Is the 2010 NOT ready for prime time?

[FONT=&quot]At some point, one must click “Buy.â€[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]The future holds:[/FONT][FONT=&quot]
[/FONT]

• [FONT=&quot] Lithium-ion Batteries in place of [/FONT][FONT=&quot] Nickel Metal Hydride Batteries in all Hybrids.[/FONT]

• [FONT=&quot]100% electric vehicles with [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Lithium-ion Batteries with gasoline engines only to recharge the batteries.[/FONT]

• [FONT=&quot]Navigation Systems contained in Flash Memory that is updated in the car via the Internet – and contains the locations of all police cameras.[/FONT]

• [FONT=&quot]USB 3.0 (Super USB) connections.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Who knows what else.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]The day I accept delivery of a new computer, that computer is obsolete. At some point, I must “Click†on buy if I want to replace my old laptop.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Before long, [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Nickel Metal Hydride Batteries will mark a car as old. Internal Combustion Engine cars will be relegated to anachronisms and eccentric collectors.[/FONT]

 

[FONT=&quot]At some point, one must click “Buy.”[/FONT]

I agree, I'm really enjoying my 2010 as much as I remember enjoying my 2006, even though there may be "improvements" made later this year and in model years 2011, and 2012, etc. I never looked back when the Touring edition was launched and other post 2006 color and equipment changes were made during the past 4 years and I can't imagine an upgrade or any new features that will make me regret my 2010 purchase or entice me to trade up for a while.

Get real folks, the 2010 Prius IS prime time and it will remain prime time as its improved during the months and years ahead. The perfect car will never be built, you're going to be dead for a long time, buy that new Prius as soon as you can and enjoy life.

 

Marcusa, welcome to PC. I note on your prior posts, you ask questions that often raise questions, yet don't seem to answer the questions you raise. For example, when you put cash down for your Gen III (in another post), why not go to another dealer that doesn't require that? . . . or here . . . if you are bothered about having a GEN III with DVD NAV, instead of HD NAV, why not just keep waitinig? Helooo?

.

 

It's not like anything that's been stated are glaring weaknesses ... maybe the steering on the 15", but otherwise. The inability to get a sunroof with Package V isn't entirely Toyota's fault ... although I think it will become an option a year or two down the road one way or another. The iPod integration .... again, no big deal since you can retrofit it. Do you hold the car just for something like that?

Personally I'm glad I'm not waiting ... like above said, there will always be something bigger and better "just around the corner". I don't fear getting a first year, brand new model Toyota like I would another manufacturer.

As far as Nav resolution ... it's not bad, it's just not overly great ... as stated in other threads -- the larger the screen, the harder (and more costly) it is to get the same resolution. I'm not worried about the Nav resolution in the least ... would I like it to be as crystal clear as possible? Yes, but it's not like it's bad or anything.

This all seems like a lot of nitpicking to me.

Does anyone know if the 2010 was a complete remodel? I know the size is about the same ... did they use the same frame and chassais for the most part? Thanks in advance.

 

To be honest I don't see electric plug in as that big a deal at all. There is new battery technology coming from MIT that will revolutionize all rechargeable batteries in the future. if you can Charge your Prius or other electric car to 90% charge in 5-10 minutes that will sell to everyone.
For a pure electric car I'd want an Aptera! If it's good enough for George Jetson it's good enough for me.
Most of the other stuff is small and will get updated as feedback filters into Toyota.

 

All, in 12 months from now, your 2010 Prius will NOT BE OBSOLETE.

TRUST ME.

Yes, if you get Nav now, you can upgrade to add USB/iPod if you choose.

We will have a SLIGHT change to the EPS system for 15" wheel cars. It will not change the lock-to-lock ratio. The primary difference between the original EPS map and the re-tuned map is the balance between the assist and damping characteristics of the system. The new map will provide SLIGHTLY more assist, less damping, providing a SLIGHTLY more direct driving feeling. (We are told this can simply be upgraded with an ECU software change at the dealer, but don't quote me yet as that information is not "official".)


We will also add Safety Connect and the Prius I model.

We will have only 150 plug-in demonstration models. No, you won't be able to be a test driver. Not anytime soon, anyway.

Beyond that, there is nothing else coming this model year that I know of right now... and I would know of it. Sure, things could change, but it would be unlikely. So please don't feel like your car will quickly become obsolete. 2010 Prius buyers are on the leading edge!

Hope that helps,

Doug Coleman
Prius Product Manager
Toyota Motor Sales, USA

 

Is the 2010 NOT ready for prime time?

The latest and greatest (supposedly) when it was introduced, the 2010 Honda Insight still was not up to the 2009 Prius. Some people liked its seats or the road feel more than that of the Prius, but those are the same people (and there are many) who just like the tighter and stiffer feel of a Honda. That has nothing to do with the technology under the hood or in the dashboard.

I agree with Doug that the 2010 IS prime time, and I don't know what other car is anywhere near it. The Ford Fusion Hybrid sounds like a great car, but it is using the older technology and is not getting the MPGs of the 2010.

