2-11-2003

Got a letter from Toyota saying that some cars had excessive tire wear on the front tires and that they would replace the bad tires for free. I had to take the care in for an oil change. While there I pointed out that the left front tire was wearing on the outside edge. At 24,390 miles on the tires they gave me a full set of new tires to replace the original factory tires.

5-11-2001

Took the car in for the first oil change. 3695 miles. Totally free except for the two license plate holders I bought that are silver with PRIUS printed on them. Included was 5w30 oil, filter, drain plug gasket, check air in tires, add washer fluid.

2-18-2001

Took a drive to Los Angeles area then over towards Riverside and back to San Diego. Total 325 miles, 51.1 mpg.

2-17-2001

Filled up the tank for the first time today. Got an overall 46.1 mpg according to the consumption screen. Have been able to have several 5 minute segments of 100 mpg. On slight downhill grades have been in all electric mode for several minutes. From a standing start on level ground can use all electic from 0-40+ mph. Great car fun to drive. Quick response. Tight turning radius. Plenty of power. You do not need a huge engine and horsepower to drive. You only need it to get out of the way of the huge, ugly, stinking and gas guzzling SUV's that think they own the road.

2-10-2001

Went to Rose Toyota - The First Toyota Dealer in America today at 10 am. Very good experience, only took about an hour. The finance guy offered me the Platinum extended warranty but said that most Prius buyers were choosing not to purchase it at the time. I elected to not take it at this time. The car had 7 miles on it and they also put in a full tank of gas. The salesman spent at least 10 minutes going over the features of the car and how to operate it.

2-8-2001

Got a call at home tonight (6 pm). It was from Ben Craft at Rose Toyota. He said that my Aqua Prius was in. Could pick it up Saturday morning. At last!

1-26-2001

Got a call at work today just before lunch. It was from Ben Craft at Rose Toyota. He said that some one that ordered a white Prius decided not to take the car. Wanted to know if I would like to have a white one since I had checked it as my second choice. I thought about it for a little while and told him I would continue to wait for my Aqua Ice Prius.

12-16-2000

Received the electrical manual today. Took another test drive. Went to Kearny Mesa Toyota and drove an Aqua Ice Prius like the one I ordered. It had over 2000 miles on it. The temperature was 78 degrees. One fuel consumption segment read 52 mpg and another read 46 mpg. Not bad for not having practice in conserving fuel.

11-25-2000

Received a 10 page broucher I ordered from the Toyota website on the Prius.

11-24-2000

Ordered from the dealer repair manuals vol 1 and 2. Getting a little ahead of things I guess.

11-21-2000

Saw my first Prius in the parking lot at Ruffin Rd and Claimemont Mesa Blvd. while getting lunch today. From Escondido Toyota.

11-2-2000

Thursday I met with Erik and he introduced me to sales consultant Ben Craft. Ben showed me around the car then had me set in the drivers seat. He started the car and let it sit idling (warming up) while he went over the features. Then he had me take it out on the road for about a five mile drive up a steep grade and on both freeway and city streets. It handles really well. Sitting at a stop light without any vibration or noise is a little strange, but nice. It takes the hills as well as my 1992 6 cyl Olds 88. Accelerates fast enough to get into traffic with ease. When we got back I placed my internet order with Erik, and a deposit of $500. By the time I got home I had an automated response from Toyota. My P.R.# 4336626172. Delivery is expected March/Mid-April. No pressure from Erik or Ben made this a good experience.

10-24-2000

After hearing about hybrid cars on the evening news I began searching the web for information on them. I found eGroups and Yahoo. After several evenings reading the postings there I decided to go and look at the Honda Insight and the Toyota Prius today. So first I looked at the Honda Insight, but I did not care for it as it has a manual transmission and is only a two seater with almost no trunk space. A Honda salesman met at my car like a vulture asking if he could help me.

Next I went to Rose Toyota to look at the Toyota Prius. It seats five and has four doors. It also has an automatic transmission. They had their demo car sitting in front of their offices under an awining. I started walking around looking it over and a salesman came over to help me after about 5 minutes. I asked him if I could look inside as it was locked. A few minutes later he unlocked it and let me sit inside. I was there about 15 minutes checking it all out with no one bothering me. That was great! Overall I was probably there about 20 to 25 minutes without having someone hovering around me. I did not want to ask for a test drive that afternoon as there was way to much traffic. When I got home I emailed Erik the Rose Toyota Internet Administrator to set up an appointment to test drive the car.