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Gen 3 versus Gen 4, from new owners point of view


barrycoll
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Was that with the wireless charging option?

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14 minutes ago, Ancient Nerd said:

Was that with the wireless charging option?

Ah, sorry, didn't look at that!

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Just over the 1000 miles with my Gen 4 and I still really love to drive it.  I have added a bit of chrome trim around the fog lights and number plates and of course fitted the Dash cams but I have found very little bits that I don't like.  The white is still not to my taste but for me its got to be all white or all any other colour. Reflections have been an issue with all Toyota's I have ever owned, back to my first Corolla, for me seats apart inside should all be Matt Black,dull wood,or leather.  I love chrome but it should be outside.  Dash cams have problems with reflections even when CPF are fitted.

The Gen 4 is so good to drive I can forgive all its little oddities.  Like my old Gen 2 Prius, SAAB 96, Lexus IS, Escort Mk1 it makes me smile every time I drive it. Yes  I feel smug, as if I have discovered a secret, and I still have not seen another outside of demonstrators. So I feel exclusive.

I still feel the 15" wheels were the right decision. They have quietened down and I am getting about 10 mpg winter mileage better than the Auris TS Hybrid.  The Auris TS is undoubtedly more practical, its longer, but its not as much fun. I never liked the Gen 3, did not like the Auris Hybrid Hatch that was on loan, could have lived with Auris Ts but this Gen 4 is so much better.

Odd things The rear camera gets far dirtier quicker than on the Auris TS ( I noticed this on the Auris Hatch). Parking in a garage is not easy as a big Brake warning comes on when you get near the wall, and lights dings and warnings bombard your senses.  I have a pillar in my garage that causes problems opening the door when parked.  On the Auris TS I had to park in front of it to close the garage door, on the Gen 4 ( and IS 200 Gen 2& 3) I can park behind it and the door clears.  Parking in front on all only leaves about 2" to the end wall.  The side sills are wider which makes getting in a bit harder for my wife, and me in the garage. I use tennis balls to get the distance from the N/s wall and distance in position but often leave it out now just to look at it ..    

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Great post Ian....you have made me really look forward to March delivery.

I daily scour the streets for a Gen 4, with occasional Uber black base models that don't inspire too much.

Finally saw a clean white Exel with chrome pack, and finally find that the shape is growing on me.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Quick update, last week I had round trip of nearly 700 miles. Very busy motorways for about 75%. The radar assist is magic, to drive it is fabulous. A couple of problems. I picked up a few stone chips to the bonnet. One very bad the others light. Hypersonic red is not easy to touch up, Chips Away won't touch a bonnet. I  fancied the hood deflector shown on the Web site and in the brochure, but it's not available in UK.  The bonnet is very very vulnerable to chipping. I had the same problem with my Auris and both previous Silver Prius,so so this time I had the Gen coat paint treatment. It has not helped. The paint may look good but it's not durable. 

The other niggle was the Sat Nav. It should have had the update on the PDI, but did not.The dealer sent me a memory stick which updated it to 6.8.1WL. However it does not appear to let me put in a full postcode. Fine if you know the street number,but if trying to find a hotel on a long road, at night from a T junction  in the middle, not good.

It may be the way I input data. I just input post codes usually. I will get it sorted but Toyota dealers are better at cars than software, and it was a hell of a palaver to update. Toyota want to charge £109  so a simple down load is not an option and nobody knows who at Toyota GB is responsible for software. They really expect me to drive 120 miles so a mechanic who has already told me he cannot copy and download files from a memory stick can do it again. I have been updating computer firmware since updates came on paper punch tapes, or mag tape. It was never rocket science for the computer companies I worked for, but they did not make cars.

Still love the car to drive. 65mpg over 230 miles of Motorway (although speed limits on M25 and M1 may have contributed) it is well up on the Auris.  It is quick , quiet, and brings a smile to my face.  Only saw two, both flat Uber white in 700 miles over three days.  

 

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Hi are you putting a space in the post code address as it will not do it for you

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3 hours ago, ian rooke said:

Hi are you putting a space in the post code address as it will not do it for you

Correct, it automatically puts the space in and if you enter a space you end up with two spaces and no room at the end for the last digit.

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14 minutes ago, kithmo said:

Correct, it automatically puts the space in and if you enter a space you end up with two spaces and no room at the end for the last digit.

Looks like different software versions behave differently - on mine (still original, I've left the upgrades well alone!) you must enter the space manually.  It was the same on all the versions I had in my Gen 3 Prius.

