Well, I've always been an avid enviornmentalist and have been pondering trading in my '02 CVT for a 2004 Prius. I know they aren't out yet, but I have done a lot of reading on this car. Check out what has to be said about the '04 Prius

Engine 1.5-Liter VVT-i
Horsepower 78 @ 5,000 RPM
Torque 85 lb.-ft. @ 4,200

Electric Motor Permanent Magnet
Voltage/Horsepower (HP) 500V/67 HP
Torque 295 lb.-ft @ 0-1,200RPM

Estimated Total Hybrid System HP 106
Coefficient of Drag .026
Curb Weight 2,855

Do I belong in the hippie-looney bin? or should I look further into this?

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Work like you don't need the money.Love like you've never been hurt.Dance like nobody's watching.

 

whats the diff between the current prius and the 04 prius?

also i dont think you belong in the loony bin, i am a fan of high powered cars, but i think these cars do serve a pupose

my best friends neighbor has a m3 and a m5 in his garage, and drives a silk green prius everyday of the week to and forth from work :smile:

i think yo should look into it

there is also the honda civic hybrid..i like that more..because it doesnt look so futuristic and very closely designed to the standard civic

lets us know what u do

good luck :smile:

 

Well, you are asking this on a MINI enthusiasts website. A site where we come to discuss the MINI which we love. . .

So yes, You need a Pill! If the pill doesn't work, take some time off of work because you are cracking up! if the vacation doesn't work. . . check into the looney farm!


No, really, If you are all jazzed up about the new Toyota, then wait for it to come out, test drive it and if you are still wanting it - go for it !

 

check the link from my first post and see for yourself.


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Work like you don't need the money.Love like you've never been hurt.Dance like nobody's watching.

 

I wiuldn't do it. I have a Honda Civic Hybrid and it sucks! I went to Flow BMW to Buy a yellow MCS that they were holding for me but when I got there they had sold it to some one else over the phone 15 min befor I got there. They said they were sorry but did offer to sell me a Red MCS instead of the yellow. My wife who was with me did not like the Mini at all and was happy it was sold and said since I couldn't get the Yellow one I came for I shouldn't get a Mini at all. So in order to stop from having a fight at the MINI dealer I gave in and went across the street to Flow Honda and told myself that the amazing gas mileage and tax deduction would makeup for not getting a Mini. Boy was I STUPID!. The tax deduction was small and the mpg is down from 45mpg at purchase to 33mpg a year latter and I paid only $4,000 less than the MCS. I have looked at the Toyota and I say stay away keep the Mini. :???:

 

>>>>check the link from my first post and see for yourself.
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>>_________________
>>:smile:

 

Don't take offense, but, that's totally your decision. You're going to be the one paying for it, you're going to be the one having to drive it, and only you know your driving situation. Besides, this isn't a Toyota forum. Do a search and find one. See what the real owners are saying about them. For the most part, unless there is someone on this board who owns one of those things, all you'll find here are uninformed opinions by people who have no more actual knowlege of the car than you. You wouldn't go on a Ford forum asking questions about buying a Chevy.... so why do it here?

 

Well, as far as I know, there is no Prius forum. I posted my thoughts because we are all car enthusiasts.

I was hoping to get some objective input on the aesthetics, amenities, and powertrain from people who pay close attention to their automobiles.

 

2004 Prius MSRP about $20,000
http://www.toyota.com/index3.html

 

If you're into driving something that looks, sounds and handles like a vacuum cleaner, that's cool... don't just trade in your Mini - you'll get screwed. You'll do MUCH better selling it privately.

 

Prius-
Sort of reminds me of a pregnant 4 door Honda CRX! Yikes.

 

Me thinks it resembles a piece of a pie wedge. That's not my thing.

I don't know, but I'd keep the MINI. I'm not really sure that this car would satisfy you after owning a MINI. However, I don't know the specifics of your thinking on the prius. It looks like there are a lot of blind spots in the prius--also looks as if it would be hard to see out the back window. The MINI is probably safer crash wise (6 airbags and such). Just some thoughts--don't know if it helped.

 

This hybrid looks like....uh....well let me see.....its looks like a smaller version of a Pontiac Aztec......no that's not quite right either...Minihune nailed it. The roller skate that's somewhat pregnant.

It may get great gas mileage, but don't expect to pick up any gals in that thing.

 

Hey Abe, are you out of your mind?????



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'02 Cooper CVT
On order: '04 Cooper S (Est production date: 9/5/03)

 

Well Elecrric109,

kudos to you for caring about fuel consumption and environmental effects!
The 04 Prius seems like a very cool car, and much improved over the previous one. I also like the looks of the new one much better.

My own thoughts are that I don't think hybrids are really the way to go. Currently in the US maybe. However, hybrids inherently have the disadvantage of lugging around 2 engines and drivetrains, batteries, regulators, etc... There are some advantages admittedly to regenerative braking, but I believe in the immediate future hi-tech diesels are the way to go.

I am hoping that MINI will bring the One D to the US in 2006 when the diesel will finally get cleaned up here, and would love to buy one then. That's when I will trade my MCS for a One D.

In the meantime though in the US a hybrid may be the most environmentally friendly car you could drive.

Cheers,
M.

 

Great cars for engineers, hybrids are 100% an engineering exercise. Fun factor is WAY down on the MINI though. But If you got your MINI because of the CVT and you find technology fascinating, a hybrid is more "cutting edge" than a MINI.

Hybrids aren't for me though, too slow and ungainly maneuverers. Got a friend with an Honda Insight. Great to look at and talk about while downing a few beers, much less satisfying on the road or track.

 

I am personally not impressed by how the old and new Pruises look. Japan, Inc seems to be infested by Pokimon inspired auto designers. This car reminds me of the 1990's GM "Dustbuster" minivans.

