[john1701a]

The first hybrid I spotted while driving my brand spanking new 2004 Prius was an Insight. That was cool, since there aren't too many around here (Minnesota). But unfortunately, the driver didn't notice me. Would you?

I had a fun time way back playing with Insights on the road with my 2001 Prius. At first, they'd think I was just trying to get their attention to acknowledge their hybrid. Then after giving the thumbs up to them, I'd point at mine... then just stare. Eventually, some would light up with a expression of new found happiness realizing the encounter that just transpired. I'm very much looking forward to same again. So, start scanning the roads for a new hybrid.

Have any of you seen a 2004 Prius on the road yet?

At night, both the back & front are quite unique. During the day, the front may be tough. The back is easier, with the Insight style little tinted back window. And of course, the side-profile is pretty obvious.

 

[Tim Maddux]

Have any of you seen a 2004 Prius on the road yet?

I drove past a parked one and stopped to take a closer look. It should be even easier to spot than the old Prius and the Honda Civic Hybrid.

I always wave to other Insights, and watch for Prius or Civic Hybrid owners to wave first. I gave up waving to Prius owners because all the ones I saw in my area were oblivious and apparently over 70 years old. John, you give me hope, I will try again.

 

[Motty82]

I have not seen a 2004 Prius yet, however, my father is expecting delivery of his 2004 in a matter of a week or two. I will soon get to see it for the first time.

 

[james]

I've only seen one Prius, ever. At least that I noticed

 

[dazey]

You can't go 5 minutes without seeing an original Prius around here, for reasons that Tim mentioned I have not had a wave from any as of yet. The only '04 I've seen was on display and it will definately be more noticable than the original Prius and the HCH.

Insights seem to come in waves, might see 1 or 2 in a month and then see 5 in a week. So far 2 this week, one on the road and one parked at Trader Joe's in Petaluma.

BTW, how do you like the '04 Prius so far? And did you get the optional self parking system? That's one feature I would like to see in action just to ooh and ahh at

 

[Guest]

Hi Dazey:

___Unfortunately, the self park is only available in Japan from my understanding ... The same can be said of the EV mode (forced all electric) button. I thought I had read that the European Prius’ will have that button as well? The US lost out on it because of some archaic vehicle construction law I believe?

___I have only seen 4 Insight’s in my life here in the Chicago area and I have been looking for them very very hard as of the last 3 months No 04 Prius’ yet either but I have seen a few 01-03’s ...

___Good Luck

___Wayne R. Gerdes
___Hunt Club Farms Landscaping Ltd.
___[email:gbr23sys][email protected][/email:gbr23sys]

 

[Resist]

The U.S. states buys more cars than any other nation yet we get less options for the cars.

 

[dazey]

That's too bad about those options not being available. I bet Toyota just doesn't want to be the ones parking the car in our lawsuit-happy country. Is the forced EV mode different than it running on only electric at <15 MPH like in the original Prius?

Luckily there are quite a few more of any given car that you don't see when on the road. I think there are at least 3 or 4 Insights my town but I rarely see them.

 

[Rick]

Is the forced EV mode different than it running on only electric at <15 MPH like in the original Prius?

The new Prius is capable of driving at all speeds under electric only. Really it's the first car to be a true hybrid in that it can run on gas only, electric only, or both. The setup is also better, this time around they use just one electric motor instead of two and it's an electronically controlled CVT. It makes me wounder if the switch could be added back in to the system though.

 

[john1701a]

There are 2 motors still. Eliminating one would have meant losing the ability to both create & consume electricity at the same time, which is how Prius can do so much electrically with such a small battery-pack (99 pounds).

The original 10kW motor is now called a "Generator" instead, to eliminate confusion with the thrust motor.

The original 33kW motor used for thrust has been upgraded to 50kW. It is capable of propeling the hybrid up to 42 MPH all by itself. Technically it could go faster, but then a bigger cooling system would be required.

 

[john1701a]

On the topic of Hybrid Spotting...

I haven't had an opportunity to drive up next to an Insight with my 2004 Prius yet, but I have with a classic Prius. The owner immediately recognized what I was driving and happily returned my wave.

The best encounter to date was with an Insight though. My Prius was packed with people. An Insight drove up. We both lowered our windows and started yelling back & forth to each other. It was great, an instant bond. Afterward, I turned around to find out what everyone inside thought of the encounter. They were shocked. They didn't realize that kind of friendly exchange ever happened nowadays... the exact opposite of road-rage!

 

[chisight]

___I have only seen 4 Insight’s in my life here in the Chicago area and I have been looking for them very very hard as of the last 3 months No 04 Prius’ yet either but I have seen a few 01-03’s ...

I live reasonably close to Hunt Club Farms and see both Insights and pre 04 Prius' all the time on 94/294 as well as on the surface streets like 21 or 120. Probably about 5 Insights and 20 Prius' a week on average.

You should see my Red Insight over on the right getting 100MPG. (OK, you'll sometimes find me on the left passing everyone at 90+MPH but only when I'm late.)

Chisight
'00 Red 4453 AC 77.5LMPG 44K miles 0 recals.

 

[Guest]

Hi Chisight:

___I still haven’t seen another Insight since that last post. A friend of mine said he saw 2 (a silver and a red) in the last 3 weeks on I-294 himself. I have seen Insight’s for sale at Bill Jacobsen Chevrolet, Ed Napelton Cadillac, and Peck Ford down south as well as a private owner in Long Grove and one in Sandwich but I haven’t seen one in person for the longest time.

___By the way, I live in Hunt Club Farms and if you wouldn’t mind E-Mailing me, I would like to speak to you in person. I can receive PM’s but I cannot send them for some reason? Actually, I would like to take a ride with you as well as discuss tire replacement, lean burn, seat comfort, and mileage while traveling along the I94/294/I55 Corridor.

___Good Luck and Thanks in advance.

___Wayne R. Gerdes
___Hunt Club Farms Landscaping Ltd.
___[email:1om2lh8j][email protected][/email:1om2lh8j]

 

[dazey]

Insights seem to come in waves, might see 1 or 2 in a month and then see 5 in a week. So far 2 this week,

Little late posting, but last week I fullfilled that 5 in a week wave of insights, saw 3 more on Friday. 1 one the road and 2 parked. Also saw my first '04 Prius on the road today.

 

[PlaneJob]

passed a baby blue (ugly, IMO) new Prius last night on the way home from work. Looks like a very utilitarian car - and reminds me of a dolphin.

 

[The Citrus Smoothie]

Whenever I moan that I never see any Insights, I spot one. :? Last time I moaned, I saw a quantum grey (er...really it's black) Insight parked up. Yesterday I moaned and what do I see on my travels today? A citrus Insight going the other way. I was tooting my horn like mad for all to hear and the other Insight driver only spotted me at the last moment (I think).