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From: Ike on 4 Jul 2007 11:43
Marc Gerges wrote:
> Ike <binarydotike(a)gmail.com> wrote:
>> The Prius handles on par with a Miata 3, Corolla, Sentra, etc.
>> and is superior to the Kia, Hyundai equivalent.
>
> I like my Prius a lot and am happy to have it. But it sits next to my
> Miata in my garage, and Prius' handling is definitely not on par with
> the Miata. Far from it.
>
> If there's one thing I could change on the Prius it's the suspension.
> Not making it sit lower or harder, but make it more balanced, more
> supple. A bit more like the small Alfas or Subarus.
>
> cu
> .\\arc


You're right!
I meant the Mazda 3... sorry. I rented the small Mazda back east
last year and was disappointed.
From: richard schumacher on 4 Jul 2007 16:13
In article <468A989B.2030904(a)Groups.com>, News <News(a)Groups.com> wrote:

> >>- I found the TCH quieter on the highway, and more stable in windy
> >>conditions.
> >
> >
> > Aha. I forgot about that. Not too surprising; that seeems to be an
> > issue with the Prius.
> >
>
> Is this the issue addressed by the various aftermarket chassis
> stiffeners and suspension upgrades? (e.g. "Tom's", etc.)

Not really. The hard tires and stiff frame make Prius noisier on the
highway (but it is often very quiet at lower speeds), and the
sensitivity to winds is because it is relatively tall for its width.

The commonly advertised aftermarket stiffeners are snake oil, IMHO: the
design of their attachments offers no tortional stiffness, and the stock
part has more than enough tensile strength.

The OP needs to take some test drives to decide her questions, keeping
in mind that the great majority of buyers have no trouble with high
speed stability after an adjustment period of a few days or weeks.
From: richard schumacher on 4 Jul 2007 16:14
In article <468AC0A5.607(a)Groups.com>, News <News(a)Groups.com> wrote:

> >>Does the Prius wander in crosswinds or near big rigs, on the highway?
> >
> >
> > Somewhat. It's very lightweight compared to other cars its size. They
> > used a lot of aluminum in the car and kept the weight down.
> >
>
> OK, so is there a "fix" for this?
>
> Such as aero to plant the car better, or the above track stiffening
> approaches?

For me the fix was to drive carefully for a couple weeks until I got
used to the feel of the steering. Now my GF's Civic feels like a plow.
From: OscartheGrouch on 7 Jul 2007 17:31

"Elmo P. Shagnasty" <elmop(a)nastydesigns.com> wrote in message
news:elmop-E44CBD.14342503072007(a)nntp1.usenetserver.com...
> In article <a8GdnTUYHdRSHBfbnZ2dnUVZ_hGdnZ2d(a)speakeasy.net>,
> News <News(a)Groups.com> wrote:
>
>> Bob H wrote:
>>
>> >
>> > Then decide which one you'd rather be in, in the event of an accident.
>>
>>
>> Any actual accident data, or just FUD?
>
> FUD, obviously.
>

Fold the back seats in the Prius down and look at the cargo space. Very
roomy.


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