Is Toyota taking a step backwards? I think so.

The 2nd gen people just don't want to or can't upgrade, so they just make up reasons.

You want to destroy your battery in order to limp to a gas station. That makes as much sense as not putting gas in your car to begin with.

 

Too late...

Tom

 

IMO, what makes a better car is one that offers more interior space, more power, better handling, less emissions, better fuel efficiency, is designed to seat a wider range of driver's height (what sane person could justify 2010 does not win this category?).

These things are designed into a car and can be very difficult to improve if lacking.

'Nice to have' things like - backup cameras, and navigation units are not so difficult to add. Adding 2 more doors of smart key, different story.

But, isn't it the drive that counts more than how convenient it is to get in and out of a couple doors, or having a backup camera included on a 2008 Prius package 2 whose MSRP got up to $24.5k?

 

I haven't driven the 2010 but really liked the legroom. I wasn't impressed with the eco power display. Armrest also seemed smaller. I'd just like more legroom in my 2008. Everything else is great. Mileage has slipped below 40 now.

 

I would disagree. At the very least, the title of the thread has no merit. Toyota's GenIII does not represent "taking a step backwards".

If the GenIII is "better", as you already admit, then one should not expect the price to remain the same as in prior years. Furthermore, the price is not only a reflection of supply/demand, features, etc...but also on the exchange rate for the $$. The weak $$ has definitley diminished our buying power for foreign products and services.

What you seem to be arguing is how Toyota is packaging/marketing the GenIII. That's not what I am talking about. I too wish some of the packages had been different. i'd love to have 17 inch wheels and fog lamps...as well as my solar roof. But that's not how Toyota is packaging and marketing the GenIII. Is this a production issue? I don't know, but I don't view what they have done as 'taking a step backwards". IMO, it's silly to make such a statement.

I'm not sure what your point is here? As I mentioned above, there are many factors that go into the price of the car. The fact that the $$ is weaker, does not help buying power. What you seem to be complaining about is how Toyota is marketing the car. IMO, how they market this current version of the Prius is NOT a reflection of the car itself.

It's opinion. One person's complaint about some cosmetic issue is another person's positive attribute. It is my opinion that inorder for a statement to have merit, it needs to have supporting information of a factual nature. What I've seen so far, in support of Toyota "taking a step backwards" with the GenIII, is all personal opinion.

Exactly my point - and I too am free to voice my opinion.

 

That's why I said some people have their own reasons not to upgrade, but they somehow feel they have to justify it with some weird opinions.

 

Keep digging...

 

No step forward or progress is ever embraced by all the people and some resist progress because change scares them or don't like change!!!!!! Some of the others who cant currently afford the new will try to diminish it's value or worth as a means of blocking their desire.

I owned an 07 Prius II and now a 2010 IV and the new one is head and shoulders above the 07 in ever so many,many ways! The changes were made in my opinion to make the car more mainstream and I think that is part of the rub with the die hard's that don't like the new one.

IS TOYOTA TAKING A STEP BACKWARD? DEFINITELY NOT!!!

 

Press down on the flimsy plastic on the door armrest of your 'GenII', then compare to the sturdy door armrest of the 2010.

I need to fix the armrest plastic which cracked from my left elbow while shifting around in the seat to try to get more comfortable.

And at least in the 2010 one can continue to monitor the eco display while the navigation, audio, climate, or backup camera screen is on.

the 2010 Pri wins in many ways. I'm not offended by that, it's just Toyota moving forward and improving their cars.

 

There's likely many people who don't want to make the leap because the '10 is after all a first year model. That and they don't really need a new car.

 

This thread is hilarious! My car is better than your car! Nah nah nah Thanks for the laughs. :deadhorse:

 

Well what's really is hilarious to me is that anyone would make such a post:

" Is Toyota taking a step backwards? I think so."

There are many, many improvements on the Gen III and it is just plain uninformed IMO to make a comment like that.

You have to look at the whole package, even if you do not like or see the advantage/improvement to some of the individual elements!

 

I agree. A post such as this is clearly a vehicle to validate their unwillingness, or inability to upgrade.

Styling is subjective, but the 2010 is such a huge upgrade from a G2 no objective observer would feel it was a step backwards.

