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Toyota Prius

12357138

Comments

  • john1701ajohn1701a Member Posts: 1,897
    ............................2004.......01-03

    Cell Voltage:................1.2........1.2.......Volts DC
    Cells per Module:..............6..........6.......Count
    Module Width:...............19.6.......19.6.......mm
    Module Height:...............106........106.......mm
    Module Length:...............285........275.......mm
    Module Weight:..............1.04.......1.02.......kg

    Module Nominal Voltage:......7.2........7.2.......Volts DC
    Module Capacity:.............6.5........6.5.......Ah
    Module Capacity:............46.8.......46.8.......Wh

    Module Specific Power:.......1.3........1.0.......kW/kg
    Module Specific Power:......1.35.......1.02.......kW/Module

    Module Specific Energy:.......46.........46.......Wh/kg
    Module Specific Energy:....47.84......46.92.......Wh/Module

    Modules per Pack:.............28.........38.......modules
    Pack Weight:...............29.12......38.76.......kg
    Pack Voltage:..............201.6......273.6.......DC-nominal
    Pack Specific Power:.......37.86......38.76.......kW/Pack
    Pack Specific Energy:.......1.34.......1.78.......kWh/Pack
    Pack Capacity-Ah:............6.5........6.5.......Ah
    Pack Capacity-kWh:..........1.31.......1.78.......kWh
  • dupiedupie Member Posts: 22
    John: Have you any idea if the new Prius 04 owners are receiving the color they they requested when placing the order. I remember in 2001 I was going to place an order and the sales person said he could not garentee what color would come in, do you feel that is the case with the 04 Prius orders?
    When I ordered my 04 Prius the sales person seemed a little hesitant about indicating a color on the order. (I selected the Salsa Red)
    dupie61
  • yerth10yerth10 Member Posts: 431
    In Prius-2003
     battery weight - 38.7 kg
     vehicle weight - 1257 kg
     battery takes 3.0 % of vehicle's weight.

     In Prius-2004
     battery weight - 29.1 kg
     vehicle weight - 1313 kg
     battery takes 2.2 % of vehicle's weight.

     That’s a significant reduction in battery weight while generating
     the same amount of power.
  • john1701ajohn1701a Member Posts: 1,897
    I don't see any reason why there would be a color issue this time. And if there was, it would only be with the pre-orders.

    The regular (dealer) orders are quite diverse for the 2004. For the 2001, factory order options (internet only, like the pre-order process) were literally limited to just color selection. Lots has changed since then.

    JOHN
  • jchan2jchan2 Member Posts: 4,956
    Does anyone know if one color will be easier to find than other colors? Because I have a feeling that the Treeland Green will be fairly hard to find and that there'll be a lot of Reds, Beige, and Silver. I suspect White will be in very limited supply.
  • jonesie12ajonesie12a Member Posts: 7
    Can I go to my dealer and preorder a 2004 Prius now? Also, will the Prius come with the EV stealth feature and that neat self-park feature?
  • john1701ajohn1701a Member Posts: 1,897
    "Pre-Order" was an opportunity only available for those that internet-ordered a 2001 or 2002 which expired on July 21.

    Now is the option available to everyone. The variety of packages to choose from is much wider too.

    "Stealth" is available on all Prius. It's an inherit part of the design. When the emissions system is warm and the power demand is below 21kW, the engine will remain off. This allows you to drive up to 42 MPH using only electricity. When demands goes above the threshold, the engine will momentarily restart. If that was only to get up the a hill, the engine will quickly shut off once you get to the top.

    The upper-limit of stealth is expected to increase with the 2004, since the motor and power available has increased. But I haven't heard what that limit is yet.

    JOHN
  • mrvadeboncoeurmrvadeboncoeur Member Posts: 146
    last I read these 2 features were only available
    in the home market (Japan), and maybe Europe.

    EV Button would allow you to tell the car that you're
    going a short distance, don't bother turning on the
    engine, such as you're just parking the car in the
    garage at night and don't wish to wake anyone...
    (The Prius otherwise will go into EV whenever it
    feels like it, based on power demand and emissions...)

    The self-park feature that has been getting a lot
    of press lately, would let the car reverse and
    park itself (say, parallel park, like in the demo
    footage available), while you set the marker points
    from the rear-camera video footage, and you also
    brake the car (you don't have to steer).

