Last Updated: Fri. 11/04/2005
My 2001 Prius was great! I really enjoyed using the technology
it offered over those 3 years and 59,827 miles. The 50 MPG
average during the final summer
was
fantastic. The 45.4 MPG lifetime average was quite pleasing
(especially since the Minnesota Winters are so hard on efficiency
for vehicles of all types). The 90% lower smog related emissions
gave me a wonderful feeling. Reliability was been amazing. Parting
with was bitter-sweet though. I'll always look back fondly at that model
of Prius. But I want to continue my quest to help
others understand what the newest technology has to offer. So I traded in
my 2001 Prius for a very, very well loaded 2004.
Here's all the goodies that it has:
LED Brake Lights, Electric A/C, Multi-Display, Digital Speedometer, Power Windows, Power Doors, Power Mirrors, ABS (Anti-Lock Braking System), Traction Control, Aluminum Rims, Cruise Control, Keyless Entry, Electrochromic Rearview Mirror, Tilt Steering Wheel (with audio/climate controls built-in), 60/40 Split-Folding Rear Seat, VSC (Vehicle Stability Control), Intermittent Rear Wiper, Side Airbags, Side-Curtains, Smart-Entry, Smart-Start, HID (High Intensity Discharge) Lamps, Secondary Lamps, Security Alarm, Integrated Garage Door Opener, Bluetooth-enabled Mobile-Phone support, JBL 9-Speaker Premium Audio System w/6 CD Changer, DVD-based GPS Navigation System, plus voice-recognition capabilities for the audio, climate, and navigation systems.
And here's my actual window-sticker:
Besides all that, there's even more: This new Prius
is larger, faster, more powerful,
cleaner, and even more efficient !!!
The following is Toyota's promotional release and what many dealers are now offering
as order options:
The all-new, 2004 Prius with Hybrid
Synergy Drive represents a significant improvement in every way. Now classified
as a midsize class vehicle, Prius is larger inside and more powerful.
The Hybrid Synergy Drive powertrain has a more powerful drive-motor operating at up to 500 volts. Prius is able to increase electric-mode operation (aka: "stealth") in city and freeway slow-and-go conditions for better fuel efficiency while improving low-end torque for a significant boost in acceleration.
In addition to its larger size and new Hybrid Synergy Drive powertrain, the 2004 Prius offers all this as standard equipment:
• CVT ("Planetary" type Continuously-Variable-Transmission)
• Automatic Climate-Control with Electric A/C
• Anti-Lock Brakes
• Traction-Control
• Cruise-Control
• Power & Heated mirrors
• Power windows
• Power door locks
• AM/FM/CD with 6 speakers
• Keyless-Entry remotes
• Cast Aluminum Alloy rims
• Tilt steering with audio/climate controls
• 60/40 Split-folding rear seat
• Multi-Display with trip computer
• Digital Speedometer (glare-eliminating type)
• Rear Defroster
• LED Brake Lights
The 2004 Prius also offers outstanding value with a base MSRP of $19,995, the same as the Classic model. (Note: That price was raised by $300 halfway through the model-year.)
In addition, we are pleased to offer several new option packages on the
2004 Prius: With significant improvements in size, power, performance and
fuel economy and an MSRP unchanged from the current-generation model, the 2004 Prius is poised to lead electric-gas hybrid
technology into the mainstream market.
SE/SS (Smart-Entry, Smart-Start) is also referred to using the generic industry term "Smart Key System" (which doesn't always offer push-button-start like Prius does).
Bluetooth provides an automatic wireless connection system allowing you to interface your cell-phone with the Audio System & Multi-Display.
Homelink allows you to program buttons on the Rearview Mirror to work as a substitute for other devices, like your garage-door opener.
Wiper Package:
Intermittent Rear Wiper
$180
GY Package:
Driver & Passenger & Side Airbags with Curtains
$650
AF Package:
Intermittent
Rear Wiper, Driver & Passenger & Side Airbags with Curtains
$830
AG Package:
Intermittent
Rear Wiper, Anti-Theft system, Homelink, Electrochromic (auto-dimming) Rearview
Mirror, Smart-Entry, Smart-Start
$1,100
AI Package:
Intermittent
Rear Wiper, Anti-Theft system, Homelink, Electrochromic (auto-dimming) Rearview
Mirror, Driver & Passenger & Side Airbags with
Curtains, JBL AM/FM/Cassette/CD changer with 9-speakers
$1,920
BI Package:
Intermittent Rear Wiper, Driver & Passenger & Side Airbags with Curtains, SE/SS
(Smart-Entry,
Smart-Start)
$1,280
AM Package:
Intermittent
Rear Wiper, Driver & Passenger & Side Airbags with Curtains, SE/SS (Smart-Entry,
Smart-Start), VSC (Vehicle Stability Control), HID headlamps, Secondary lamps
$2,255
BG Package:
Intermittent
Rear Wiper, SE/SS (Smart-Entry,
Smart-Start), DVD-based GPS Navigation System, Bluetooth
capability, JBL AM/FM/Cassette/CD changer with 9-speakers
$3,150
BC Package:
Intermittent Rear Wiper, Anti-Theft system, Homelink, Driver & Passenger & Side Airbags
with Curtains, JBL AM/FM/Cassette/CD changer with 9-speakers, SE/SS (Smart-Entry,
Smart-Start), DVD-based GPS Navigation System, Bluetooth capability, VSC (Vehicle Stability
Control), HID Headlamps, Secondary lamps
$5,245
