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| Ratings |
( Maximum score is 100 ) |
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| Overall: |
 ( 100 )
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| Comfort: |
( 100 )
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| Performance: |
( 100 )
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| Quality: |
( 100 )
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| Appearance: |
( 100 )
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| Comments |
Favorite feature: |
Hybrid Synergy Drive, Partial Zero Emission, safety |
Least favorite feature: |
Would have liked a lower price |
Advice to buyer: |
Check window-sticker info for specific cars at specific dealerships on-line at Toyota.com and seek discounts from MSRP through dealerships and car-referral web sites like autoweb.com, cars.com |
Detailed review: |
As a satisfied owner of one Toyota, a peppy, manual-transmission 2000 Toyota Echo despite the 1.5L engine with 99K miles, I really didn't need a replacement. Reliability is important to me. The only mechanical problems I had with the Echo were a loose fan belt (replaced) and what appears to be a wearing left wheel bearing. The mileage was close to the EPA's 35/41 with low 30s in cityand low 40s on highway (at 60-65 mph). My husband's 1998 Toyota Corolla runs quietly without problems.
In December my old high school buddy visited me in her Prius, and we cruised around North Florida Gulf Coast roads with a car that sipped gasoline and was almost silent. In February I started price shopping academically. I found myself in a price war between dealers, and I sweetly surrendered on Valentine's Day to a Prius with extra options like Package 2 and Toyoguard and the preferred color (white) $2K below MSRP at $23K. That price is more than I would have paid for a fully gas-powerd car, but in line with those for the Camry or Accord. Most features come standard like CD stereo, AC, alloy wheels, power brakes and steering, color LCD screen, cruise control, 60-40 folding back seat, console with compartments, and more.
What attracted me to the Prius was the satisfaction of driving a partial zero-emission vehicle and the hybrid synergy drive.
I was not prepared for the high-tech features: the color LCD screen with an energy diagram that shows where it is made (brakes, electric motor, engine) and directed discreetly by the computer. The consumption screen graphs MPG over time with a bar graph for current MPG. Automatic climate controls and audio have touch-screen settings. The additionl safety features were the main attraction: side curtain airbags, automatic braking control, and vehicle stability control (in package 2). The light-sensitive, fisheye backup TV camera is included from Package 1 up, which comes in every car I looked at. Each package has the features of the one below plus more.
Package 2 adds the Smart Key, which means never having to pull out the black fob with Toyota logo and being able to wave a hand around the car like a magician to make the front and rear overhead lights go on (great effect at night) and the car door unlock to the touch.
The car handles nicely, like a heavy Echo (almost 3K pounds). Despite only a 1.5L engine and automatic transmission, start ups are peppy. I'm not getting the EPA ratings of 60/51. Stop-go in the city yields almost 44 mpg so far--still, one-third better than the Echo, double for most cars that size. A/C doesn't noticeably affect gas mileage or noise.
I'm pleased to see a 100K-mile/8-year warranty on the NiMH battery for the electric motor. The interior is quite roomy with five seat belts. There are four doors and a hatchback.
Now I need to sell the 2000 Echo.
Toyota.com has a handy feature. You can look up the inventory at each dealership by ZIP and see window-sticker-like information on each car including VIN and prices. The competitive dealerships will offer an 'Internet discount' from MSRP if you contact them because Toyota has increased production 70 per cent in 2007 to 175K cars and has at least 300 in stock at every dealership I checked. There are car-referral services like autoweb.com and cars.com that will put you in touch with a discounting dealer. |
Also considered: |
N/A
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Vehicle purchased: |
2007 Toyota Prius
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| About This Reviewer... |
Name: |
Linda Miklowitz |
Email address: |
Lmiklowitz@aol.com |
Location: |
Tallahassee, Florida |
Other vehicles owned: |
None
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Review submitted: |
March 13, 2007 |
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