 

We now have 86K miles on our 2008. I took a look at the 2010 and decided I'd wait. There are many things to like about the 2010 - for me the extra mileage, and no timing belt are big attractions. I wouldn't say it is a step backwards. But for me there were show stoppers.

I don't like many of the changes Toyota made and these were enough to hold on to our Gen II;
- shift lever. I thought the dash mount was brilliant. Now it looks like many other cars and seems to me it is a waste of space and impractical.
- appearance of the front end. to me the bump on the hood for the Toyota symbol makes the car look taller and narrower - personal preference I know.
- loss of the touch screen MFD which I really like.
- The Toyota tendency to move the gauges to the center of the car drives me nuts. If the Honda had equal MPG I'd be shopping there. I really like the Honda Insight but they have to get real about MPG. I really like the traditional display mount through the steering wheel. I'd prefer the main display in the traditional position and the MFD where it is in the gen II.

Having read through this thread I find there are even more things I wouldn't want to lose that I was not aware of after two demo rides in the 2010.
- Loss of the small storage compartment under the radio.
- Loss of door pockets.

Others speak of advantages of the 2010 that don't mean much to me:
- Seats. I realize many people find the Gen II seats uncomfortable but they are fine for me.
- Guage changes. While the new features are desirable I find the display too small and too far away.
- Sun roof and other high end features are simply not an attraction for me.

I was ready to buy - just didn't like the car. I really like the 2008. There is nothing else on the market so I'll wait. For a family sedan I simply won't buy another car unless it gets 50+mpg so I guess I'll HAVE to wait.

 

I would not call buying a new Prius an upgrade. I have never driven a Prius before Sept 2009, so I cannot compare the 2010 to any previouse models.

I went from a 2005 Tacoma, which was totaled by a red light runner, to a Prius. Other than the gas milage, every day I wish I had my Tacoma back. The advantages of a Tacoma, and the shortcomings of the Prius, are too numerous to list here. In fact there are hundreds of threads of 2010 owners complaining about the Prius shortcomings.

But I bought one. Why? Because I am a contractor and drive 60k+ a year and I can make more money because I get reimbursed for my mileage as ordinary income.

I understand most all of the complaints, because I have them also. But I am willing to overlook them because a vehicle to me is simply a tool. I would take a Toyota Tacoma any day over a Prius for everything except gas milage.

I think that those of you who are so high-browed to say others use this thread as a "vehicle to validate their unwillingness, or inability to upgrade" need to get a life. You are acting like jerks! The 2010 Prius is not the best fit for everyones needs or desires.

 

After over nine years driving a Gen I Prius, I now have a Gen III. Though I will miss my Gen I, I have to say I believe it is a HUGE step forward. From nearly every perspective (style, technology, fuel economy - except cost) I am very happy with the new version. My only contact with the Gen II has been a single test drive shortly have it came out, seeing it on the road, and viewing lots of photos, so I can't comment much on that. I think from a tech perspective, it'd be very hard to say the 2010 model is a step back; however if someone feels that it's a step back in style, well, as it's been pointed out in this thread, style is subjective and they are free to make that call, though I actually like the styling (internal and external) better then Gen II in side-by-side photos.

 

I just bought my Prius V and I love it. No, Toyota is not taking a step backwards. There's been improvements made to the 2010 Prius such as (MPG, technology, etc) that are steps forward to the improvement of the Hybrids. I believe Toyota is leading the market forward. Now with that said, not everyone likes Toyota or the new Prius. You can never make everyone happy, that's life.

 

This shows how different people have different likes/dislikes. I wouldn't drive a Tacoma if it got 100 mpg. In fact, I didn't buy my Prius primarily for the milage. I like driving a compact vehicle that is nimble while driving and easy to park. Most of the time it is just me or me and my wife, so why lug around a big vehicle? The Prius is space efficient, so occasional back seat passengers are comfortable.

I went looking for a four door vehicle from a reliable manufacturer under 180" length with a roomy back seat and with some luxury amenities such as smart key, leather, bluetooth, etc. The only car on the market that meets that criteria: the Prius. To me the great milage is a welcome bonus.

My son has a Scion that is smaller than the Prius and also has a roomy back seat. Like most space and fuel efficient small cars (except the Prius) it is an entry level vehicle. I've told him that if they made an upscale version of it, I would buy one. I keep reading that more upscale small fuel efficient cars are coming, but for now there is none to compete with the Prius.