While the technology is very cool, I am not sold 100% into hybrid technology. You are increasing the car's complexity and weight by adding what essentially is two powertrains under the hood. Hybrid technology hasn't caught on this country as Toyota and Honda has sold a handful of these critters in the last few years. I don't understand for the life of me why Toyota hasn't been able to fit Hybrid technology on such popular models as the Corolla or RAV4??

Honda's insight is a hideous looking 2 seater bathtub with skinny and rough riding 13" tires. It seems to me that the best compromise in the market of Hybrids right now is the Honda Civic HX as it is more of a "Normal" looking and driving car. Ford will soon release the Escape Hybrid version, making it the first SUV ever to offer this technology.

Hybrid technology is just a stop gap until better and more efficient powertrain technologies become available like fuel cells and hydrogen powered vehicles.

To be honest, if you are so obssesed about high fuel economy you will do much better with a VW Golf 1.9TDI which delivers around 50+ MPH and without the added weight and complexity of a Hybrid configuration.

If you have to have the Prius my advice is to keep the MINI otherwise you will seriously regret it. I am puzzled about your sudden "Love" with the Prius since you have always complained about the acceleration quality of your CVT.....how a heavier Prius will address it???

The Prius is just a high tech econobox. No comparison to the timeless design, engineering and resale value of the MINI. I guess that if you wanna have the ultimate "Ricer" then the Prius will fit the bill.

I am very dissapointed at your apparent decision of dumping your beautiful Pepper White MINI for this hideous Anime contramption.

You are one of the most vocal MINI Florida fans.....are you bailing us all out???

 

Your concern for the environment is nice, but the Prius certainly won't look as good with a surfboard on top. We've meet and let me say you're much too cool for a boring car like the Prius.

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[img]albums/album25/ama.gif[/img]VinceAndJessica.com
Alta pulley, Stebro exhaust, Pipercross intake, Progress rear anti-sway bar.

 

>>Well, as far as I know, there is no Prius forum.
Typing "Prius forum" into the IE search came up with the following websites:

Toyota Prius specifications

The Toyota Board

Supercars.net - 2002 Toyota Prius Rally Forum

Toyota Prius hybrid-electric car information from Corolland

AuHo! The Toyota Prius Homepage!

AuHo! The talk Toyota Prius Homepage!

Automotive Forums .com - Prius


>>I posted my thoughts because we are all car enthusiasts. I was hoping to get some objective input on the aesthetics, amenities, and powertrain from people who pay close attention to their automobiles. <<

I admit most people here are enthusiasts, but they're enthusiasts of a certain car (the MINI) or type of car (sport performance). They do pay close attention to what interests them, however, I don't really think the average MCO'er would find enough interest to explore the Prius because it's not an enthusiasts car. In order to get any kind of objective opinion, other than general body shape, you have to talk to people who know more that just that the car exists. I applaud you in your efforts to find out more about the car but you're looking for answers in a place where they just don't exist.

 

hmm if you want it i think you should get it

like i said earlier i just dont like the futuristic design, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder

i am enoucraging u to get it, because it offsets the emissions people like us create

 

Maybe if it was lowered, with an aero package and low-profile tires in might be ok...personally, I think that the performance issue would be the topper for me. Maybe you are not so interested in that and would find the car to be everything you need. One of my friends has the Honda alt fuel vehicle and he loves it! I like what MCS says..."The world thanks you".

 

Is it me or does it look like an Aztek dropped it out of it's tailpipe?

Hahahah

No, seriously...
I will have to DISAGGREE (UH OH not again) with this statement - you're much too cool for a boring car like the Prius.


As far as the "COOL FACTOR" is concerned... there is NO OTHER vehicle on the List.. The New Prius is the "IT" car.

Lucy Lui (flutter) and Cameron Diaz both own one. Lucy garaged her $250k Porsche for it.

Cameron... well I didn't think she even had a license...

Millionaires in the hills of Hollywood and other like minded (and walleted) neighborhoods are parking their $100k cars In the "Barn" and opting for the daily driver Prius.

You can also drive solitare in the carpool legally, you can park anywhere... even metered... fro no charge and you get a tax break for owning one. Along with all those perks, you are befriending the environment and showing the automotive industry where their next steps should be taken.

Good Luck and never lose the motoring "spirit"!

 

Check into the cost of a replacement battery. A friend of mine was looking into the hybrids last year and discovered that the battery would need to be replaced in 5-6 years to the tune of about $7000 . Of course, she DOES tend to exaggerate. Still, I'd look into that. It could be a cost that other hybrid owners just haven't discovered yet.

 

Well, I am intrigued by the technology in this car. As for the shape, even though it looks rather quirky, I think it will be more Matrix quirky than Echo quirky.

As for picking up girls, well I haven't been able to keep the girls that i pick up now even with the MINI. Most girls act like they could care less what I drive.

I don't think I'm out of my freaking mind, but I've been there before.

The Prius is definately a different style, but I do own a race car (1989 VW Golf) which helps me still have fun, and I love technology, especially when it favors the enviornment.

When it comes to performance, well the Prius is 7hp less than the Cooper, weighs about the same, and its torque is more readily available because of the electric motor.

Well, I seem to be the person people ask when wanting to learn about a car like this. I built 2 electric cars before my 18th birthday.

As for the cool factor, I think I can overcome that by getting a little creative, which I am not afraid to do.

I quess I need to see this thing in person. Thanks for the input guys!

 

>>
>>As for the cool factor, I think I can overcome that by getting a little creative, which I am not afraid to do.
>>
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well there is a guy that drives a honda insight in berkeley, with wheels and suspension mods...so it can be done

go out there
its a new adventure

i encourage you :smile: