Howdy,
Through the wonder of the Toyota Rent-A-Car system, I am driving a base model 04 for 3 days or so. I had test driven one fresh of the truck about a month ago, but the experience was less than ideal for judging the utility of this vehicle in daily life. So, I am dropping about a hundred bucks for the chance to live with a new Prius for a few days. And there are a few advantages to living in pickup/NASCAR country in that there seems to be a better availability of new ones, at least for now. They don't stay on the lot long, though.
Anywho, on with the test drive so far:
Overall, I am very impressed with the car. It has adequate power - more than I expected, and way more than a hybrid Civic- and feels generally solid and well put together. After getting used to the unfamiliar control system, it is not a problem now. Handling is adequate and not a minus. The car is tossable and plows pretty predictably.
I don't need to be sold on the concept, but I also need it to be liveable and tolerable and it definitely is.
Now the questions/concerns:
1. I drive to work on mainly interstate-like roads. While cruising with the CC set at 70-something, I notice that sometimes the steering will twitch and pull briefly to either side. It seems to be to the right more often than left. It also seems to be possibly associated with the regen braking kicking in while coasting briefly. Is this common?
2. There is a LOT of wind noise at higher speeds coming from the joint between the roof and top edge of the windshield. Is this common, or just a problem with this car?
3. The seat is just a little flat for my taste, but not a big deal.
Thanks for any info....
Through the wonder of the Toyota Rent-A-Car system, I am driving a base model 04 for 3 days or so. I had test driven one fresh of the truck about a month ago, but the experience was less than ideal for judging the utility of this vehicle in daily life. So, I am dropping about a hundred bucks for the chance to live with a new Prius for a few days. And there are a few advantages to living in pickup/NASCAR country in that there seems to be a better availability of new ones, at least for now. They don't stay on the lot long, though.
Anywho, on with the test drive so far:
Overall, I am very impressed with the car. It has adequate power - more than I expected, and way more than a hybrid Civic- and feels generally solid and well put together. After getting used to the unfamiliar control system, it is not a problem now. Handling is adequate and not a minus. The car is tossable and plows pretty predictably.
I don't need to be sold on the concept, but I also need it to be liveable and tolerable and it definitely is.
Now the questions/concerns:
1. I drive to work on mainly interstate-like roads. While cruising with the CC set at 70-something, I notice that sometimes the steering will twitch and pull briefly to either side. It seems to be to the right more often than left. It also seems to be possibly associated with the regen braking kicking in while coasting briefly. Is this common?
2. There is a LOT of wind noise at higher speeds coming from the joint between the roof and top edge of the windshield. Is this common, or just a problem with this car?
3. The seat is just a little flat for my taste, but not a big deal.
Thanks for any info....