Toyota Reliability & the Prius
My experience is similar to "FarNorth", except we live in Phoenix, where summers get up to 115 degrees (with a few days near 120). GM, Ford, Toyota and maybe others have test tracks here because of the heat and dust.
My wife and I bought a Camry in 1998, and a classic Prius in 2002. Both have performed very well with no problems at all, and they have had only routine maintenance and tires. (You have probably seen posts on the OEM Bridgestones that came on the classic Prius. I've got Michelin HydroEdges, now - a great tire.)
I am sure you will hear mostly good things about both Toyota autos in general, and the Prius. Most drivers will tell you that they would buy another one; not so with numerous other makes and models.
As a matter of fact, it would be interesting to know how many 2004 Prius owners previously owned the classic Prius. I'll bet the percentage is really high, considering that their classic probably had many, many years of life left in them.