I have less than 700 miles on my 2010, but I can tell it is an entirely different car than my 2007. I miss some of the "old ways" of the 2007, but it is kind of like a bush pilot reminiscing about the old days of trying to "feel" his way through a fog bank as he flies the latest radar-equipped VTOL aircraft through a snowstorm. The 2010 is larger, quieter, sturdier, "classier" and more gadgeted than the 2007 -- and at what cost? Only BETTER gas mileage, not more dollars.

True, I have a Prius V with the 17" wheels, and I think that has a lot to do with the feel of things. But how do you account for my driving a car ONLY AROUND TOWN on 4, 5 or 6 mile trips, for 200+ miles and get 57 MPG? On a brand-new engine, with new tires on 17" wheels! AND better climate control. AND better Nav. And better sound. ANd better feel. AND more safety.

I don't mean any attack on the OP. The fact that the question occured to the OP is simply a measure of reading through nearly endless posts about the new car. We all have questions, and we all are comparing things. Most of us like to complain if things aren't perfect. BUT, I haven't yet heard of a 2010 owner asking to get his or her Gen1 or Gen2 back as a replacement.

 

I'm going to say the improvement of a plug in Pruis coming out next year 2011 is going drive the market down on the 2010. The Plug in Chevy Volt is scheduled to come out in 2011 and Toyota knows it and will have to have theirs out. I have had a deposit on a 2010 coming in the end of this month and I am going to get my deposit back and sit tight for the 2011 in 11 months.

2010 New engine and Body. 2011 new battery and plug in.
The Senate Passing a 7500.00 rebate plug in will heat up the
market in a hurry

 

No one remembers that the new model was originally slated/expected to come out last year? I've been waiting for 2 years for this. I sold my 2004 in 2007 (when I got my HyCam), on the assumption I would have a new car in 2008!

 

Where are you getting assurances that you'll be able to buy a PHEV in 11 months? And at what price? I missed it. Toyota mentioned 150 of them probably the equivalent of beta models above, all already spoken for, that's about all I've heard of any substance.

I am buying a 2010 with no regrets. I'm grateful for early adopters of PHEV, but I'll wait until the bugs are worked out and the prices come down to buy one. YMMV

 

I wish I knew the answer to that, but I don't. Sorry. All I can say is stay tuned (pun intended).

Doug Coleman
Prius Product Manager
Toyota Motor Sales, USA

 

Midpack, thank you so much for listening to what we're saying.

Doug Coleman
Prius Product Manager
Toyota Motor Sales, USA

 

Personally, I'm real interested in details about the 2020 Prius, since that is about the time my '04 will start to give hints that it needs replacing.

 

Toyota has narrowed the field and here are pics of the two final concepts for the 2020 Prius, or it could be something in between. Note they have continued the solar roof on their second Production concept. You read it here first...

 

No rush to release, there are always improvements 'left on the table' in every vehical launch.

[highlighted text] BINGO!!!

This is a business with the goal of selling the most units possible. There is a huge pent up demand right now this month and probably for the next several months ( yrs ? ). In two or three years Toyota ( as it does in every vehicle ) will bring out some improvements and additions but these will mainly be minor modifications and improvements. The basic structure and technology will be unchanged.

However it has been announced that the Li-ion PHEVs will be 'available' in a year or two. But the likely price point is $38000. it won't be $24000.

This is how vehicles are marketed. There is always something new and better to be had in a few years. It encourages repeat and rollover buying. If you buy in 3 yrs then that vehicle will have more than the current vehicles. But 2 yrs later in 2015 the next Gen 4 will be better even than the 2013 model, then 3 yrs after that there will be improvements made to the Gen 4. The Gen 5 will be better yet. That's marketing.

I was an auto supplier for 20+ yrs. Right now all the vehicle makers are done with the 2010 vehicles, they're putting the finishing touches on the 2013 vehicles planning the 2015 vehicles and doing advance planning on the 2018 vehicles.

Somewhere though you have to pull the trigger.

 

I firmly believe that the introduction of the PHEV Prius - and the Volt - will be huge non-events. They absolutely will appeal to a few well-to-do enthusiasts but i see them exactly the same as the Challenger and Camaro situations. After the initial surge of interest the bulk of the population looks but says 'not for me'. Unless I'm way wrong the price point will simply be out of reach for the typical buyer. 'Interesting but not for me'

However I see the traditional hybrid growing immensely throughout the entire product lineup.

 

I disagree! I think the Plug-In Prius will be huge news. And I'm making no plans around the Volt's introduction (if).

But I think I agree with this general view. The PHEVs are going to be too expensive to be anything other than an enthusiast's toy. I was willing to go pretty high on the 2010 Prius, but I can't justify another $10,000 on a car!

 

+1

Love it!! :high5:

 

The bottom pic is of an Aptera and I'd sure like to have one of those especially if they do end up making one as a hybrid.
No it's not practical only 2 seats and technically it's a motorcycle but I still want one. Jay Leno drove one a while back and was very impressed with it.