"I will be disappointed if the '09 Prius doesn't have...."

a base model which sells for less than $25,000AU in Australia. (Even a stripped down no frills with wooden seats, no steering wheel adjustment, a dial radio with 2 speakers or no radio if they want.

What I would love to see is a stripped down version, with Prius HSD in a Yaris 2 door or even 4 door hatch shell, it would have pretty respectable performance and even better economy. Come on Toyota, show me!! The Yaris is just 35mm narrower, you can do it Toyota. Chuck on some injection molded panels like on Nissan X-Trail (bonnet and front wings) aluminium doors and hatch, to keep the weight in check, road rocket.

Only thing I would see as an improvement in the current shape is a small graph on the energy screen showing how much energy is coming from or going to each component.

 

I think from reading this thread you are all a lot richer than me.

It seems a lot of people want heavy, expensive electric adjustable seats and they want better fuel consumption. Am I the only one who sees the contradiction here?

I don't know that Toyota currently use "cheap" materials in the Prius, I believe they use "light weight" materials.

I'd prefer to see hybrid technology go into a cheaper car so more people can enjoy the pleasure. I think after 10 years it's time to get HSD into corolla priced cars.

 

And I repeat,
It seems a lot of people want heavy, expensive electric adjustable seats and they want better fuel consumption. Am I the only one who sees the contradiction here?

 

Pat, who said anything about heavy and electric?

I think 99% of people only want a seat that is height adjustable - you know - like the one you get on your Prius down under. I doubt height adjustability adds more than 10 pounds.

Things I think definitely are not necessary:

1. Full-size spare - weighs twice as much and takes up nearly double the space.
2. Mud flaps - adds a bit more weight and adds aero drag
3. Bigger rear wiper - really, the one on the car does just fine

 

Each line below is copied and pasted from a separate post from a individual poster, there were several posts where a person just said "as above plus ..." right under some of the posts this is taken from.

One can only assume that by fully adjustable people mean height, tilt, lumbar, head rest height, head rest angle and slide adjustment. Each add weight to the vehicle.
5 of the above need power seats, as if turning a knob, lever or otherwise moving it manually is just too hard.

 

Sure you wouldn't like the sun roof to go with the ejector seats?

Hey, Pat, with these fitted, who cares about the weight ?

You and I have the height adjust seats, so I think the USA list is to have that AND let a machine change it rather than by hand.... titanium ejector height adjustable electric seats and a sun roof oughtta do the trick

 

...

Hi. I'm new here. You all seem like a nice bunch of folks. I'm looking forward to spending more time here and this is my first post.

Things I would like to see on future Priuses are the engine temperature gauge and perhaps outside/interior temps as were mentioned earlier.

Something related, but not yet addressed here, would be a different sytem for interior temperature control. I noted that in unusual freezing sleet conditions, the temp control maintained cabin temp by cycling heat on and off with a steady blower. Whenever the heat paused, it immediately caused the windshield to freeze over and excessive ice build-up on the wipers. A steady but still corrected temp would allow low steady heat to be applied to the windshield in these rare, but critical, visability conditions.

Such a control might be done by a door that continously balances hot and cold sourced airflow. Actually, the old manual controls often did just exactly that, and, in this instance once an optimal setting is chosen, work great without frequent operator adjustments while trying to drive.

I sometimes have trouble filling the fuel bladder. I'm not quite sure what the secret is yet. Be nice if it was a no-brainer in the future.

I'm greatly impressed with the extraordinary low weight of this solid car which is a very hard engineering feat to achieve. I hope any evolved improvements do not add weight ...which has decreased the fuel efficiency of many other models descended before it. There is great classic beauty in the original design simplicity of this fine machine we call the Prius.

So that is my final hope. That the newer Priuses are lighter, more nimble, yet.

Wes


...

 

Ok... since I skipped pages three through four...

The horn needs to be revamped.

The seats are next (yes, six way (whether manual or electric)

Everything else mentioned I can do on an optional basis.

 

Hello,
I have a Prius 2006 and I am getting ready to buy a new one.
I have two Questions:
2008 or wait for 2009? any opinions?
Second question, has anyone had trouble with a mildew or mold smell from the AC vents when car is first started?
Thanks,
Lisa

 

I have an addition to my earlier post: I would be disappointed if the '09 has a fuel tank that still has a bladder in it. If other manufacturers can meet the emissions without it, Toyota can too.

 

I will be disappointed if the '09 Prius doesn't come out until '10.

PA P

 

That is VERY good news! Hmm, it may be time to start considering a trade-in in a couple of years.

 

yunebug suggested "remaining percentage of oil life"
Someone indicated: "Maintenance Required light." (sorry, I forgot who)

I've only had my Prius a few days so I haven't seen any of the "lights" yet...

BUT, If it needs something, anything, the car obviously knows what. So why not just tell me. A little detail would tell me if I need to head straight for the dealer or stop in next time I am in the neighborhood.

This "Something is wrong" attitude reminds me of MS Windows famous message, "Can't find the file." WHAT FILE? It obviously know what file. Maybe if I knew I could give it a little help.

My .02 worth.

Bob

 

+1
I want to buy a second Prius for the wife to replace her Beetle, since mine is an 07 I would prefer to wait for the next generation but I wont do it if I can't get it for about the same price

 

With all those wants and said in previous pages/thereads-san the Ejector seat, Price has to be at base price from current 08 $22.475.00 to up to plus $2000 for the Gen III is digestable!

 

1. DVD NAV with live traffic updates
2. Auto Park
3 EV mode with 40 mile range (Plug in)

 

I doubt 09 will have plug in at all.

but i would like to see some features, that foreign prius has on the US version.
Autolamp, beat headrest and seats. Door ajar waring for the hatch/rear doors. The interior is pretty much good the way it is imo, but could be spiffed up a bit. Electronic seat controls(more luxury car though)15-20% increase in FE. A larger fuel tank, say 13.4g(without a stinkin bladder)Maybe improve engine HP to 113 instead of 76. Heat mirrors aswell on base model. Improve NAV and BT