I am still in high school and am somewhat of an environmentalist, therefore I'm highly interested in a used Prius (note: still in high school - minimum wage). So, I know a good deal about the Synergy Drive system, as there are many 2004-08 Prius' on the streets around here, and I've been shown how the Synergy Drive system works. However, it is extremely rare to find a 2001-03 Prius around, but there are always people selling them. Anyway, I just have a few questions about the old Toyota Hybrid Drive/System w/e compared to the newer Synergy drive. First, I've heard that the air conditioning system on the older ones is not fully electric. Does this mean that the ICE must remain on at all times, opposed to the Synergy Drive system where the ICE turns on and off? Second, I've heard that the THS doesn't use rengenerative braking as much (or at all) compared to the SD system. Is this true? Third, how do Prius' handle in snow? I'll probably have more questions. Thanks!
Since I've driven both (60K on the '01 and 90K on the '04), tons of research stuff can be found on my website. This presentation was given by Toyota when HSD was first introduced. As for the questions... The A/C was of traditional design for THS, so the engine remained running. The braking in HSD regenerates more, but THS did a pretty decent amount anyway (see the many Multi-Display photos). I live in Minnesota. This is my 8th winter driving a Prius... .
It may be easier to just read the improvements made in HSD. From there you can deduce to your answer. http://www.toyota.co.jp/en/tech/environment/ths2/SpecialReports_12.pdf
This page http://www.toyota.co.jp/en/tech/environment/ths2/index.html, also click next for the following pages. Toyota explains some differences between THS and THS II (HSD).
A couple of differences to be aware of: 1) There have been some transaxle failure and battery failures on the NHW11 (THS Prius). These are a lot rarer on the NHW20 (HSD Prius). Toyota figured out where reliability improvements needed to be made and made them. 2) The tires on the THS Prius are smaller than the HSD Prius and are subject to more wear. 3) I have a 2001 and 2007. With the exact same driving and driving style, the MPG numbers are 51.5 MPG for the 2001 and 56.5 MPG for the 2007. 4) The space difference is significant. The hatchback allows a lot more hauling space.
Two years ago, the used Prius market was pretty much limited to the NHW11, 2001-03 models. But now, the NHW20, 2004-current models are much more available. If given a choice between the last model year 2003 or first model year 2004, I'd probably go with the 2003. But given a choice today between a 2003 and a 2005 or later, I'd go with a 2005 or later model. The reason is the last year of a model will tend to have all of the accumulated fixes. The first year of a model tends to suffer the preliminary defects. If you get a first model year, an extended warranty makes sense. Bob Wilson
Hey all. Happy New Year, eh? I put 95,000 miles on a 2001 Prius, and when I traded it in it was still getting 53.5 MPG and the brakes were at 60% in front, 80% in rear. That's a HUGE testament to regenerative braking happening big time in the THS equipped cars. The big difference is the mechanically driven air conditioner. ~ dan ~
im not sure, but i tend to like the fact that the 01-03 prius hv battery doesnt fluctuate as much as the newer prius, for some odd reason i like the older prius, i feel like im more of a driver than if i drove a nhw20 prius. heres what i think, perfectly just my opinion 01 prius im driving the car 05 prius the car is driving the car
You may get the impression more that you're driving the car in the 2001, and the shifter and other little things may make you feel more or less so, but: The shift selector, rather than being attached to a transmission, is attached to a multi-pole switch that sets values in a computer. The accelerator pedal, rather than being attached to any device that adjusts fuel/air into the engine, is a rheostat that... you guessed it, sets values in a computer. In these cars, you just have to accept that the car does the work and all you do is ask the car to speed up, ask the car to slow down, ask the car to turn, ask the car to heat the cabin, or ask the car to cool the cabin. And that's pretty much all you do in any new car these days; it's just that how the Prius does it is better than most other cars. --- And to be contrary to Bob, I'd prefer the 2006 and up or the 2003; given the choices I'd go with the more recent device conversion in the newest model cars. ~ dan ~
I have only had Mine for 3 snow storms (if you could even call them that) I had to go to work and the Prius drove fine. I haven't had any problem with the tires yet.
in 2001 prius the shifter is more "mechanical" in a sense than the 04 and up, there is a cable. Of course the accelerator pedal is a variable resistor, but also are many cars after 2000, but on a NHW10/11 prius the brake pedal is not computerized as the 04 and up, furthermore there are less sensors on the NHW11/10 prius, the newer prius's have a barometric sensor, yaw sensor, just to name a few. personally, even though i might be opinionated on this view, the NHW10/11 prius is more mechanical in terms of driver to engine interaction than the toyota hybrid synergy drive.
I don't know if I'd say opinionated; it seems like we all have variants of the same one opinion! ~ dan ~
