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Is the gen ii Prius better in any way than the gen iii?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Eoin, May 28, 2010.

  1. Eoin

    Eoin Active Member

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    I have a 2005 Prius and a new 2010, so I naturally compare the two. Some quick observations:

    1. The brakes on the gen 3 click every time I press them, but not on the gen 2. Both are good, but the click is annoying.
    2. Steering is more precise on the gen 3
    3. Quality of plastic in interior is better on the gen 2.
    4. FM radio is better on the gen 2.
    5. Leather seats with lumbar and leather steering wheel are a big improvement over the gen 2.
    6. Appearance - both look great in my opinion.
    7. Ride seems a little softer in the gen 2, but maybe this is because it is well broken in at 110,000 miles.

    Conclusion: both are great cars. These are minor quibbles.
     
  2. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    Ouch. I cannot find much nice to say about the big expanse of black plastic under my windshield. I might get to the point where I put a cover on it.
     
  3. okiebutnotfrommuskogee

    okiebutnotfrommuskogee Senior Member

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    My gen II is better because it is paid for. :)
     
  4. 2009Prius

    2009Prius A Wimpy DIYer

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    I got the options I wanted with gen 2 package 2 (backup camera, three door smart key). Unfortunately these options require higher package (more $$$) in gen 3.
     
  5. paprius4030

    paprius4030 My first Prius

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    1. I don't notice any click on gen.3
    2. Don't really notice any difference
    3. Not sure if I agree so far interior plastic and all on gen.3 has been great, no noise at all.
    4. Your right about that!
    6. I still like the gen.2 style better.
    7. LOL I think the gen. 3 has a little softer ride, amybe the seats or something else but I get the feeling the Gen. 3 ride is more Lincolnesque where the gen. 2 was more firmer and more like a sports car. But like i said it maybe the seating position and all.
     
  6. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    3rd Gen feels more solid on the road and stable on the highway than non-touring Gen2.

    I'd be more comfortable and reassured keeping pace on a backroad, twisty road in a base Gen3 over a base Gen2.

    In 500 miles, never noticed anything better on Gen2 than Gen3. Map pockets in doors? Thought of something ...
     
  7. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    I find the Gen2 base wheels and tires fit the overall look of the car better.

    The Gen3 body grew and buffed out, but only the tire sidewalls got bigger. I'd like 16" wheels on the Gen3 the best.

    I really like the Gen2 Touring wheels a lot. Those silver plastic covers are so convincing, I thought they were alloy wheels, but the alloys were dark gray wheels underneath.

    To me, the 17's with 45 series tires don't look quite right on the 2010.

    Maybe a 205/50 -17 tire would look a tad better on the V. That is the tire used on Mazda 3 hatchbacks.
     
  8. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    I prefer the video game appearance of the Gen II MFD over the more conventional Gen III controls. I also prefer the dash shifter on the Gen II. I like the Gen II cup holders better.

    Tom
     
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  9. Eoin

    Eoin Active Member

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    I also prefer the steering buttons on the gen2 to the rubbery ones on the gen3. They feel more solid.
     
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i feel very (comfortable and reassured?) in my base gen II keeping pace on a back road. but i have not driven a gen III.:)
     
  11. randallintacoma

    randallintacoma New Member

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    Sorry about your clicking brakes. My Gen III brakes don't click. I really don't care for nav unit "hump" in the Gen II cars. I think the interior lines of the Gen III are much improved over Gen II.
     
  12. Matt Herring

    Matt Herring New Member

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    IMO (I have owned both)...Gen 2 is better than the Gen 3 in these ways:

    1. Like Gen 2 MFD more than Gen III HSI
    2. Like Gen 2 design/storage of center console more than Gen 3
    3. Like Gen 2 design/look of dashboard more than Gen 3
    4. Like Gen 2 steering wheel controls more than Gen 3
    5. Like Gen 2 shifter and positioning more than Gen 3

    All that being said...like my Gen 3 more than my Gen 2. It rides better...allows for more control in steering...has higher ceiling on improved mpg possibilities. IMO...it's a better car at nearly the same price as the Gen 2.
     
  13. macmaster05

    macmaster05 Senor Member

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    Gen II wins in many areas:

    - Better Multi-function display (standard)
    - Smaller blindspot
    - Larger trunk area
    - Higher quality interior. Eg/ better pannels, buttons, and chrome door handles

    As one member pointed out, my Touring handles better than the Gen III.
     
  14. SW03ES

    SW03ES Senior Member

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    I see nothing better about the Gen II as compares to the Gen III.
     
  15. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    Well, GII has more storage bins. More room in the under floor tray in the hatch.
    But it has less power and gets poorer mileage. And it's older. ;)
    Oh, and only the floor mats were recalled. :)
    For now. ;)
     
  16. Eoin

    Eoin Active Member

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    I like the chrome door handles too. I thought they were steel, but I learned they are plastic covered with chrome. The blindspot is bad in both, but at least I have the rear camera in the gen3. Is the trunk bigger in gen2? I thought they are about the same.
     
  17. Eoin

    Eoin Active Member

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    1. Agree
    2. Don't really care
    3. Yes, the dash is higher quality in gen2, but I like the bridge design of the gen3. It gives room for controls in a perfect location. I like the new shifter position.
    4. Yes! The rubber buttons in gen3 are just cheap feeling.
    5. Disagree. The new shifter is well located and very smooth.

    I also like the gen3 better, mainly because I have far more features, but also because of the power mode switch. Just yesterday, I switched to power mode and passed 5 cars on the highway effortlessly. The car goes from Dr. Jekyll to Mr. Hyde when you press power.
     
  18. yardman 49

    yardman 49 Active Member

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    I own a 2009 G2. I've sat in G3s on a few occassions. The G2 has a more spacious feeling in both the front and rear seats to me.
     
  19. Tech_Guy

    Tech_Guy Class Clown

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    The G2 has a fuel tank bladder (U.S. version). Glad they got rid of that in the G3.

    The G3 has 4 wheel disk brakes. The G2 has drums in the rear. (I don't know about you guys, but I prefer working on disk brakes.)

    Keith
     
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  20. seasalsa

    seasalsa Active Member

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    Short answer: NO