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Toyota Prius (First Generation)
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So here's my question, for you guys who have been keeping up with all the info, is this stuff true? Is this the 0-60 estimates and pricing info that's going around? Sounds almost too good to be true.
In general, I would say yes, they could tell. Xenon lamps require a special middle lens inside the lamp, to control the light's leveling. (Kind of like a gyroscope with a glass lens). So all the would-be thief has to do, is look at the lamp closely.
Although, it's also true that in a lot of newer car designs, some companies have made lamps that LOOK like HID, but are ordinary halogens. (The Hyundai Tiburon comes to mind).
I have a vague memory that the price was expected be a little higher than the current Prius.
They have also said 0-60 times will be the same (approx) as 4-cyl Camry auto. And yes, it will be rated midsize according to EPA passenger volume standard.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
There are cases where an Idendical car has the hatch version rated in midsize while the sedan is a compact. Also true of station wagons.
current generation Prius:
passenger volume: 88.6 cu. ft.
cargo volume: 11.8 cu. ft.
total interior volume: 100.4 cu. ft.
2004 Prius preliminary specs:
passenger volume: 99 cu. ft.
cargo volume: 16 cu. ft.
total interior volume: 110 cu. ft.
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/info.shtml#sizeclasses
How are vehicle size classes defined?
The size class for cars is determined by measuring the interior volume as described below. ....
CARS
Sedans: ...
Compact - Between 100 and 109 cubic feet of passenger and luggage volume
Mid-Size - Between 110 and 119 cubic feet of passenger and luggage volume
... STATION WAGONS
Small - Less than 130 cubic feet of passenger and cargo volume
So, the size ratings is for the passenger and
cargo space combined. On the new Prius, both the
passenger and cargo space have become larger, just
bumping it past the size criteria for the Mid-Size.
(The current Prius is just over the size criteria
making it a Compact as opposed to a Subcompact...)
The little 12v accessory battery will last only
as long as any other car's 12v battery. Provided
you don't leave a door open or headlights on
overnight (drain the battery), it should last
quite a while.
The ~273v hybrid traction battery? Here's what
Toyota says:
http://www.toyota.com/html/shop/vehicles/prius/faq/prius_faq.html
9. Will the battery need to be replaced? Are the batteries recyclable?
Toyota engineers have designed the batteries to last the life of the vehicle and do not require any regularly scheduled replacement. The batteries are covered for 8 years or 100,000 miles under Prius' hybrid warranty. In the event that a battery needs to be removed for disposal, there are battery recycling facilities that are capable of recycling components of the battery.
I'll note that there is the known case of a 2001
Toyota Prius that went over 332,000km (over 200,000mi.)
and had no major repair problems (and no hybrid-related
problems), and did not need a new battery pack...
It was used as a taxi in Vancouver, BC. It would've
stayed on the road longer, had Toyota not bought
it back from the owner (even trade for a new 2003
Prius) to tear it apart and study it...
http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/tw/thrifty.htm
http://compactcars.about.com/cs/bestcarawards/a/newprius_style.ht- m
unfortunately, the interview/article with the owner
isn't stored on the Vancouver Sun's site anymore...
article here:
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/Canada-Prius/message/562
The owner does occasionally post to the rarely-used list:
http://www.corolland.com/cgi-bin/prius.pl
under the name of Andrew Grant
So I went to the Prius site on http://www.toyota.ca/ and
got this info from the FAQs:
What is the life expectancy of the Prius HV battery?
The Prius HV battery has been designed to last as long as the car and to not need replacing under normal circumstances. The batteries are covered for 96 months or 160,000 km under the Prius hybrid-related component warranty. If for some reason the battery does need to be replaced, it is advisable to have your local Toyota dealership perform the task as the battery contains high-voltage components.
For Australia:
http://prius.toyota.com.au/Prius/Information/Faqs/0,1324,5-9,00.h- tml#a1
[1] How long does the Prius HV battery last?
Toyota engineers have designed the batteries to last the life of the vehicle and to not require any regularly scheduled replacement. If an unusual circumstance occurs and the battery requires replacement, your local Toyota dealership can replace the entire battery pack or any of the 38 individual battery modules.
I even checked out a local installer and saw several moonroofs in various stages of installation, and having seen this I would have no problem going with an aftermarket roof.
However, looking at photos of the 2004 Prius the roof has a very pronounced curve to it when viewed from the side, and when viewed from the front there is also a slight curve and some creases. These curves may make aftermarket moonroof installation impractical, or we may be limited to a tiny size.
