Hey, I was thinking about requesting a 2004 pruis as a company car. I figure low cost on maintenance and running, 25k with all options. Oh it probably also be white. All the company cars are white. It is not much for a company to pay for on lease. Anybody had any experience in these hybrid cars. With the company track record, if it is approved and I say nutting it probably be a ford vechicle.

 

You'd be in good company with all the celebs who drive them.

Not a bad looking car either.

 

I love the new Prius!

 

I think the company gets a hybrid tax credit too.

 

Ive seen a couple of the new ones on the road, they are a head turner. Got them a bit faster then the 1st gen prius which is always a plus.

 

the new prius has xenons!

 

My sister bought one, well shes on the list to get one. We ordered it three months ago and it schedualed for delivery in like 2 weeks. Suppose to be here before the new year but they aren't building them fast enough for the demand.

One neat feature it has available is keyless go well thats what mercedes calls it but the prius has it as an option. Like if you get within the proximity of the car the drivers door unlocks and u can push a button on the dash to turn the car on with the key still sitting in your pocket. All Prius also have an LCD screen even non Navi models.

 

It'd be the first car on my list if I was in need of a daily commuter.

 

how much do these run well-equipped?

 

Hmm standard is like 20 g, but with the lux pack... their lux lol, with the hids are like 25 grand. Nice price... I figured company will probably get a discount on taxes, discount on the lease. It won't be too bad for them. I have to keep my fingers crossed. I hope they go sure u want a car that barely costed anything and barely cost anything to run. And Makes the company look green friendly. Sounds good to me.

 

A co-worker just got one. I have been for a ride a few times. It is a different experience. It is not the quickest car, but it isn't bad for acceleration. The technology is still relatively new so the reliability and cost of repair (especially if the batteries need replacement) is a variable.

But after experiencing it, if I were in the market for a commuter, I'd seriously consider it.

 

wow 25 with the lux pack??? damn that's a lot

 

Dealers down here are also tacking a $2K "dealer service fee" on top of the price. When I talked to them two months ago before the cars were in short supply, they said they would sell them for invoice. Now that they are in short supply, dealer wants to gouge you! They also said that you would end up waiting about 6 months to get a car because of the demand.

 

I checked into this for my sister-in-law a month ago and if you buy the car in 2004 you will get a $1,500 one-time deduction for your '04 taxes. If you had bought the car in '03, you would get a $2,000 one-time deduction. It translates out to a few hundred dollars back depending on your tax bracket. Maybe companies get more than that.

 

They have bluetooth. Looks cool that you can dial ur bluetooth phone thru the navi system. It looks like it turns the navi system into a giant touch screen keypad. Looks hot. I think this is not a bad price for a car that is soo gizmoed out. how many u know for 25 k, that is a japanese, keyless entry (sensor card), push ignition, navi system, hid lights, bluetooth. hehehe My gadget side is starting to like this car. Only thing is the 75 hp engine, but dunno how this translate into with the electric engine.

 

They are hot, I drove one the other day. I can say that it is definitely not a super fast car, but it gets like 50 mpg, I mean what do you expect, however it is a hell of a lot faster than say a cavalier, neon, or comparabable POS. The 2nd gen Prius is also such an improvement over the 1st Gen. It is amazing, I drove a fully loaded one and really, besides the big toyota logo, it reminded me of our Lexus ('03 GX470), except teh Prius has some cool gadgets that the Lexus doesn't, ie bluetooth, new Toyota/Lexus navi software (same as in the new LS430 and LX470), keyless go, 50mpg gas mileage, a really cool gear selector lever, no aftermarket shift knob required on this one. I absloutely loved it, in fact I almost put down a deposit for one, yes the CL would go away, but I didn't becuase I already bought a new car this year. It is an awesome choice, and is really top of the line, considering you don't find many of the Prius's amenities and features, in new Lexus's that Base for double the price, not even as options. Good luck with your choice, it is an awesome car.

 

I want one for a summer beater.

 

Yeah but that includes a Voice Activated Navigation system, keyless entry and starting, Intermittent Rear Window Wiper, Vehicle Stability Control, Front fog lamps, HID Headlamps, Smart Keyless Entry System, Security Alarm, Homelink Garage Door Opener, JBL ETR AM/FM/Cassette/6 Disc changer w/9 speakers ... and great gas mileage. Honda would charge $10K for all that on a CL or TL without the MPG.

 

I wouldn't pay over MSRP. Cool car.

Mazda 3 looks interesting as well. Xeon, Nav, leater, TPMS. 22k

Prius is probably worth the extra 3k though.