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Great, thanks for the help, I put a space in and found I could then enter  a full post code. On my Garmin it gives a list from the first three.  It does not however show the full post code and in the case of the hotel I was trying to find gives a different road location and if I put in the road it will not let be put in the number.  I found it anyway so no problem. If you do want to update it let the Garage do it. It is a hell of a palaver with codes and memory sticks and Toyota trying to charge a heck of a lot for updates which should be free while under warranty.  I do like the route options for long cross country trips.  My Garmin is poor at this with just fastest or shortest, this is the first that actually lets me choose my preferred route South, not as good as the original MS  AutoRoute but better than most.

A quick tip for paint touch up look up Micro brushes.  Ladies use them for eyelashes, dentist use them for teeth jobs.  If you go on Amazon 100 are about £5.  If you look in tool or paint sites 50 will be twice that.  For really small jobs you can pinch the microfiber end off and use the ball end or pinch that and its like a tooth pick. 

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23 hours ago, cviclark said:

...If you do want to update it let the Garage do it. It is a hell of a palaver with codes and memory sticks and Toyota trying to charge a heck of a lot for updates which should be free while under warranty...

Thanks, I'm ok to do it (in IT from 1979!), but yes, it IS a PITA.  No, I'm just wary of the issues people have had after installing, such as music from USB sticks being problematic.

Everything I use is working well enough, so I'm sticking ot the good ol' "if it ain't broke..." principle.

I only use the SavNat as a backup or a quick thing for short trips if I'm not worrying about traffic, but my TomTom with its free for life traffic and map updates is brilliant, even taking me to my nearest big town 5 miles away through very minor roads to avoid traffic when necessary.  And the TomTom beanbag is rock steady on my dash with no fixings, marvellous.  I see the screen above the steering wheel, below the HUD.

If the Toyota SatNav had been a £50 optional extra, I still wouldn't have touched it!

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22 hours ago, PeteB said:

Looks like different software versions behave differently - on mine (still original, I've left the upgrades well alone!) you must enter the space manually.  It was the same on all the versions I had in my Gen 3 Prius.

I stand corrected Pete, you're right about entering the space. TBH I don't use the nav much and I must have been thinking of another earlier version. 

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It looks like Hypersonic Red was not a wise choice. It is perlecent and despite having it Gen3 coated to improve durability it does chip badly. It also appears to be impossible to touch up. Chips Away won't do a bonnet, or the dealer, as smart repairs are not suitable on the bonnet. This is the same story I had with my pretty Island Blue Auris. Maybe that's why the colour choice is limited on the new models.

I tried to buy the hood deflector PU500-4716E shown as an accessory in the brochure and on line, but it is not available. This is a pity because the bonnet is very vulnerable and these modern paints clearly offer little protection. I hope to be able to cover the worst one with a Badge, but if it picks up more this is clearly not the answer.  I am told the bonnet is galvanised so it shouldn't rust but it is unsightly. It's odd German cars don't appear to have the same problem.     

 

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On 19/11/2016 at 11:19 PM, kithmo said:

There is a shallow wheel well and threaded hold down bracket on all models, it's just different foam inserts and various other bits with the spare. I just got the 3 foam inserts and wheel and tyre from my dealer FOC as part of the deal as I didn't order the car, I took one they had in stock which had the gunge kit. BTW, The temporary spare wheel is a no cost option on the Toyota "Build your Prius" web site, so if you're ordering one ask the dealer for that option. Some guys in the US (Priuschat) have just cut a hole in the existing gunge kit foam and fitted their temporary spare (I believe the Gen 3 one fits).

Black line is the wheel itself, the silver bits are trims (as mentioned above).

If the car is registered on 31st of march, or before, then it will fall under the current VED scheme, free VED, but it will be a 66 reg instead of a 17. If registered on or after 1st April then for the first year it will be £15 Prius with 15" wheels (70g/km), £90 with 17" wheels (76g/km) and £130 per year thereafter for both.    

Question for Kithmo.....

could I ask just who was your supplying dealer, as the dealer who has my car for March delivery, says that the 3 piece foam insert is only priced in dollars, and not 'order able ' in the U.K. As you have been supplied with this kit Keith, it would be good to know who they are??

they have offered a 17 space saver for £190 but with the proviso that I might not fit....these UK dealers are way behind the curve, it seems, but as I already have a space saver from my Gen 3, it looks like I will try the USA trick of just allowing the whole polystyrene floor to rest on the spare wheel, and maybe use some stuck-down wooden supports on both sides of the spare.....and then also giving some underfloor area for bric-a-brac

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Hi Barrycoll I thought the numbers changed on the 1st of March or have they changed it !

