We just returned from a 2400 mile trip up/down the CA Coast.

While driving near Yuma, AZ (sand dune area) the PRIUS topped out at
108 MPH (restricted/limited. Seamed like it could have gone faster
but just would'nt). :wacko: :wacko:

The car was very stable at all speeds and in pouring rain. We were
blown around in side winds more than other cars we have owned though.

We averaged ABOUT 44-45 MPG on this long trip. The most that fit in
the tank was 8.0 gallons (1 bar showing - but still not flashing).
Tires at 42/40.

:angry: NOTE: THESE SEATS SUCK! (more directly - the drivers side right
thigh bolster cuts off circulation very badly!). I'm 5'11" and 202
lbs. - so not to far "out of the norm" so no flaming please!

Otherwise this is the most enjoyable car to operate & drive!!! :D
The bluetooth T608 phone (SprintPCS) worked great everywhere we went.

Navigation system was fantastic! (ony once did it route us out of
our way about 30 minutes :( ). We used it during the entire trip, it
found everything.

The car got many looks, people pointing at it, a few asking
questions. We only saw about 3 other 2004's on the entire trip -
that is until we got to San Francisco, where we saw about 2 dozen!

NEEDED:
1. MUCH better seats, wider -softer, more adjustments (power/memory
would be good too, with memory side mirrors).
2. Pasenger should be able to use Nav. & phone while driving.
3. More controls must light up at night:
a.) side-mirror switches
b.) power window controls on all doors
c.) switch that dims the console guage lights!!! (it's down to your
left-hand)
4. Tilt-down paseenger mirror when put into reverse.
5. Auto-door locks at 7MPH.
6. REAL daytime runing lights.
7. Beter map lights, (passenger light is too bright on driver)

When we got home I took the PRIUS back to the dealer and got the oil
changed. The "29 minute oil change" took 50 minutes so the VERY
relunctantly gave me a free LOF next visit. (Not a pleasent
experience, was made to feel it was my fault for asking about it!)

2400 miles, 14 nights, 7 hotels, many parking lots/garages, much
stopping & site seeing, falling rocks all over the road on The PCH "1" near
Big Sur and still... No chips & No dings!

So you tested the Prius' top speed, eh? And still managed to get 45 MPG? Not bad, I suppose... is this like the US version of the Audobon? :)

The Prius felt perfectly stable at 108MPH.

I did not try to set the cruise control as I did not want to maintain that speed for long (MANY Border Patrol crusers are in this area!)

The Prius felt as if it could easily maintain this speed and the ICE (or ) sounded (and felt) like it could go even quicker but it was defently goverver limited as I kept the gas pedel down but it was not getting any more fuel. Sort of like when you press the gas pedel while in "N" - Nothing Happens!

I was concerned about the 40/42 tire pressure I'm running while going 108MPH.

I would also be concerned about Cross-Winds as this is a light car compared to our last vehile and during this trip I felt it blow around on the road more than our last vehicle - a 2000 SAAB 9-3SE (Turbo 4cyl, 205HP) that easily went 130+ on cruise and felt very solid (probably only got around 25MPG though).

Sounds like a great trip! Can't wait to take a long one in mine. I have only done a couple of 2-300 milers so far.

On the speed - the max speed is limited by the maximum speed of MG2 (I think that is the one) that is connected to the ring gear and therefore directly to the wheels. This motor cannot spin faster than some value - I am not sure what that value is.

So - although the car is not limited for physical speed reasons, it is for "mechanical" reasons. Here's hoping that the next generation can spin this little motor a bit faster!

And I agree completely with the seat commentary. I would add that they are a bit too high as well. I pull up to a light and have to bend all sorts of ways to see when it changes. Bloody shame not to have height control on them.

Jack