Anything you like better about the G1 over the G2 Prius?

[Optimus]

For the G1 owners, what thing or things do you like about your G1 over the G2? The main forum seems to knock the G1 a little bit, so I want to see us geewunners (G1 owners) speak up for ourselves! To start, I like the more classic sedan look of the G1. While I like hatchbacks too, such as a Celica, I prefer the sedan look of the G1. Second, I like the cheaper price of a G1! I would not be able to afford a G2, but I want the technology, better MPG, etc... and G1 was the only choice. I didn't want a Matrix or Yaris either. Despite the fact people claim you can get a Matrix or Yaris for with half the miles of a G1 Prius, I couldn't find any deals like that here. That, and what's the fun in it??? The G1 Prius is still a very good car, and "higher miles" don't scare me a bit, especially since I like to work on my own cars.

How about you?

[Wolfcub]

I'd have to say I definitely like the price better. It's only a fluke that I got my car for the price I did and I definitely can't afford a newer prius.

[patsparks]

No.

[kenmce]

1.) The G1 has much better visibility.

2.) The climate controls can be worked by touch.

3.) Remote trunk release

4.) normal gear shifter, so no *^%!! reverse beep needed.

5.) The owner can buy and program a new key fob all by themself. With the G2 you need to make a dealer appointment and show up with a stack of fifty dollar bills.

6.) On the G 1 there is a small fuse box near the driver. To get at it you open the door, open a hatch at the left end of the dash and change the fuse. On the G-2 you lie down on the floor, push the seat all the way back, the emergency brake all the way forwards, and work upside down in the dark with the fuses. This is not an improvement.

[Optimus]

Originally Posted by patsparks

No.

very informative

[mikel 52]

the heater A/C controls more
The little blue light that tells you the engine is cold
there is an oil pan on the transaxle
14" tires are less expensive to replace
The price.
I'm sure there's more but taht's all I can come up wiht right now.

Mike

[tochatihu]

Real lockable trunk. Start vehicle w/o foot on brake pedal. HVAC does what you tell it to. Use B mode and cruise control, together.

[ChapmanF]

Originally Posted by Optimus

That, and what's the fun in it??? The G1 Prius is still a very good car, and "higher miles" don't scare me a bit, especially since I like to work on my own cars.

I think you nailed two of the big things with the price and the appearance. How much money a Prius can save you depends on how much you drive; if you have a long commute or a travel-intensive job or lifestyle, you can easily justify the cost of a G2, but it's nice that even I with my short commute was able to make the numbers work out for a used G1.

And I do just like the look better. My decision to eventually buy a G1 was actually made in 2003 when I saw the first G2s and thought, "they made it look like a speedbump? Ok, I'll just wait for an opportunity for a G1." And just watched gas prices go up and G1 prices go down until the numbers worked for my driving conditions.

Like you, I'm accustomed to taking care of my own cars, which is an important point when the warranty is gone. I won't say "doesn't scare me a bit" because there weren't a lot of these cars made and a lot of the parts are unique and limited-run. The traction battery gets talked about but there are a lot of jaw-dropper prices on the parts list. I feel lucky that everything seems pretty sound on mine, and I hope the luck holds out.

Now if technical challenges and extra work interest you, there are other things to like about the G1.

Self-maintenance without a scantool isn't very promising, and nobody seems to have a third-party diagnostic scanner solution for G1. Generic OBD-II scanners can talk to the engine control just fine, but not the all-important Hybrid Vehicle and Battery ECUs, and can't activate various test/service modes. The Ecrostech Mini-Scanner could retrieve some subset of HV and Battery data, but is out of production, and seems to have been designed more as a dash display than a service tool (though it could be used in a pinch and would be a lot better than nothing).

Nobody advertises an iPod input/control kit for G1. It uses the AVC-LAN bus like the G2, but apparently the connectors are different or something, and nobody developed a product. Vagabond posted in the audio/electronics forum that there's a DICE unit that supposedly has the right connector and /ought/ to work, but there's no record of anyone confirming it. I haven't been able to find out which DICE model Vagabond meant, or whether it's the one available from the priuschat shop. There is a pinout for the required connector: Audioeingang (Nachrüstung P1) - Prius Wiki

PriUPS conversions are probably harder; Richard Factor has found UPSes that will work off the 204 V battery of a G2, but hasn't found any that would like the 274 V of a G1. (He has said he's looking into solutions for the higher-voltage Ford Escape Hybrid, though, which would probably apply.)

No G1 coverage by the usual trailer hitch sources. (Not that a Prius would do any real towing, but bike racks etc. are handy.) Coastaletech sells one. I haven't got one yet so I don't know how it fits around the exhaust. Somebody else who did a custom fabrication wound up deflecting exhaust up at plastic bumper/body parts and melting them.

My favorite thing about the G1 appearance? People by now are used to the G2 look, so a G1 is a stealth hybrid - some of your friends won't even know they're getting into a hybrid until it's TOO LATE! Bu-wahahahahahahaaaaaaaaa!

-Chap

[FL_Prius_Driver]

The G1 has been saving me gas for 8 years, the G2 cannot make that claim.

[ScubaGypsy]

Originally Posted by kenmce

1.) The G1 has much better visibility.

2.) The climate controls can be worked by touch.

3.) Remote trunk release

4.) normal gear shifter, so no *^%!! reverse beep needed.

5.) The owner can buy and program a new key fob all by themself. With the G2 you need to make a dealer appointment and show up with a stack of fifty dollar bills.

These are all true as well as the comments about not having to step on the brake to start and the lockable trunk. I'd also like to add the following,

- My G1 has a dealer installed sunroof that they can't put on the G2 because G2 doesn't have the structural support

- I have both a cassette and CD as dealer installed. I like having both as I enjoy the books on tapes and this provides greater options.

I have friends and relatives with G2's (who I recommended their purchase) and I have had G2 loaners but I still am not convinced that it is an upgrade. Their mileage is not higher than mine and in particular I do prefer having the sunroof. I'd prefer a bigger jump in technology (plug-in someday?) before I consider trading in as I have had very few problems and I have over 100k miles.