I'm new on here. My husband and I are thinking about buying a 2004 or 2005 Prius in the next few months. I haven't test driven one yet, just trying to do some research first. Is there any special maintenance that has to be done on these? I read that they have 2 batteries (is that true?), and how often do these usually need to be replaced? For those who have children, how does a forward facing car seat fit? My son has a Britax Marathon and I'm wondering how it will fit. Also, what about the trunk room? What's the biggest thing you have fit in it? It looks big in the pictures I see, but I've never actually looked in the trunk of one. Thanks in advance!
They do have two batteries, one is the big traction battery that rarely ever need to be replaced. the other is a small 12 volt that lasts four or five years usually and is not expensive. if you spend some time looking at the psots in this forum you will see people have hauled amazingly big things in them.
Hi ! Don't even worry about all that stuff. The Prius is the most reliable car on the planet! So get one and enjoy the savings.Very easy to drive! Just a bit of getting used to things. If you can get a 2006 or newer as the the 05 and older have some issues with traction in snow, but good winter tire will take care of that. Hal
Concur about the 12 volt. If one has an 06 or older that's still on the original 12 volt, it's more than likely going to be need to be replaced, esp. if it's an 05 or older. Price is <$200 for it. http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...-most-unusual-load-carried-in-your-prius.html gives examples of its cargo capacity. One can look at the maint. records of the 04 Prius at http://avt.inl.gov/hev.shtml.
I just saw your location, and there's one thing you **will** need: snow tires. Winter driving experiences depend heavily on whether or not you have them. Those who have a set get by just fine. (I have never had an issue.) Those who don't, and who get caught driving on snowy roads, tend to find that the car has a tough time getting around. The traction control system cuts power when it senses wheel slip, so if you don't have much traction you won't have much power. It sounds obvious but the effect is magnified when the system won't allow the wheels to spin. Newer models (starting in either '06 or '07) seem to have better programming but I'm not sure if we have ever been able to confirm a real change. That's the only "special" thing you might consider, and it isn't really that special. Otherwise these things are pretty solid. You will need oil changes every 5k, air filter changes every 15k, a transaxle fluid change every 30-50k (even though Toyota doesn't say so), maybe a cheap PCV valve change every 60k, shocks/struts about as often as any other car, and if you run the thing into the ground you might eventually have to change a set of brake pads/shoes. Other things can go wrong, but I don't think your liability would be much more than any other older car. Having to swap out a battery is about the same cost and probably a lot less likely than needing a new transmission on your average domestic with 100k+ on the odometer.
Because you have not decided yet, let me post my list of reasons NOT to get a Prius. It is a fine car, but no car is right for everyone! http://priuschat.com/forums/newbie-forum/94450-considering-prius.html#post1334003
If you have to drive in snow or icy conditions make sure you have proper tires. The 2004-2005 models have very agressive traction control which will stop the car completely when it senses wheel spin. Good winter tires will reduce the likelihood of this occurring. The 2006-2009 models have less sensitive traction control but I still recommend winter tires for those in snowy regions.
Groceries? Heck son I've fit a twin-sized mattress in this car (for camping). I even picked up and hauled 4 4"x8' fence posts, 3000' of barbed-wire and 12 8' t-posts. Picked em' up in your neck of the woods too, at Live Wire.
Yesterday I brought back 4 almost new tires 185/65/15, and they can fit into trunk no problem at all. I don't even have to lower the rare seat back. I can't imagine anyone needs more trunk space regularly. If once in a while you need lot more space, go rent a minivan or truck from Home Depot. That's what I do. BTW, my 2004 Prius is super reliable. At almost 150K miles, I never need to do more than regular maintenance. I am very confident to run it another 100K miles in next 5 years.
We just bought a used 2005 Prius - I will tell you that I am VERY impressed with the engineering and technology this vehicle has. It has 135,000 miles on it and just as a "precaution". I replaced the original 12v battery this past weekend. We have driven it about 500 miles already -- average mpg is 51.9. My Explorer gets about 21 mpg. Which vehicle do you think will get driven more?
Check out the newbie forum for tons of info (especially the sticky threads). Here's a real good one: http://priuschat.com/forums/newbie-forum/48705-what-every-newb-should-know.html
Given your location, I would buy a 2006 or newer Prius. Many of the earlier Prius have hyper touchy traction control that can be a problem in winter driving. It was improved for the 2006 model year, and improved again in 2010. Tom
I have a 2004 wtih two kids. One car seat is a Britax, don't remember which model and the other is a different brand, Sunshine Kids. Both forward facing full sized car seats. No problems fitting them in. But it essentially renders the back seat as full, you aren't getting someone comfortably to sit back there with the two car seats. no special mait., extremely reliable car over all Hybrid battery should last the life of the car, the other battery, which is basically like the battery in any other car, should last for years, just like any other car. I got about 6 years out of mine. But a lot is going to depend on how the car is used. They are an unusual size, so when they do need to be replaced, the are pricey. $180 or so fromt he dealer, or $130 or so for aftermarket. teh largest thing I ever got back there, without the car seats, was a fully assembled changing table, that was inside a box, which was wrapped in foam and then inside another box.
