Has Somebody Got A Tape Measure & 3Rd Gen Prius?

[deano1971]

Hi, Just joined and looking forward to becoming an active member. I am going to pick my 2010 Prius up tomorrow but I forgot to ask the dealer a question and they will be shut now.

Does somebody have a Gen 3 they can measure the total width of the rear seat please?

Would really appreciate this as it says nowehere on the Toyota website and I have googled to death trying to find out.

[Grumpy Cabbie]

You're not a taxi driver by any chance?

If so, many authorities allow the gen3 Prius to be a taxi/minicab. The boot is also large enough for most councils too.

Unless someone beats me to it I'll pop out tomorrow to measure the rea seat for you.

[deano1971]

Hi, Good guesse! Just starting out and will be the first in Torbay to use one. Toyota did give me the length, but I am not sure now they are correct as the person told me the Battery is warrantied for 8 years which contradicts the website of 5. Boot seems all ok. I just need to make sure the total length is at least 48inches.

[timberwolf]

Try searching for "Prius gen 3 hip room". Possibly 51.9 inches in the rear.

The older generation (Gen 2, 1.5l petrol engine) has a hip room of 1310 mm (51.5 inches) according to brochure, I am not sure how reliable the specifications are. The Gen 3 is a larger car than the Gen 2, so hopefully they didn't reduce the interior width!

[deano1971]

Thanks for that. As long as its over 48inches im fine.

[johalareewi]

the person told me the battery is warrantied for 8 years which contradicts the website of 5.

You need to double check.

The warranty changed in 2010.

Early 2010's get the warranty lite package :(

http://www.toyota.co.uk/cgi-bin/toyota/bv/frame_start.jsp?id=AfterSalesWarranty

Prius Gen3 Year 2009

Hybrid-related warranty components including hybrid vehicle battery, battery control module, hybrid control module and inverter with converter for 5 years or 60,000 miles.

Prius and Auris Hybrid vehicles registered from 1^st June 2010

Hybrid Synergy Drive System (HSD System)

5 years or 100,000 miles - whichever comes first, with no mileage limitation for the first year.

HSD battery

8 years or 100,000 miles - whichever comes first with no mileage limitation for the first year.

[Grumpy Cabbie]

Just popped out to measure mine and it comes in at just 51 inches. The seat is pretty uniform on the edges so there isn't really a narrow or wide section of the seat.

If I remember correctly I think my council insist on 48 inches too.

As others have mentioned - check and DOUBLE check the warranty. The gen2 Prius from 2004-2009 had the 100k mile 8 year warranty, as does the gen3 Prius FROM about July 2010. The original gen3 Prius from June 2009-June 2010 has a 60k miles 5 year hybrid warranty!

This has caused a collapse in used prices for the early gen3's which are near or over the 60k mile warranty and if you check some of my earlier posts you'll find they're far from reliable under the strain of taxi use! I am on my 3rd steering motor which have all been replaced under warranty but they're about £2,000 fitted inc vat. I do believe the t-spirit uses a higher quality motor so you might be ok there. I have also had numerous rattles, creaks, seat faults, seat belt faults and the hybrid HV Battery ecu fail. I have a funny feeling that my car is one of the first off the production line.

I'm now at 65,000 miles and have retired from the taxi game due to watered down trade (unrestricted area) and massive increase in costs with barely an increase in tariff.

I hope you find the tyres OK as the low profile ones on the t-spirit are not cheap. The 15inch wheels on mine have a branded LLR tyre for £70 inc vat fully fitted.

I'd double check your warranty on your specific car as some parts aren't cheap and I have a feeling the gen3 might not be as bomb proof as the gen2 ones. They cut weight here, capacity there, but increased power and performance and word on the US Priuschat forum is that many gen3 taxis are suffering significant HV Battery failure at 130,000 KM (80,000 miles), though this appears to be restricted to hot Countries like Greece. Word is that some Greek cabbies are now avoiding the gen3 and using the older, but more over engineered gen2's.

Sorry to rain on your parade.