Different model years

[sunnysandiegan]

Thanks! Y'all are awesome at helping newbies (like myself) out around here!!!

I look forward to seeing some visual aids, too.

My curiosity started because of the pretty red Prius I saw last week. I have no idea if it was an older red (therefore not obtainable anymore) or the new red (and I should change my first choice on our order). In this particular case, it would have been pretty darn difficult to distinguish which year it was simply because of the driving conditions. However, next time I would like to be better prepared! That was the only red Prii of any generation I have ever seen in person. Like I mentioned before, I see plenty of Prii around here on a daily basis. Mostly silver and black...

DH is not crazy about seaside being our first choice simply because it is the same color (or close enough) to his '04 Camry. The driftwood is his fave, but I am definitely not 'in love'. It was okay the first time I saw it, but the other day when it was lined up with seaside on one side and silver pine mica on the other side...well, it just looked like dirt to me. (We have sandy soil around here.) DH laughed and reminded me I like 'nature'. Ha Ha...I said seaside equals the sky or ocean; silver pine equals the grass or woods (loosely speaking); driftwood equals dirt. I love the ocean and the woods far more than dirt. LOL SPM would be okay with me on the Prius (it looked pretty to me), but DH is having nothing to do with it. So...seaside remains top choice for now. But... we may both be happier with RED!?!?! I need to call around the dealers again to see what is on the lots in the next few days. If there ever was a time to get a good gander at every color...now is the time...since very few people are taking delivery and the cars are still arriving on the lots.

[Jack 06]

Originally posted by aaf709@Dec 20 2005, 11:03 AM
Isn't the Gen1 the one without the split rear window? And by that I mean, the lower part doesn't exist.

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Right. Best way to spot 'em (to me): antenna in center of roof at FRONT.

[Jack 06]

Originally posted by galaxee@Dec 20 2005, 10:25 AM
the gen1 is based on the echo, i think. i always confuse the two when i see them. i like the hatchback, it's just so damn useful. never thought i'd have that much use for a hatch but now i couldn't imagine having a trunk again.

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You wouldn't believe how much antagonism you could stir up on Prius boards, especially in '01-02, by saying this. Yes, there's a body shape resemblance. But Prius "early adopters" were so determined to disassociate themselves from the "econobox" image they (ahem, we) would go to excruciating lengths to point out every difference, inch-by-inch. Folks would repeatedly post interior dimensions (otherwise rarely read by anyone, like tags on pillows) of the two cars side-by-side. I thought it was comical.

There's no question that the Toyota greybeards (does Toyota HAVE greybeards?), in designing the Gen 2, went out of their way to distance the Prius from its downscale, forlorn cousin.

[daniel]

Originally posted by seasalsa@Dec 20 2005, 06:06 AM
Rear wiper was not standard for 04 and was not on lower packages. It became standard in 05.

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The rear wiper was included on the '04 in EVERY package except the no-options "package 1" base model.

To me, the 01-03 just looks like any other car. Three close friends drive them. People so environmental that they jumped at the first opportunity to get a hybrid with more than 2 seats.

I was not willing to give up my Civic station wagon for a sedan, no matter how environmental it was. I think sedans are pointless. Too much wasted space, too little flexibility.

The differences in a nutshell: The 01-03 is a plain old garden-variety sedan body style; the 04-06 is a turtle-shaped liftback. (Almost as good as a station wagon, and a bit more aerodynamic.) There are no differences that matter between the '04 and the '05, and only subtle differences in body between them and the '06. (Though the '06 has some added features inside.)

[inventor00]

At the Orange County (California) Prius Club meeting in early Dec, here are some pics of an 05 and an 06 together- 05 was Driftwood Pearl, 06 was Seaside Pearl (thanks BobDylan). And yes, he (the 06) applied for the Carpool sticker, so that is a "slight" difference (grin).

06 has clear tail lights vs black top for 04/05, 06 has Hybrid emblem on side and chrome in the front.


You will also notice lower end packages for 04/05 without the black button on the door- they do not have smart entry.
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[Jack 06]

Thanks, inventor00. Man, that chromed grille bar looks good with seaside (which I have ordered).

[sunnysandiegan]

Thanks inventor00!!! The tail light photo is particularly helpful. That seaside pearl '06 was purchased at the same dealer we have our deposit with...

[Frank Hudon]

holy crap look at the size of the emblem on the fender! that sucks. The grill cap could be an option for a group buy. I do like the clear brake light lens.

[inventor00]

We all enjoyed seeing them side by side at the Orange County Prius Club event!-
The textured interior is a bit different though.

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And sorry for the dirty car on the left (mine)- I spend too much time here and organizing Club meets- grin...

[bookrats]

Thanks inventor00! No way I can improve on that -- you've pointed out all the points I use for differentiating the two.

The only problem I could see with a "front identification" -- i.e., the chrome middle grill -- would be with a Silver-colored Prius. Does the chrome "lip" stand out much?