 

Thats awsome. Way to go. I work for the State Environmental Dept. and I suggested that we get a bunch of hybrids for us to use instead of Jeeps and Focus'es. They asked if I was joking. Jerks...

I dont see why the Stste, esp environmenmtal people, wouldnt want them. The budget is not all that good, and with the cash that we would save, it would pay for itself..

 

Not really when you do the math.
There was an article in our local paper the other day comparing the Hybrid’s to their gas-only versions.
Using today’s gas prices, and driving 15,000 miles a year it would take 8-10 YEARS to break even with the extra cost of the vehicle.

Quick example……..

If gas were 1.50 a gallon and you drove 15,000 a year.
A Hybrid car averaging 55-MPG will use 273 gallons of gas or 409-dollars
A gas only car averaging 30-MPG will use 500 gallons of gas or 750-dollars

That’s only 341 dollars a year savings to pay off a car that costs several thousand more then a gas only version.

Of course, once the manufacturing costs go DOWN or gas increases dramatically this will change.

Shawn S

 

Hmm it might be closer in different regions because where I am at on average gas is like 170 for reg gas. I know that suxs balls. Also the prius does better in traffic 60 mpg. A ford focus msrp is like 13 g and prius msrp is like 20 without navi and hid. Still difference in price where the prius will cost more but I think the environmental benefits will be worth it. Maybe another crazy gas surge will do it.

Jeeps i know they waste crazy gas.

 

Not to make a huge deal out of this, but it all depends on the current MPG you're getting (which will determine your savings), the cost of a gallon of gas, the premium, and how long you need a payback period. I have a spreadsheet for those of you who are interested in the calculations. Let me know.

My car gets around 21 MPG and I drive 17K a year. If I paid $3,000 more for a Prius (which has been my experience) than a similar car, I would make that money back in less than 4 years if gas prices stayed at $1.50.

Plus I would be doing my part in fighting terrorism.

 

For 25k you could get a hell of a lot of other cars. Accord v6, Mazda 6 or a Mazda 3 (big fan of this one), WRX etc. Yeah great gas mileage but 25k for a 10 second car. Nah

 

If you're serious, make sure you're comparing apples to apples. The Prius starts at $20K and goes up to $25K.

How much is the Voice Activated DVD Navigation system on the Mazda?

 

The Mazda 3 has DVD based navigation, stick shift, is quicker, looks better (IMO) and costs a few grand less. Sounds like apples to apples to me.

I understand that this is the first reasonably good hybrid so it is getting a lot of hype but just could not really understand the motivation to get one at those prices

To each their own

 

Hot its not. If toyota made in more main stream looking like the civic hybrid I'd be more interested in the car. They're 20k on carsdirect.




"The new Prius will accelerate to 100 kilometres per hour in a respectable 10 seconds, compared to 12.6 seconds for the old Prius.

Energy created by the generator and regenerative braking is used to charge the nickel-metal hydride battery. With eight fewer cells (28 compared to 36) the new battery is smaller, lighter and more powerful than previous. It is warrantied for eight years, but Toyota expects it to last 15 years - the effective life of the vehicle.

Concerns about the cost of battery replacement dogged the original Prius. Stephen Beatty says that in Canada the company "has not replaced a Prius battery pack under warranty" since its introduction three years ago. In fact Toyota officials say the general warranty experience with the Prius has been better than with other Toyota products. "

 

Every option on the 5-door, 23.6k MSRP. They will be selling at invoice. The Prius won't.

(BTW, gas prices would have to triple before I'd consider driving a turd with good MPG )

 

Can't argue with that. Personally, I am waiting until they introduce the Highlander.

 

I love the hybrid everyday more and more. I work at Toyota in the service dept. and everytime one comes in i want to drive them. They are pretty cool looking cars, and come will many opts. We do not order them at our dealer, we usually keep about 10-15 on the lot and they sell quick!

The key and push start system is amazing.

If i had extra money for another car i'd buy one. Maybe this summer.

 

What's the premium (over MSRP) that you guys are charging? Maybe I need a trip to MD.

PS I grew up in Silver Spring and just sold my house in Laurel.

 

Damn nice pics. It funny, it looks like there is no engine really. hehehe but I want it more now. Damn i probably find out in a couple weeks. A guy can dream, hehehe. Oh i thinking also wat is reasonable raise to ask for. I make about 50k now. What should i ask for and work my way down. This is my first real job so I haven't had much experience in nego salary. I only out of college 2 years.

 

I literally saw about 4-5 of them on the road today.

I've seen more of these since their immeadiate debut then any other new car. The accords, TSXs, TLs, camry, etc etc took awhile to start seeing those on the road. still with the new TL.

But the new prius, i see everywhere.