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2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])
test drive: http://www.evworld.com/databases/storybuilder.cfm?storyid=577
review: http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=6&article_- id=828
review: http://www.carcast.com/cc/automarketplace/marketplace/full_articl- e.cfm?article_id=1758&d_template=db%3AVenturacounty&d_reg- ion_code=Ventura%20County%20Star&picExists=T&marketplace_- id=280
In your opinion, when do you think the other automakers will have a product good enough to compete with the HSD?
HSD = Hybrid Synergy Drive, the hybrid system in the 2004 Prius that will also be used in 2 other vehicles next year.
JOHN
Now how about those fog lamps. Do you know if they can be ordered as a stand alone item? Also what do they mean by colored door handles and antenna?
T.
The large black plastic piece in front on the bottom of a 2004 Prius without factory lamps may not provide a place to add some afterward. You're just going to have to wait and find out.
> colored door handles
They're painted, just like the door. So they blend right in.
> and antenna?
Sorry, I don't even understand that reference.
JOHN
The TRAC (Toyota Rent A Car) models will be available in just 2 to 3 weeks. Give that a try. Then once you're hooked (it only takes a few minutes to become overwhelmed with desire), place your order... which should arrive before March.
JOHN
JOHN
the program for 4 months, then they're able to be
sold.
I have heard of some dealers that have worked out
the ability to have a higher turnaround on their
TRAC program, down to as little as 2 months.
If you find a dealer with a TRAC (aka demo unit),
ask when it comes available for sale if you like it!
My husband's Prius is due in this month (October)
at Westboro Toyota (MA), along with a few TRAC
vehicles for the dealership and other Pioneer orders.
So other dealerships should see TRAC Prius soon,
if they ordered any.
If I want to rent an '04 Prius to try it, do I do that through a Toyota dealership? Does every dealership offer this?
I'm worrying that with the high demand, test drives may be hard to come by.
You can find a local dealer that has rentals from the website. I'm looking forward to renting one, if it's possible. I don't think test drives are ever long enough to decide if you like a car--the seats may be comfortable for the first 15 minutes but could kill you later. My wife and I rented a Taurus wagon for a week while we were thinking about buying one (we needed a car anyway), and then decided not to buy it. We looked into renting a Sienna from a Toyota dealership at a time, and I think it was something like $90 for a day. That's an expensive test drive, but when you're going to be spending $20K or more, it seems worth it.
Some dealers will deduct the TRAC rental fee from
the price of the car, should you decide to buy one
because of the extended test drive! doesn't hurt
to ask...
however, I think the TRAC vehicles tend to be
short-term rentals (a day or so), as they're usually
the units that are given out when someone has their
car in for a lengthy service/repair.
not all dealerships have TRACs. Heck, most dealers
haven't even been trained on the 2004s yet! best
bet - call around to try scheduling things. check
out the various internet sites, maybe you'll find
someone on the Pioneer list that'll let you take
theirs for a short spin. (First deliveries are
around Oct. 17.)
I happen to be stopping by another TRAC dealership tonight to see a friend, so I will ask there as well.
With Prius even more than with most cars,I would strongly recommend renting one for a weekend and driving off a tank of gas to get to know it, before committing to purchase.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Based on previous yr's models, how can we expect the Prius 04 to operate on snow-covered roads? What kind of snow tires are recommended? Can it hold 17 inch tires? (I'm thinking *not.)How does the Prius hold the road under windy conditions? We're really eager for a test drive. We are new to Toyota. The Prius would be a 2nd car, in addition to our '96 Accord wagon.
I'm looking forward to a very uneventful Winter #4. The first 3 in Minnesota with the 2001 Prius and all-season tires were ho-hum. All the driving was controlled & predictable. This year I'll have a 2004 Prius with VSC (Vehicle Stability Control), so driving will be even better.
> What kind of snow tires are recommended?
Blizzak is a favorite of owners. But now that the tires are 15", there are quite a few more choices available.
> Can it hold 17 inch tires?
Why? And I doubt it.
> How does the Prius hold the road under windy conditions?
CLASSIC: The tall profile allows the wind to hit it, but the body is so aerodynamic that it just slips through. So it doesn't effect driving.
NEW: With an improved Cd (to that of a Corvette!), I wouldn't expect to feel anything anymore.
JOHN
JOHN
I myself think it's a bad idea. If you can't park a car between two others... then you need to learn how.
Here's a link:
http://www.autoworld.com.my/emzine/review/viewarticle.asp?awRevie- wId=1509&awCatId=RT.ATC.CAR.FS
> the warranty may not be honored. Is this truth or heresay?
At first, I was really upset about this fiction. I knew it wasn't the slightest bit true, yet the belief grew anyway. Now that I've seen a rumor grow from scratch, it's rather intriguing. Will it actually become a full-blown misconception now, or will it just be one of those stories you hear about?
