com also states that the Escape beats the Lexus AND Highlander hybrids in fuel economy.

3) To say hybrid SUV's are a step in the wrong direction is just plain silly. SUV's are popular among Americans for good reason, for example, my Uncle's Suburban will haul eight people, all their luggage in the back, plus tons more on the roof, PLUS carry a trailer. Try doing that with a Prius. Many people have SUV's for good reason, and can take on tasks that would otherwise require two Subaru's.

4) You claim that the Honda Civic hybrid is proof that people want hybrid cars to look different from their counter parts. Let's not forget though, that the Honda Civic hybrid and the regular Honda Civic are nearly identical in appearance, except maybe for the wheels, and the fact that it says "Hybrid" on the back. To me, it doesn't matter whether the future cars will be hybrid, electric, biodiesel, ethanol or whatever else may come, the common goal should be to get our nation off the dependency on foreign oil.

Did you even read any of the posts before making your comments?

1) The poster stated the CO2 were the good emissions when, in fact, they are not in any way. That was that point which you seemed to miss.

2) The point was not that the Ford would get the same mileage as the lexus/Toyota (where you got that I'll never know) but that the ADVERTISED mileage of hybrid SUVs is NO WHERE near the reality of what actually occurs. Another point you seemed to have missed.

3) Your SUV argument holds no water. You prove to me that 99% of the time SUVs are used as you describe, because I know for a FACT that 99% of the time they carry one or two passengers MAX. That means that they are being used at commuter vehicles, a task which a Prius or Subaru can easily accomplish. And, like all SUV defenders, you simply ignore the safety argument. Yet another point that you miss.

4) Did you even read comments on this point at all? The poster's point was that he wanted hybrids to look like normal cars and I have shown that at this stage that doesn't necessarily work given the sales difference between the Prius and the Civic, cars which essentially get the same mileage.

And I cannot believe you actually dare to say you want to get us off imported oil when you are advocating SUV use. ANY SUV, regardless of engine, will get LESS gas mileage than its equivelent-engined car counterpart. So that argument of yours goes out the window.

2 things lol.

1.) Carbon Dioxide (CO2) isn't that bad, at least its used in photosynthesis in plants and is somewhat natural to our atmosphere.

While the main culprit is acutally Carbon Monoxide (CO). This is a much more harmful gas to be putting in our atmosphere and is not easily converted back to oxygen and carbon like CO2 is.

2.) I find it funny that people read auto magazines and call themselves "informed".

To the first April 3 commenter:

1) If you read the poster's comment in context, it is obvious he thinks C02 emissions are bad.

2) ALL vehicles have bloated mileage ratings, and by the way, I quite clearly stated where I got the stats. about the Escape beating the Highlander and Lexus in mileage ratings.

3) I NEVER SAID 99 per cent of SUV's are used as I described, but that they have that capability, and many people like to be able to haul anything, when they need to, obviously when you are commuting, use a smaller car.

4) Where did the poster claim he wanted hybrids to look like regular cars? It's not in there.

5) My point is simply that we could get our country off foriegn oil without just banning SUV's, but by running them off ethanol, which as I have said, creates many jobs here, bio-diesel or hybrid engines, all three being much cleaner.

The Toyota Prius is probably the best car out. It helps the environment. Unlike behemoth SUVs, it puts out very low emissions. Hooray for the Prius and the people who buy them!!