So I just read that "Autoweek" article about the test run on the Prius. I am in love with my Prius, ( have about 6,200 miles so far) and being that I have owned about 15 cars/trucks in my short time driving, I thought I was a pretty good judge of vehicles. Now reading this article, makes me feel like I bought a Hyundai 15 years ago or something- like I bought a cheap POS car. Toyota in general isn't known for "driving excitement", but rather great reliability. So they test the Prius, and basically say that is almost a chore to drive? I live in the mtns, and think it handles pretty darn well, and also zooms around pretty well. If I wanted a GT Mustang, I would have bought one! As far as the Honda Accord Hybrid- how dare they! I am not a big Honda fan, and the Accord doesn't get 40+ mpg!!!! I bought the Prius so that I wouldn't be spending $500/month on gas anymore, and I would be pretty dissapointed if I paid $33,000 for a Honda Accord that gets 30mpg!!!! I went from realizing that I have a car that is so wanted- to reading that it's a boring, crappy car!!! Anyone else angered by this article??? There may have been a post about this already, but I am new hear, and haven't had time to read through them all yet.... :|
Yes, I am familiar with the thread, and I did read the article. AutoWeek is a shill for the major auto manufacturers. I wouldn't trust their writing very far. Automobile magazine is much more in balance. They like their fast cars, but on the whole they seem to have written mostly positive experiences with the Prius on the few ocassions they have tested them. I don't believe that Automobile has a long term test Prius from Toyota, but they should. If there was an auto mag that I would trust to write well about a long term test vehicle it would be Automobile. You should also remember that the Prius was the 2004 Motor Trend car of the year. That is an award that isn't handed out without a lot of contemplation by their staff.
Ok, well, I am glad I am not the only one who loves my Prius- and hope to hear more positive reports on it. Thanks for the input.
A shill for the major manufacturers? Huh? If you mean Ferrari, sure. Toyota isn't major? They're review lean to performance cars, that is for sure. But, who but a car nut that wants that info would pay for a weekly car mag??? I think you guys are reading too much into this review. They're just bored. That's it. As for the original poster, you made you're decision, you're happy, don't let autoweek ruin it for you. Its just their opinion and experience.
This month's Road & Track has an update on their long term Prius. It is basically the same account as their initial test: -Fuel economy not what they expected from EPA, albeit they admitted they drove it in a less than economical manner -unappealing styling -numb suspension and steering I have to agree with the previous poster on the fact that the people writing these articles are automotive enthusiasts of the sports and touring car variety. The values they deem most important in a car are not the design attributes Toyota used to manufacture the car. That does not make these people idiots or bad writers, they just have a different perspective. If you don't like citrus fruit, don't eat oranges.
Funny, they don't complain about the Buick LeSabre's handling characteristics. :roll: The Accord Hybrid I tested on Sunday showed 17.5mpg on the readout. It was sunny and 68°F. Auto Journalists who tested it in the winter also got that mileage.
Having read Road and Track for many years I would say that numb suspension and steering is high praise!! The fact they don't get EPA is no surprise either they drive hard, brake hard. They defiantly have their bias but I don't think they hide it much. It is Road and Track. Reading between the lines they like the car they just want a few minor adjustment. Wonder if Toyota could cut a deal with Shelby? R&T would love that car.
That would be WILD! I thought about having a cool modified Prius- the the sole purpose is to be an economical transport- LOL Just have to be satisfied with great mileage!
Well when the car rags tested the Toyota Sienna they said it was the lexus of minivans. They loved it. Then they rated the Honda van higher because it was more FUN to drive. THe Toyota got more points and lost. They even said that the honda had a choppy ride. I do not put much wieght behind autoweek reviews anymore ither. I let my subscription lapse because all they focus on is $200K cars. Blue
I don't know why they'd even bother reviewing the car, unless to bash it. If you're a performance only magazine (going by what's said here, I've never heard of it) would you review an Echo? (Okay, Prius isn't an Echo, but what performance hog is going to want a Prius??)
For crying out loud, it is a car not a deity. As much as I like my Prius, the reviewers made a lot of valid points and admitted their jaundiced perspective. :roll:
BTW, this article has been discussed pretty extensively in this thread. I disagree very strongly with the writer's assessment; but I agree with others that they're coming from a different POV than I am. They were very upfront about it at the beginning of the article -- i.e., they're "performance driver" guys. I'm just a different "perfomance driver" -- MPG performance. :lol:
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Che\";p=\"84629)</div> Oh but there is: http://www.buickforum.com/ Our users have posted 217 Posts....We have 97 Forum Members I guess, give them a chance, though........site's only been up for, like, a year. :lol:
Frank, sorry for being a bit harsh but I figured it should be easy for grandpa to learn how to "operate the computer". All he needs to do is: [Broken External Image]:http://www.videoprofessor.com/images/B78/nami_bannerRight.jpg
Funny, every mag is a "performance" or "enthusiast" magazine eh? C/D, MT, R&T, Autoweek, Motorweek, Top Gear.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Frank Hudon\";p=\"84894)</div> "Oh boy! This e-mail says I've inherited a million dollars! The internet is great. And hey! Free viagra!"
