Compare package #4 vs #6

[leeskarha]

I have been patiently waiting for my Prius for several months. I am on the list for package #4 (AM) or #6 (BC). (Getting closer to the top.) I’m still not sure which one to get. Below are the differences between the packages. Package #6 adds the following to #4.

Car Alarm
Auto dimming rearview mirror with Homelink
JBL 6-CD Stereo (“upgrades” to JBL amp and speakers)
DVD Navigation system with voice commands
Bluetooth hand free cell phone link

Have I missed any features that package #6 has the #4 does not?

Several thoughts: I can upgrade the stereo on the base system with high end speakers and amp. (I will move my Infinity Sub to the Prius regardless of which package I get.)

Car alarm, rearview mirror, and Homelink are not that big of a deal.
Navigation system with voice commands would be very cool but not really needed. How well do the commands work?
Integrated hand free cell phone would be great. Does it work well? This is a big one for me as I drive 100 miles commuting to and from work.

I have been reading this site for several months now and have learned a great deal. I appreciate everyone’s input. Thanks.
-Lee

[bandgeek]

I am not sure if I am the one to really be replying here as I have only had my Prius for about 3 weeks. All I can tell you is that I love my package 6. The Nav system works great and I have found that the way to get your voice commands understood is to not try to make your voice commands understood. In other words if you just speak at your normal speed and tone it seems to work best. I do feel that the voice commands are more of a safety issue than anything else. I can access the vast majority of screens and commands without ever taking my eyes off the road. The points of interest come in real handy if you are in unfamilliar territory and need gas/ resteraunt/ Chinese food/ Fast food etc., etc. There are a ton of POI's that I think most people are unaware of.

I can't speak to the Bluetooth as I am awaiting my Motorola V551 from Cingular. I am looking forward to experimenting with it. Again, I see this as a safety issue. Being able to access the phone without taking eyes of the road. I will be getting the Bluetooth/ Nav upgrade from Coastal as soon as it is available.

To sum up, I feel like the package 6 is well worth the money. Having said that, I am not sure if I would have missed all this stuff if I hadn't had it in the first place. I am sure there are package 4 folks out there that will disagree with me on my opinion. I guess it all boils down to personal preference just like everything else.

Hope this helps,

Dan

[HYACK]

Couple questions while I can grab this topic:

Given my pref to reserve allocation of a pac 4 (which I hope to acquire in about 2 weeks), I am wondering more about my eventual, custom upgraded audio system.

How many pre-amp outs does the non-JBL stereo have? (can it take an external amp plus extra speakers)? Can an XM radio be direct-wired with the non-JBL deck unit? Are the dimensions of the non-JBL Head unit cavity the same as the JBL unit's cavity (the JBL unit apparently being able to be replaced by upgraded receiver deck?)

These are Qs i'll definitely now have to pose to my sales rep, but In case we have any audio xprts here, I'd be grateful for any insights - thnx!

[tag]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(leeskarha\";p=\"97908)</div>

Navigation system with voice commands would be very cool but not really needed.....Integrated hand free cell phone would be great....[/b]

You'll probably get a host of differing opinions on this issue but I'll set forth mine.

At the time I bought my 04, I figured I'd rarely use the NAV, if ever. Well, my (work-related) situation changed rather dramatically since then and I now use the NAV nearly every day and multiple times during the day at that.

I'll also say this; if you happen to have (or later acquire) a Bluetooth phone, then at some point you most likely WILL miss not having integrated handsfree in your Prius. Similar to the NAV, I didn't think I would utilize it all that often but, again, I was dead wrong about that and now use it extensively. Further, it works great for my purposes despite the fact that I own a V710 which is unable to effectuate a phonebook transfer to the car (but I worked around that anyway).

FWIW....

[Emilyjohn]

Lee, we wanted package #4 originally. We live in NJ where #4 allocation is rare; so we settled for #6. Then the dealer told us our #4 was due in. We were psyched up for the #6 but decided on the #4, because the Nav and Bluetooth are not needed in our case. We did install XMradio from PriusXM; we did it ourselves. It's easy. We didn't even have any left-over parts. Choosing between #4 and #6 is a very happy problem. You can't go wrong either way. Go for it!