    For all the press, it'd be nice if it was available
    here in the US, but... Maybe later? (Sort of like
    getting cruise control as an option on the 2002
    Prius, as it wasn't available in the US on 2001s...
    (but you can retrofit cruise to a 2001 - the
    Toyota kit works great.))
  • mrvadeboncoeurmrvadeboncoeur Member Posts: 146
    You can go to your dealer and "pre-order" a 2004.
    Just make sure that IF you're asked for a deposit,
    that it is refundable.

    Dealers that have some clue about the 2004, are
    taking orders. Some are just for right of first
    refusal, while others are trying to order through
    their region the specific color/option package
    that you're looking for.

    Call around. If the salesperson that you're talking
    to isn't Prius-savvy, try another salesperson, or
    go to another dealership. Usually the internet or
    fleet or hybrid specialist is the person most likely
    to know about what's going on with the 2004s.

    You'll probably have better luck if you know that
    your local dealership is Prius-certified (has a
    Prius-trained mechanic on staff). There's a search
    option on the Toyota dealer locator.
    http://www.toyota.com/html/shop/dealers/dealers_prius/index.html
  • kernickkernick Member Posts: 4,072
    This may not be a concern in Japan, but I'm sure it is a major concern with offering it in here in the U.S.

    Unlike cruise control where the operator has the expectation of needing to override the control by tapping the brakes, and still needs to steer, this auto-park feature's expectations is no human intervention.

    So say as the Prius is self-parking it has an accident. An example might be a child running from the side behind the car. Or one of the sensors is covered with snow or mud, or has an intermittent electrical problem. Is Toyota responsible or the driver, who really isn't driving?

    I could see that being a very messy issue in the U.S.
  • john1701ajohn1701a Member Posts: 1,897
    It seems fairly easy to predict the behavior...

     
    > override the control by tapping the brakes

    That would stop the parking attempt too.

     
    > sensors is covered with snow or mud

    A quick diagnostic check before beginning would sense that problem and prevent the option from even being used.

     
    > child running from the side behind the car

    Any movement detected in the danger area would cause an immediate abort, which should result in a virtually instant stop since movement is so slow anyway.

     
    > Is Toyota responsible or the driver

    The driver... just like with the Navigation system, you'd have to press "yes" to accept the liability before the system is allowed to proceed.

    JOHN
  • john1701ajohn1701a Member Posts: 1,897
    > You can go to your dealer and "pre-order" a 2004.

    I'd call that a "regular" order, since the package options are completely different now from those that were available before July 21.

    And by the way, when you go to the dealer, ask for the special-effect handout on the Electrochromic mirror. It's one of those plastic-coated sheets that changes images when you move it back & forth. On the back you'll see that it is available for all of Toyota's vehicles in 2004. Having a mirror that dims automatically for you is really handy.

    JOHN
  • jchan2jchan2 Member Posts: 4,956
    Has anyone ordered a Prius in Super White and does anyone know whether one interior color will be built more than the other? It looks like th Millenium Silver and the Gray interior are going to be the most produced color, closely followed by Desert Mist/Sand.
  • jonesie12ajonesie12a Member Posts: 7
    For those who have ordered a 04 Prius, what did the dealer tell you the time of arrival would be for the car? I know that the Pioneer models will be arriving in October.
  • mjcplmjcpl Member Posts: 6
    Hybrid Drive Game

    Also, some video:
    Movie Catalog - Advanced Equipment: Smart Entry, EV Mode, Intelligent Parking Assist, Interiors

    (For EV mode "55km/h" displays amidst parenthetical Japanese text...any translators out there to explain the context?)
  • jchan2jchan2 Member Posts: 4,956
    Pretty Interesting.
  • coolguyky7coolguyky7 Member Posts: 932
    Wow! That game is fun! I've never driven a hybrid, but I'd really like to drive with the way the different modes (stealth, mix, all gas) work.
  • kernickkernick Member Posts: 4,072
    Prius Self-park: I think the main point I'm making is that a driver will have the expectation that the system doesn't need any intervention. The driver is not going to pay attention if for the last 100 or 500 times the car has parked itseld w/o any driver intervention. I'm not even sure if you need to be in the car? Maybe an option would be a button on the key-fob.

    Most people if they have this option will be getting their bags together while it parks, and not paying attention. The parking system will not be checked.

