2010 model V worth the price?

My wife and I rented a base model Prius in Boston and drove it 600 miles. very satisfied. 50 mpg average in the hills,etc. she wants a new one. We are 63 and I envision this to be the last new car we will purchase. wondering if the special features of the V are sensible purchases-the safety components,etc. wonder if we should get an extended warranty as 3 years may not be enough with all the gee whiz devices that surely will cost a bundle to repair. I would believe that some price haggling is more realistic on the loaded, top of the line model as typically is the case-or maybe negotiate an extended warranty whose price, interestingly, is privileged information only the dealers can reveal. I want to buy the car in Ca to get the 10 year battery warranty as with our driving, that will be more critical than mileage. I know so little about the Prius I would value the opinions of others about the extra cost of the V over the IV-I am thinking leather with heat will please my wife so that limits us to those two. I welcome comments! thanks, Harley in CO

I would not pay the difference unless I would be interested in the technology package for which you need to pick the V.
Do you want that?
The difference is cost effective only if you are interested in:
= LED (light-emitting diode) headlamps with auto leveling, auto-off and headlamp washers
= Integrated fog lamps
= 17-in. 5-spoke alloy wheels with P215/45R17 tires; very good looking wheels, but tires will be more expensive to replace...

But if you want this, the choice is obvious:
Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC)
Intelligent Parking Assist (IPA)
Pre-Collision System (PCS)
Lane Keep Assist

Well that's about as subjective a question as one can ask.
1) Some folks have so much / so little money, that the wallet answers the question for them.
2) Some folks want safety features up the wazoo ... & that's what the V has, making that the driving force.

These

Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC)
Intelligent Parking Assist (IPA)
Pre-Collision System (PCS)
Lane Keep Assist

I feel would become a crutch as you will get used to these features if you use them and in the event that you have to drive another car that doesn't have them, you will forget that you don't have them and will have a crash. The other day for example, I drove my F350, and while backing it up, was waiting for the BEEPBEEP of the backup alarm, which the truck doesn't have, and of course backed into a post and damn near knocked it down.

They are nice features, but until it is something that can be found on most other cars, it can become a problem for those who use them and become reliant on them.

These two

Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC)
Pre-Collision System (PCS)

Are the ones I am referring to. You may become use to the cruise control automatically adjusting your speed in traffic, and then get behind the wheel of a car that doesn't have it, and forget to disengage it when getting into traffic and rear ending someone. You may also become dependent on the PCS, and do the same, though much less likely than the adaptive cruise control.

As far as the 17" wheels, I doubt they would cause you to get less MPG if you have good tires on them. There are tires in that size that have decent traction and low rolling resistance, Michelin makes a model, though the model escapes me.

For now, the IV would be the better choice until more cars are built with the fancy gizmos. They are nice safety features, but as with other types of features, people get used to them and when they don't have them, forget they don't have them and get into trouble, ABS was like that when it first came about in cars, some had them, some didn't, and those who got used to them and drove a car without it usually wound up hitting something. I'm sure there are others on this board who have more than one car with different features who will know what I am talking about, you drive one for any length of time, and go to drive the other one and go to use something, like bluetooth, which it doesn't have and go, oh duh no wonder it doesn't work.

Sixty-three and it will be your last new car? You certainly aren't setting your sights very high. With any luck you have another quarter century of driving ahead of you.

Tom

Tom,

With any luck, he'll have 25 years worth of motoring bliss in the Prius ahead of him.

Are you considering the tech package? That's kind of the key. In my opinion sans tech package I wouldn't buy the V.

The larger tires cut into MPG's. Most everything else can be had on a IV.

A V sans tech, vs. a IV sans solar pkg? If you are not picky about colors you might be able to find a dealer willing to haggle thus making the difference between the two choices moot.

I'm not commited to leather or heated seats so to me without either the Solar Package on the IV, or the Tech Package on the V, neither really make sense to me, Toyota is upping the price, but II's and III's were and still are good values IMO.

Decisions..Decisions
OK, I agree with Tom you have a lot of "driving years" left, so don't set your sights to short!

