There have been some posts recently wondering what, if anything, is different about the 2005 models. Having just taken delivery of one I can tell you this: The most significant difference is an increase in the battery warranty to 150,000 miles or 10 years. You also get a quick reference card, which my salesman said the 2004s didn't have. Other than that, it's the option packaging that has been noted elsewhere in this forum.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jeffo\";p=\"40228)</div> 150,000 mile or 10 years for battery! That's nice. Anyone else confirm? The prius site has the old 8/100,000. If they extended it by two years, I would expect 125,000 miles, going on the ~12k miles/year standard.
They put a sticker in my "guide to warranties" manual that goes OVER the old (2004) information...10 years, 150,000 miles.
Has only the battery warranty been changed or has the battery been improved to allow for that longer warranty?
In some states (California, and states that use CA emissions standards) the warranty is 150,000/10. This has been the case from the introduction of the 2004. I'm guessing your longer warranty relates to where you are, rather than the model year of the car you bought.
jeffo- what state are you in? Five states had the 10/150000 warranty on hybrid components last year. If your state follows the california emissions standards, then you get the longer warranty. The car is the same. Only the warranty is different.
I'm in Washington state. All I know is the warranty manual actually has a sticker where the old battery warranty was, so maybe that's how this change has been handled in other states where it applies...
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(daniel\";p=\"40249)</div> My car was bought in CA and I lived there the better part of my first year owning it, now I have moved to WA. So, am I covered by: A) CA's 10/150k plan or B) Toyota's 8/100k plan?
Brad: That's a good question, and I don't know the answer. However, the longer warranty is not from the state of CA. Both warranties are from Toyota. It's just that Toyota was required to provide the longer warranty in some states (due, I believe, to laws concerning emissions).
Jeffo: <veering off topic here>... have you put in your vote for date and time for Wa st meeting or are you not planning to attend? also have you signed up for the mailing list? http://lists.priuschat.com/mailman/listinf...ashington_state <veering back to topic> i believe brad that when you moved your warantee changes to WA state standards but if jeffo is now getting that warantee then who knows. a car that moves into CA has to be inspected to meet CA standards which are state implemented and therefore i doubt that such a mandate can be enforced outside the state. there is no difference in your battery as i understand it, so i strongly suspect that disscussion over the longevity of the battery may be in vain. i guess we will find out in about 10 years. realize that several Prius Classics in canada went double the mileage without a problem. the New Priuses (what do we call em now that the 2005's are out??) are supposed to have better batteries than the classics.
I believe the '04/'05 has more battery capacity than the Classic, but that it's the same kind of battery. I also believe there has never yet been a battery failure not caused by an accident. These batteries are going to last the life of the car, and still be worth more than the $300 rebate. That battery recycling plant is going to be idle for the next 20 years.
maybe the same kind, but not the same. it is smaller, lighter, and packs more power per pound than the old one did. the 10 year thing is a Ca state law. it was instituted years ago to reduce the expected strain on the landfills when most of the battery packs were much more toxic. it was done to encourage more recycling when batteries were much more expensive and recycling was not financially viable because of lack of recycling centers. i read an article about 2-3 years ago about a college professor who was going from a Big 10 school (northwestern or Wisconsin or something like that) to Cal Tech. he had an electric car that he drove because most of his driving was around campus and it was very economical. well he could not license it because it wouldn't pass inspection because of the expected life of the batteries. the only way he could get the vehicle licensed was to replace the batteries he had with lead acid batteries ( the kind of batteries he had escapes me but basically, the lead acid was several steps down as far as efficiency.) but the lead acid added to much weight and didnt store as much charge as the batteries he had. basically another story of bureaucratic BS over new technology and the unknown. unfortunately the guy was a scientist, not a politician so he lost. he was forced to dismantle the car and drive something that contributed to the already abundant air polution.
Evan Schroeder, Internet Sales Manager for Michael Toyota, Fresno CA, advised me today he expects delivery of 9 Prii between 27 September and 5 October. One of the nine should be a Silver No. 7 package. Evan said the number of packages offered has been reduced for 2005, but remain the same basic packages as in 2004. Because I ordered in March 2004 with a $500 deposit, I have been "grandfathered." Evan stated I will receive a $700 rebate check from Toyota, even though there is a price increase for 2005. Evan Schroeder and Matthew Randolph, Internet Managers for Michael Toyota are very courteous and professional. Tel. 559.431.6000 x529. Other Great Central Valley Toyota dealers such as Toyota of Selma, have been arrogant and stated they will charge an extra $3 to $5k right up front. A little quality and courtesy go a long way.
