Specifications for the 2008 Prius

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(sola @ Jun 17 2006, 06:13 AM) [snapback]272624[/snapback]</div>

I think we are about to enter a new fast moving age in automotive technology. You may find yourself having to upgrade every year just to keep up with it. Kind of like buying a computer 10 years ago and finding it outdated by the time you have it installed. So I will take my new 2006 and wait another 6 or 7 years and then buy what will probably be and unimaginable NEW 2013 PRIUS.

 

im sorry but a FASTER Prius is about the most unnecessary thing i have ever heard. one with a larger engine?? sorry, real hard time swallowing that one as well. the other options are more than enough for me to get one. have been waiting for a plug in option although 9 km would not be any where near my wish list, i would still get it simply because of the factory install.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ Jun 17 2006, 11:01 AM) [snapback]272686[/snapback]</div>

If it gets better mileage, has fewer emissions, etc. I don't care if it goes faster or not.

But I still want the hatchback!

I usually buy a new car every 10 years. But....if the redesigned model year 2009 Prius is that much of an improvement....I'll sell my 2005 and buy "early". I might even get the top package this go around with a gray interior. (I hope they'll have a dark blue by then. I just love the dark blue Camrys and RAV4s.)

 

I certainly hope they don't make it any faster. They're releasing loads of more powerful hybrids now; what would be the point of increasing the power of the nominally environmentally-friendly one rather than making it even more efficient? It's got to have some sort of distinguishing feature from the other Toyota hybrids, or it has no point.

Personally, it seems clear to me from what I read on here that the USA real road design problems. If you really feel you need something faster than the Prius to join traffic from a slip road, your traffic engineers need slapping.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(KMO @ Jun 17 2006, 10:04 AM) [snapback]272720[/snapback]</div>

Agreed. If traffic engineers would begin to add traffic sensors to most of the traffic signals in populated areas, they could cut the amount of waiting time dramatically.

Here in the States we are woefully unable to create roundabouts; the answer is always to add traffic signals, which simply increase congestion.

In my small town of 6000, I fought last year against a traffic signal at a new bank facility. Because the signal's planning period had passed two years earlier, county officials voted to continue construction of the signal. Traffic engineers used data from a seven-year-old "traffic studies data book," using incorrect math, to estimate traffic at the bank building. The figures were based on building size, ignoring service capability. (For example, a 7000-square-foot building is assumed to have 160 trips per hour; the fact that four bankers cannot serve that many customers never enters the equation.)

When I saw the page from this reference book, I was appalled at its incorrect use of the data. A simple trend line applied to the 33-point graph showed their math to be totally wrong. And 33 data points for the entire US is a laughably inadequate sample!

My personal opinion of traffic engineering is that it's not advanced much since the 1940s. Highways are designed for faster speeds, but smaller roads are simply slapped into place. Local politicians and planners seem more concerned with shopping at a new Wal-Mart than smoother traffic flow.

Ahh....don't get me started. The traffic signal was installed late last year; it's overbuilt for the roadway, with over 30 lamps. It works, it serves the occasional car. What a waste of over US$100,000.

 

Don't forget Toyota's primary objective is still to make a profit. They will make a hybrid based on what the public demands - including faster ones. Unfortunately, most humans do not have a "global effect" mentality. (More like: What's best for me and right now)

 

roundabouts have always had problems being accepted especially out in the wide open west. but their advantages outweigh the disadvantages by so much that even here with a TON of opposition, they are popping up all over the place. in my area, 5 years ago, there were none that i knew of. today, that is always the most logical, cheapest, most efficient, way of moving traffic.

i am proud to say that i can no longer keep track of them all.

 

I'm with EVAN on the roundabouts...

I've driven on the British Motorways and streets several trips to the U.K. and found the roundabouts worked very well. Even the 2 and 3-lane ones work well once you understand the protocol. First trip, I admit to going round two or three times before exiting onto my intended highway. In addition, the British most frequently observe good driving manners on the Motorways - highest speeds inner lane - slower in the outside lane - others middle lane. I believe it boils down to teaching and observing good manners. The only person I saw break into a queue ("line" in American English) was an American young man who thus contributed to the "ugly American" reputation.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ Jun 17 2006, 07:22 AM) [snapback]272652[/snapback]</div>

On the first point I agree completely. Buyers of the current model Prius are *extremely* well-protected against vehicle depreciation. If they decide to sell their car (whatever the next purchase might be) its overall cost to own and operate will be exceptionally low. In fact this advantage of Prius does not get as much media attention as we might hope.

On the second point, I have a 2001 Prius (among the 1G as above), and honestly had no hope that I might receive special consideration when the 3G appears. I admire Evan's optimism there! Perhaps he's right...

DAS

 

The 3G Prius will be announced late 2008 as MY2009.

Ken@Japan

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ Jun 17 2006, 02:31 PM) [snapback]272744[/snapback]</div>

We have quite a few in our area, and they work better then the intersections with lights...of course, after a hurricane, the lights are often down, and then...then you see chaos...

 

Regarding resale prices, I have a '05 Package #6 with 12K miles and in excellent condition. The MSRP was ~$26K. However, the Kelly Bluebook website currently lists its Retail value as ~$29K for my area, an INCREASE of ~$3K in less than 2 years.

My conclusion is, for those who drive low to moderate mileage in North America, buy now, then sell the '06 (or '07) personally, making a slight profit or at least breaking even, and buy an '09 (assuming you want to...).

 

You wont see a re designed Prius until the 09 model year.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Jun 27 2006, 03:22 PM) [snapback]277251[/snapback]</div>

I believe the announcement will be for worldwide.

Ken@Japan