Now for my thoughts and comments on IV vs V

I selected the V for the additional extras such as Dynamic Radar Cruise Control and Lane Keep Assist.
I don't necessarily use the Parking Assist but one never knows..more of a Gadget but does function well...

I prefer the LED Headlights...I have had improved visibililty for my night dirving since I work 2nd shift. I am only early 50's but my night vision has changed and these have dramatically improved my night vision when driving.

I like and prefer the larger 17" wheels, and the wheels do NOT have the plastic covers that many complain about with noise and squeaks.

I also have the NAV package as I love the integrated look.
I have heated Leather seats as well.
Basically it's the whole cookie jar.....

If you don't want the technology items then the IV will suffice well, In my honest opinion. But get it with Leather and Nav if interested. I don't know if the Solar Roof is truly viable in your location and climate, but you should know that answer...

I think your looking a few thousand dollar difference from IV with leather and Nav to a V. Basically comes down to what you like in the end and are willing to spend. Best of luck in your decision, you won't go wrong either way!

The 17" wheels have 45 series tires. My sons Scion xD has 17's with 45 series tires and
they do not ride well. It is a harsh ride on most roads. I've ridden in Scion xD's with the
reg. tires and they not exhibit this harsh ride.

In my opinion, one other feature that stands out between a IV and V is the difference in steering ratio.

The V has an improved steering ratio.

And this has to do w/"Prius and Hybrid News" in what way? This thread should be moved.

I'm not America, I'm from Belgium and I ordered a Prius on sept 23 ). The choice was not easy. First I chose the top-of-the-range model but after days and days of reflexion I put myself a lot of questions and the last of them was this one : of which equipment did I really need according to the use of the vehicule I'll make?
Finally I chose the model LUNA color Blue Grey (8V1) which must correspond to model III in the United States. The delivery of the car is initially planned for on December 15th should take place on November 25th - wait and see ?
You can have a glance at this mini website :
tp://fr.toyota.be/cars/new_cars/prius/experience/index.aspx.

Friendly, Guy

I agree, one of the reasons I bought a V is because of the quicker steering.

Now that I have the car and have have some miles on it I would also recommend the ATP because of the DRCC and the LKA. Both worthwhile options, especially the DRCC. Yes I think, to me anyway, the V is well worth the extra money.

Harley, I think you can buy the car anywhere you wish because the warranty is determined by where you live and where the car is registered not where you bought it. According to the warranty booklet the hybrid system warranty for your state would be 96 months/100,000 miles. I am almost certain that is correct but please double check .

I you're still having a hard time deciding, I suggest locating some Toyota dealers listed on toyota.com that rent cars. Ask if they have Prius' to rent. You can drive a couple hundred miles. You'd be lucky to get a 5 or 10 mile test drive with a salesperson.

I rented a V from Toyota Sunnyvale, and I'm 99% sure they had IV's for rent too.

I don't agree with those saying if you don't want the AT, get the IV. IMO, the 17" wheels, LED headlamps and fogs make a huge difference lookwise and I'd be just as happy with a stripped down V.

Definitely rent one for the day to test it out on your own. The sales guy told me that the standard test drive is a carefully calculated route. 4 right turns minimize the chance of accidents.

I think Sunnyvale rents iii's and v's only. The only diff between a iii and iv is really the leather.

It sounds like you plan to keep this car for a long time ... so...

You should be prepared to spend a little more to get what you really want. Obviously, enough people think the extra money for the V is worth it, or else nobody would buy it. But nobody can tell you what you should want. Do you like the solar roof? If you do, then you'd have to get a IV. If you don't care about the roof but prefer the looks of the the V, then get that. Like many others, I'd recommend getting the ATP, which provides many features. Even though I really prefer the looks of the V and I think the ATP is neat, I went with the IV with solar because I have always liked having a sunroof.

don't let the dealer talk you into getting an extended warranty. You can wait until the 3 years warranty period is almost over before making that decision (who knows, it might not be your last new car after all...you might trade it in for an even nicer Prius after 3 years) .