Faults:

At 10,000 miles, the special computer-screen type dashboard started flashing "engine and vehicle failure". Toyota offers roadside assistance for the first 36,000 miles, so I had the car towed back to the dealer, about 2 hours away from me. It turns out the computer program stopped performing and the dealer had to wait to get a new computer program from Japan. There was a second Prius in the shop at the same time that had the same type of failure. It took about 10 days to get the car back.

General Comments:

A very nice, zippy, high-performance vehicle with a great turning radius and terrific pickup; it feels like an expensive sports car.

There are some flaws though: 1) an extremely small rearview, causing blindspots 2) no ability to buy extras from Toyota (like seat covers), since Toyota carries nothing for this car; 3) small trunk that won't fit a large suitcase 4) a car probably not for heavy winters 5) a dashboard that requires you to touch-screen for radio, CD, tape, which also requires you to fiddle with the screen, taking your eyes off the road. The dash with all the features on one screen is not intuitive.

Faults:

Nothing has failed.

General Comments:

We purchased a Prius for several reasons: mileage, quietness, smoothness, comfortable cabin for two senior citizens, and the environment.

Current view: It is the sheer serenity and comfort coupled with the maneuverability of the machine that now speaks most strongly to me as a driver. We would replace it "on the spot."

Negatives (Mild) : Homely exterior, driver leg room, and as with early Porsches, I will want to be careful of potential, abrupt over-steer on slippery surfaces. Also, the machine is vulnerable to side winds. I suspect all these negatives will be eliminated or reduced with the forthcoming model (Fall, 2003).