[Fredatgolf]

The advantages of the Nav system and Bluetooth have been addressed and I agree with what has been said, especially if you travel at all. But I even consider the Homelink essential. That's probably because my last two Toyotas had Homelink and you grow to feel like what is supposed to be a luxury has become something that you must have. We haven't even started traveling yet and the Nav system has helped a lot.

[deh2k]

Dissenting opinion here.

For me, the AM package was just right. It has all the safety features plus the Smart Key System (SKS). The added features of the BC package may be nifty but I have never missed not having them. The dealer says he's bummed whenever a BC comes in because they're harder for him to sell. It may be a Yankee frugality thing since I hear the BCs are all the rage elsewhere.

[Dan Gross]

If I had the option I would have gone #4. VSC was necessary to me, and only #4 and #6 have it. I did have trouble rationalizing the additional features on the #6. #4 is not sold in NYS (#3 and #5), so I would have had to go to PA to get it. I was in contact with some dealers in Northern PA when a #6 became available. Between the nice loan %age I got from my local dealer and the extended warranty price I got, it covered about 1/2 the difference. Being able to buy from a local dealer (where it will likely be serviced) was an extra plus, so I went for it. In three weeks I've already used the NAV a few times, and the CD changer is "fully loaded" with CD's.
So, in your position, I would have bought the #4. But I am happy with my #6.

[DanMan32]

Despite what dealers may say, you CAN add the homelink. It isn't the dealer's fault when they say no, their paperwork says not to. The problem is that the wiring has to go near where the curtain airbags are. However, since the overhead console already has gnd and B+, only one wire, and not the whole harness, need be routed to the junction box to get ACC.

Also, there is a trick to get the alarm turned on. Some dealers don't know how to do it, some dealers won't do it, but instead will sell you the VIP option, which is nothing more than the GBS with added instructions to remove a yellow disabling wire and turn on the alarm and GBS. But it can be done without removing the yellow wire, as long as GBS is not added.

[GeekyDragon]

We too had this enormously difficult decision to make before we decided on our AM. I spent weeks on PriusChat and PriusOnline doing research and talking to friends who own Prius. My final decision sort of went like this:

1. Homelink - We live in a Condo without a garage. Hence, don't need this.

2. Autodimming Mirror - We planned from the get-go to get the Windows tinted so this was totally unnccessary.

3. Tape Deck - Haven't used tapes in 10 years.

4. In Dash-6 - This was a big issue. We wanted this feature and we mistakenly thought we could add it later, but it turned out that the "Option" you could purchase was an add-on single DIN in-dash changer, not the Factory JBL changer. In retrospect I don't think this is that big of an issue because my GF and I both have "CD ADD (Atention Deficit Syndrome)" and tend to go through CD after CD on long drives. Hence, we have nearly 100 CD's in the car that the passenger has the honor of scrolling through. Also, we plan to eventually get XM and/or an IPOD so we'll always have music anyways.

5. NAV UYnit - I really wanted this, but in truth I don't think I'd use this regularly on my daily 120 R/T commute - I know the way pretty well. Also, I think a portable mapping NAV unit might be better as then we'd be able to take it with us regardless of which car we take. A portable NAV would also be cheaper I think.

6. Bluetooth - Personally I try not to use my cell when I'm driving. My Samsung E315 also doesn't support Bluetooth but when i do upgrade I'll just get a wireless headset.

7. Voicecomman - Steering wheel controls work good enough for me.

-. Upgraded Sound - Thanks to many posts I read on Priuschat/online the JBL system doesn't sound that impressive. That and I've been working on my own custom set-ups for 10 years and had planned to transfer over most of the equipment from our crashed Prelude anyways (PPI A404, RF Punch 60IX, PG AX406, 2xJL 10W1, etc.)

--Overall, I was able to justify taking the $2000 I saved choosing the AM Prius and spending it on Tint, Flames and a little vacation.

--GD