to wait or not to wait?

we already know that the price has increased slightly though i think that was for 2004's as well ($300). other threads on this board have suggested that no other major changes are expected. maybe colors.

 

Sidenote, I am in Bethesda too.
Anyway...the price will go up for the '05 without question and I am not really hearing any buzz on upgrades, probably a new nav disc. Thing is though, if you order from a local DC dealer you will be getting an '05 anyway since the waiting lists are so long around here. Keep in mind Toyota shuts down the '04 factory in June to retool for the '05s.

If you are willing to drive 6 hours, I can get you an '04 before the summer is out. I highly reccomend the dealer I used in WV.

 

Perhaps the XM radio option will be available from the factory?

 

It's a pretty sure bet that it will be. I have installed my XM radio from Jon August's company priusxm.com and have been completely satisfied with the results. The radio itself is made for Toyota and the cable for it simply plugs into the open connection on the back of the standard AM/FM radio. Gotta have my daily dose of Deep Tracks XM40

 

Having scanned the news and PriusChat for the last couple of months, the important thing is: So Far, Nobody Knows Anything About the '05 Models.

That said, and IMO, here's a few probabilities:

• will be any significant changes in the model. Redesigns cost money, and the manufacturer wants to recoup as much from the '04 design as possible.
• New colors are more likely. The Prius Classic had a couple of colors added over its lifespan. They were usually announced in June.
• I don't know if something like XM radio might get added. Seems within the realm of possibility; sometimes, things like this get added "across the board" -- i.e., to all of a manufacturers cars in production.
  • 
    As to cost, no idea; I could believe that, with the demand, Toyota might add a couple $100 more to the MSRP. But I don't see them doing anything drastic, like up it $1K or more. However, I'm just guessing -- someone who has experience with the auto market could give you real info, and real odds, on the situation.
    
    ------
    
    I think the wait is still the big issue. I used to think that by late 2005, Prii production would have ramped up, and demand would have settled down, and you'd be able to buy a Prius below MSRP. And that, if you had the patience (I don't), that this would be the way to go.
    
    However, I'm tracking gas prices for the vanpool I'm in, and they just go up and up and up... Which is going to cause demand to keep going up, and the waiting lines will get longer. So I don't know if the "wait for 2005" is a smart scenario any longer.

 

The Camry Solara had XM added this year

Hopefully it will be on the Prius for 2005 - most likely when mine will arrive


Chris

 

When I was in the dealership today, the Scion xB had XM radio installed. Price on sticker was $695 for the satellite radio.

XM is one of the things I want but decided I could get the kit and do it myself for $200 less so I decided not to wait for the '05 and placed my order.

 

Only thing is.... the aftermarket antenna is a magnetic stick on thing

Wouldn't the Toyota antenna be more permanent, like they have now on many GM cars?

I have the XM Roady right now, and it's fine, but the antenna is magnetic and looks like it was just stuck on there


Chris

 

I'm up for that. I installed PriusXM this weekend* and the only thing I wish is for a better antenna like they either have on the Audis or BMWs I see running around. (Painted the color of the car.)

*thanks to Jon (priusxm.com) BTW ... I had no problems and actually watched your DVD once and proceeded to do it all without looking at the directions but once or twice after that. It really was simple but tedious with all the things you have to take out to get to the back of the radio.

The only thing I did wrong was when I put the radio cage back I accidently snagged the cable to the parking button. I didn't notice until after I had put on the MFD. ::sigh::

 

I personally don't know how anyone is waiting months for this car, and still coming to this board to read about the car. It would drive me nuts. This is by far the greatest car ever.

For me, the stars aligned. After finding out what the wait was going to be like for the '04 around my house, I spent about three hours on the phone and located a car about 2,000 miles away. Two days later I was on my way back home in my new car! I've had the car a couple of months now, and can't even remember what life was like before my Hybrid.

So, Sun_Tsu, don't wait. Get the car whatever way you can, the fastest you can. You wont regret it.

PeAcE

 

Yes, I tried the dash but got some dropouts under overpasses

It works much better on the rear trunk lid

I have a Ford Thunderbird



Chris

 

I'm in the D.C. area too and put my $500 deposit down at Alexandria Toyota to be #70 something on the waiting list. I have a Lexus now and am just waiting for the lease to run out so I can afford the 6 month wait. Like I've told other people on this forum, I love the car, but I'm ready for a change towards progressive new technology. That being said, the dealer said that Alexandria is a volume dealer, so they get the most Priuses in the area b/c they sell the most. When I charged my deposit last week, he informed me that all dealers in the area would only be selling '05 models at this point. Also, the '05 models will have no change from the '04 models (price, colors, options etc.). which is too bad, b/c I really wanted a purple prius - a lavender-looking one! And yes, I am deadly serious!

 

I don't know anything, but...

Toyota generally introduces major model revisions after a model has been out for (?) 5 or 6 or 7 (?) years. So the liklihood of a major model revision (better mileage, bigger battery, more power) seems pretty small. Smaller changes are possible. New colors, some folks have speculated on an EV button. Maybe they've found and fixed a few minor bugs.

But if you order now you're probably going to get an '05 anyway, unless you get lucky and find one available in the boondocks.

All I can say is, this is such a great car that you're going to love it, whichever model year you end up with.

 

A purple Prius would be great, even if only for the alliteration.

But I think that if the dealers actually knew anything definite about the '05, Diane would have told us. I bet your dealer is just guessing, based on Toyota history.

If they do add an EV button, I'm going to be sooooooo envious of the folks that get it!

 

I agree, my local dealer said they don't get info on new models until much later in the year. And they can't sell you one now, only put you on a contact list anyway. Probably more likely to find something on the web before they get official notice

I'm planning on an '05, just want to let you generous '04 buyers shake out a few first year bugs. And let the service department learn on someone else's car It would be nice if Toyota would announce WHEN that are going to set the specs - Option packages, price, etc. I don't want to go in now and say "I want to order a 2005 #7 at MSRP" only to find out they restructured the packages and I'm getting things I don't want and not getting things I do want at a much higher price. Even if they put out new colors, it probably won't help since everyone here has said that the color chips are not particularly representative of "what you get". I'm thinking Seaside now that I've seen several of the colors up close and personal. Haven't seen a clean Salsa so I'll hold back on my 2nd and 3rd choices for now.

I also figured the wait, once ordered, for an '05 would be less than the '04s as Toyota had figured out there is a bigger market for the car than they thought and they'll plan accordingly for '05. That may not be so good an assumption given the rate gas prices are going up AND the fact that the hybrids are getting a lot more good press now that the '04 Prius is out.

 

I wouldn't bet on the dollar to yen exchange rate going in your favour over the next year or so...