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2004-2009 Toyota Prius Prices Paid and Buying Experience - READ ONLY

2152 messages,  Last post on Jul 08, 2011 at 9:03 PM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Prius, Hybrid Cars, Sedan

Messages Page 105 of 216

#1039 of 2152 Re: Edmunds pricing for 08 Prius [bob104] by pathstar1

Oct 07, 2007 (8:30 am)

Replying to: bob104 (Oct 07, 2007 5:55 am)
I went through the same questioning 6 months back.
 
Touring Prius gets 5-10% poorer mileage than non-touring. From Japanese govt. mileage figures (both wheels are available in Japan - though I'm not sure they call the 16" equipped car a "Touring" - that's a US thing). Note that the Japanese mileage measuring methods are different than the EPA ones.
 
With the Touring you get:
1. 16" wheels with lower profile tires (same overall diameter as 15" "standard" wheels/tires).
2. Slightly stiffer suspension.
3. Slightly larger rear spoiler.
4. Slightly different packages content.
 
There is about a $250-$300 difference in similarly equipped touring/non-touring. It's less than the cost of the extra expense if you were to buy the different equipment (mostly the cost difference is in the wheels).
 
If you do want a touring, better get your order in soon, as they are not slated to be delivered in large quantities, according to the Toyota US delivery lists.
 
Pricing is different in Canada, but here a Civic is about $4000 less than a Prius (comparing Hybrid to Hybrid). The Civic is smaller (inside room), and in Hybrid form gets slightly poorer mileage (less than 5% difference). I wanted the flexibility of the Prius (hatchback) and the extra room, so I purchased a 2007 Prius with Canadian Package "B" (everything but Nav and backup camera). The "Touring" is not available in Canada.
 
Whether you would ever "recover" the extra cost through fuel savings depends on each individual's driving habits, how many miles you drive, and what will happen to fuel prices. Good luck trying to figure that out! I didn't care about the savings, I knew I would be happy with the Prius, and I am.

#1040 of 2152 Re: Edmunds pricing for 08 Prius [bob104] by florida_wen

Oct 07, 2007 (8:42 am)

Replying to: bob104 (Oct 07, 2007 5:55 am)
We purchased an '07 Prius TOURING this past May, and yes the "sport suspension" and lower profile tires make for a little "harsher" ride over bumps and railroad tracks but it also makes for a more positive feel when going around corners and zooming up curved highway "on ramps".
 
Also, the rear spoiler on the Touring is a little bit larger than non-Touring which I could care less about. The headlights on the Touring are HID's and although nice on back roads with no street lights, they are much MORE expensive to replace when burnt out than the non-Touring Prius headlights. Just another consideration to think about !!
 
As far as "packages".... we bought Package #5 (cloth seats) especially because we didn't want leather seats down here in hot Florida. We are very, very disappointed with the Toyota factory NAV, especially after having an Acura (MDX) NAVI for the past four years. The Toyota NAV has many shortcomings and if we had to do it over again would NOT have purchased any Prius Package with NAV !!

#1041 of 2152 Re: New 07 Touring Pkg 6 [rkche] by michaelcozens

Oct 07, 2007 (6:13 pm)

Replying to: rkche (Oct 03, 2007 1:51 am)
The sticker on this was 28207- Included the Rear Bumper Applique ( $65) and the Acc Package- Floor Mats,
etc ($277)It is a package 6- with Leather. The price was 27370- A little less off MSRP than I had stated before-now that I go thru it. In any case this was less than Edmunds said the going pricing was for this and it was one of the few touring models we had seen. AS a postscript, we got the heated seats and XM in now and both are very cool and really complete the car. The people at Gladstone Toyota ( near Portland Or) were pretty good. I'd suggest using the net to narrow down your option and see where the pricing is.
Good Luck, hope this is helpful!

#1042 of 2152 Touring vs base Prius by bennb

Oct 08, 2007 (2:08 pm)

I finally had an opportunity to drive a Touring model ... I first drove the base model, then took out the Touring. I could tell a difference in drive b/t the two ... the Touring felt less "floaty" and more in touch with the road. It was a slight bit firmer, but I wouldn't say it was jarring in the least. I just felt a little more connected with the road overall. I like the idea of a slightly larger tire, and the tires that come with the Touring are a lot better quality than the tires that come with the base ... if you look at Prius message boards, the touring tires last longer and hold up better.
 
The Touring model also had significantly less lean in turns and corners imho. The extended spoiler on the Touring makes the Prius look a little more sporty (especially in a color like blac) imho, not that a Prius could EVER be called "sporty". HIDs come with all Tourings, but you can get HIDs on the base Prius w/Pkg #4 and above.
 
I am not quite ready to buy yet, but if I were to choose I would definitely pick the Touring ... fully loaded like I am looking at, it is only $500 more MSRP.

