Touring vs standard with 17 inch tires? Which is better deal?

[ladele]

Which do you think is the better deal?

A touring package 6 for $26, 641 plus tax, license and fees

or

A standard package 6 with 17 inch wheels for $26, 272 + tax, license and fees

I had originally wanted a touring so my questions are threefold:

1. are these 2 comparable for handling?
2. which is the better deal?
3. are either of them good deals?

Thanks!!

[dogfriend]

For less than $400, I would go with the Touring model. Besides the tire differences, the spring rates are slightly different and the rear spoiler is different on the Touring compared to the standard model.

I also wonder if the 17 inch wheels would be worse for fuel economy (most people with aftermarket wheels and tires report lower FE).

FWIW, I have a standard model #6 and the handling is fine for my purposes, but Consumer Reports says that the Touring model is better and the better buy.

[Tideland Prius]

Depends. I assume you're buying used because the standard model has 15" alloys. The 17s will have greater mpg loss over the 16".

[dogfriend]

Originally Posted by Tideland Prius

Depends. I assume you're buying used because the standard model has 15" alloys. The 17s will have greater mpg loss over the 16".

Some dealers will install aftermarket wheels and tires because it is an additional profit source for them. It is relatively common in California to see this. I was assuming that they were both new cars since the mileage wasn't given.

[ladele]

Originally Posted by dogfriend

Some dealers will install aftermarket wheels and tires because it is an additional profit source for them. It is relatively common in California to see this. I was assuming that they were both new cars since the mileage wasn't given.

Yes- they are both new. The 17 inch tires on the standard was just what they happened to have in stock.

Thanks so much for your advice!

[Tideland Prius]

Interesting....

[priusunlimited]

What types of MPG difference do you get between the 15 and 17 inch wheels?

[brianw]

My mothers Prius has 16 inch wheels instead of 15 like mine and she gets about 2mpg less than I do. So, I would guess between 2-4 mpg less for 17 inch wheels. It also depends on the width and compound of the tires.

[Boo]

I would get the Touring over the Standard with 17" wheels.

The Touring has 16" wheels with 195/55R16 tires, plus different rear shocks and springs, plus larger front and rear stabilizer bars, plus the larger rear spoiler.