    And as far as trusting automation and technology, I work in Mfg. as an engineer, and I would never guarantee you that hardware and software is not foolproof. You can minimize the chances of something happening through such things as Failure Mode Analysis, but that only reduces probabilities of accidents.
  • jchan2jchan2 Member Posts: 4,956
    Self Park.
  • adp3adp3 Member Posts: 446
    Does anyone know where I can get a license plate frame that says something like "my other car gets 50 mpg" or "my other car is a hybrid"

    ??

    seriously

    I'd like to get a sticker to put in my rear window, or maybe in the front, that says the same

    might be helpful to keep my new Cadillac SRX from getting tagged by a single-issue environmentalist while it is parked and I am inside running a meeting trying to stop a commercial development from destroying 200 acres of sensitive wildlife habitat (seriously)
  • mrvadeboncoeurmrvadeboncoeur Member Posts: 146
    I haven't ordered one (I personally do not like
    license plate frames), but there are a lot of
    places that show up if you Google for
    "custom license plate frame" ...

    If I were a bumper sticker person, I'd probably
    do a bulk order of "my other car is a Prius" and
    resell them. (Whenever my husband's 2004 Prius
    comes in, it'd be kinda neat to be a 2 Prius
    household with those stickers (probably taped up
    in the rear window)...)
  • jeep2jettajeep2jetta Member Posts: 53
    Hi all,

    I have been browsing this board for a few days now and would like to get your opinion on this:

    Based on the options that I have picked out for the '04 Prius, If I added a couple of hundreds bucks, I can get a Mini Cooper S.

    So there is my dilema...Cooper S or Prius? I love both cars...the Prius may be more practical but the Cooper S is such a fun car...

    Any thoughts or input will be appreciated.

    Tony.
  • jchan2jchan2 Member Posts: 4,956
    How about on your SRX: My other car's fuel economy is compensating for the waste that my 300 HP SRX is making. (Unless you have the V6, of course)
  • yerth10yerth10 Member Posts: 431
    Tony :

    At times, people land in this type of dilemma.

    The similar features of the 2 vehicles are
    * hatchback
    * unique design
    * ample luggage capacity when 2nd row seat folded
    * fun vehicle than can be a head turner

    differences
    Prius-2004 outperforms MINI
    * in mileage
    * luggage capacity
    * passenger comfort
    * tech gimmicks
    * 5 passenger capacity to Mini's 4

    while Mini outpeforms Prius-2004
    * in acceleration
    * even more easier to park
    * stick shift option is provided.

    Overall, I will vote for Prius-2004 as it provides comfort for 5
    while Mini is only for 2 comfortably and 4 uncomfortably.

    After all comfort 1st.
  • adp3adp3 Member Posts: 446
    jchan2: That's why I want the bumpersticker - acknowledging that my SRX is wasteful, but hoping to persuade the guy who is about to torch it that I really DO care about the planet.

    I am planning on the 6 cylinder, but it is still more wasteful than I like, especially since I want AWD.
  • adp3adp3 Member Posts: 446
    and I wouldn't use the license plate frame unless I actually owned a Prius, which I don't (yet)
  • dainadaina Member Posts: 11
    I'm canadian and on the market for a new prius..... i've visited and called several dealers, and the salesmen are so ignorant. one didn't even know what a prius was. anyways, does anybody know where i can get to test drive a 2004 prius before i drive one, 'cause i don't think i'm gonna be able to do that at a dealer
  • nippononlynippononly Member Posts: 12,555
    mini has the best handling of any car I have ever driven...if that's important to you.

    2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)

  • jeep2jettajeep2jetta Member Posts: 53
    Thank you Yearth10 and Nippononly for your input. Most of my friends say Mini...my wife say Prius. I am in a dilema...Arghhh! The Prius has the practical economical commute factor, while the Mini has alot of fun to drive and handling factors. I do have a second car as a daily driver so If I get the Mini, it will be garage and will put on very little milage. If I get the Prius, It will become my daily driver.
  • mrvadeboncoeurmrvadeboncoeur Member Posts: 146
    Last I've heard Toyota Canada (different entity
    than the Toyota for the mainland USA) doesn't
    really know much on the 2004 Prius, beyond what's
    on the toyota.ca website. (You may have to dig
    through the press releases there to find info...)

    Some dealers seem to have a clue, though, but
    they're hard to find. Where in Canada are you
    located?

    Last I've heard the dealers will only get much of
    their 2004 Prius information about 2 weeks before
    the car arrives in Canada (which looks to be demos
    in the mid-October timeframe). Although some
    dealers do have pricing and option (only 1 Prius
    in Canada, no options, doesn't come with navigation)
    information, and that has been posted on some
    internet sites. (Some people are thinking of importing a US 2004...)

