I can’t post it here, but you can see the artist’s rendition over at World Car Fans. So what’s the big deal? Well, lots actually. The 2008 Prius will look very similar to the current Prius, but with a more futuristic – type design, if that makes any sense. The front end looks similar to the Honda FCX fuel-cell car, at least to my eyes. I think it’s a welcome change – I hate the current Prius look. I don’t love the new one, but it’s a step in the right direction.
Alright, enough about looks – what about under the hood? Glad you asked. Toyota’s not asleep at the wheel; in fact, they’ve made some very impressive changes to the Prius. For starters, there’s now a 1.8 liter 4 banger powering this little green-mobile, instead of the current 1.5 liter. Toyota performed some sort of voodoo on the Hybrid Synergy Drive, and they expect city gas mileage to hit an insane 80 MPG. Whether this is on the current EPA cycle, or the new one, I’m not sure.
Perhaps the most exciting offerings are still up in the air. Word is that Toyota is considering both a plugin recharging option ( we’ve been asking for this for a long time ) or even solar panels on the roof, to help recharge the batteries. Personally, I think solar panels would do absolute wonders for the Prius, if for reputation only. Toyota is working hard to be the ‘green’ automaker ( Tundra and Sequoia aside ) , and solar technology would be a huge boost there.
I love to see advances in hybrid technology. While I don’t yet own one, there may come a day in the next few years where I do. I wouldn’t mind getting 80 MPG – would you?
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I’m not a documentary fan really, but I keep hearing that I should see “Who Killed the Electric Car?”. I’m going to have to break down and rent it so I cant see what it’s all about – it may open my eyes a bit.
I can’t wait until the small business tax break is fixed for large vehicles. Business who legitimately NEED large vehicles should get the tax break ( think construction workers who need a large diesel truck ). Mortgage brokers have no functional NEED for a Suburban. If they choose to own one, good for them – they should not get the tax break, period.
The vehicle choice should be reasonable for the line of work. A hybrid would be great, but if they chose to get something a bit larger, like say an Accord or a Malibu, then I think that should qualify as well. The IRS needs to have very strict guidelines on what does and what does not qualify, based on the nature of the business. The US government should not be supporting our wastefulness. If we choose to be wasteful, it should come out of our own pockets.
The government has two kinds of auto tax breaks. asmall amount for buying a high mileage car that expires after a certain number of units of that vehicle are sold. And one for vehicles weighing over 6,000 lbs. where you can deduct the cost of the vehicle from your income if you use the vehicle for work. This was originally intended for when milk trucks and the like were the only vehicles weighing over 6,000lbs. Now it applies to the Suburban, Ford Excursion, Hummer etc.
Is there any information on IRS tax credits or the Prius if one buys a 2008 model or buys in the year 2008?
John
Toyota’s tax breaks are either very very small these days or gone. If they’re still present they’ll be gone soon, since Toyota sells such a huge number of hybrids. If you’re considering a Prius ( congrats, by the way, on making a smart choice ), then you’ll need to make sure it makes sense for you, even without the tax credit.
FWIW, the Civic Hybrid still has a tax credit available, though it will start dropping Jan 1, 2008.
I own a 2002 Toyota Corolla that has never given me a bit of trouble. My only complaint is how uncomfortable the passenger seat is. I am planning on retiring in 4 years and wanted to purchase a new car now, so I could have it paid off by the time I retire. My heart is set on a Prius, but when I test drove it yesterday the seat was just as uncomfortable as my Corolla. I REALLY want this car, but am torn between the vehicle itself and how darn uncomfortable the seat is. I asked about special ordering an adjustable seat, but they said no. I did some research and can purchase a custom seat and have it installed. What is your opinion on this? Do you think if I wait a year or so they might offer an adjustable seat as an option? I am driving myself crazy trying to decide.
I appreciate your feedback,
Marjorie
I’d be concerned with a custom seat, personally -for safety reasons. The side airbag sits in the seat, of course, and all safety tests are done with the stock seats. Who knows what could change with an aftermarket seat?
When I first bought my Civic Hybrid, I thought the seat was on the uncomfortable side… but a week later and I was used to it. Now it feels fine… sometimes it’s just a matter of adjusting, though obviously not always ( in the case of your Corolla, for example ).
Maybe you should get a little seat time in the Civic Hybrid to see if you feel more comfortable in there.
Picked our 2008 Prius yesterday. Quite a car. And quite different.
Tons of new technology. I think we must have the first one in North Texas. Bought it in Paris, Texas. Great dealer. No hassle.
My wife loves the car.
Tom,
Different than what you’re used to, or different than the 07 Prius? There shouldn’t be any significant differences between the 07 and 08 Prius – the big changes are due for 2009 now.
Congrats on the new car by the way, and great choice.
2008 Prius? I owned one. No way does this car get 80 m.p.g.! (In your dreams…) I’m averaging 42. I drive highway and city. I have tried “back roads” to work. Get 49.7 m.p.g., if I drive the back roads.
Still, the only car that can be “tricked out” to get better gas mileage. I like it. Worth the trade in. I fill up every 12 to 14 days. Not bad. My last vehicle? I filled up every week. And cost almost twice as much!
I’d give a thumbs up to the Toyota Prius. I’m over 6 feet tall. I have leg and head room. Awesome stereo system. The back seats have lots of leg room. And the touch display screen and unusual ignition key? Is standard for this car! The mag wheels are cool too!
Not bad for $21,000.00! (Total price on standard model.) I didn’t get the back up camera or DVD player…
We got our new Prius today and we LOVE it. It’s a beautiful car (silver). The technology is great and I love being able to push a power button.
It looks comfortable enough and the price wasn’t all that bad. What really caught me was the inside environment of the car. It made me feel comfortable and relaxed, as if I was in my own little pod instead of a car. Also, the camera helps when I’m backing up (<— horrible at it). I’m just concerned for my parents who are older and have a harder time adjusting to technology. I wonder if they will have the patience to learn it all.
DON’T even consider the Prius if you’re tall, as in 6 foot or more, and have had prior Motor Vehicle Accidents with back injuries.
I didn’t know it during the test drive, but after I got delivery of the vehicle, I gave up after about 800km. I traded the Prius in at a loss of $7000. I couldn’t walk, could never get comfortable in the seat, and Toyota offered no solutions at all. I considered putting in other seats, but didn’t want to take the risk.
DON’T buy Prius without testing it for at least a week!!!
I just bought the 2008 and we were driving it back over the Hill to Boonville and couldn’t beleive when we got home that we got 44 MPG
The thing has plenty of features and picked it up for 21,000 + change.
I am very excited more than when I bought my Tundra V8 (sucks gas). Gas could go up to just about any price and we leave less of a carbon footprint owning a Prius, and along with our bio-diverse permaculture gardens we feel like we are living large. Also there are lots of different touch screen funtions on the dash menu including the radio, operating screen (shows what parts of electric and fuel are engaged at real time), and even the temperature control.
I purchased a 2008 with 19K miles on it and it’s exactly what I expected it would be – a great commute car. I mean …. 50 mpg, and a comfortable, if not luxurious, ride. Acceleration? Not very sporty – but then again I knew that going in. It can handle hills on the highways around here adequately. The dash is simply set-up with the basics – touch screen for a/c and heating controls, radio and sound management, and so forth (the glare to the screen sometimes is a problem.) There is plenty of room in the hatchback section for groceries, or for 2 good-sized pieces of luggage. If it’s anything like my beloved ’96 Corolla as far as maintenance goes, I’m not going to regret this this purchase ever.
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