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2008 Toyota Prius

2008 Toyota Prius questions and answers

Learn more about the 2008 Toyota Prius

Q: Should I buy a Toyota Prius for 2008 or wait until 2009?
I heard Toyota Prius will have the next generation release in 2009, which is a shame because I was expecting to buy the car early to mid-2008. Should I just wait a few months for the 2009 or buy the 2008 model (which will have additional savings because of the redesign soon to come)?

A: The latest rumor is that the next-generation complete-redesign Prius (using Lithium Ion batteries) won't hit the market until the 2010 model year. In any case, you probably don't want to buy the newly-redesigned Prius right when it comes out-- It would be wise to wait a couple years for them to iron out any bugs first. The first of a newly-redesigned model is bound to have inevitable bugs. The 2008 is the finest of the 2nd-generation Prius-- This particular generation has been around since 2004, and the 2008 is the most refined and bug-free of its generation. I would buy a 2008, then wait until 2012 to upgrade to a 3rd-generation Lion-powered Prius after it has had a couple of years to mature. Hope this helps.

Q: Will there be a tax credit for the Toyota Prius in 2008?
The tax credit for the Toyota hybrids has expired and I am looking into buying one and I could not find out if Congress is going to offerer another credit or dedection.

A: http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=157557,00.html http://www.toyota.com/prius/tax.html The US Federal income tax credit for Toyota hybrids ran out for vehicles purchased on/after Oct. 1, 2007. Amount for purchases of New (not used, nor leased) Toyota Prius before that date can be found at the above links. (The IRS hasn't yet certified the amount for the 2008 Prius purchased before Oct. 1, 2007, as of my typing...) It's always possible that Congress may decide to extend the credit, implement a new one, or implement a new tax deduction... But I haven't heard any rumblings about such yet. :( Depending on where you live, you may qualify for a state income tax credit or deduction, or reduced sales tax, though. http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/toyota-prius/links/Financial_000963256550/

Q: 2008 toyota prius differences?
is there any way you can tell the difference between a 2008 toyota prius base and a 2008 toyota prius touring. Im aware that the touring has a sport suspension but how can i tell from the exterior/interior if its a touring or not. Since im only looking for used cars by autotrader.com thanks

A: The touring model has different wheels (smaller spokes on the alloy rims), and a larger rear spoiler. Those are the only significant differences to tell the differences from just looking at the two models overall as the other options can be had on the standard model of the Prius as well. Hope this helps. Ken

Q: IS 2008 Toyota Prius a best vehicle for my weekly 1000 miles commute?
Hi, I have to drive every day 200 miles on average for work. So, I am thinking of Toyota Prius 2008 model. Is it a good choice or is it good to buy a year old honda civic with 12k miles. Say, I travel like this for another 1 year, which is the best vehicle for my commute. Thanks. Unfortunately, I have to drive everyday. My commute though takes only 1.5 hours and 2 hrs in traffic. Mostly i make a 1.5 hrs trip to work/back home. So, I prefer to do this for next one year for some personal reasons. Also, I found a dealer who has ordered my the prius and i should get one soon. But, all of a sudden I started thinking like this:- in 1 year, i would do 48k miles, so is it really worth it to get a new prius? Am i doing anything stupid with $$$'s or should i get a used civic which gives 35 mpg with 25k miles on it. Please advise.

A: The Prius was practically made for people in your situation. Reliable, high mileage and easy to maintain. The problem right now is that you may have an issue finding them. I know in Chicago there is a 3 month waiting period for a new one. Funny how everyone 'assumes' that you do not get good mileage on the highway in a Prius. Obviously, none of these people own the car or they would change their tune. I average 49 mpg on the highway as long as I keep it under 70. Between 70 and 75 it drops to about 45 mpg. Do you think that even a Cobalt XFE could get even 36 mpg going 75 mph? I doubt it. Plus, Cobalts are ranked last in their class in reliability and customer satisfaction. Only 53% of people who buy them say they would buy them again. Compare that with the 83% of Prius owners who said that they would buy a Prius again.

Q: Can the 2008 Toyota Prius be all electric?


A: For what length of time? As a full hybrid, the Prius is able to run on the electric motor only for speeds up to 42mph and maximum of about 2 miles (based on an owner who ran out of gasoline at highway speeds while at the top of a long hill...). The hybrid battery pack is relatively small and primarily charged off of the gasoline engine acting as a generator (although some electricity is stored through regenerative braking). If you have a non-North American 2008 Prius, then it would have the EV button already installed. This would allow you to temporarily override the gasoline engine starting when you turn on the car, allowing you to go for short distances at lower speeds on electric-only power. (The car will override your EV button request if the batttery charge gets too low, or your speed is too high, and for other self preservation reasons.) If you are in North America, you can self-install this EV button (as the functionality is in the car, just no button for it), but there are warranty concerns... Besides, TANSTAFL - the electricity has to come from somewhere, so eventually the gasoline engine will have to come on just to recharge the battery, and forcing the engine to come on later may not be as efficient as having just let the car start it as it wanted to originally before you pressed the EV override button... (BTW: see Toyota's EV button answer in their FAQ, question 25, in http://www.toyota.com/vehicles/2008/prius/faq.html ) There are no commercially-available plug-in hybrids on the market so far. (So you cannot plug them in, other than the same gas station pump that most other regular cars use.) The hybrid battery is recharged either through regenerative braking (kinetic energy from coasting/slowing down spins a generator to make potential energy in the battery) or by taking excess power from the gasoline engine (use the gasoline engine as a generator) to recharge the hybrid battery. There is no plug. Some hobbiests and aftermarket companies have been altering a few hybrids (Prius, Ford Escape Hybrid/Mercury Mariner Hybrid) to make them plug-in capable. Typically this requires adding additional hybrid batteries, besides the ability to charge off the mains. For more information, check out http://www.calcars.org/vehicles.html For cost reasons, unless you are a fleet owner or other high-mileage driver it probably will not be worth the cost of the PHEV conversion for you. (Conversion pricing is high due to startup costs and low volumes, besides the pricing of the needed additional battery packs.) To note, converting to a PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) does not reduce the vehicle's range. It gives the owner the option to recharge the (newly added larger) hybrid battery pack at night (cheap electricity and off-peak electric load which would otherwise be lost). The vehicle would run for a certain distance (longer than stock) on the stored electric power alone, and when the battery pack is depleted to a certain point the vehicle reverts back to its original hybrid self and runs on a combination of the gasoline engine (which will also recharge the battery) and the electric motor. A PHEV would add a greater all-electric range to the existing hybrid, besides the ability (but not the requirement!) to plug it into an electric source. I suppose that one could convert a Prius to be a BEV (battery electric vehicle) - all electric, but that would require a lot of work and modifications. You would need to add in larger or more battery packs, a way to charge them externally off the mains, and probably a larger electric motor as well. You would also have to change out the battery management software, and might as well cut down on weight by removing the gasoline engine and fuel system... Can it be done? sure, but why mess with an already good car?

