Hello everybody Thanks to all your posts, I finally bought a Prius (Silver, Touring model, Package #3) this weekend. I will be picking her up tomorrow. Any tips/ suggestions/ things to watch out for before I leave the dealership? This site is awesome and I am looking forward to learning more about the Prius. I named her Moonshine
Congratulations. My only advice is to not let the salesman confuse you with mis-information. As a group, they are pretty clueless about the Prius. Tom
Congratulations!!! Just for fun: You could ask your dealer what the 'B' on the shift lever is for. Throw that one out there, and watch the internal struggle begin as he/she/it searches for a plausible answer. My dealer was smart enough to come right out and say "I do not know."
Read and take with you the delivery checklist: http://www.vfaq.net/docs/pickup_checklist.html It's still valid for 2008 except maybe the part about valet cards. Sit in the car on the dealer's lot for a half hour reading the relevant parts of the owner's manual.
Thanks for the advice. I will definitely go over the checklist before I leave the lot. BTW, my name is Keerthi and I am in Huntington, Long Island. From reading the posts, it seems to be a good idea to get insulation on the grille. Do I do this now at the Service center before bringing the car out?
Beat me to it, RS. That little checklist is gem. If your state requires a front license plate, make sure they use the plate holder rather than bolting it directly to the bumper like my place did. It was crooked and off-center to boot!
I did a test drive today - and my mom asked what the B was for, and the dealer definitley had a little trouble trying to explain that one I love going in there more informed than the dealers. (from reading on here I even knew where all the little nooks and crannies were that the dealer didn't know) I'm a newbie here - still dont' have a Prius. Have to sell my 3 first before I can get one. Depending on how fast I sell my 3 will determine how soon I can get the Prius. So hopefully the 3 sells fast (actually putting it up for sale somewhere would probably help)
Okay, I'll bite. I do not have a Prius yet, but it is on my goals board. Hopefully when the 2009 models come out. I have driven one and love it. But I've got to know.....what does that "B" stand for?
"B" is for engine Braking. You use it only on long downhills (long enough that your battery indicator on the energy screen hits 8 green bars before you hit bottom) to use the engine to help slow you down. Similar to downshifting, or the jake break on a truck. If you do not live or drive near mountains, you may never need it. For example, when I drive from New York to Boston, via the Mass Turnpike, I use it only once, on the descent from the Berkshires into Northampton/Amherst).
Thanks Doc Willie. You cleared up the first of what I"m sure will be many questions. By the way, I asked the salesman and he was unable to give me even a semi-coherent answer. This forum is truly a goldmine.
Rule #699, "When introducing yourself and your Prius, you must submit Pictures" Lol. I just read over the Pre Delivery Checklist. What are Valet Cards?