    From what I've heard, sales of the current 2001-2003
    Prius in Canada has been about 1/10 of the sales
    in the US.
  • mrvadeboncoeurmrvadeboncoeur Member Posts: 146
    either way, you're still getting a low volume car.
    (a little over 20,000 Prius were sold in the US in calendar
    year 2002, while news reports put the Mini at around
    30,000.)

    The Prius would have far better MPG and lower
    smog-forming emissions than the Mini during your
    ownership.

    Not having driven a Mini or a 2004 Prius (the 2004
    isn't out in the US yet), I can't say what would
    be better for you, or what the handling is like.
    If you can wait until Oct./Nov. when dealers start
    getting 2004 Prius for demo vehicles, I'd suggest
    that you do a test-drive of the 2004 and also a
    test drive of a Mini somewhere, and see how each
    feels to you. How do you fit, how's your sight
    lines, is it easy to handle for you, etc.

    I do know that when I took a test drive of a 2001
    Prius way back when (Sept. 2000, IIRC), it was a
    surprisingly fun car to drive. Since I've had my
    2001 Prius, the fun hasn't worn off. I'd suspect
    that the improved 2004 Prius would still have the
    neat fun factor.

    Don't forget, the Prius does have the fun "stealth"
    (engine shuts off, quiet, no vibration, driving on
    electric) driving aspects. takes a bit of stress
    out of a backed-up stop'n'go traffic situation.
    some owners call it "Zen mode" driving.
  • funpilotfunpilot Member Posts: 66
    The Mini is really fun to drive. What turned me off to it was reading about the maintenance problems the current model is having. Look at what Edmunds shows should be expected maintenance costs as part of your research. I bought the Turbo Beetle when it first came out and its was a "hot" car. I cannot give it away today.
  • jeep2jettajeep2jetta Member Posts: 53
    Thank you all for the input...I did a test drive of a Cooper S a few days ago. It was a heck of alot of fun to drive, especially with the supercharged engine. I guess I will have to wait until the local Toyota dealer start stocking the '04 Prius so I can do a test drive. Making the decision for either car is still pretty hard. The Prius is a more responsible choice but the Cooper S is not a gas guzzling SUV either...so...maybe I will have an epiphany soon...
  • jeep2jettajeep2jetta Member Posts: 53
    I see from the Toyota website on the '04 Prius which has 16.1 cu.ft. of cargo volume. The Mini on the other hand has 23.7 cu.ft. per the Mini brochure. I was surprised. I thought that the Prius would have a larger cargo volume. Am I right on this?
  • yerth10yerth10 Member Posts: 431
    Mini has only 5.3 cu ft of luggage capacity, only if you fold the rear seat you get that 23.7 cu ft.
    http://www.edmunds.com/new/2004/mini/cooper/100330897/specs.html?- tid=edmunds.n.prices.leftsidenav..8.MINI*

    In Prius-2004, it is 16.1 cu ft, but if you fold the rear seat, it should more than double.

    Vehicles like Mini, Beetle, Golf are lovable, but they dont match Prius-2004 in comfort, utility, mileage, technology, etc.
  • ontheroadagainontheroadagain Member Posts: 44
    I currently own a Subaru Outback that's getting a bit on in miles, and am considering a new car soon - possibly a Prius, but love that MINI parking ability in Manhattan! The RAV4 is another consideration thanks to all that I've read on these boards...

    But what about the Prius, or the MINI, in the snow? How do they go when it really starts to come down and stick?

    Thanks!
  • bhill2bhill2 Member Posts: 2,466
    You said something a few posts back that made me curious, and may even help you decide which car to buy. You said that the Prius (if you bought it) would by your daily driver, but the Mini wouldn't. Why?

    2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])

  • jeep2jettajeep2jetta Member Posts: 53
    bhill2...yes, I did mentioned that. My current daily driver is a '92 Grand Voyager. Not very dependable. I keep feeding it cash to keep it going. It's nice and roomy when it runs. I will be happy to get rid of it when I get the Prius or Mini. I do have a second car that is currently garaged most of the time. It is a '94 MR2 with 54k miles on it...web site... http://home1.gte.net/res03p10/homepage/index.htm It is a very dependable car and I love it. If I get the Mini, it will become the garage car and the MR2 will become the daily driver. My point is to have a second car that is in top condition for a backup vehicle. Sorry for the long explanation...heck...since I've been on this board, I am beginning to lean toward the Prius because I currently own a Toyota.
  • chibi1chibi1 Member Posts: 5
    "[a sign that says 'my other car is a hybrid'] might be helpful to keep my new Cadillac SRX from getting tagged by a single-issue environmentalist while it is parked and I am inside running a meeting trying to stop a commercial development from destroying 200 acres of sensitive wildlife habitat (seriously)"

    That sign won't "deceive, inveigle, obfuscate" your writing off the prius as a business expense, garaging it, and conducting business in your 18-mpg vehicle.

