Is It Worth Getting The Gen 2?

[sjrainsford]

110bhp in today's standards is pedestrian. dont get me wrong, i'm not about to race with a Prius but 143bhp sounds more handy whenever i need it to get out of sticky situation.

That 110bhp doesn't tell you anything really. Torque has a big deciding factor on how a car is to drive, especialy in the case of these. I wouldn't write one off until you've driven one. You will be surprised by the power I'm sure, everybody who's been in my car has so far been surprised.

Ok, it's by no means fast - but they accelerate quite hard really, especially at normal road speeds. You're up to 90mph in no time.

But in reality it's much more a matter of opinion. I think when I was looking for a Prius, I don't think i'd have even entertained a Gen 2 if I could have afforded a Gen 3. But once I'd spent an hour with my Gen 2 I was more than happy.

[kithmo]

When I bought my Gen3 new in May 2010, SWMBO bought a 20K mile 2006 Gen2 T4 at the same time.

Now whilst I prefer the Gen3 looks, the Gen2 feels easier to drive in town, you can tell it has more torque than the Gen3 as the Gen2 electric motor pulls it uphill better than the Gen3. The Steering and handling feels a lot better on the Gen3, but that may be because I have the 17" low profile wheels compared to the 16" higher profiles on the Gen2.

SWMBO's Gen2 has the optional JBL stereo and it has far superior sound over the standard Toyota one in my Gen3 (and more speakers).

I like the interior of both and TBH have no preference of one over the other.

I like the hi-res multicolour MFD on the Gen2 and I like the HUD on the Gen3.

I think if I had test driven a Gen2 before I bought the Gen3 I would have bought one, no question.

[jdrrco]

mm very contrasting comments about the two cars. let's just say they are both good cars and we call it a day eh haha.

does anyone know anything about the facelift version? what improvements will they make? perhaps if it's so good, i should get a gen 2 and wait 3 years for the prices of that to come down, that can be one of the plans. oh i am confused haha.

if i only have the cash to buy a car without warranty, id choose a toyota or a honda. the end of the normal 3 year manufacturer's warranty is not a worry to me as i know how reliable these cars can be. if i buy a 3-4 year old gen 2/3, they are still covered for the electric side of things so i am not worried at all. almost all cars have some sort of bad user experience, i havent see any for the prius, not even on this forum when it's a place for people to raise concern. i am impressed!

Like looking in a mirror! Exactly the reasons I bought mine! At 73k miles, there was still enough of the hybrid warranty left and, like you, I noticed how different the forum was compared to other manufacturers'. Try the Civic hybrid (that'll convince you to get a Prius!) and the Insight too (just come under the £10k now but I wasn't prepared to Shell out the extra when I could get a good Prius for £6,500).

Be interested to hear what you ultimately decide.

[ph47mf]

right, boys and girls, i dont think i can hold out much longer for a prius, im dying to just buy one and get on with it.

so the plan is to see this tomorrow.

Gen 2 Prius

it seems reasonably priced. mileage is a tad high but since these machines will probably out live me, it shouldn't pose a problem. they (SEAT Leicester) should offer a year's warranty but i dont think it will be toyota's would it? mm...

i read somewhere pre 2006 prius are different, what's the difference? there are a few pre-06 prius which is about £500-£800 cheaper, are they worth a punt?

thanks all.......again

[Jan&tone]

Post 2006 gen2 t-spirit I believe got the reversing camera and the park assist... Can't be more specific as my gen2 was 2008 and had all the toys anyway....

[timberwolf]

Looking at the interior picture it looks like that car has been modified for a disabled driver.

The 2006 included a replaced brake ECU (or was skid?) to improve the traction control and make it a little less sensitive in slippery conditions. The traction control is unusual in that it will progressively cut power to the driving wheels, if the road surface is too slippery, the traction control will end cutting the power off completely. You can't spin the wheels on a Prius, which is IMHO a good thing.

Toyota had a serious quality control problem with the Multi-function Display units on the early 2004-2005 models, and I think the display unit has a lower resolution. A bit of face lift, improvement of some of the rattles. I can't remember anything else off the top of my head.

For 2007 models, I think there may have been a higher incident of problems with the controls for the audio system. You may also want to check if that car is within the dates of the Gen 2 that needed the inverter coolant pump replaced - it should be a free replacement by Toyota.

[cootuk]

We have the 2006 facelift GenII and haven't regretted buying it.

I think there were minor grill restyling and hybrid decals under the side indicators for the facelift, as well as the abs ecu update for traction control.

Round town these cars easily get 50+mpg as the regen system works very well in stop/start traffic.

Very quick off the mark too as the hybrid system can give maximum torque. Surprises quite a few boy racers/BMW X3 drivers at traffic lights

Very easy to drive being an auto, and the cvt works brilliantly - the changeover from electric to petrol is perceptible to the driver as a slight pulse in the accelerator, but otherwise not intrusive. No need to force kickdown or anything like that.