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The six monthly cycle of registration numbers hasn't changed.

The 17 reg comes into effect for vehicles first registered on or after 1st March 2017.

The new VED system comes into effect for vehicles first registered on or after 1st April 2017.

When the new VED system was announced in 2016, I highlighted that owners of new vehicles first registered between 1st March and 31st March, would come under the current VED system, whereas new vehicles first registered on or after 1st April 2017 would come under the new VED system

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On 2/23/2017 at 3:53 PM, barrycoll said:

Question for Kithmo.....

could I ask just who was your supplying dealer, as the dealer who has my car for March delivery, says that the 3 piece foam insert is only priced in dollars, and not 'order able ' in the U.K. As you have been supplied with this kit Keith, it would be good to know who they are??

they have offered a 17 space saver for £190 but with the proviso that I might not fit....these UK dealers are way behind the curve, it seems, but as I already have a space saver from my Gen 3, it looks like I will try the USA trick of just allowing the whole polystyrene floor to rest on the spare wheel, and maybe use some stuck-down wooden supports on both sides of the spare.....and then also giving some underfloor area for bric-a-brac

Burrows Toyota Rotherham, tel. 01709 836060.

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Thanks a lot Keith....

 

   As we are cycling around Goa in India at the moment, I have passed on that info in an attempt to get those bits ordered before delivery.

but I get the feeling that this problem is more effort than it is worth, and would have had to be part of the original deal ( as a deal breaker), but now the early too late.

 

 Looks like I am going to have to b creative, in the boot departments !

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Not sure what you mean by 17" space saver. The space saver spare is the same for 15" and 17 .  My car is on 15" but my Auris was 17 the spare was the same. The boot poly is 3 piece, it does make the boot shallower, but there are cut outs for jack & brace. There may be good reason why the wheel well is so shallow but it beats my logic. The pump and kit went with the Auris and I sold the space saver on eBay

On 15 " the car is quiet,economical and a great drive. The Auris Ts was  good to drive on 17" but struggled to get 50mpg. I had a loaner Auris hatch on 17" that was very noisy, skittish to drive and still struggled to get 50mpg. My understanding is on 15" it will not attract congestion charges anywhere and be in a different tax band when or if introduced. On fast cross country mixed motorway and A roads I get 65mpg. That's 15 mpg better than the Auris Ts on 17".  The only criticism of 15" is they do not have rim saver bands and have an odd plastic cover to the Alloy wheels. The test drive cars were all on 17", one of the three I tried was quiet,an Excel, the B and B+ road noise was noticeable.  I put this down to tyre choice and luck but it may have been insulation.

For me it was a no brainer save £400, get a better quieter ride, and better fuel consumption, but we have been here before. Other than looks I can not think of any reason for low profile tyres. Let me know if you need pics

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Ian, u and Pete B are totally right, and 15's would  have been the correct choice, although another earlier post has suggested that selling on  a 15" shod car is more diff.    than a 17".

17's just look a bit better, and that's It really....nothing more cerebral than that, which is pathetic, I know.

so all the cars ordered with a spare, must have the three piece polystyrene kit,  to allow access to the spare, and which is defeating my attempts to get included in the sale....or to buy separately.

ys, I know that the space saver is the same rolling circumference for either car, and will fit either, but not sure the Mr T parts dept.  do.

pics of me the 3 piece boot arrangement would be most helpful thanks Ian,

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2 hours ago, barrycoll said:

...selling on  a 15" shod car is more diff.    than a 17"...

I bought a T3 (basic spec) Gen 3 Prius last time because it was on 15" (and had cruise control switch fitted).

When I traded it for my current Gen 4, apparently it never made it to the forecourt it was sold so fast!

I'd love to know what it sold for, I got £9,000, more than WBAC offered at the time (they started higher, but 4 months later when the new car arrived it had dropped, but the dealer honoured their original price).

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Pics of the boot with space saver.  The protection liner is not the same (they initially shipped the wrong one).  The trunk cover is not as good as the one on the Auris TS (it hangs and rattles). The cutouts can take a warning triangle and I carry a long wheels brace.  The white boxes are first aid kit and folding wheel chocks silver liner an attempt at sound proofing.  I have not yet found how to get the side moldings out. The studs at the back come away but the inside ones are buried deep and I do nor want to break anything.

