Drove a Gen 3 for the first time yesterday - don't get it.

The biggest difference I found between my 2008 and 2012 was that I could get 10mpg better mileage using the same driving style.

 

But when your 04 dies, as all cars do, then what? You will have many more choices than you had in 04, it should be fun to shop but admittedly no fun to pay.

 

These are the two things I also noticed when trading up from my 2008 to my 2011. Biggest complaint with the 2008 was the drivers seat. Uncomfortable after about 45 minutes and my commute is an hour and a half. Aggravated my piriformis syndrome. The 2011 seat has that nice elevation adjustment, a little different curve in the lumbar section, and more of a "bucket" cross section to keep your posterior located.

 

I just saw an ad on CL for a 2001 Honda Insight with a dead IMA battery. Without having done any research on the subject, my gut says the NiMH batteries on the Prius will average about 15 years.

Do we have a sense of how long the batteries are lasting in the Gen1 Prius?

 

I have a completely different problem where I need both lumbar support and non-support at different times. As a result, I knew the non-power cloth seats in the 2010 we rented would not be good enough for the long term. Fortunately, the power Softex seat we have in our 2014 Four lets me adjust at will and I too have done 3-4 hour stints multiple times and our 10-hr driving days when traveling are no problem. The heated feature also helps and has the added benefit of letting me warm up when I get chilled without having to change the cabin temp for my wife. I do understand why a lot of folks don't particularly like the Prius seats though, the front of the seat cushion being a little too high and the lumbar support being a little aggressive for some. We like the Softex, but it remains to be seen how they'll hold up over time and miles.

 

i've had '04, '08 and now '12. granted, the pip is a different animal, but there's nothing wrong with consistency.

that's what i like about toyota, you know what you're going to get. i consider that a major benefit.

exterior styling will always be subjective, interior has always been their weak point, imo. but they make incremental improvements that are always value added. i expect no less from gen IV, i'm sure it will be a fitting replacement when the time comes.

 

i can't blame you, we all have our wants and needs. i'm more interested in what we don't know yet, more than what we do. i would probably still be driving my '08, if the pip hadn't come along.

 

There is no hard clock. It depends on avoiding heat and that is a function of climate, terrain, and driving profile.

Bob Wilson

 

I have a 2004 and a 2013 so I'm very familiar with the differences between the two. First off, I guess I'm lucky because the seat in the 2004 never bothers me. I've driven on some very long trips and have no complaints. Driving dynamics are a total different ball game. The gen3 has much smoother acceleration and much less NVH. The steering feels tighter in the gen3 and the ride is more supple. I do miss all the nooks and crannies of my beloved 2004. As for the new gen4, I'll have to see it and drive it. If it knocks my socks off I will get it, otherwise I will end up buying out my lease.

 

I have a 2010 Gen III and see no reason to buy another until the wheels fall off of the one I have. I saw very little difference between my brother's 2009 Gen II and mine. And people have already said there isn't much difference between the Gen III and Gen IV except for cosmetics. So, no need to spend money, yet.

Mike

 

people have said? but nobody knows.

 

The biggest thing for me was that the Gen 3 had enough leg room for me and the Gen 2 didn't.

There are also a whole lot of other worthwhile changes since 2004 that may not have been apparent in a short test drive. Here are a few that come to mind:

• Vehicle Stability Control which is supposed to be the biggest safety improvement since seat belts
• Better traction control
• Better air conditioning
• 4 Wheel disc brakes, brake assist, for panic stops and hill hold for easy starts on steep hills
• High tech glass which significantly cuts solar heat gain while passing visible light
• More underfloor storage space at the back (IIRC)
• No bladder in the fuel tank
• Choice of driving modes (not critical but handy at times)

 

I hadn't thought that the early Gen 2s had VSC but IIRC, all gen 3s do. If you have it - great
There were a lot of complaints about the Gen 2 traction control. It was improved in the Gen 3 and most people now seem happy.
The Gen 2 a/c may be good but there were some changes made in the gen 3 to make it more efficient
IIRC some people mentioned Gen 2 brakes fading on long downhills. May have been their driving technique but having discs all round doesn't hurt.
The hill start assist isn't needed but it's handy at stop signs on very steep hills if someone's close behind, or if you have to do a multipoint turn between cars in a steep parking lot
I rarely use the different operating modes but it enables people to use the set up they like and what's the harm.
I've heard that there is a size difference in underfloor storage space but I've never had reason to check. If its an issue of interest to you, you may want to take a second look.