Used 2004 Toyota Prius Consumer Reviews
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Took a gamble on a 14 yr old Prius
RR, 01/07/2020
updated 11/11/2022
2004 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl CVT)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
UPDATE 5/2022: still running with original hybrid battery, but hybrid battery will need reconditioning or replacement soon. An expensive endeavor which has led me to question this purchase and discourage others from buying aged hybrid cars. MPG have diminished over the years due to aging hybrid battery. Also, catalytic converter was stolen February 2021, a huge headache (BEWARE as Gen 2 Prius are #1 target for catalytic converter theft due to high precious metal load). Replaced with a cheaper aftermarket brand Walker (and covered with a Miller Cat Shield) which has held up so far. I dont recommend buying an older hybrid as you will end up spending a lot to refresh or replace the hybrid battery. Either buy new, < 3 yr old used or just go with an older Corolla/ Camry is my advice. Unless it's some vintage fixation you have and must have one, just be aware you will eventually have to recondition or replace hybrid battery,$750 - $3K range ( which really puts saving money on gas into question). I can say that no matter what though ,this car has always lived up to classic Toyota reliability standards, period. (**original post): After 2 years of owning it so far its paid off. Found this 2004 model in 2018 with 98K miles at a Toyota dealership and it was immaculate (minus a rusty underside). had two different mechanic shops inspect the car right after I bought it, and they both couldn't find a single problem. So far Ive put about 20K miles on it and aside from the boring performance I dont have any complaints (minus issue mentioned below) .Have taken it hundreds of miles on road trips with zero issues. I was really surprised how it has handled harsh winter weather..impressed when we had a polar vortex early 2019 with temps literally at -40 F and it still started and got me to work. Anti-skid works well. One major headache I initially had with it was not mechanical but with the body; water leaking into spare tire well with rain/ carwash. From everything Ive read, Toyota apparently did some shoddy welding on some 2004 Prius bodies that resulted in water leaks. After repeated trips to my crafty auto body guy, he located all the leaking points and sealed them up with an industrial sealant for a very low price (as opposed to the near 1K it wouldve cost to weld the leaks and repaint the areas).
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The only vurrent practical answer
Len Budzen, 11/15/2003
2004 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl CVT)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
While so many millions are spent on fuel cell developement, production is still many years away -- if at all! In the meantime our dependence on foreign oil and the polution problem continues. Toyota is to be commended for their progressive thinking and activities aimed at resolving this serious situation. The big three have their heads buried in the sand!!!
2004 Toyota Prius for sale near you
Showing 3 of 33 listings
- Base Hybrid 4dr HatchbackMSRP: $3,99547 mi away
- Base Hybrid 4dr HatchbackMSRP: $4,800144 mi away
- Base Hybrid 4dr HatchbackMSRP: $3,999765 mi away
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NOT WHAT I EXPECTED FROM TOYOTA
JOHN SMITH21, 11/29/2003
2004 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl CVT)
1 of 3 people found this review helpful
WHEN I COMPARE THE HONDA VS THE TOYOTA THE CIVIC WAS A BETTER BUY FOR THE PRICE
2004 Toyota Prius -- Puget Sound area
Price T., 11/03/2003
2004 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl CVT)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I have a 2004 Toyota Prius with 1,100 miles on it after 2 weeks (I took a trip last weekend up to Vancouver, BC). It has great handling qualities, is more "zippy" than you might expect, great interior and nice interior and -- did I mention the mpg? My last tank was 50.8 (calculated).
Fun, interesting, AND economical
mhartley, 11/02/2003
2004 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl CVT)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I have to admit I expected a fuddy- duddy car that would get great gas mileage. I was completely wrong. The acceleration is very good. I would say it is as good as any 6 cylinder sedan. The most amazing part is the lack of a traditional transmission. There is no engine noise, no whine, and no feeling of shifting, so you don't have the verbal clues as to speed. The toys on the high end model are as good as any car made. The navigation system also has Bluetooth phone capabilities. Calls come in and display on the car screen. You anser with a button on the steering wheel that also mutes the stereo.