4th generation coming 2015!

Eaton says it will start selling its liquid piston CNG compressor in 2015. The home version is said to cost $500 and fill in one hour.

 

That would be awesome, but I predict it won't be the case.

In fact, I'm still driving around with a broken CD changer in my 2004 because I only can get either get a new or refurb as new unit, or a used part from the same model line. The salvage units are not often in stock here in good condition, and even if they were, it's hard to find someone to install one inexpensively who will back up their work. (The dealer doesn't want to install a used unit, and I don't blame them, and the new and refurb'd ones are likely very expensive, considering they wanted to charge me $1200 for a replacement refurbished multifunction display for example. New would have been $3000. Yowza.) In fact, correct me if I'm wrong but even the 2006 unit CD changer unit won't work in my car, which means I can't play MP3s on it.

 

I replaced my SECOND failed stereo unit (2004 Prius) due to failed CD players (they all fail) with a Pioneer stereo for $250 (installed price) and never looked back.

JeffD

 

Was that an OEM Pioneer (through Toyota) or 'after-market' unit...and, if so, were "adapters" needed?

 

After market (HD33 - missing Bluetooth) and the price included the bezel and one interface (a second interface ~$75 would be required to use the steering wheel controls).

JeffD

 

Thanks! for the info.

 

Who uses CDs still?

 

Books on CD are great for long trips. Old tech is still useful due to the DRM on electronic copies.

JeffD

 

Hey, thanks for that info. That's encouraging.

Was that a regular CD player, or the changer? Does it matter? I have the JBL upgrade with CD changer. I don't need a CD changer, but when I got it, you couldn't get the JBL system without the changer.

Also, who did you get to install it? Was it the dealer, or a third party? My dealer only seems to want to install the OEM Toyota parts. If I could get a working system (esp. with MP3 support) without an ugly look and with support for the steering wheel buttons for under CAD $350, I do that in a heartbeat.

Until it broke, I used the CD player, because in the 2004, MP3s are not supported, and there is no Bluetooth either. Also, FM doesn't work well (since there's too much interference here), and those cassette adapters have mediocre sound. Yes, my Prius still has a cassette player.

 

My Pioneer stereo is a single DIN unit with a built-in CD player and totally replaced the OE stereo. There are more functional double DIN units that can be installed at a higher price and these are discussed under other (and more appropriate) discussion topics. Get to a good car stereo shop and get options.

JeffD

 

replacing the oe unit with a 2din aftermarket unit is very easy, and all the needed adapters and harnesses are readily available. if you can work a screw driver and a soldering iron, its a piece of cake. and you will love the upgrade.

 

Yep. I think Toyota has succeeded in killing off any and all interest in the new Prius .... when and if there is ever a "new" Prius. The chat around the old computer is now all about CD players, and stereos. I too have become so bored I looked at the other threads .... they too are dead, or dying.

My 2010 now has 100,000 miles now. I'm now thinking instead of trading for a "new" Prius, I'll just get the most out of what I have. My automotive interest has changed to finding an older classic sports car and driving the 2010 until it "won't go no mo."

Some will disagree, but I think Toyota made a serious mistake in not giving their base of enthusiast something to keep the interest alive. The automotive public is a fickled bunch, and when the interest turns elsewhere, it is hard to get it back.

The Prius is unquestionably the leader if only fuel efficiency is considered. But so many other brands now offer so many other desirable features with only a slight reduction in fuel efficiency, that many will defect the brand.

Just my opinion.

 

In the beginning (10 - 15 years ago), Prius attracted engineers and environmentalists. Some (most?) of the engineers have migrated to EVs. The environmentalists have stayed and promoted themselves into a minority by virtue of the car becoming mainstream. Mainstream means people buy the car because it is good value, even if they have to accept it's non-conservative shape and image.

Mainstream also means that we will have people who whine that the seats ONLY have 4 inches of foam under their butts; or that the car has compromises compared to other cars. The sub-forum of people who post to tell of car personalization will continue to grow, as will a growing ignorance of the car by it's owner base.

Since I straddle the interests of the first two early groups, you can take for a given that mainstream owners bore me. But guess what ? I embrace mainstream ownership because the car remains what is always been: a very interesting piece of technology, and the best environmental choice on the road.

 

I somewhat feel your 'boredom'. Too many let downs, not enough info. Even an NS4 update would garner some interest, instead we see higher priced Prii for 2015...Maybe Toyota isn't cocky, maybe they are, but I'm losing interest too. I'm more excited about the announcements and cloud shrouding around the Volt 2.0 believe it or not! And the Model X should show its face soon...

 

Yeah, the longer Toyota doesn't give us any tidbits on the gen 4 to keep us interested, the more I find myself looking at the next gen hybrid/plug ins from other car manufacturers.

And if they don't make the 2nd gen PiP available nationwide, I might just wait and start saving up for the next Tesla car to come out. With all the superchargers they're building, I'm not too worried about range anxiety. And never having to buy gas again while having an affordable, fairly cool looking yet fast car would be kind of awesome to be honest.

 

It could be argued the Tesla is an even better environmental choice on the road.

 

Anything can be argued, but you will lose.

Read Elon Musk's arguments on the question. He assumes NG as fuel, and 60% efficiency from the power plant. That should tell you something, when he feels the need to spin the base facts so badly.
A fair treatment of EVs would be that they are ballpark the same emissions as a Prius for the 'average' US grid. The reason EVs lose so badly is because of opportunity cost*.

* A dollar not spent on a car can e.g. buy PV that will generate about 30 kWh of clean energy over it's lifetime. That 30 kWh is about 37.5 miles Prius driving. Since an EV is about 10k USD more than a Prius, that opportunity cost is equal to 375,000 Prius miles -- overwhelming more than the fleet average of Prius will ever cover. So even if the lifecycle EV emissions were ZERO, the EV is still an inferior environmental choice.

Notice I said EV. The calculation for Tesla is ridiculous.

 

So...that calculation assumes the price differential between a Prius and a Leaf (or Tesla) will automatically be used by the prospective owner to buy into PV. That in itself is a wide-eyed assumption. NG is more abundant and easily retrievable than oil in NA (and possibly less detrimental to the environment, all freakouts concerning fracking aside), so that is yet another factor to contemplate.

For someone so eager to see oil prices sky high for North Americans, I'm a little surprised at the defense (but maybe I shouldn't be?).

 

Dilemma:

• Save a TREE
• Save the AIR
• Save MONEY

 

Some will ask who. Toyota has stayed true to goals, the priorities of mainstream buyers. Of course the result of that will end up losing the appeal of enthusiasts. Becoming ordinary is the point. To replace what's common requires taking the step from new to mature. That's not exciting. It's the reality of business.

In this case, waiting to deliver a competitive product should be rewarding... to those who do care about the technology, they just want a reliable, affordable, practical vehicle.