2004 Toyota Prius Reviews

While there are flaws on this car such as seat comfort, lack of standard Ipod hook up and a few other minor nit-picks that arise from time to time, overall this is a fantastic car.  My lifetime mpg is 53.7 over 57,500 miles and it drives like a charm, never a serious problem.

I LOVE MY PRIUS! I will be getting another one in 2010 for a weekend car.
Performance: Handles great. I drive it like a sports car.
Build Quality: Great! I have 135,000 miles on the odometer!
Appearance: Would love a sunroof.
Cost of Ownership: Gets awesome gas mileage (avg. 48 mpg), routine maintenance (oil changes)
Fun Factor: FUN! FAST!

The performance is poor, and the brakes are way too touchy. One consolation is that it handles fairly well. But the compromise is that the ride is a bit too firm for a family saloon car. The "Variable Transmission" is a stupid invention, and is easily one of the worst parts of the car. I think in an effort to save weight, Toyota have sacrificed all of its know-how on design, and made the interior out of pretty poor materials. Exterior styling is pretty bold, but I don't fancy it. The computer has needed some fixing, but otherwise, the Prius is typical Toyota reliability. Gas mileage is about 45 city. With is much less than Toyota promise when you buy it. Maintenance is easy and cheap, and Toyota customer service is excellent.
Fun Factor: 2/10

The Prius is not exactly well made, making it have a kinda cheap feel to it.
I am talking about the base version, not with a luxuary package, which you can get. Those are a little better. Yet, there is no other car that can get 40 mpg. Another downside: hella blindspots

Toyota really did a great job on this car. it's unlike any car I've ever driven. this car actually teaches you how to drive more efficiently with it's Energy Monitor Display. I never average less than 50 miles per gallon. This car feels like an expensive luxury car. I know these cars go for about 20,000. but we bought ours used for 13,000 from a really cool owner that was buying the newer model. When I first bought the Prius, I didn't really understand all the technology, but I still loved the way the car drove and felt, and all the gas I wasn't using. Now I've learned allot about the technology and am very impressed with what Toyota Created here. Toyota, You are the best!

PS. My 2002 Saturn(the car I drove before buying the Prius) cost me $35 To fill up(the Saturn ran better with the 92 octane, more expensive gasoline), now with my Prius(requires 87 octane gas, less expensive gasoline, and runs excellent), it cost me a maximum of $25 to fill and I go over 400 miles with that 25 dollars. My Saturn Only went 180 to 200 miles with 35 Dollars of gasoline. It's quite an improvement. I highly recommend this car to anyone. I love it.

We bought our Prius with 114,000 miles on it. and this car runs and drives just like a new car. I have no doubt that our Prius will last 300,000 miles without any major work.