I respond to the several posts that I've seen from folks who were trying to decide whether to take the plunge now, or wait on a 2010, and either thru their impatience or their legitimate need they chose a Gen II. Well, here's what I think: I think you were smart to go w/ the Gen II. There are some aesthetics to the Gen II that I believe have been lost in the Gen III. I know I'm speaking out of ignorance since my knowledge of the Gen III is so limited, but from the little I've observed, it looks like Toyota has bell'd and whistled it to death. Whoever said they wanted more buttons sure got a boatload. And what's with having to get the Cadillac pkg to get a backup camera!?! Are those 3 buttons (EV being one) gonna make drivers able to out-think the computer for better fuel economy? C'mon. Computers & smartphones going to touch screen, and Prius takes a giant step backward? If cell phones are supposed to be a distraction, what about that manic Casio watch display at the edge of the windshield. Unless you've got a whole lot of self control you'd better lay you one of those insulating draft buster snake thingies that you put at your door threshold in front of that maze of green. 98% of the Gen II PriusChat complaints could have been resolved by putting in an adjustable seat, a better nav system, and adjustable cup holders. Overkill has been redefined.
but they did put in adjustable seat, steering wheel, better nav... if you dont like other features, dont get them? and save some money... And are you complain about EV switch? pretty cool .
From everything I see we get slightly larger engine. Just so we can gain that 1 sec for 0-60 and slightly more gas milage. Lose the touch screen for tounch sensitive buttons. We can get led headlights that will probbaly be able to retro fit. Can gain some more sensors to drive or be able to complain about like everyone complains about the current traction control. You don't have to cobble together and ev mode for the 1/2 mile of estimated use. The power button that make it respond better. Probbaly just keeps the ICE running so it doesn't stutter start. And the solar.... hmm I won't be hurring to buy this one.. lets hope they get the next round more to what people want and not what they think people want. IE long trip plug in...
most newbies were complaining about the buttons. being able to remember what you were pressing. that's why they added it to the screen... the 1.8 is great.. something a little more stable on power.. plus the clutch on mg2 with higher rpm limits.. it sounds fun. i like the idea of the heat recovery off the exhaust. those buttons only change the first 50% of throttle input. anything past is the same.. a plug in is schedules when they change the batteries... 1012 is the last estimate i've heard. (please search all this info is on this forum...) if i were to trade up... fully loaded.. there is no other way... *shrug*
I'm so in love with the Gen III that I'm seriously considering selling my motorbike and RAV4 to get one. I saw the Gen III at Prius Connection Detroit and the Detroit Auto Show and it is a quantum leap ahead of the Gen II which is a great car. I'll be getting the most basic which means no touch screen and I don't think that's a bad thing. A touch screen phone is fine because you're not driving when using it but a touch screen requires you take your eyes off the road, fixed buttons can be learnt and felt. I have a TomTom for nav and I can drive without assistance, so a base model suits me. I'm just cheesed off we wont see the Gen III till the last half of the year in Australia.
Traction control is updated to a newer, better generation. Do you really think the 97% of American car buyers in 2008 who passed up hybrids said to themselves, "Gee, I'd really like a Prius. If only it cost $40,000, then I'd buy one!"?
The biggest benefit of the bigger engine is that you'll get more efficiency on the highway at high NA speeds. The G1 and G2 Prius' were built with the JDM type of driving in mind. This new G3 is built with the NA type of driving in mind, NA being the biggest market afterall. EV and ECON are great options if you want to use them. The Navi system is far better.
Hmm that predates the 100 Yrs War so I would think you will have to go with the 4 oxen model, They don't plug in but you can graze them most anywhere !
What emission controls? They fertilize the field while they plow it. Okay, you mean emissions while they are in the barn. Messy, yes, but still available as 100% organic fertilizer. And 100% energy-independent since you grow your own fuel.
:focus: Back to the 2010 Prius. The packages available for pre-order put the nail in the coffin for me: You have to take leather in order to get the dynamic cruise control. (Though it was unlikely already since I drive my Prius only occasionally, and will even less if my electric Porsche actually comes.) However, once the car is available to the public, if the highway mpg is significantly better (> 60 mpg compared to my present hwy ~ 50 mpg) and if, like the 2004, there is a "safety package" with all the safety-related features and none of the yuppy features (leather, bluetooth, NAV, etc) then I could reconsider. The pre-order package configuration is such a deal-breaker that I'm not even going to place the no-obligation pre-order, as some are doing just to hold their options open.
I understand your sentiments but I'll disagree with you on the bluetooth as I see that more as a safety feature than a luxury item.
Agreed - BT was a huge selling point for me in the '04 (partially why I did get NAV) for the hands-free aspect. Talking on the phone is a convenience, doing so hands-free in many areas is the law. Other than cables hanging off your ear, I can't think of a better way to keep your eyes on the road.
I have a hard wired hands free craddle which not only allows hands free use and charges my phone while I drive, it also puts the phone at my finger tips for easy dialing of speed dial numbers. At under $100AU it was a little cheaper than the iTech upgrade costing just over $9000AU although that includes a few extra things like VSC etc.
I noticed everyone talking about pre-order packages. I'm on a waiting list. (number 1). The way they work it is a car comes in and I say yes or no. I was never asked about packages. Is that the way the initial cars will be coming in??
The pre-order (and the packages associated with it) are totally seperate from the standard dealer allocation. There is no word yet on how the regular allocations options will be packaged.
It's not a safety feature for me, because my cell phone is always off while I am driving. Period. It's been determined that talking on the phone, even hands-free, is a distraction, and increases the likelihood of accidents. Since I do not use the phone while driving, I'd rather not have to pay for bluetooth.
And SOME DAY, TracFone (*) will have a Bluetooth phone that they sell in Vermont They FINALLY put one out and for reasons unknown, we are not good enough to have one. * Prepaid, no contract. $100/year and we don't use all the minutes. Wouldn't work for a lot of people but we use ours so rarely, there is no sense paying $50+ a month.
I don't like the pre-order packages. Too much stuff I don't care for being mixed with stuff I do care for. Besides, upgrading isn't really an option for me. My family drives cars until they die or are in a condition that can't be driven. Those of you that want to upgrade or buy another car but are dissatisfied with the pre-order package options may be satisfied with the packages when they come out to the public.