Motorway driving/fast A-roads are taken in their stride though engine can sound racous if you accelerate hard as engine revs dont rise and fall as in normal car. (You can guess I'm not exactly slow - I believe in getting up to speed quickly rather than gently accelerating)

Whether a GenIII is worth the extra if you need to finance is debatable - I would even be looking at a Lexus CT200h in the future.

As for buying then either Toyota main dealer as we eventually did, or we were also very tempted by some of the ex-fleet dealers.

Just had our 60k service done - passed MOT with just two advisories for brake fluid needs replacing and slightly lipped front brake discs (winter corrossion?) - so will have to start braking in neutral to scrub discs better down a few hills).

[ph47mf]

People, i have just went out and bought myself a 2006 silver Gen 2 Prius T-spirit. I did want to look for one with leather and reverse camera etc but in the end, as i wasn't prepared to travel i just settled with one at my local Toyota dealership. £7.5k with 50k on the clock, it has FSH and everything is mint. the highlight is it comes with 12 month warranty and a full tank of petrol. i am mega happy with the deal, it leaves a lot of change in my pocket with my initial budget set at £9k.

I absolutely love the gadgets especially the screen. i found myself looking at it more than the road. haha.

the drive back was excellent although i still can't figure out how to enter postcode into the satnav. i also want to ask why there is an EV button when the car uses Battery at low speed anyway?

i am sure i will have more questions the more i drive it. i am in the process of skim reading the handbook, it's thick!

[cootuk]

Bet your next question will be about replacement tyres...

The EV button can force the engine to electric only mode, and is useful for very short

distances like putting car in garage if its stood outside etc when you definitely dont want the engine turning on to warm coolant and cat.

[timberwolf]

Rather than force, I like to think of the EV button as a please may I have EV mode, as there are so many reasons why the computer could say no.

[Jan&tone]

First question, postcode. On the Gen2 as far as I can remember from mine, you can't use full uk postcode on the Gen2.

EV mode, I went from Folkestone to Sandgate along the coast road all on EV once, nicely undulating road, what was taken out on the uphill bits went back on the downhill bits! The Gen2 charges the Battery differently to the Gen3, IMO better actually!

Use EV up to about 28 MPH on the Gen2 easily, it will flip back to normal automatically so don't worry, EV mode will help you get phenominal MPG's so go for it and enjoy the car.

[MSHasan]

People, i have just went out and bought myself a 2006 silver Gen 2 Prius T-spirit. I did want to look for one with leather and reverse camera etc but in the end, as i wasn't prepared to travel i just settled with one at my local Toyota dealership. £7.5k with 50k on the clock, it has FSH and everything is mint. the highlight is it comes with 12 month warranty and a full tank of petrol. i am mega happy with the deal, it leaves a lot of change in my pocket with my initial budget set at £9k.

I absolutely love the gadgets especially the screen. i found myself looking at it more than the road. haha.

the drive back was excellent although i still can't figure out how to enter postcode into the satnav. i also want to ask why there is an EV button when the car uses battery at low speed anyway?

i am sure i will have more questions the more i drive it. i am in the process of skim reading the handbook, it's thick!

Postcode can be entered if you click the town button in the destination menu (under the normally highlighted street button) and then postcode will be right at the bottom. However, as mentioned by J&T you can only enter the post code partially after which you get a list of roads to choose from.

[ph47mf]

oh great thanks MsHasan.

Another query is voice command. are there some kind of magic words/phrases i need to say to get the stupid woman to do something for me? haha

any examples? as i dont think we understand each other haha.

[Jan&tone]

oh great thanks MsHasan.

Another query is voice command. are there some kind of magic words/phrases i need to say to get the stupid woman to do something for me? haha

any examples? as i dont think we understand each other haha.

Lol, I've never found out how to get her to make me a cup of tea, but at least she doesn't argue or get uppity when you ignore her directions

[ph47mf]

i got round to search by postcode on the satnav and learned a few commands like ''auto air conditioning'' and ''radio'' etc but most have dedicated buttons on the steering wheel, a little pointless to be honest.

now i am trying to figure out how to link my phone's address book with the car's bluetooth, when i press transfer button a message pops up to ask me to transfer, i was like what the hell do i do next? i dont think i have an option on my phone (HTC desire HD) to beam the contacts over. or am i just being silly, i should just dial from my phone to save the hassle.

[Ancient Nerd]

Another query is voice command. are there some kind of magic words/phrases i need to say to get the stupid woman to do something for me? haha

any examples? as i dont think we understand each other haha.