I suppose I'll just have to wait until the car has been out for a few months and then go visit the installer or check for compatibility on the aftermarket mfrs. web sites...
The email will also have pricing information.
Also, when do the 2004s start getting made? (When will reviews start coming out?)
When the engine kicks in, you can't feel it at all. In fact the only thing you can feel, which you have to pay really close attention to notice, is when the engine starts before contributing power. It compares to running over a pencil on the road, so subtle you really need to watch the Multi-Display to confirm that it really happened.
You can't feel the engine shutting off at all. But there's a clue about that happening too. It gets very, very quiet driving on nothing but electricity.
>> when do the 2004s start getting made
Toyota just started.
>> When will reviews start coming out?
They already have. A sad fact about reporter written reviews is that most don't even bother to drive the vehicle.
The only truly useful reviews are those that come from owners themselves. Don't expect those until the end of September. (I'll be one of them. I'm trading in my 2001 for a 2004.)
JOHN
On and off transitions with the AC on are also noticeable - sometimes intrusive - when sitting at a stop either in drive or in park. That should disappear in the 2004 with its electric AC.
The part that still surprises me is the total absence of jolt when shifting into drive or reverse. It's primarily my wife's car and when I drive it sometimes the engine shuts down just as I shift, and my brain tells me the engine died before I realize it's normal behavior. Stupid brain.
Another question: at what speed does the engine usually cut in? I think there's a hint that the new model will be able to drive on the battery alone at higher speeds because of the higher voltage battery, but I haven't seen anything specific. I like the idea of driving around in a silent car, although I guess tire noise is louder than the engine in a lot of cars these days.
http://www.toyota.com/about/news/product/2003/07/02-2-prius.html
"The Hybrid Synergy Drive is expected to increase fuel efficiency in the 2004 Prius by 15 percent with combined city/highway mpg rising from the high 40's to the mid-50's. This will enable Prius to have the best fuel efficiency rating of any midsize vehicle sold in America, delivering twice the combined mileage rating of its closest competitor. What's more, the midsize Prius will also boast a higher combined mileage rating than any compact sedan sold in America."
Speaking the base pricing, it would be interesting to compare what the base '04 Prius would have that the base '03 Prius will not have. We know for a fact the '04 will come with a bigger electric motor, higher NiNH battery voltage, hybrid synergy drive, higher MPG, small to midsize. What else?
Base MSRP remains the same at $19995 + delivery (about $500)
emissions warranty and hybrid warranty are longer.
the free maintenance is removed (but roadside assistance is the same)
security alarm is removed from base vehicle. (was standard for the 2001-2003)
cassette is removed, replaced with a single CD player. (now 6 speakers, too)
cruise control is now standard.
60/40 folding rear seat standard.
tire pressure monitor standard.
electric AC on the 2004, too.
Fully loaded 2004 is $25000+, includes voice-command/Bluetooth
(included with the Navigation system), premium JBL 9-speaker system w/6-CD changer,
vehicle skid control, smart entry & start, foglamps,
HID lamps, rear wiper, side+curtain air bags, garage
door opener, anti-theft system...
There has been some speculation as to whether Toyota intends to keep the Prius model very long - the name suggests maybe not. My guess and 5 bucks will get you a latte at Starbucks if you ask nicely.
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There is always a hybrid design which is more powerful than
the existing 1 and they will put that technology in Prius
1st and then in Corolla / Camry. May be in 5 years time
Toyota may launch Plug-in hybrid version of Prius.
Plug-in hybrid will have the facility to be charged from
the household grid and they will run for 20 miles (30 km)
with that electricity and beyond that, gasolene/petrol
engine will kick in.
Also, one problem with making the Civic into a hybrid has been that its real-life mileage hasn't been that much better than the standard Civic, so it doesn't seem worth the extra thousands for the better mileage. I think it makes sense to have a separate car as you hybrid model, then people don't have anything to compare it to.
First of all, I would like to say that I recently received an invitation in the mail from Toyota, as I am a "Prius Pioneer", to purchase the new 2004 Prius. I went on-line and followed the directions to view the new colors. To be honest, I wasn't that impressed with the choices they made for the 2004 model. What's more, most of the colors come standard with an ivory interior. With that as an interior, I'll be vacuuming every other day! What are they thinking? In addition, I wish the options packages were a bit more versatile. Option package number 1, for example, was just the addition of a rear wiper. That seems odd to me.
