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Prius v three versus five

Discussion in 'Prius v Main Forum' started by flrover, Oct 27, 2011.

  1. flrover

    flrover New Member

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    Ugh! I can't decide between the Prius V three or the five. I have read about the differences of each but....is the five worth the extra few thousand dollars?

    I really do not care about any of the additional features except the sof-tex upholstery.

    Thanks!
     
  2. pvogel

    pvogel '05 Five & '12 v

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    Three to Five is only about $1000 diff, it's the advanced tech package that really kicks the price up. So yeah, I'd say the sof-tex is worth a grand.

    Peter+
     
  3. flrover

    flrover New Member

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    Wow! Only a grand? From whom did your but your car? I have checked several dealers including out of state and the difference is between $1500.00 to nearly $3000.00. Even USAA's car buying service is showing those amount differences with the $500.00 off msrp.


     
  4. pdp

    pdp New Member

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    According to the dealer near my place, the 5 is $2825 more than the 3!
     
  5. flrover

    flrover New Member

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    Actually, I have heard the same as well-I meant to write $1500.00 to almost $3000.00 not $2000 for the two different models. (I made the change in my prior post)

    No interest in the advance technology package. It would be cool to get a functioning sun roof instead of a moon roof but I get that Toyota wanted to keep the weight down.

    How about a "heavy" sun roof and we keep our weight down? haha. No overall difference!

     
  6. M8s

    M8s Retired and Lovin' It

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    I have similar questions. I want navigation and Sof-tex. I understand only the package 5 includes sof-tex. No moon roof or AT package needed. Is what I want available?
     
  7. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Err... the difference between a sunroof and a moonroof is that one is glass and one isn't. They both can slide open and tilt. A moonroof will require an extra sunshade because it's glass but a sunroof doesn't offer any light when it's closed.

    On toyota.com, the difference between the Three and the Five is about $2,800. For that, you gain:


    • SofTex trimmed seats
    • Heated front seats
    • auto-dimming mirror w/ Homelink integrated garage door opener
    • 17" alloys
    • LED headlights w/ headlight washers
    • automatic headlights
    • foglights
    • 3-dr Smart Key System

    I would say the LED headlights are the big one (in addition to SofTex seats) and on the convenience side, 3-dr SKS.
     
  8. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Correct. You can get the "base" Five w/o the AT package. The only question is whether your region will stock that particular configuration. If not, you'll have to do a "special order" and wait a few months or find one out-of-state that has your configuration.
     
  9. flrover

    flrover New Member

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    Thanks! The whole sunroof/moonroof definition seems to depend on to whom we speak. Whatever it is called, I wished it opened especially for allowing hot air to escape when the car has been sitting in the sun.

    What is the benefit of the led lights? Less energy? Better projection? Brighter?

    My luck, I will purchase a three this year and next year's model three will have the optional softex!

    Thanks for the feedback!!

     
  10. M8s

    M8s Retired and Lovin' It

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    Okay, I went to a local Toyota dealer with two sets of clubs and they fit easily with the rear seats upright. They let us drive it and it was all good - power, ride, quietness, comfort, seat height, visibility, roominess, everything. Only trouble is it was a package 2 and the wrong colors,

    Ah so, thank you TP-san. It looks like the "base" package 5 is for me. With that I get:
    Sof-tex seats
    Navigation
    Auto Dimming mirror
    Homelink
    LED headlights
    Smart key

    Everything else is just gravy. I'd rather not have any moon roof or sun roof or any other special roof. I would like All Weather Mats instead of carpeted mats.

    Dianne, can you hook me up? Basic package 5 in White/Bisque sof-tex and all weather mats? Just like the one listed above? No dealer add-ons, please (I have my own clear bra/tint guy). I can wait.
     
  11. Codyroo

    Codyroo Senior Member

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    You could purchase a package 3 and take your car to an interior shop to have leather installed.

    You can park the car with the moonroof slightly open to allow the hot air out.

    My definition of sunroof and moonroof mirrors Tidelands.
     
  12. M8s

    M8s Retired and Lovin' It

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    A 3 with after-market leather would be close to what I want. It still wouldn't have homelink, smart key or auto dimming mirror (my wife likes that feature).
     
  13. flrover

    flrover New Member

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    M8s-where are you in AZ?


     
  14. flrover

    flrover New Member

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    The Prius V moonroof does not open to let out hot air.

    Sof-tex rocks! Save the cows! An aftermarket install should not cost as much as the model three and five difference-good thinking.

     
  15. flrover

    flrover New Member

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    Hey M8s! Looks like Dianne has your car!!


     
  16. pdp

    pdp New Member

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    Would it be possible to replace (aftermarket) a 3's mirror with an auto-dimming w/homelink mirror? This is the sole 5 feature that I my wife and I would like, too bad they didn't add this to the 3.
     
  17. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    True but the press material (at least in Canada) says that the resin roof keeps the interior cooler than a traditional steel roof (I'm just wondering if it's because it absorbs less heat than metal)

    All of the above. On the standard Prius, it uses 18% less energy than traditional HIDs (which already use less energy than standard halogen bulbs). They also last a long time (probably never have to change the low beam "bulb" in your car again because they're LEDs).

    I would check out a Five at night and see the LED headlights for yourself. :)

    Yes. The mirror is a Gentex mirror that is shared among a lot of manufacturers (it's not a Toyota mirror) so you can find one and install it yourself (or ask someone to do it for you). They start at around $150 or $175 for a basic auto-dimming mirror and go up from there (adding compass and Homelink for example)

    Not at all.

    Maybe send Dianne a PM instead in case she doesn't see this thread?
     
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  18. M8s

    M8s Retired and Lovin' It

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    We live in Red Mountain Ranch in NE Mesa. That's in winter. In summer, we live in Lone Tree, CO.
     
  19. flrover

    flrover New Member

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    Got it. I am in AZ as well and have been less than impressed with the dealers. Test driving one tomorrow-could be the same one you took out-but am planning to purchase one from Dianne. Contemplating driving it back or having it shipped-already got lots of quotes. Would be interested to hear your experience with the dealers around here.

     
  20. M8s

    M8s Retired and Lovin' It

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    We went to Riverview Toyota yesterday for our test drive. They were a lot of fun and very accomodating but didn't have what I wanted and couldn't find one on their computer, either. We plan to fly to LA and buy from Dianne assuming our deal works out (and it sounds perfect at the moment). We'll do a little vacation while we're there and then head back to AZ.

    Whereabouts are you located in AZ?