The biggest waste of space is the center molding as you can see when upside down.  That will get modified as I carry a mini compressor pump (currently under the front seat) and will fit it inside the spare.  You would think Japanese ingenuity would allow for storage of things that are a requirement in some countries Yellow vest,fire extinguisher, warning triangle, first aid kit.  Before anyone asks why I think a spare is essential or a long brace.  I have had to use a spare, in bad weather, miles from anywhere. The supplied brace was too short but luckily a bit of pipe came to the rescue.  If I could I would take a blow up jack as well.  

The last is the latest pic of the car on 15" wheels. To me it looks right, but I think skinny wheels look daft.  The bonnet Badge was the only way I could hide a bad chip on the bonnet.  No SMART repairs will not do a bonnet the fog light chrome were off eBay £18. and the number plate surround the same.

Once again I am a critical user as I have have many cars but would forgive this just about any shortcomings  (even the white bits) as it is just brilliant from behind the wheel and a joy to drive.  I think it looks good and I am surprised how many Gen 2&3 owner ask for a look inside.  It could do with the hidden cubby holes of other Toyotas, but when the weather improves I will find space somewhere.      

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Good photos. Your car looks fine on 15 inch wheels.

Your garage door width looks quite narrow do you cope OK getting the car in and out? Our garage looks a similar size; the Gen 3 has to be lined up to get it and to be able to get out of the car.

Space saver looks good but there is not much room for storage of some of the items I carry in our gen 3. The skinny spare is only a get you home job at about 30MPH. Never use it on the front of the car like I did.  Put it on the rear. It is better than the Gunge.  I got tooted at by other motorists for going slow with skinny on.

I pick up a new business edition GEN 4 tomorrow. I have had a touch & go plus Sat/Nav fitted and a reversing sensor. I wanted Excel like Pete's but dealer could not guarantee getting one by April 1st. Dealer had this one in stock.

Regarding paint chips on the bonnet; a local company near us comes to your house and they rectify scratches and chip damage. They touched in the two chips using a fine brush.The two chips on the bonnet of our car were hardly noticeable after they buffed and polished it. "CHIPS AWAY" would not touch it. I found the local firm on the internet . They were not cheap but did a good job.

Good to hear you like the car.

 

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Your car looks absolutely great Ian, and pity you hadn't posted these pics before my order went in for an Excel 17. 

great boot pics too, and seems absolutely no reason not to offer a spare with the 17 option

the boot arrangement looks interesting, but I am going to b stuck with a One Piece polystyrene, that is going to have to ride slightly high when sitting on my space saver spare. So I plan to support it with some stuck down wooden  blocks on both sides....if possible

 the USA website Priuschat, suggest that freeing off the polystyrene from its white retaining screws/plugs is a bit of a hassle, and possibly the same situation for your car and its two side mouldings ......some talk say that thy are single use fixings, but others disagree 

has anbody here tried to remove them as yet???

 

 

 

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Regarding the garage entrance width. My Gen 4 has folding mirrors, as did my AurisTS. Both my Gen 2 and Gen 3 did not so I had to walk around and fold the n/s one manually or risk clipping it on exiting. I only broke one mirror cap, the first survived intact. The main problem is getting out of the car once in the garage. I have a pillar half way along the length of the wall. To get the door open I have to be either in front or behind the pillar. In front is about an inch from the end wall to bumper. The Auris Ts (longer than the Gen 4 and higher at the back) had to be parked in front and I was aware that a flat Battery would be a problem. The Gen 4 B+ does not like being that close to a wall and brakes itself. Clever, but disconcerting.  I am not sure if the sensor integration on the B with option is the same as the B+ which looks to have 2 more sensors.  I could not get a definitive answer from Toyota so got the B+. I took an angle grinder and took the corners off the pillar bricks and can park the Prius behind the pillar  with about 2 inches to spare and the low back allows the up and over to close. I have always used a tennis ball hung from the ceiling of the garage to the windscreen (old swing ball) on string to get the position smack on.  Garage size has not been a problem, getting the door open is the problem. I moved the garage door forward to get the Lexus IS in. Ok unless you auto open the boot on the key then the up and over does not open and that's a real problem, got the T shirt .

In theory I could reverse in and maybe it would auto park. One day I will try the parallel and reverse parking features.  I never tried on the Auris but maybe one day

Get it in with a mate in the far corner to make sure you are in far enough. If you can big mirrors on the end wall can help but tennis balls on string from the roof have kept me safe for over 20 years.   If you have to leave it outside at least it will be easier to admire it.

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One of the things I really liked about the Tesla Model S, using an app on the phone you can make it reverse into, and drive out of a garage with no one inside the car.

I have no chance at all of getting out of my Prius if I put it in my silly garage!

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