    Granted it's not as bad as an Excursion or Suburban at approx. 13 mpg.
  • adp3adp3 Member Posts: 446
    I want to be clear - I would only use the Prius license plate frame if I actually owned a Prius.

    I have low-energy clothes washer and dryer. Photovoltaic electricity being generated on my roof. 90% of my home energy consumption is done at night (when more power is available and is cheaper). I recycle. I reuse. I remodeled my home in a very sustainable way.

    But I KNOW if I buy an SRX someone is gonna key it because I am a PIG.

    maybe if I put a Save the Whales logo in the window, along with a Save Mono Lake logo, Save the Redwoods logo, Nature Cosnervancy, Audobon, NRDC, and all the other Saves I belong to.

    nah, I am still gonna get keyed
  • jchan2jchan2 Member Posts: 4,956
    scrap the SRX and be "responsible" and get a Sienna. Cheaper and no one will "grill" you for driving an SUV. You need cargo space, right?
  • funpilotfunpilot Member Posts: 66
    OK, I have decided to get in line and order my Prius tomorrow. Will get the full optioned one. Will let you know how it turns out.
  • tominsdtominsd Member Posts: 18
    I stopped by Mossy Toyota in San Diego and was told you cannot order a Prius anymore. That ended a month or so ago. You have to wait for them to come in now - which he predicts will be in January.
  • mjcplmjcpl Member Posts: 6
    (Links for other 2004 Prius tech info have been posted elsewhere, but I haven't seen this one posted...although maybe it has been.)

    For a small fee, the 2004 Prius Navigation System manual PDFs are downloadable from Toyota's TIS (Technical Information System).

    Main site for registering: Toyota TIS

    Source of NAV files: 2004 Prius Navigation System Manual pdfs

    "...the NAV manual covers Bluetooth, NAV, and Voice recognition." :)
  • yerth10yerth10 Member Posts: 431
    jeep2jetta : You have MR2 a 4-seater vehicle, in which
      only 2 adults can sit comfortably in
      the front seat and backseat is mostly for kids. May be adults
      in back seat can go for a short drive. Now if you buy Mini, it will
      be just another MR-2.

    But if you buy a Prius-2004, you are getting a proper 5-seater vehicle
      which can be used to take your friends and also be a daily driver
      (it gives 59 mpg in city driving).

    adp3 : I can give 2 suggestions for you.
     1. Keep your Cadillac SRX for 2 years and when Hybrid Sienna hits
          the market in 2005, you can trade in your SRX for that.
     2. If you can maintain 2 vehicles, then buy a Prius-2004 and a
          used minivan, whenever you want to go with 7 persons, then you
          can take out the minivan. Rest of the time, have fun in Prius.
  • kernickkernick Member Posts: 4,072
    I'm sure a lot of you folks have thought about the above in decision making. Since you can get a base model Corolla for about $12K discounted, and the Prius won't be discounted for a while, I would have a hard time actually writing the check for a Prius.

    I'll have to add the options to the Corolla to match the Prius I guess, and use the Invoice price and see how that looks. Then I can figure out the fuel savings. I think the Corolla still will be less though, AND of course it has a longer knwon history of reliability. The Prius though has the fascination of being ultra-modern.
  • jeep2jettajeep2jetta Member Posts: 53
    yerth10...I have made up my mind. I will get a Prius. Thanks for playing devil's advocate with me. Now come the next question for all who has purchased previous Prius or have ordered the 04 model: Do you all pay MSRP or do dealers come off of the MSRP at all? I would like to know how much bargaining power I have in getting an 04 Prius. Any comments appreciated.
  • john1701ajohn1701a Member Posts: 1,897
    > Do you all pay MSRP or do dealers come off of the
    > MSRP at all?

    Right now, be grateful that you don't have to pay more than MSRP for such a high-demand, low-volume vehicle. Later next year, you'll likely see minor markdown like the classic had. (In my area, it was about $500 less.)

    JOHN
  • jeep2jettajeep2jetta Member Posts: 53
    Thanks for your input John. In my area, there are three Toyota dealerships within a 20 miles radius and five total dealers if you stretch the radius to 30 miles. I hope that this fact will help me get a decent price. I will certainly be happy with $500 off of MSRP at this time...
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