2008 Toyota Prius

Question: Does anyone have pictures of the 2008 Prius?
There are plenty of websites indicating that the third generation Prius will arrive in 2008, with a new battery, and better gas mileage. Does anyone have further information? Price? Pictures? New features beyond the new battery?

Answer: Toyota does not usually release ANY pre-release photos other than at press releases. I don't know of any photos of the '08 prius yet, but stay tuned for any if they get out.

hope this helps.

Question: Will the 2008 Prius look any different at all?
I love everything about the Prius except its appearance. The back-end is especially ugly to look at. Does anyone know if they are going to do anything at all to the appearance? I know the major overhaul is not coming for awhile, but sometimes, even minor changes to the taillight assembles, etc. can make a big difference.

Answer: I hear you about the looks, but no, the 2008 model will look almost exactly the same as 2004-07. The redesign of the Prius won't be released until 2010 (probably appearing in Fall 2009). The 2010 Prius won't only look different, but will perform better too.

Question: I just bought a 2008 Prius. When I file my taxes for 2008, will I get a tax break for the hybrid car?
Are there any 2008 hybrid cars that get tax breaks? If so, which models and how much of a tax break? (I live in Maryland - are there state tax breaks too or just federal ones?)

Answer: If you just bought the car, then you are too late to get a tax credit for the purchase of the car. And yes, there are still many vehicles that a hybrid credit is available for. I've included a link to the irs site that has the credit for 2008 vehicles. And just in case, I've pasted down below the time periods for the Prius.

2008 Model Year Hybrid Vehicles

Toyota*
Prius
Purchase Date

1/1/06 -- 9/30/06
$3,150

10/1/06 --3/31/07
$1,575

4/1/07 -- 9/30/07
$787.50

10/1/2007 and later
$ 0

Question: Where can I find info on the 2008 Prius?
Toyota's site doesn't have too much on it. Any new colors for next year or any changes?

Answer: Not sure about the colors, but there aren't going to be any major changes for the '08 model. Batteries will be the same, they're trying to switch to lithium ion for the 2009 model. A plug-in model won't be available for 3-5 years.

Question: Is the 2009 Prius out yet? If so, are there any differences between it and the 2008 Prius?
I'm buying a new car. Should I go with the 2009 Prius, or a 2008 Prius.

Answer: there will not be a major change made to the current generation Prius until the 2010 model (out in 2009).

There is a plug in option Toyota is currently road testing, however that will be made available as a lease to companies first before it becomes an option for the general public.

Beyond that, there will probably be one or two different exterior colors and possibly a change in the options.

Toyota, like most manufacturers, offers a "dressed up" version of a popular vehicle when the vehicle is going through a major change.

For example, the Highlander came out in a "Sport" trim just before the new redesign. More chrome on the body, bright chrome wheels, and other features and details to improve the appeal of the outgoing model.

As far as which one to go with, that is a decision that depends on your personal situation.

The Prius will not go down in price and become easier to get with gas becoming more expensive.

If anything, it will become more difficult to get a Prius as the price of gas goes up.

Orders for Prius that took months to fill did not happen that long ago.

And the sooner you purchase a Prius, the sooner you use less gas.

As far as the Prius goes versus other vehicles, Consumer Reports in it's 2008 April auto issue states-

1. the Prius has the highest owner satisfaction index of any vehicle tested for the fourth year in a row, with 92% of owners saying they would either buy another Prius or recommend a Prius for purchase
2. the Prius has the highest mpg of any family vehicle tested- 44 mpg according to their testing- which beats the Civic (regular or hybrid), Focus, Yaris, Fit, or Aveo

I have posted extensively on the .11 cents per mile maintenance cost of the Prius for each 100,000 miles. That .11 cents per mile includes gas at $3.50, tires, oil changes and all regular scheduled maintenance. I suggest printing the post out and using it to compare against any other vehicle you might be considering or against any other vehicle anyone else suggests.

Also, I have posted extensively on how no owner has ever paid to replace the nickel metal hydride (NiMH) hybrid traction battery in a Toyota/Lexus hybrid in the nine, almost ten, years the Prius has been sold in the US.

There have been NiMH replaced due to accidents and owner abuse or modification (one guy drilled a screw into his NiMH trying to install a big subwoofer). But anything else is a complete myth.

You can do a search here in Answers for those posts.

Now, having said that, if purchasing now is not a possibility, than it doesn't matter.