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I went to a Toyota dealership today at Cleveland, OH area and asked if i can order a prius 04, they said yes and will assurre me if I do it today I will have it in mid_Oct.! I am kind of puzzled and surprised, since from reading here, indicating that Toyota dealership only take order for previous Prius owners? Do you think the dealership "BS" me? BTW, they only have 3 option packages 1) Base + Rea Wiper= $20175; 2) Base + Rear Wiper + Side&curtain AirBags + Smart Entry&Start + HID/Fog/VSC = 22250; and the last super package is $25245. Not include DPH of 485. Is this price is about right?
Thank a bunch.
Antz
http://pressroom.toyota.com/photo_library/display_release.html?id- =20030702b
The 3 option packages that your dealer mentioned are
for the "Pioneer" internet pre-orders (order period ended
already, orders only taken for invited guests, mostly people
who already have a Prius ordered via the old internet
system.) Those cars were ordered for specific people, but
if one "drops" (someone turns it down) then it's
often available off-the-lot.
Some dealers are taking deposits (first right of
refusal type of thing) for people who weren't a
Pioneer order to get one of the first regionally-allocated
2004 Prius at that dealership. Depends on your
region, and the dealership, and how Prius-knowledgeable
your individual salesperson is...
At least in CA, don't know about other regions, there
are now 6 option packages that have been announced.
you can find info on them here:
http://john1701a.com/prius/prius-2004.htm
placed a REFUNDABLE deposit, i.e. if he doesn't
like it, he can refuse it and get his money back.
a new Prius (unless you want to). The Pioneer orders
were available for those who ordered their 2001 or 2002
Prius through the old internet ordering system, so
if they wanted first grabs at a 2004 Prius they could.
I'm keeping my 2001, but my Pioneer order number
went to my husband, who's trading in his "conventional"
car for a 2004 Prius. (Now my husband won't keep
stealing my Prius from me... he'll have his own.)
placed a REFUNDABLE deposit, i.e. if he doesn't
like it, he can refuse it and get his money back. "
He didn't-- he checked and the deposit is not refundable,so he's out the $500. What he wonders is: is that $500 the end of the story? He hasn't actually signed anything. Will he have any further trouble if he just tells the dealer, sorry, I can't afford the car--sell it to someone else? (I told him there can't possibly be any obligation on his part beyond that, esp. since he hasn't signed a thing. But reassurance will be helpful on this point. Anyone know?) Thanks again.
advance to feel them out on the issue. perhaps
if he can find someone to buy the car in his place,
maybe then he'll get his deposit? (just guessing)
and actually, it's Ms. M. R. Vadeboncoeur, but
my username can be a little confusing for gender...
Toyota's press website should have plenty of info/images too. http://pressroom.toyota.com
Toyota's mileage for the new Prius says an average of 55 with 59 city and 51 highway.
Anyway, Brozhnik, don't be suckered by this, the most recent mistake by the lake...
Anyway, this same person was looking on the toyota webside and tell me everything I wanted to know about the Prius .....2003! He even shown me the picture of the 2003 that he thought the prius 2004! However, the quote sheet was for the prius 2004!
I called Metro Toyota, they said that they already filled their allotment of 5 vehicles, so I won't get it in Oct. , but sometime in December. They seem to be more for-right then the Sunnyside folds.
So, did you ordered yours prius4meu. What Package do you go with, and why?
Thanks a bunch,
Antz
on what your region decides to order/package for
sale in your area.
There's the 3 Pioneer ordering packages, which should
be in the first allotments to dealers (internet
pre-orders by invitation only).
The 6 packages that's been listed otherwise is for
the region that covers California. Don't know waht
other regions are doing...
First car deliveries should be dealer TRAC or demo
cars, and also the Pioneer preorders.
http://www.toyota.co.jp/company/prius/channel/vod_300k.html
Approx. Video times of interest:
10:45 Elec diagrams & graphs
12:15 S-VSC wet braking test
13:50 Dimensions & interior seat configurations
17:00 self-parallel parking
20:45 offset crash test
21:10 (notice the windmills in the background)
21:22 windtunnel test with lines of smoke to show the laminar airflow.
movies/animations, but worth the wait:
http://toyota.broadbandgw.co.jp/prius/index.html
:-)
Thanks for the link. No way I can watch it at work, so maybe you could give us a sneak preview of the burning question for me: how does it do on that offset crash test?
Thank!
:-)
Living in Minnesota where SALT and winter run hand and hand, the 04 I ordered won't be looking good for long. What are your thoughts on the under coating idea? Thanks
http://www.japantimes.com/cgi-bin/getarticle.pl5?nb20030902a2.htm
Prius-2004 gives 35.5 km/l which is like 84 mpg. But it is shown
here as 55 mpg vehicle. Is it because of the driving speed or the
figure quoted in that article is wrong.
Do you anticipate (or know) if, for the "second production cycle" next Spring, there will be any revision in either the USA 2004 Prius offering itself -- e.g. "Japan Prius" features like 16" wheels?...EV button?...parking-assist...whatever else -- or perhaps revisions in the option-packages or trimline options? (Someone had pointed out there seem to be differences in the Prius versions being initially released in the US and in Japan, and the following video reveals some differences as well http://www.toyota.co.jp/company/prius/channel/vod_300k.html )
mjcpl
Thanks.
