Oh, yes. If in a well-lit parking lot when srtarting the car & then drive down well-lit city streets, I can easily forget - can see where I'm going, so don't realize they're not on. I know I'm not unique in this, 'cause I myself have blipped my high beams at other drivers for a second to warn them of no lights on their cars on city streets.
Knocking something off the MRSP is wiggle room IMO, when compared with absolutely no movement on the dealer's part.
Yes, I know a person who bought a Prius this past spring & she has the back-up camera, & loves it. In her case, she's glad of it because of their dog, & when their gr'children visit.
Well, something that I'd find out easily via the dealership. I'm pretty sure I rmeember that the battery has a 10 year warranty, but don't know about the rest of the car, in general.
The headlights are already on - daytime running lights. I do wish the tailights also came on w/ the daytimes... The full headlights - & tailights - kick in by themselves in really bad (darkish/stormy) weather in the daytime.
I also
Because... if it's a brightly lit parking lot where car is being started & then one drives down brightly lit streets, may not realize that lights aren't on - one can see fine.
Eventually the gas hog will be scrapped but yes, in most cases it simply moves to someone else. The solution lies in not putting these cars on the production line in the first place and, of course, involuntary sterilization of all males who have sired two children. :-)
How about the navigation system? Keeps you in the center of the road even in dense fog. Will they add Doppler radar in 2008? Will we have IDR (Instrument Driving Rules) along the lines of IFR?
8-year warranty. I understand the 10-year warranty is only in California (US models). I'm curious to know if the MSRP is higher where they have the
10-year warranty or if the cost is spread across those who have an 8-year warranty.
basic new vehicle warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles powertrain warranty: 5 years/60,000 miles hybrid system warranty: 8 years/100,000 miles
If you purchase/register/primarily drive a 2004-current PZEV Prius in a CA emissions state, the hybrid battery alone is further covered under the CA emissions warranty for 10 years/150,000 miles. For a 2004 Prius those states were CA, ME, MA, NY, VT. For a 2005 Prius those states were CA, CT, ME, MA, NH, NJ, NY, RI, VT. I'm certain that more states adopted the CA emission guidelines for the 2006 model year, but I do not have that list.
So the answer, then, is that I'm paying for part of a two-year warranty I don't have. Oh well, I'm also making up the difference for someone else's child tax credit.
Lots of info/answers in your reply below - thanks, & will read through...
Cathy
Cathy F. wrote:
Note that the Prius tends to hold its value much better than a conventional car... (For a while used Prius were selling for more than new!)
2005 was about the same as the 2004.
2006 had several changed since 2005. Besides what's below, some colors were removed, and there is now some "hybrid" badges on the side of the car. Quoting from a Toyota USA dealer memo dated Nov. 4, 2005:
EXTERIOR IMPROVEMENTS The Prius receives updated front headlamps and rear taillamps, and a new front spoiler. A chrome finish is applied to the front grille?~@~Ys center bar, and freshened rear combination lamp is added to enhance its appearance.
In addition, four new exterior colors update the color palette: ?~@? Classic Silver Metallic ?~@? Barcelona Red Metallic ?~@? Silver Pine Mica ?~@? Magnetic Gray (available May 2006)
INTERIOR IMPROVEMENTS On the inside, the instrument panel receives a new black organic textured grain in place of the burgundy or brown colors available last year. The rear seat bottom cushion has been lowered slightly for better head clearance and enhanced riding comfort. Also new for 2006 are the luxurious options of Leather-trimmed seats and steering wheel, available in both Gray and Bisque, and a Rear Backup Camera to help the driver see objects behind the vehicle when in reverse.
The standard audio system is AM/FM CD with 6 speakers. An optional mid-grade audio also includes MP3/WMA playback capability and an auxiliary audio input miniplug. The optional JBL audio features several updates for 2006: ?~@? JBL AM/FM 6-disc CD changer with 9 speakers in 7 locations (cassette deck is no longer available) ?~@? MP3/WMA playback capability and an auxiliary audio input miniplug in the center console ?~@? Hands-free phone capability via Bluetooth wireless connectivity
The optional voice-activated DVD GPS (Global Positioning System) Navigation system is the most sophisticated yet. It offers increased map quality, over 32,000 colors, an ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival) display, a route tracer function, voice recognition street address search functions that allow you to enter a destination while driving, and can now be set to operate in English, French, or Spanish languages.
SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS In addition to standard ABS with Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), and Traction Control (TRAC), several safety features are now standard equipment: ?~@? A Tire Pressure Monitoring System directly measures the pressure of each tire with a sensor and signals the driver in the event of a drop in tire pressure ?~@? Standard Driver and Front Passenger Advanced Airbags (SRS) now feature a passenger occupant classification sensor that determines not only whether the seat is occupied, but also whether an occupant meets the weight requirement for airbag deployment. The passenger front airbags are deployed only when the sensor detects an adult passenger in the front seat.
ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE The complimentary roadside assistance program has been discontinued for the 2006 Prius.
Toyota's not saying. (The last time they did that (announce the 2004 redesigned Prius in spring of 2003), people stopped buying the older
2003 Prius and just waited for the new one to come out... People who bought 2003s were treated to bargain prices as they were sitting on lots!)
Prius in North America have auto-off headlights. Turn on your headlights. as long as you shut your car off AND open the driver's door, the headlights automatically go out. Start the car again and the headlights come back on.
formatting link
The US Federal hybrid vehicle income tax deduction is beginning to phase out for purchases of hybrid Toyota/Lexus/Scion vehicles. Q1-Q3
2006 sales (through Sept. 30, 2006) get $3150, Q4 2006 and Q1 2007 get $15.75, Q2-Q3 2007 get $787.50, and sales from Oct. 1, 2007 (start of Q4 2007) get $0 credit.
The Prius has been in monthly allotments since late 2002. That doesn't mean that there dealer trades haven't been done, even with the long wait times - you just need to find a dealer (or more specifically a salesperson) that is willing to do the work to get you the car that you want. (My dealer would trade with another dealership based on the allotment off of the boat, before it was loaded onto the truck.)
Depending on your flexibility and the color/option package that you want, and the dealer you choose, you could walk off the lot with a car, or you could be waiting a few months.
Check the archives for the monthly sales figures. Prius sales are still down compared to last year, since production is down thanks to parts being diverted for the hybrid Camry production (and not because of waning interest!). Prius is now being built in 2 plants in Japan.
Well, I haven't heard as many people complaining about the "market availability" premium/markup of $1000 - $5000 that some dealers were putting on the Prius because it's in such demand. I do still hear of dealers forcing accessory packages and dealer profit items (like "fabric treatment/paint protection" or "upgraded wheels") onto buyers. There's little wiggle room down from MSRP.
Currently in the US the Prius comes with: Goodyear Integrity (Standard Load) P185/65 R15
86S Treadwear 460 Traction A Temperature B
44psi max. cold pressure
My husband thought that they were fine for their first MA winter, but the 2nd winter was brutal. 3rd winter we switched to Nokian A.W.P.2 WR tires (the only all-season tire that is also rated as a snow tire (snowflake on mountain symbol on it)). We'll be switching to them full-time shortly, as the Integritys are about worn.
Some people hate the Integrity model so badly that they don't leave the dealership without new tires put on it...
The reverse beeper is only heard on the INSIDE. Even with windows open, you pretty much have to be right at the car window to hear it. It is there to remind the driver that you are in reverse (gear shift joystick returns to a central position), along with the blinking box around the "R" on the PRNDB display. Yes, it'd be far too noisy, and ineffective (small children may go towards the beep, animals and objects and often most inattentive people will just ignore it), if the beep was on the outside. On North American Prius there is a procedure that you can do to disable the reverse beep if you don't like it. Outside of North America the procedure doesn't work (a wire to cut has been identified to get rid of the beep, but no one has been daring enough to try it).
Your answer confirms what I thought when I read thru your list of questions. Obviously your home has been your largest purchase (unless maybe it was willed to you), but all told, the cost of all your vehicles has been a tidy some. Now, is it possible you've done as much as you could to make your home as energy efficient as possible, and buying or thinking of buying a Prius is heading you in that same direction?
----- Original Message ----- From: Newsgroups: alt.autos.toyota.prius Sent: Friday, July 07, 2006 10:34 AM Subject: Re: A bunch of questions
**Have used asterisks for my replies here, since the quote symbols for your replies aren't showing up for some reason...
In addition, four new exterior colors update the color palette: ?~@? Classic Silver Metallic ?~@? Barcelona Red Metallic ?~@? Silver Pine Mica ?~@? Magnetic Gray (available May 2006)
**The color I'd like to see come back was on the '03 Prius - & I think on an early-mid 90's generation of the Corolla - a pale silvery aqua. Otherwise, regular silver's fine by me. I know someone who has a new silver pine mica & while I like it, I wouldn't buy one. (OTOH, if it were to be *given* to me... ;-})
INTERIOR IMPROVEMENTS On the inside, the instrument panel receives a new black organic textured grain in place of the burgundy or brown colors available last year.