> What are the best strategies for getting one sooner, not later?
If you want a NEW 2004: find a dealer you can trust, then place an order.
If you want a USED 2004: find a dealer you can trust, then request to buy their TRAC model as soon as they are done with it (usually about 4 months).
JOHN
as for the rattle on the new '04 as review in "automobile" magazine, i think it is common on preproduction model. my '02 does occasionally rattle near the glove box area but only on really rough roads. i don't store anything else in there but the car manual and few napkins.
Dupie
Basic-36 months/36k miles (all components other than normal wear and maint. items)
Powertrain-60 months/60k miles (engine, transmission/tansaxle, FWD, seatbelts, airbags)
Hybrid-related Components - 8 yrs/100k miles (HV battery, batt ctrl module, hybrid ctrl module, inverter with converter assy). It says the batt expected life is 150k miles based on lab bench testing.
Accessories- 12months regardless of mileage.
Accessories listed were:
Rear bumper applique (whatever that is)
Wheel locks
Auto-dimming rearview mirror with unv. transmitter
Ashtray
Carpeted fllor mat/trunk mat
Cargo net
Toyota VIP RS3200 system upgrade
Glass breakage sensor
6-disc in-dash CD changer
Frist Aid Kit
It also shows 9 package options.
I also noticed that in a few pictures I have seen, the trunk area floor can be lifted up to reveal a hidden storage area, it looks quite large. So, does anyone know where they put the spare tire? Is it one of those "crank and lower" type of mechanism underneath the car?
Just observations...
Tony.
It lives underneath that hidden storage area that
you're talking about (which is under the carpet/floor
of the hatch area).
Some photos of a pre-production 2004 are here:
http://www.newtoyotaparts.com/04prius/
Some low-quality photos of several ACTUAL production
'04 Prius are here:
http://members.cox.net/htmlspinr/
(oops, wrong URL on last post...)
as for the antenna, i know the "old" one can be unscrewed and i am assumed the new one will do the same.
the current Prius, is the little remote lock/unlock/panic
button key fob. you can unlock the doors without using
the mechanical key, while you're walking towards the car.
on the 2004, the fob itself is put into the
"ignition switch," and not a key. no key turning
to start the car.
(if the battery dies on the fob, you can use the
mechanical key to open the doors, and the car itself
can activate/read the fob that's in the "ignition
switch" in the dash without the fob's battery.)
However, there is the Smart Entry & Smart Start
option for the 2004 Prius. The car senses that
you've got a recognized fob in your pocket, and
will unlock the doors for you (if you touch the
door button when opening it). The car
recognizes the fob that's in your pocket or purse,
and lets you hit the Start/Power button to start
the car, without having to put the fob into the
dash "ignition switch."
all we need now is the laser adaptive cruise, adaptive zenon headlights and reverse camera on the prius. are you listening toyota?
2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])
The other item I try to figure out is the "P" button right above the selector knob/stick. It looks like it will put the car in "Park". However, also through the video, I remeber seeing once the driver has push this "P" button, she had to also physically push down a "parking brake" pedal to lock the car in parking mode; sort of like pulling the manual brake lever in a traditional car that is located between the front driver and passenger seats. Any thoughts?
One other thing, although I don't smoke, it looks like there are no ashtray or cigarette lighter in the Prius. I guess they figure environmentally minded drivers are not smokers.
Think of it as a Low gear on a traditional automatic,
or like a truck's jack brakes. There's a little
more regenerative braking (but not much), but mainly
the engine spins to help slow you down so that you
don't ride the brakes on a long steep downhill grade.
You don't want to drive around normally in "B"
mode - you won't coast very well and your MPG will
go down because of that.
the "P" button is the same as "P" on a regular
car... sets the parking pawl.
Regenerative braking occurs normally in "D" (drive)
mode, you don't have to manually select anything
to get regenerative braking...
As for an ashtray for the 2004, it's a port/dealer
installed option. PN 08171-47800
The engine shuts off. And not just while you are coasting either. If the power demand remains below 10kW, the motor will supply thrust exclusively.
So you can be cruising alone the highway at 65 MPH gliding down a very gentle decline (less than 1%) and the engine stop using fuel. (It will still spin though. 42 MPH is the threshold.) That will increase efficiency while still maintaining the same speed.
JOHN
Nope!
You just leave the fob (gizmo) in your pocket or purse.
JOHN
Deliveries begin in less than 2 weeks. The proud new owners will gladly research this and report back to us... Hmm, I wonder who will be first? Since I live in the Midwest, it unfortunately won't be me. Those on the West Coast don't have to wait for train transport. So someone out there will likely have the honor.
JOHN