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Who Wants to be First to Own a Gen IV Prius the the US

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by bestmapman, Mar 11, 2015.

  1. bestmapman

    bestmapman 04, 07 ,08, 09, 10, 16, 21 Prime

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    When the Gen III came out, I was one of the first to get one. Not the first, but one of the first. The first people to get one were on the West Coast. This time I might go out to the West Coast and pick one up. I have relative out there, that we visit all the time so it wouldn't be much of a special trip.

    Anyone else thinking of doing this.
     
  2. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    Same here, the wait for us east coasters was a killer, both with my first vessel out 2010 Prius V and first vessel out 2012 Prius Plug-in.

    If I were to do it, though I don't know yet if I will be buying a Gen IV, @DianneWhitmire would be the only one I would consider buying from out on the west coast, that's for sure. :)
     
  3. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    I don't know if the build up and anticipation for the Gen 4 will be able to match the build up for the Gen 3 which IMO was amazing. But I'm sure you'll have a considerable amount of people that enjoy being the first with the latest.

    For various reasons I myself have never chosen to be part of that crowd. In fact, I enjoy reading and hearing everything about a new model, living vicariously through others, and perhaps in a few years upgrading then.

    It would take something incredibly special to make me want a first model year. Otherwise I can wait.
     
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  4. Ashlem

    Ashlem Senior Member

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    I was considering buying one as soon as they were available, but then they kept delaying it, so ended up getting a Gen 3 instead.

    Now I'm watching to see not only what Gen 4 has to offer, but also if the next gen Plug-in Prius will be available nationwide. I want a plug-in vehicle now, so if the Gen 2 PiP isn't available here in the Midwest, I'm getting the Volt, Leaf, or Model 3 instead.
     
  5. xpcman

    xpcman Senior Member

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    I bought my 2010 Gen III Prius (serial number 1500) back in 2009. I might want to replace the wife's 2008 Gen II when the Gen IV comes out.
     
  6. Iamjo20

    Iamjo20 Member

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    I have a 2008 and am ANXIOUSLY awaiting the specs on the Gen IV--my plans are to get one shortly after they come out. However, I live n the East Coast, so will have a wait. And wonder if it is not wise to wait several months in case there are any issues................
     
  7. Eclipse1701d

    Eclipse1701d Prius Enthusiast

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    I personally like the fourth model year. It gets the refresh and the updates, without the hassle. Great luck with my '07 and my '13 has 30,000 miles without a hiccup!
     
  8. bestmapman

    bestmapman 04, 07 ,08, 09, 10, 16, 21 Prime

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    Well, I can tell you that I got a very early 2010 and it has been almost flawless. The only things that have need replacement are.1) passenger side rear wheel bearing, 2) driver side headlight.

    That is it, after 5 years 10 months years and 189,874 miles.
     
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  9. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Ditto. Mine's an August 2009 build. Actually nothing's been replaced (except for tyres). Still original 12V, brake pads (all 4). The only one that'll need replacing is the foglights. My left one is blown and my right one has a cracked lens (unfortunately, it's the most hassle to access).
     
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  10. littlehandegan

    littlehandegan Junior Member

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    Any ideas on pre-order dates?
     
  11. bestmapman

    bestmapman 04, 07 ,08, 09, 10, 16, 21 Prime

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    I have not heard anything yet.
     
  12. The Limey

    The Limey New Member

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    We learned this lesson the hard way in 2013. The Wife had previously owned several Peugeots and loved them, so when the funky looking 2008 was announced she fell in love with the picture and rushed out to pre order one.

    Several months later it arrived and Wifey was one of the first in the UK to get one. Unfortunately, she hated it, and within 4 months she had sold it on, fortuanately not suffering much of a loss. Never again will we order a car before itnis launched and we can properly test drive it, even if that means foregoing the fleeting thrill of being first.
     
    #12 The Limey, Mar 12, 2015
    Last edited: Mar 12, 2015
  13. KK6PD

    KK6PD _ . _ . / _ _ . _

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    I would like to at least see it first. I have my sights set on a Tesla Model 3.
    My '08 only has 52k on it, I'm good!
     
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  14. vinnie97

    vinnie97 Whatever Works

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    No way do I care about being first, especially with the newcomer (also starts with a T) making waves while Toyota sits on its EV laurels and defiantly pushes hydrogen.
     
  15. The Limey

    The Limey New Member

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    Unlike Tesla, Toyota arent being bankrolled by a multi billionaire and cant afford to operate at a financial loss. Without some breakthrough in power density - which Nissan are whispered to be close to - pure EVs are range and charging speed restricted, and will remain so at sensible money for the forseeable future. With that in mind it is sensible pursue technolgies which dont suffer the same handicap.
     
  16. Ashlem

    Ashlem Senior Member

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    Are you referring to Toyota's work on fuel cell vehicles? They are even more expensive than most EV's, and have an even worse range limit due to the small number of hydrogen filling stations around. Rumors are that Toyota is losing a ton of money with each Mirai they sell. Though they don't reveal the true cost, some experts have estimated a Mirai would really cost over $100k if they were to sell them at cost.

    I still wonder how well the Plug-in Prius would have sold, if they released it nationwide. Sure, it's got a fairly pitiful EV range, but afterwards it's a Gen 3 Prius getting 50 mpg minus the spare tire and a slightly smaller gas tank. I think they could have crushed the Volt and Leaf underfoot had people been able to get the PiP more easily. Or at least marginalized the sales to the point that GM and Nissan would have felt "EV's are going nowhere" and probably killed those vehicles off.

    But by not doing that, they allowed EV's to flourish even more. So I suppose in a way we should thank Toyota for not making EV's more available so that their competition could make them and take over that market?
     
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  17. The Limey

    The Limey New Member

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    The only EV that gets close to challenging a conventional car for both range and performance is the Tesla, and despite being subsidised at a loss by their billionaire owner are still way more expensive than Toyotas fuel cell effort. Despite being in their infancy fuel cell cars are are already cheaper than the only proper all round EV, so I dont quite follow your argument against them on cost grounds.

    in addition their range can be addressed by investment, which is easier and more likely than the breakthrough in applied physics necessary to achieve the energy density required to make EVs that arent compromised on range, refuelling speed, weight and price.
     
    #17 The Limey, Mar 13, 2015
    Last edited: Mar 13, 2015
  18. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    Who Wants to be First to Own a Gen IV Prius the the US?

    See also: Who wants to pay too much for their G4?
     
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  19. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    Don't forget, when the 2010 (3rd Gen) came out in May/June 2009 some people who bought within I think the first 4 months actually saved over those who waited as MSRP went up a few months later by $400. Dealers still weren't dealing a whole lot on the 2010 6 months after it was released. Not disagreeing but the Prius can be a unique beast at times, or at least depending on gas prices, the region one is purchasing in etc.

    I could be wrong as it was some time ago, but I think there was yet another $400 increase (or some increase) a few months after the first one I mentioned above hit in October 2009.
     
  20. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    The Mirai's price is not its cost, and Toyota is subsidizing them on their dime. In the year leading up to the unveil, even they said it might be $100k.

    Hydrogen infrastructure for the US will cost billions of dollars. The cost to make hydrogen means most of it will be made from hydrogen. Even then the cost per mile compared to a conventional, non-hybrid will be about the same. Some break throughs are required in order for hydrogen production, transport, and storage improve to the point of dropping those prices. Meanwhile, battery technology and price has been steadily improving since the Leaf and Volt came out.
     
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