The wait is too much!!

Thats always the big question thats held in secret so as to not influence the market to wait to buy.
Its always good to get a buyer while they want to buy, otherwise they may change their mind, or even go elsewhere.

The 2010 is modeled and in place to go plugin. I just don't know if it will make it by 2011 or if it will be 2012.

I expect the engine size, type, body etc will all still be the same "A GenIII".

The main difference between the GenIII and the plugin model will be a bigger battery, hopefully Lithium Ion, and the software will be configured differently to utilize the bigger battery properly.... everything else is already in play.

 

Agree. The next big change is going to be the use of the Li ion battery, as oposed to the current, and highly reliable, Ni-metal-hydride battery. But I think a number of car manufacturers keep having issues with the Li battery. Reliability? Longevity? Potential hazzard/fire issue upon collision? Not sure what the issues are, but I do know there are issues, or the GenIII would have already incorporated them.

 

Most of the issues now are availability and cost.. the other issues have in large been resolved.

 

I don't know if the 2011 Prius will be out by the time your leaase is up or not. Even if it is "out" that does not mean that it will be readily available in your area, especially for the model you really want. Also, you should expect the west coast to see the 2011's probably a month before the east coast, if this year is any indication.

The best you can do is to order early and hope your dealer can get what you want in time. Hopefully next year will be better, but I ordered my 2010 in May and it is not expected to hit the port in NJ until the end of next week.

Also, while I doubt there will be any major changes, I hope they do address some of the issues that seem to bug people with the 2010. Hey, maybe they will even add a power seat option -- I doubt it though.

 

these things are a bit like buying computers... no matter how long you wait, there is always the better model right around the corner... it never ends!....

At least by getting at least a 2010, your into the next generation!