Toyota Prius? yea or nay?

[ninedragons]

We are considering a secondhand Toyota Prius, as it appears safe, reliable and very cheap to run.

Anyone got one? Good car? Things to watch out for?

I am about to go to bed (am in Aus) so am not ignoring you if you are kind enough to reply.

We had one as a hire car, but it felt quite underpowered, and I didn't like the (lack of)visibility out of the back window - but if you test drive one and get on with it, then those things may not bother you!

It's great for creeping up on pedestrians...

thank you! good to know, esp as we live somewhere mildly hilly.

I know about creeping up on people - one of our neighbours is forever making me jump out of my skin because I'll be walking down the street and turn around to find this car breathing down the back of my neck.

I believe the newer ones are more powerful, which would hopefully get over that issue. The quietness is quite scary - we had one as a hire car on holiday in a quiet touristy village, and we were practically nudging the backs of peoples knees as they strolled up the middle of the road without any thought of traffic!