Try saying "I'm hungry". She understands that OK

[Jan&tone]

i got round to search by postcode on the satnav and learned a few commands like ''auto air conditioning'' and ''radio'' etc but most have dedicated buttons on the steering wheel, a little pointless to be honest.

now i am trying to figure out how to link my phone's address book with the car's bluetooth, when i press transfer button a message pops up to ask me to transfer, i was like what the hell do i do next? i dont think i have an option on my phone (HTC desire HD) to beam the contacts over. or am i just being silly, i should just dial from my phone to save the hassle.

From what I can remember, at the point of the pop up message you 'send' from your phone... There will be something in the phone instructions as to how you do that!

[Ancient Nerd]

now i am trying to figure out how to link my phone's address book with the car's bluetooth, when i press transfer button a message pops up to ask me to transfer, i was like what the hell do i do next? i dont think i have an option on my phone (HTC desire HD) to beam the contacts over. or am i just being silly, i should just dial from my phone to save the hassle.

There is an Android App called "bluetooth File Transfer". Works like a dream, even on my ancient T-Mobile G1. When you get to that point on the Prius, change over to the phone. use Menu/More/Send contacts. Select all contacts. Then check the contacts you want to transfer.

Good luck

[ph47mf]

thank you! i have downloaded the app, just need some time to do it in a bit. you guys are a bunch of helpful lads!

filled it to the brim from one bar (not flashing) for £53. i am gonna drive like i normally do to see how many miles i can squeeze out of it. i am hoping to achieve around 450 miles which can potentially save me 40% in fuel.

[sjrainsford]

You should do that. Mine will easily do over 400 mile letting it go down to the last segment flashing.

[Ancient Nerd]

filled it to the brim from one bar (not flashing) for £53. i am gonna drive like i normally do to see how many miles i can squeeze out of it. i am hoping to achieve around 450 miles which can potentially save me 40% in fuel.

I had a quick look at my old Gen II figures. Best tank was 531 miles, with half a dozen fills over 500 miles. These were all over the summer, you won't do it at this time of year.

[ph47mf]

I do also think i can manage it. Since i brimmed it, i have done 70 miles and all ten bars are still present. could i be heading towards 700 miles? that must be some kind of record.

this morning i found out my car has no heated mirrors, what a disappointment. i had to resort to the old fashion wipe with finger.

another thing, moving on a straight, i can hear a kind of noise i can only describe as grinding, albeit very low in volume but still noticeable with the radio off. i am saying to myself it could be the electric motor in motion, is that the case?

pictures will be uploaded shortly

[Jan&tone]

I do also think i can manage it. Since i brimmed it, i have done 70 miles and all ten bars are still present. could i be heading towards 700 miles? that must be some kind of record.

this morning i found out my car has no heated mirrors, what a disappointment. i had to resort to the old fashion wipe with finger.

another thing, moving on a straight, i can hear a kind of noise i can only describe as grinding, albeit very low in volume but still noticeable with the radio off. i am saying to myself it could be the electric motor in motion, is that the case?

pictures will be uploaded shortly

The Gen2 didn't have heated exterior mirrors.

The noise you can hear is likely to be the electric motor, sounds like a milk float (which is why the Prius has that nickname!)

[Ancient Nerd]

I do also think i can manage it. Since i brimmed it, i have done 70 miles and all ten bars are still present. could i be heading towards 700 miles? that must be some kind of record.

Er No...

The fuel gauge isn't linear. You'll probably get to 100+ before the first bar goes. And the last few bars seem to go slightly quicker than the early ones.

The same goes for the trip mpg. I always reset Trip A when I filled the tank. The mpg rose over a few miles to reach a consistent level, then slowly reduced as the tank emptied.

Also, on average, the trip computer was 3.0% optimistic compared with the calculated value. There was a lot of variation however, from 6% under to 13% over.

(It's a bit like Microsoft non-linear time. You know the progress bar when a program is running on your PC. It either stays close to zero for 5 minutes, and then completes in the last 10 seconds. Or it goes rapidly to 99% and then takes forever to finish.)

[johalareewi]

I do also think i can manage it. Since i brimmed it, i have done 70 miles and all ten bars are still present. could i be heading towards 700 miles? that must be some kind of record.

700 miles isn't impossible. Hypermilers get this easily but for us mere mortals, 700 miles on a tank is a dream, even though it is possible in theory (10 gallon tank at 72mpg = 720 miles). My best tank is 600 miles and for the last 70 miles I was trying! My normal range on a tank is 450 to 550 miles depending on time of year and type of journey.

You can check peoples fuelly stats to see what sort of mpg they are getting.

http://www.fuelly.com/car/toyota/prius/2010'>http://www.fuelly.com/car/toyota/prius/2010

Click on an individual car to get its stats.

Edit: Just noticed you have a gen2 so you should really look at gen2 prii on fuelly...

http://www.fuelly.com/car/toyota/prius

Click on a suitable year.

Note that 2009 will contain a mix of gen2 and gen3.