I am a newbie to the forums but not so new to the Prius. I had a 2006 Prius that I bought used for extremely cheap with high mileage (around 300k) to replace a gas guzzling Jeep Liberty. I got rid of my Prius and traded it in at around 350k after all almost all the warming lights were illuminated and I was worried I would run into a lot of repairs if I kept it (even though all systems seemed to run fine) I am on my second vehicle since the Prius, both being non-hybrid nor Toyota’s. And it seems I haven’t been happy with anything as much as I was with my Prius and lately I’ve been missing the little things you get used to when having a hybrid. And the major issue is not feeling the longevity is there (with only 18k miles on my current vehicle) when compared to something that ran fine with 350k miles on the clock. So I was wondering how many are happy with the Gen4 Prius and is there anyone who went from the Gen2 to the Gen4? At the moment I am not ready to get other vehicle, but I do have a love for the Prius and wanna know how the Gen4 compares. The only thing that would be a draw back for me is the fact that I kind of want something bigger next time to take trips in (even though it’s just myself).
We traded in our 2005 for a 2016. (We also have a 2010). The 2016 is more comfortable, quieter and rides smoother. Ours is a Touring model so the suspension is noticeably stiffer (non-Touring models with the 15" wheels will have a softer ride). It also corners flatter with less body roll. You do sit lower (esp. compared to the higher seating position of the Gen 2). The car is also lower (4.8" ground clearance vs. 5.1" for the last two Prius generations). You do lose interior cabin storage space (single smaller glovebox vs. twin gloveboxes with integrated shelves for example). If you want more trunk space, go with a model without a spare tire as that drops the floor another 2-3" and it's absolutely cavernous for a car of this size. (Oh yeah, you also lose the underfloor bins lol).
We have a Gen2 touring and bought a Prius Prime (which I admit is a bit of a project car for me) which is based on the Gen4. The Prime has a much improved chassis and suspension and is quite a lot better in turns (it wallows so much less). I drove the Prime 1200 miles from the east cost (big dealer discounts) to the midwest, and I feel like it's a perfectly good road trip car (unless you're really the type who needs to take 10 outfits with you when you travel).
If you want something bigger, perhaps you should look at the 2018 Hybrid Camry LE that gets the same EPA mpg as the Gen 4 Prius. It has a larger version of the Gen 4 HSD. Here is one user's experience with the 2018 Hybrid Camry LE. 2018 HyCam amateur review and ongoing blog | PriusChat
I have been looking at the Prime also but the price at dealerships around me (AR) was a shock. I have been learning about the prices and rebates you can get from Northern states, and finding one in the mid to low 20s would definitely make me lean towards the Prime, plus I’m not one that has to have let’s say an advanced model. A Prius Two at the local dealership here is 27k. And the nearest prime that I found (150mi away) is around 30. A little much for me!
The Hybrid Camry would be something to consider. Although I feel a hatchback does come in handy often!
A higher seating position would be like the Gen2 would be nice considering I’m 6’2 at 21, still growing? Possibly. Funny you mention the twin glove boxes considering my current vehicle a Buick Encore (shame shame) has the twins glove boxes also. No spare would not be something I would be happy about compromising, for the piece of mind.
I went from a Gen 2 to a Gen 4 and I'm very happy with it. If I hadn't totaled the Gen 2, I'd still be driving it. I had less than 80K on it, no major failures, just regular maintenance and it ran like a top. The Gen 4 is so different and has so much more to offer compared to my Gen 2. I got a Three with the Advanced Tech Package and TSS-P. In 2016, TSS-P was optional, and it was worth the small extra cost. I have no complaints about the trunk space. I loaded a bunch of stuff when I moved from Chicago, and it worked just fine for me. Most of my stuff went in a PODS container. Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
Darn! It was barely getting broken in at 80k. After I traded mine in I saw someone driving around town in it! Now every White Gen2 I see, I look for my signature door dent
Correct. Two Eco, Four and Four Touring do not have a spare tire. (Tire repair kit) All Primes do not come with a spare tire. (Tire repair kit)
True, and it was Super White, too! Parts of mine are driving around in other Prii somewhere. I got $7K from the insurance company, so it probably went to Copart. Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
Trim two, three, and three touring have spares. Trim two eco does not. The easy way to spot a two eco is that it is missing the rear wiper.