Second of all, I spoke with a Toyota sales person this past Thursday and was told that Toyota's plan-at this stage of the game-is to use the new Synergy Hybrid system in all of their vehicles within 5 years or so and to eventually phase out the Prius altogether! Say it aint so! I am doubtful that this will come to fruition. Unless they redesign ALL of Toyota's vehicles like that of the Prius, I'm curious how they plan on getting the same or better gas mileage. Besides, now that this information has been leaked out (not just from me) isn't Toyota concerned that such a rumor will hurt the sales of the new Prius, if in the end they plan to phase them out?
Even so, I plan on test-driving the new Prius, but it will be hard to give up my current, 2001 model. I love that car so much!
P.S. I would like to take a survey of Prius owners. It has been my experience that I get better gas mileage on the highway than I do commuting around town. Perhaps this is because my commute to work is a mere 7 miles one way. This is most notable during winter. By the time I get to work, my engine has just warmed-up sufficiently to go "all electric". On a recent trip from Hartford, CT to Provincetown, MASS., a 200 mile trip, I averaged 54 mpg. Now, driving in and around Connecticut, I am currently getting about 50 mpg. If you have had a similar experience, let's share. Thanks! Perhaps they need to change their advertising?!
Gotta jet. Take care Prius People. KEEP IT GREEN!:)
I also received a "Pioneer" letter. I have placed my order as I do like this new version. I was told that the beefed up "synergy system" and battery are supposed to fare better in the cold. I hope so.
i can promise you in 9 out of 10 cases, you'll know more about an OEMs plans weeks if not months ahead of the dealer sales staff.
if you don't agree.. just listen to what they are saying.. "hybrid synergy drive in all toyota vehicles within 5 years.." that's ridiculous.
hybrid synergy drive wouldn't even be the right application for vehicles like land cruiser or tundra... trucks require a different type of hybrid powertrain... nevermind the fact that 5 years is a very short period of time in the life of a vehicle lineup.
my 2 cents
Can you control wheel-spin at startup? Is it better or worse than a regular automatic for this?
Does the car have traction control (automatic brake or throttle modulation) or limited slip diff?
If you are stuck in snow with a wheel spinning, in a regular automatic car you can step on the brake a little while still accelerating in order to force some power to the non-spinning wheel. Can you do this in a Prius or does the computer automatically override the throttle position and remove power when you step on the brake?
How about the LRR tires, are they any good in snow (compared to "regular" tires, not to snow tires)?
Thanks.
some affected Power Steering racks, late 2001-early 2002
Prius. Not a recall. (Unlike the first couple of shipments
of 2001 Prius that have a PS recall - the only Prius recall so far.)
Usual complaints is when starting the car when cold,
may have a steering shudder upon reversing. Will
often progressively get worse (violent shaking) and occur during low
forward speeds. Not always repeatable, so difficult
to show to repairman to get a fix.
As for the low MPG after a service:
* The regularly scheduled maintenances includes a tire rotation.
I've never had my tires reset properly after a service - either they lower my tire pressures (below even the Toyota specs on the door jamb) which'll give you lower MPG, or they didn't bother to reset the pressures after the rotation (so after rotation the pressures were incorrectly higher in the back, leading to handling issues).
* If they overfilled your oil level, or they gave you 10w30 instead of the proper 5w30 weight oil, that could lower your MPG.
* The most likely culprit is that you state that you're now using the AC MAX button.
The MAX button makes the AC compressor work full-time, instead of the cycling on/off as needed if you just used the AC button alone (no MAX). The AC compressor is run by the gas engine, so to have the compressor work the gas engine has to be running. If you choose the MAX button, your gas engine will always run, even if you're just idling or coasting or sitting at a red light or going downhill or... You never go into electric-only driving. So, with your engine always running to run the AC on MAX, you get lower MPG. Try not to use the MAX button, just the AC button, and set your thermostat to a less extreme temp (not all the way left!).
If you only do short trips (<10min, or a handful of miles),
then your normal mileage of about 40MPG sounds about right.
looking to buy one myself, just trying to gauge what's the "right" price to pay.
thanks
Alternately, I might look into leasing possibilities, or see if I can find a used 2002 Prius. Any advice?
what are the three options packages? could u perhaps elaborate a little. my local dealer told me there is only the nav. upgrade. but on toyota website, they mentioned smart entry, and a few other things.
anyway, just want to know what the $25,500 package inlucded