Toyota Prius or Honda Hybrid?

Mr. Gingersnap and I are in the market for buying a new car (first new one we've ever bought, in fact) and wanted to know if DUers could weigh in on the relative merits of the Prius vs. Hybrid Civic. We know the specs, but were wondering if anyone here has had good or bad experiences with either car. Repairs, etc.

Get the 04 Prius. Get it in silver and package 9. http://www.toyota.com/vehicles/2004/prius/index.html

Electric A/C, Multi-Display, Power Windows, Power Doors, Power Mirrors, ABS (Anti-Lock Braking System), Traction Control, Tire-Pressure Monitor, Aluminum Rims, Cruise Control, Keyless Entry, Tilt Steering Wheel (with audio/climate controls built-in), 60/40 Split-Folding Rear Seat, VSC (Vehicle Stability Control), Rear Wiper, Side Airbags, Side-Curtains, Smart-Entry, Smart-Start, HID (High Intensity Discharge) Lamps, FOG Lamps, Security Alarm, Integrated Garage Door Opener, Bluetooth-enabled Mobile-Phone support, JBL 9-Speaker Premium Audio System w/6 CD Changer, DVD-based GPS Navigation System, plus voice-recognition capabilities for the audio, climate, and navigation systems.


And besides all that, there's more: This new Prius will be larger, faster, more powerful, cleaner, and even more efficient!!!



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------





The all-new, 2004 Prius with Hybrid Synergy Drive represents a significant improvement in every way. Now classified as a midsize class vehicle, Prius is larger inside and more powerful.

The Hybrid Synergy Drive powertrain has a more powerful drive-motor operating at up to 500 volts. Prius is able to increase electric-mode operation (aka: "stealth") in city and freeway slow-and-go conditions for better fuel efficiency while improving low-end torque for a significant boost in acceleration.

In addition to its larger size and new Hybrid Synergy Drive powertrain, the 2004 Prius offers a high level of standard equipment:

• Electric A/C (air conditioning)
• Power windows, door locks and mirrors
• ABS and Traction Control
• Tire Pressure Monitor
• Cruise Control
• Keyless Entry
• Tilt steering wheel with audio/climate controls
• 60/40 Split-folding rear seat
• AM/FM/CD with 6 speakers
• Multi-Display with trip computer

The 2004 Prius also offers outstanding value with a base MSRP of $19,995, the same as the original model.

In addition, we are pleased to offer several new option packages on the 2004 Prius: With significant improvements in size, power, performance and fuel economy and an MSRP unchanged from the current-generation model, the 2004 Prius is poised to lead electric-gas hybrid technology into the mainstream market.

I've had a 2001 Prius for about 2.5 years now, and it's a great car. I only wish I had an excuse to get the new one, which has the interior room of a Camry and EPA estimated mileage of 60/51. I'm 6'3" and the v1.0 is just a little tiny bit small.

There has been one mechanical problem to date. I had to have the power steering rack replaced when a shudder showed up, usually when angling out of a parking space. However, the warranty covered this, and Toyota has (judging by the list serve I'm on) solved this particular problem.

And don't forget to take your tax deduction if you get either hybrid model!

... and it's pretty well-made. It was a long-term rental by someone I worked with who was waiting for an accident settlement. Liked it well enough.

But, I think either car has been on the market too short a time to get any good sense of the repair frequency and cost.

Cheers.

The Prius has been on the market for quite awhile in Japan, and here in the U.S. since 1999 (IIRC). There's a guy with a web page who's been driving his Prius since 2000.

I know we'd get the 04 in a heartbeat if we could justify a second car. We had a Honda that we practically drove into the ground, to be sure, and a great build. But, as they say, the only people who don't like Toyotas are just sorry they didn't buy one. They last forever as well.

... introduction in the US market was in June 2000. Still, through 2002, 27,000 have sold in the US--a pretty small sample to judge repair frequency and relative cost of repair. From recent J.D. Powers' reports, though, customer satisfaction seems to be pretty good, about on par with the Corolla, although there are complaints about mileage not quite making the advertised EPA numbers.

Cheers.

who have the Hondas - and love them.

I would buy the Toyota, however, because Hondas don't have quite enough leg room for this six-footer.

Seems the 2003 Prius gets better gas mileage (41mpg as compared to 36mpg according to their road tests) and scored higher overall when compared to the Honda Civic Hybrid.

that's just the sort of info I'm looking for. I think the new Priuses look really cool, but don't want to make my decision based on that. And I sort of feel brand loyalty toward Honda, as my Honda is the only car we've ever had that hasn't screwed us over. But we've never had a Toyota.

have been Toyotas, Gingersnap. I have a friend whose last 3 cars were Camrys. My first Toyota (which came hot on the heels of a complete lemon of a VW) was a 99 Corolla - a very basic car. I never had a problem with it, in the 3 years we had together. Oil changes, tires - that was all. It started in -20 weather, faithfully. I loved that car.

Then, in May, I hit a moose with it. The moose and I were both okay, but the car was totalled.

So, I bought another Corolla. The Prius was out of my current price range. My new car and I have gone 10,000 miles together since June, and I have every reason to believe we'll live happily ever after. Almost 40 mpg on the highway.

My next Toyota will be the Prius.

I have a 5 year lease on a 2000 Corolla that ends next October. I fully plan of turning in my Corolla for another Toyota car. (don't know if I'll lease again or buy) The get great gas millage. I have never had any major problem, once my enjine light came on and needed to havea filter replaced (common problem) and was totally covered by the warranty.

and have never had one cause me a problem.

It sure has a small battery - I'm not sure what that means. The sales guy told me the Honda is primarily a gas car with electric for boost whereas the Prius is an electric car with gas for boost. Borh have regenerative braking, which recovers braking energy rather than turning it into heat.

Ultimately, both cars get ALL their energy from gasoline.

Both have relatively small batteries, unable to power the car
very far or very fast. (Google for "prius stealth mode" for
more details.)

Atlant

Try the diesel Jetta wagon. 45 mpg on the highway, or a little more if you choose biodiesel which'll make your car solar powered. Mercedes was still importing diesels in 98 too. The VW's can be easily modified for more power at no expense in mileage.

Diesels are proven to run to 300k+ miles and the technology has been around since 1898. Hybrids do not yet have a long term track record. I like the idea of hybrids, but I like to own cars for a long time (my last and really first car I had for 8 years) and don't know how well the current crop will be running by then.

Diesels can also be repaired in many places. Hybrids are going to be limited to the dealership. Diesels come with a stick shift, the Prius doesn't (a big negative in my book). VW will be reintroducing the diesel Passat (not seen here since 96) next year to the US.

I have a Diesel Jetta. I get 50 mpg overall out of every tank. Thats better mileage than either of the hybrids. If you keep the Jetta to 55 mph, it gets 56 mpg highway. I can get diesel for $1.39, I get almost 700 miles out of $18 worth of diesel.

The new turbo diesels have none of the drawbacks you might have heard about. It starts right up, its fast, its quiet. It meets all emission standards. If everyone drove one, it would reduce our consumption by half. They are awesome, I encourage everyone who cares about the environment to look into them.

...is buying a used car. The energy savings in higher mileage does not even come close to the energy consumed in the car's manufacture and shipping. Reducing the demand for new cars by buying relatively recent (for modern emissions) used ones is a better step than the latest hybrid.

Of course, a '97 Accord doesn't quite have the bragging rights as an '04 Prius....

Kicking myself for not getting the Prius.

I might trade in, or sell and buy a new Prius in a year or so.

Don't batteries become less powerful in time? Wouldn't that reduce gas mileage?