I plan on still riding my bicycle (trek 1000 -gets unlimited MPG) everyday. I'll get a Gen III or Volt (wait and compare) for the wife when they become available.
What I'd really like and would immediately trade my Prius for is an EV priced below $35000 that can maintain 65 MPH on Illinios expressways with a range over 135 miles when charged, along with a reasonable confidence level that I won't spend more than $0.10 per mile on charging and battery replacement. Otherwise I'll probably trade in my 2007 Prius somewhere between 100,000 miles and 150,000 miles (2 to 4 years from now).
I have the Toyota 7-year extended warranty on my 2005, so I'll probably wait until 2011 to move to the next version, hopefully a plug-in version. Don't expect pure EVs will become available anytime in the foreseeable future because the battery technology is simply not developing fast enough, so it looks like a plug-in hybrid will be in my future in a few years. My 2005 Prius is the best car I have ever owned, BY FAR!
My HOV stickers are good until 2011 so I've decided to keep it until at least then. And then only trade it in IF there is a plug in that will guarantee at least the same mileage I'm getting now. Of course it will still need to be a hatchback. If the Dark Blue is still available...that's what I'll get with a gray interior. Then I'll pay to have the side signal mirrors installed. I'll also put in a BT plate. Not sure if I'll want the Touring. I like the shorter breaking distance but not the hit on mileage. I have a base model now. I might go for the highest package since this may be my last ICE car and will be looking at resale value.
Two factors will decide it for me: 1- generation III model 2- Car pool access stickers (currently have them).
Our family use the "hand-me down" approach. Parent gets use of new car, then 3 yrs hands it down to adult child.
I traded my 2005 prius for the 2008 3yrs earlier than I expected because of the excellent trade-in value. So who knows... if I get a good deal then maybe - otherwise, its going to be driven to the ground. -Cal
I will keep my 2005 and buy another in 2010 or 2011. I expect my 1995 Tercel will still be going strong....
My issue will be having the patience to wait until the second or third year that an Li/Plug-In version is offered and will the Lexus be a better combination of efficiency and performance? Hopefully the designers and engineers will step it up under theToyota badge. I don't need no stinking lexus badges. I am hoping they offer a better stock or tuned suspension and that the new rear discs will have pads that go the distance.
I recall one or two GEN II recalls from 04-06. Typically, the third model year is the ringer. Depends on production facilities, mgmt, etc. Rumor has it that some will be produced in the NUMMI GM/Toyota JV facility in CA. Or maybe will get one from Chengdu, Sezchuan (or not). Hopefully the GEN III will be Japanese through and through. Sorry I just like the quality control results that speak for themselves America. Manufacturing needs to make a comeback here for the sake of Global Competitiveness.
I just graduated college and landed a good job. I have wanted a Gen II Prius ever since they became available. Now that I have the funds to do so, I am going to be very careful with my decision. Here are my choices: Current DD is my college ride I obtained for $650, a '87 Celica GTS w/ 217K. Best MPG on a tank to date is 37.5 MPG. Unless the car decides to die unexpectedly, I will... 1) Buy a Used '06+ Prius w/40K (After the Gen III is out) 2) Buy a New Gen III if the price and new economy is right My weekend car for the past 5 years has been a modded 1991 Toyota MR2.
I may plan to buy either the 2010 or 11 model. For this purchase though I plan to save up the cash for it. I do hope though that the Gen 3 models make more seat and legroom, which is really my only gripe with my Prius, among the uncomfortable steering wheel without the telescopic function.
My dh's 2005 has the stickers which expire in 2011, right when my son turns 16. At that point we will probably give the car to him, and get my dh something else.
When will I buy/trade? If the my '08 Prius lasts as long as my '98 Camry (306,000+ miles when I donated to someone else to fix and drive and it had a bad distributor on it apparently ), then that would be in 2018 and the GEN V or VI model.
I understand exactly what you are saying. The uncomfortable driving position is the main (maybe the only) reason I sold my G II Prius after only 30K miles. I am pretty average sized and have no mobility problems and the G II was fine for the first 100 or 200 miles, but after the first 700 or 800 mile day (typical for me) I was ready to sell the car. I know Toyota can do better because I have driven some of their other vehicles for long distances with no problems. After the G III is available I'll see what the first owners (guinea pigs) have to say and decide for sure. If Toyota hasn't fixed the driving position problem I'll buy one of the other hybrids that should be out by then from Honda, Nissan, et al.
The next car I would plan on buying would be a hybrid pick up, whenever that comes around. Till then I will just drive my prius till it falls apart on me or someone offers me double of what I bought it for, haha
I will see how much I can get out of my 2008, but if it isn't much, I will keep it for a long time as well.
I'll see what my options are when the 2010 plug-in comes out. Depending on the trade in value of my 2005, I may choose to pay the difference for the 2010. If the difference is not significantly more than the cost of converting the 2005 to a plug-in at that time, then I'll go for the 2010; otherwise I'll take the plunge and convert the 2005. I'll take other things into consideration as well such as which would maintain most battery power and which gives me the higher bang for the buck. Until then, I'll keep my 2005 as is.
