What makes it "Touring"?

Heated mirrors and fog lights are found on non-touring Gen II Prius, so take those out of the equation. The touring model has a larger spoiler, bigger wheels, and stiffer suspension. Note that some dealers switched the spoiler and wheels to make a normal model a "touring", even though it was not really a touring model.

Tom

 

Is 'Touring' on any of the official paperwork or advertising copy that you retained?

If so, does your state have a decent Consumer Protection agency?

 

The Touring Edition Prius was available in the 2007, 2008 and 2009 model years.

The distinguishing features of the Touring Edition, as opposed to the "standard" Prius (note that I'm not talking about the strippo, lower-priced base Prius that they came out with for the 2008 and 2009 model years) were:

1. 16" 7-spoke wheels with full wheel covers and 195/55R16 Bridgestone Turanza El-400 tires.

2. Slightly longer rear spoiler.

3. HID headlights with front halogen fog lights (note however that these lights were also available as part of high numbered option packages for the standard Prius).

4. "Tuned Suspension", which consisted of:

-- larger diameter front stabilizer bar
-- larger diameter rear stabilizer bar
-- different rear springs
-- different rear struts

Note that if you want to check if you have the Touring Edition rear struts (and springs), you can tell by looking at the struts (and springs) under the car from the rear bumper.

The Touring Edition rear struts have pink and red stripes (and its rear springs are marked with blue paint). Here's a picture, although because of the photographer's use of flash, the stripes appear white and pink:

[imglink]http://priuschat.com/forums/attachments/gen-ii-prius-main-forum/9510d1212092242-consumer-reports-drives-touring-edition-img_0939.jpg[/imglink]

In comparison, the standard Prius rear struts have light blue and red stripes (and its rear springs are marked with green paint). Here's a photo of my Standard Prius' rear strut with the light blue and red stripes:



And here are links to the 2007 and 2008 Prius eBrochures which describe the standard equipment and option packages for the standard and Touring Priuses. I've included the 2007 eBrochure because it more clearly describes the Touring Edition's distinguishing features:

http://www.toyotacertified.com/ebrochures/07_prius.pdf

http://www.toyotacertified.com/ebrochures/08_prius.pdf
.

 

Also do note that the "Touring addition" name is a marketing term -only-. It refers to an option package.
In Canada the 2007 was the "normal" Prius, the 2008 had a similar package to the "Touring", and the 2009 was half way between the two. You could never order a "Touring". It's a Toyota USA marketing package.

 

Sadly, even the dealers didn't all know the difference between the Touring pack versus package 6. When my carpool partner bought his '08, the Toyota dealer stated in no uncertain terms that ALL package 6 Prius vehicles (the 6 was the fully loade version, which was what he wanted/bought) were touring. Since I kept insisting (and he trursted me) that the dealer's story was not true ... he went to a couple other dealers before he found that he could in fact buy a regular package 6. I think they were hoping to make an extra $1,000 by the bad info, as $1,000 was what many dealers were charging back then for the touring version, during the 1st couple months of 2008. Gas was sky high & the Prius was flying off the shelf back then.

 

Good info Tom. However it appears the 2007 brochure doesn't actually have a picture of a touring model where the caption says touring, as it still has 6-spoke wheels and I can't see a difference in the spoiler. The 2008 does have a picture of a touring with the 7-spoke wheels.
Also note the change in EPA estimated mileage with the 2008 revision of testing guidelines.

 

To some extent, the misrepresentation by the dealer may have been used to justify a slightly higher price since Touring editions included some features standard that the regular editions might not have (dependent of package). That may be something worth being upset about.

 

You appear to have the touring wheels on your car (assuming the car in your avatar is yours)

 

His avatar photo is a little fuzzy, but to me the wheels look like the standard Prius 15" 6 spoke wheels with trim rings off.

 

savrip,

Boo's descriptions & photos are spot on. However there is also another way you can confirm the Touring status (or not) of your car. Go by a Toyota dealer (was your car purchased at a Toyota dealer or just a used car dealer?---if a Toyota dealer, you might want to visit a different one) & have them print out a "build sheet" for your VIN number. Somewhere on that build sheet will be a model number. Somebody please chime in if I'm wrong about this, but I beleive a model 1220 is a base Prius (with NO option pkg's ---for the rental & municipal fleets), a 1224 is the standard Prius (with the different option pkg's 1 thru 9---depending on model year), & the model 1226 was the "Touring Edition" (with only about 4 option pkg levels available within that model).

I don't think they use the same numbering series for the 2010 model though. I hope I'm right about the numbers, so somebody please confirm this [I'm just going from memory (which sometimes gets corrupted)]. I hope this helps you to get a refund if they mis-represented the car to make more profit & charged you for a "Touring Edition".

 

Savrip, here's the 2008 lineup.
Base
Package 1--no backup camera
Package 2--add CD player, SKS, VSC
Package 3--add dimming mirror, JBL 6 CD player
Package 4--add HID headlights & foglights
Package 5--add NAV
Package 6--add leather

A Package 2 Touring is a Base 2 with HIDs
A Package 3 Touring is a Base 4
A package 5 Touring is a Base 5
A package 6 Touring is a Base 6

As mentioned the Touring difference is the spoiler, suspension & wheels. 15" Goodyear Integrity tires were standard on the Base.

At this point in time I don't know what the price difference is between the 2 models. Register your car at http://www.toyotaownersonline.com/index.html to see the dealer service records.

 

3 step process to solving your problem:

1. Let's sort the facts. We've established you do not have a Touring. You paid $16000, which isn't bad even for a non Touring base model (I paid $24000 for my TCPO Touring last year, boooo!). The car doesn't have the features you want.

2. How do you feel? Being lied to by the dealership isn't right. Possibly losing some money in the deal is unfair and upsetting. But money won't make you happy, it's just money. Your car isn't what you expected it to be, you want some more features.

3. Now what do you do? Think what will make you happy. Getting money back from the dealership might make you feel victorious for a while, but you'll still be stuck with a car you settled for. Talk to the dealer tell, them what happened. If you'be driven less than 100 miles, you can return it. Try to return it, or even swap. Offer to pay even a little more to swap for the package you want.

There are soooo many priuses being sold out there, you do have options. And you can always come here for help, good luck.

 

Hey Jim,

As far as I understand Toyo never made anything less than a Pkg 5 Touring (no leather). That was it's point, the highest end models.