Q: Does the 2007 through 2008 Toyota Prius come standard with an aux input for the stereo?


A: On the 2006-2009 Prius, there are 3 available audio systems: Base audio: AM/FM/1CD w/6 speakers Mid-range audio (more common): AM/FM/1CD, auxiliary input jack, w/6 speakers. The CD player can read WMA/MP3 CDs. JBL radio: AM/FM/6CD, auxiliary input jack, w/9 speakers. The CD player can read WMA/MP3 CDs. I think this system is also coupled with hands-free Bluetooth cellphone capability. Despite what Toyota says, all are satellite-radio ready. Only the JBL system has the pre-marked dash button for it, though. So no, the Toyota Prius does not come standard with an aux input jack for the stereo system. However, most option configurations that are built come with at least the mid-range radio which does have the aux-input jack.

Q: Which would you prefer? 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid , 2008 Toyota Prius Hybrid , or the 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid?
I'm just want to get an idea of which car gets more thumbs up. We are getting one of those hybrids, and already know which one. I just want to see what your opinion is on the car that you chose.

A: Wait and get the 2009 Toyota Prius. It is redesigned, with more modern features, and will probably cost just as much or cheaper than a 2008.

Q: how many gallons of gas does the 2008 Toyota Prius hold?
in the gas tank

A: The full capacity of the fuel bladder in the tank of a 2008 Prius is 11 gallons. However, that capacity will fluctuate between 9 and 11 gallons depending on outside temperature. The reason is because of the laminated resin fuel bladder inside the tank-- It is used in the Prius to minimize the release of gasoline fumes into the atmosphere so it's more environmentally-friendly than normal car gas tanks. During the winter when it's cold, the resin fuel bladder cannot expand as much as when the weather is warm, so its capacity shrinks. Hope this helps.

Q: Toyota prius 2008 brake fluid?
I've had my prius since Jan of 2008 and it's only been almost 5 months... my brake fluid light came on. Is that normal?? It just seems really strange to me. I've only put 8k on my mileage.

A: i work for Toyota and what happens is from factory the brake fluid system is filled up but a lot of times is only tested for a sort while and there are air pockets in the braking system you will need to just top it up if the light still comes on get them to bleed the entire system, and check the brake switch and the brake fluid bottle for any electrical faults your car is still with in the warranty stage

Q: Changes in the 2008 Toyota Prius from the 2007 prius?


A: We're not sure yet. There is a prototype Prius that will look sportier and will get 80-100 MPG (94 MPG is Toyota's target number) with a turbocharged 1.8L engine and a sprint speed (0-60 mph) of under 10 seconds. This will come out in 2008, late 2008, or early 2009. We'll know more in about six months, but this car WILL be the next Prius revision.

Q: Price difference between 2009 Mazda6 and 2008 Toyota Prius over 3 years.?
I am planning on getting a car in the next six months. I've narrowed down my options to the 2009 Mazda6 4cyl and the Toyota Prius Touring. How much will each car be to lease for 36 months, and minimum money down? Also I will probably drive 10,000 miles a year and i get 25 mpg with the Mazda and 40 with the Prius, gas price being around $3.50 Over the course of three years how much would be the price difference between the two cars over three years? In addition, I did some research and people have been paying from $250-$300 a month for the Mazda6, while others pay $350-$450 a month for the Toyota Prius. I appreciate any answers. THANKS!!

A: first your prius will average better than 40mpg, more like 48 to 49. second you dont need a touring edition, it has a much stiffer spring rate, thus equaling a much tighter suspension and harsher ride. the mazda will be less per month as it is a cheaper priced car. i would strongly tell you to look at the base prius pkg 5 or 6. third, as of right now prius are on a national order, meaning 90 to 120 days after you order the vehicle. 3.88 per gallon divided by 48mpg = .081 for the prius 3.88 per gallon divided by 25mpg = .15 for the mazda6 thats the most effectivve way to measure the expense solely based on mpg. my parents prius is a pkg 2. they paid about 23k for it and on a monthly payment of 425. mine is a pkg 5 i paid around 25.5 for it and pay 487 for it. im saving alot of money that i was wasting a month on gas. yes my payment is higher than my other car, but all in all my monthly totals are less now, than before.