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Prius C 2012 vs 2013 & Three vs Four

Discussion in 'Prius c Main Forum' started by Dylan Murphy, Dec 5, 2012.

  1. Dylan Murphy

    Dylan Murphy Junior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Columbia, SC
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Three
    I just joined the site today but look to be a regular member after purchasing a C. I was hoping to find some information on the changes from the 2012 to the 2013. I read on here someone else's thread saying the dealer told him that it was just a change of model number.

    Secondly and most importantly, are there any reasons I'm not thinking of why I should get a Four over a Three? Do the larger wheels have any impact as far as driveability, durability or mileage? Also what does "Color-keyed" mean when they are discussing the mirrors? I also don't think the fog lamps will make any difference where I live, it is rarely foggy. So basically as far as I can tell, getting the Four would mean getting heated seats for $1 or $2k extra.

    Lastly, I am going to test drive a Prius C Four 2012 this evening after work, any suggestions or things I should look out for? (This is also my first new car purchase)
     
  2. KaliforniaKid

    KaliforniaKid 2013 Prius v Five 2012 Priuc c Four

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    Model:
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    Working off your list - it's 2K for faux leather seats aka SofTex-trimmed heated front seats and heated mirrors.
    As for color-keyed mirrors, all flavors of the C have color-keyed mirrors (painted to match mirrors). The C4's are additionally heated.

    The 2K difference to me would've been what I'd have to spend at a minimum to upgrade the wheels and tires out of pocket on a sub C4 unit. I preferred to keep everything Toyota OE.
     
  3. Dylan Murphy

    Dylan Murphy Junior Member

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    Model:
    Three
    Thank you for responding so soon. It rarely ever snows here so I'm not sure how important the heated anything is going to be to me, certainly not $2000 important I don't think.

    So you are saying that the wheels on a C4 are significantly better than on a C3? I know next to nothing about tires, I had read on here that the 16" wheels were rougher or what seemed to me to be less desireable but I thought that the 15" C3 wheels were the same as the 15" C4 wheels.

    edit: according to toyota.com:
    C3 standard 15-in. steel wheels with wheel covers and P175/65R15 86H tires
    optional 15-in. 8-spoke alloy wheels with P175/65R15 86H tires​
    C4 standard 15-in. 8-spoke alloy wheels with P175/65R15 86H tires
    optional 16-in. 8-spoke alloy wheels with P195/50R16 83V tires​

    so it seems the only difference is steel or alloy and 8 spoke vs whatever the other one is ....
     
  4. KaliforniaKid

    KaliforniaKid 2013 Prius v Five 2012 Priuc c Four

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    Vehicle:
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    Model:
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    I can't say that the C4 tires (Bridgestone Turanza EL400 P175/65R15 84H) or the 8-spoke alloy wheels are "better" than the C3,2,1's steel wheel & hub cap combination. But I do know that it would cost over 2K just to upgrade to alloy wheels which was my personal preference. The same with the faux leather - I personally do not prefer cloth seats. I tried the cloth seats and they were not as plush or comfortable as the faux leather. I priced faux leather seat covers at around $350 but decided to keep everything OE Toyota build.

    Looks like it comes down to alloy wheels and faux leather (if you don't price in the heated seats & mirrors and fog lights).
     
  5. crebble

    crebble Member

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    With the 16" wheels, you will get a harsher ride, larger turning circle (37' vs 31' ft) and a couple of less mpg. Also, no LRR tires are available in 195/50/16. You gain improved handling, quicker steering rack and improved stability with the larger contact patch. And they fill out the wheel well and look nice imo.
     
  6. Dylan Murphy

    Dylan Murphy Junior Member

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    Ah, I see, I Googled a couple things and now I at least have some idea as to why alloy wheels would be desirable over steel. I feel the same way about the seats as well, I suppose it is going to come down to what the dealers in my area have to offer that has a moonroof.
     
  7. KaliforniaKid

    KaliforniaKid 2013 Prius v Five 2012 Priuc c Four

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    Good luck & good buying.
     
    Dylan Murphy likes this.
  8. Dylan Murphy

    Dylan Murphy Junior Member

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    Thank you for the clarification, this thread was helpful as well: Handling (15" vs 16" wheels) | PriusChat
     
  9. winnertakesteve

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    Interestingly in Canada we have different packages, so I got alloy wheels at 15". As for the rest, I was used to the cloth seats in the corolla I drove previously. Those heated seats would have been nice in this chilly weather though!
     
  10. Dylan Murphy

    Dylan Murphy Junior Member

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    Unfortunately, where I'm at (Columbia, SC) has very few C's with moonroofs, very few C4's and no C4's with moonroofs :(
     
  11. Seán Judge

    Seán Judge New Member

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    Model:
    Four
    Did anyone ever find out about any differences between 2012 & 2013 models?




    I just joined the site today but look to be a regular member after purchasing a C. I was hoping to find some information on the changes from the 2012 to the 2013. I read on here someone else's thread saying the dealer told him that it was just a change of model number.
     
  12. ztanos

    ztanos All-around Geek!

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    Vehicle:
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    Model:
    Four
    There is a few threads about this... but a few of the changes are a better wrap on the steering wheel (at least for the 4 model), a jumper terminal attached to the fuse panel (at least on cars made after 2/13)... those are actually the only 2 that I can remember right now.
     
    Seán Judge likes this.