BichonCar in Cincinnati
Click on the prius release
Since Toyota has been known to change package offerings throughout the year, actually planning to begin another cycle in the middle really doesn't surprise me.
> 16" wheels
That's just plain not going to happen (especially since the aftermarket route is so simple). It would compromise city performance. What would you gain?
> EV button
With the way misconceptions about hybrids thrive in this country still, I really don't think the market is ready for it yet.
> parking-assist
That's possible.
JOHN
Re: 16" wheels--"What would you gain?" Well, better handling. That's the original reason for bigger wheels and lower profile tires, although most people now buy them for looks. In principle, you'd think you could find lightweight rims that wouldn't compromise mileage much, but I don't know how you'd choose the rims.
I do think the new Prius looks better with lower profile tires. The show car version had ridiculously large rims, but I think they made the car look better. Just my opinion.
NEW PRIUS PRESENTATION Script for TMC President Fujio Cho and TMC Chief Engineer Masao Inoue Sept. 1, 2003 (Translation of prepared remarks.)
Video:
NEW PRIUS PRESENTATION Sept. 1, 2003
Prius offers an EV mode called "STEALTH", the ability to drive up to 42 MPH without the engine running (this speed is expected to be faster in the 2004).
The engine will restart when the electrical draw becomes high and the battery-pack desires (but does not need) to be recharged. The system then takes advantage of the engine to both provide thrust and electricity at the same time. So of that electricity is immediately consumed by the motor for additional thrust, the rest is used for recharging. The end result is an efficiency gain.
In some cases, drivers would like to prevent the engine from restarting, since they can predict what the driving needs will be. The hybrid system can't, it only knows what conditions are at that moment. An EV button would allow owners to inform the system that it is ok to leave the engine off for awhile. Then you can enjoy the pleasure from "stealth" a little longer.
JOHN
average 48MPG. In Japan, the equivalent agency to
the US's EPA also tested the Prius to their testing
cycle, and gave it a MPG rating in the 60s.
Different testing cycle, different results.
Same thing goes with reading Canadian estimated
l/km (convert to MPG) - different test cycle than
in the US, often rates higher than in the US.
Also remember when doing your l/km conversions, to
convert to US gallons rather than the (larger)
imperial gallons.
They sell gasolene and all other liquid stuff only in liters.
Liberia is the only other country in the World that uses
US gallons, ounces, etc.
It will be better if the testing can be standardized.
How?
Road & Temperature conditions vary drastically throughout this country alone. Those factors have a profound effect on efficiency. So even the just the EPA testing here doesn't reflect what many drivers will actually encounter.
And to make matters even more complicated, the fuel itself differs. The stuff I use is 10% ethanol, 90% gasoline. It isn't as efficient as 100% gasoline, but it is cleaner and does reduce oil dependence a little.
JOHN
So do they take the average of Colder North (Minnesota, Massachussets)
and Hotter South (Texas, Florida) in their mpg figures.
"10% ethanol, 90% gasoline"
Is gasohol more expensive than the regular gasolene.
Many countries like Japan, India, Thailand, etc are venturing
into bio-fuels, hope they become part of the regular fuel for
Transport.
BTW, GM, Ford & Chrysler have taken a big lead in FFV.
I lived in both MN and MA. They quite simply don't compare. You'll never see -13^F there like I did with my Prius here. The Hotter South isn't accounted for either.
Vehicles are tested at 68 F to 86 F ambient temperature, without the A/C.
That obviously doesn't reflect what owners actually have to deal with for temperatures.
> Is gasohol more expensive than the regular gasolene.
That's the only thing available here in Minnesota. We literally don't have the option of buying it any other way in the metro area. And out in the rural outback, 100% gasoline only available in the highest grade for special engines only (like for boat & snowmobile use). That means ethanol production is fairly competitive. Prices are similar to what others pay for gas throughout the country.
> GM, Ford & Chrysler have taken a big lead in FFV.
Not really. All they actually do is make the technology and collect the pollution credits from each sale. They do no advertising of the FFV abilities whatsoever.
E85 is commonly available in the metro of Minnesota. It has been for years. I've never, ever seen an advertisement from GM, Ford, or Chrysler stating their vehicles can use it. In fact, I've only seen 1 FFV owner ever that actually did. Most don't even realize the vehicle they've own for years can use E85. That's really sad.
JOHN
To those concerned - Feel free to email me if you have any questions regarding this matter. Please do not address this with me here.
And let's get back to the subject of the 2004 Toyota Prius. Thanks! ;-)
Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Wagons Boards
I'm not sure what the original (1997-1999) was rated for, but it was bigger and not as powerful. So Toyota's continued research is paying off.
And now for the 2004, the pack offers an even greater energy storage density and the module count has been reduced from 38 to 28. So obviously, cost is dropping as a result.
JOHN
Any idea of whether the battery size has increased.
As far as I know the Prius (2001-2003) has the same
size battery as Prius (1997-1999) while delivering
25 % more power.
Same is the case of Civic hybrid over Insight.
Improvements in battery tech in hybrid vehicles will
also benefit other products like
* Electric Vehicles (Grocery store & golf carts, electric scooters, etc)
* Portable Devices (Notebook computers, cellphones, etc)
* Battery based generators / power storage systems.