**I'd have to see all 3, but this sounds like an improvement, aesthetically.
SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS In addition to standard ABS
**Good that they're standard.
with Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), and Traction Control (TRAC), several safety features are now standard equipment: ?~@? A Tire Pressure Monitoring System directly measures the pressure of each tire with a sensor and signals the driver in the event of a drop in tire pressure
**I like this idea.
?~@? Standard Driver and Front Passenger Advanced Airbags (SRS) now feature a passenger occupant classification sensor that determines not only whether the seat is occupied, but also whether an occupant meets the weight requirement for airbag deployment. The passenger front airbags are deployed only when the sensor detects an adult passenger in the front seat.
**My present car often thinks there's a person in the passenger seat when in reality it's my school work tote bag. ;-)
Toyota's not saying. (The last time they did that (announce the 2004 redesigned Prius in spring of 2003), people stopped buying the older
2003 Prius and just waited for the new one to come out... People who bought 2003s were treated to bargain prices as they were sitting on lots!)
**Ah well - I can see both POVs. From a customer standpoint I wouldn't want to buy an '07, for example, only to discover that a redesigned '08 came out a few months later. (I used to avoid the first yr. of a redesign, but feel pretty confident in this/Toyota's case.) OTOH, I can see where Toyota must've been slapping their heads silly when they realized the fall-out from the early '04 announcement. ;-)
Prius in North America have auto-off headlights. Turn on your headlights. as long as you shut your car off AND open the driver's door, the headlights automatically go out. Start the car again and the headlights come back on.
**Okay, I'm partially clear on this now - the auto-off part, but am also still partially confused. Are they auto-on, or do they need to be turned on manually? Or auto-on only if 'x' condition pertains?
formatting link
The US Federal hybrid vehicle income tax deduction is beginning to phase out for purchases of hybrid Toyota/Lexus/Scion vehicles. Q1-Q3
2006 sales (through Sept. 30, 2006) get $3150, Q4 2006 and Q1 2007 get $15.75, Q2-Q3 2007 get $787.50, and sales from Oct. 1, 2007 (start of Q4 2007) get $0 credit.
**Still phasing out. :-(
Well, I haven't heard as many people complaining about the "market availability" premium/markup of $1000 - $5000 that some dealers were putting on the Prius because it's in such demand. I do still hear of dealers forcing accessory packages and dealer profit items (like "fabric treatment/paint protection" or "upgraded wheels") onto buyers.
**Heh. I'd refuse it; if they wouldn't back off & insisted, I'd walk out. Then go back a while later & see if they've changed their mind. If not, bye-bye again with another visit later, along w/ visits to other dealerships.
Currently in the US the Prius comes with: Goodyear Integrity (Standard Load)
**Acccckkkk! === :-O This is the tire I hate & have quickly had replaced for the last two cars - think it has truly lousy handling/traction.
P185/65 R15
86S Treadwear 460 Traction A Temperature B
44psi max. cold pressure
My husband thought that they were fine for their first MA winter, but the 2nd winter was brutal. 3rd winter we switched to Nokian A.W.P.2 WR tires (the only all-season tire that is also rated as a snow tire (snowflake on mountain symbol on it)). We'll be switching to them full-time shortly, as the Integritys are about worn.
Some people hate the Integrity model so badly that they don't leave the dealership without new tires put on it...
**I can commiserate.
The reverse beeper is only heard on the INSIDE. Even with windows open, you pretty much have to be right at the car window to hear it. It is there to remind the driver that you are in reverse (gear shift joystick returns to a central position), along with the blinking box around the "R" on the PRNDB display. Yes, it'd be far too noisy, and ineffective (small children may go towards the beep, animals and objects and often most inattentive people will just ignore it), if the beep was on the outside. On North American Prius there is a procedure that you can do to disable the reverse beep if you don't like it. Outside of North America the procedure doesn't work (a wire to cut has been identified to get rid of the beep, but no one has been daring enough to try it).
**Okay, thanks. As someone else said, I think I can usually tell when I'm in reverse. ;-P Perhaps if one often needed to park at the edge of a precipice for some odd reason it could prove helpful, but otherwise... Would have to see, but the beeper would probably drive me nuts.
**Thank you for the detailed answers. :-)
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