#1043 of 2152 Re: Touring vs base Prius [bennb] by florida_wen

Oct 08, 2007 (2:48 pm)

Replying to: bennb (Oct 08, 2007 2:08 pm)
As I wrote, we bought an new '07 Prius TOURING this past May ('07) after driving both the regular and the Touring. We are glad we did and would still make the choice of ONLY buying the Touring, no matter how long the wait. Just a "fact" that I heard..... Toyota makes only 5% of the Prius in the Touring, that is about one Touring for every 19 "regular" Prius. Touring models in some states (New England states ??) are difficult or nearly impossible to get from what I read on this and other forums. Again, we are very pleased with ours, getting OVER 50 MPG and with over 75% of the drive on the Highway at around 60 - 65 MPH !! The very disappointing feature is the SEATS, they are lousy, no height adjustment, no lumbar support, really "primative", as well as a "second rate, poorly programmed" NAV which, after having an Acura NAVI, is real "junk" !!

#1045 of 2152 Re: Touring vs base Prius [mackabee] by cruising7388

Oct 09, 2007 (11:32 am)

The problem with the evauation of seats is that it is subject to a tremendous variable which is the unique nature of any individual spinal structure. It's even more complicated by the fact that a seat which seems to feel fine when first used becomes uncomfortable after a period of sitting in it. Peversely, it can also work the other way - a seat that seems over-firm initially can start to feel more comfortable after a lengthy period of sitting in it. That's why the user reports on car seats varies so wildly. But that's just as true as the chairs and sofas in your house, your mattress etc.
 
Now what does surprise me is that a power seat that could largely satisfy the vagaries of a particular driver is not available in any version of the Prius. To me, that's a poor marketing decision. At least it should be standard in the Touring version.
 
With respect to the NAV, a large consensus of users of the Prius NAV think you are dead wrong. It is designed by Denso and is considerably inferior to other NAV designs. If you've never previously used a well designed NAV system, you wouldn't know the difference, but for those people that have, it's described as the difference between night and day. Apparently, it's not a bad system but there are better ones and the cost differential between the best and the worst is not significant. I don't know who designed the NAV system for the BMW, but everyone I've talked to that uses it just raves about it.
 
BTW, it's good to get your input Mack, but could you try to sound a little less like Mack the Knife?

#1046 of 2152 Purchased '08 with package 2 at invoice. Added leather seats, blue tooth by nm_socal

Oct 09, 2007 (11:41 am)

I have gained a lot of very meaningful insight from this forum ... thanks to everyone. Here's my story.
 
Was looking for a Prius with leather. It's only offered in package #6. Was open to considering '07, if the price was substantially lower.
 
Got in touch with the internet manager of a dealership in Southern California. Visited them on 9/29 (Saturday). Maybe I'm old school, but I seem to have a lot better experience/luck negotiating in person. So, went with a "good faith commitment" to make it work! (Yeah, take that to the bank!!!)
 
They had 2 remaining '07, both with colors I did not want. And they were selling them at ~$350 below invoice. They agreed to sell me an '08 at invoice (a figure that matched with Edmunds'). I opted for '08.
 
I wanted leather, but did not want NAV. Didn't want to pay ~$4,500 for package 6. So, they suggested package 2 (smart key, CD, reverse camera, VSC) and they'd add leather (after market, but better quality) for an extra $1,000. That made sense, so I agreed.
 
During financing, they offered many options, such as:
* Extended warranty: 6 yrs for $1,995 or 7 yrs for $2,495
* Prepaid service (all oil changes, routine service at 15k, 30k and 45k) for $895
* Bluetooth for $495
 
I told them I'd only consider them if I could name my price. I picked $1,995 (6 yrs warranty) + $895 + $495. Total "retail" was $3,400. I offered $1,500, and settled on $1,600. They also offered drive-off with a full tank, and a free car wash every week.
 
So ... bottom-line ... my car is 2008, silver with dark gray leather interior, package 2 and bluetooth.
 
Total OTD price, including extended warranty and prepaid service and leather seats and bluetooth and TTL: $27,613.
 
And I also qualified for the $750 tax credit. That should bring a big smile to my face early next year (or, knowing me, on April 15th, or October 15th!).
 
Just wanted to share my experience. 'hope it helps someone.

#1047 of 2152 Re: Touring vs base Prius [cruising7388] by jaxs1

Oct 09, 2007 (11:56 am)

Replying to: cruising7388 (Oct 09, 2007 11:32 am)
Power seats would be best, but even manually adjustable seat height and tilt would be a big improvement.
Most cars in the price range of the Prius at least have manual height adjustments and many have power seats.
 
The lack of thigh support is a very common complaint of the Prius. If the seat bottom could be adjusted to tilt up in the front as well as be raised a few inches, it would take care of many of the complaints.
I have seen more complaints about Prius seats than any other car.

#1048 of 2152 Re: Touring vs base Prius [cruising7388] by stevedebi

Oct 09, 2007 (12:25 pm)

Replying to: cruising7388 (Oct 09, 2007 11:32 am)
"
Now what does surprise me is that a power seat that could largely satisfy the vagaries of a particular driver is not available in any version of the Prius. To me, that's a poor marketing decision. At least it should be standard in the Touring version."
 
Power seats require weight. The Prius is designed to minimize weight to enhance MPG.

Messages Page 105 of 216

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