2012 Plus Package? and buying 1st Prius soon!

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Matt M., Feb 1, 2012.

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  1. Matt M.

    Matt M. Member

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    I've been reading this board for a while but this is my first post.

    First, does anyone know if the Plus Package will be available on the 2012 Prius hatchback (non-PIP, non-V, non-c)? I've called about 10 dealerships and the answers ranged from we don't know yet to no. One salesman, who told me he is a "Prius expert" told me I don't know what I'm talking about and there's no such thing as a "plus package" for the Prius. I'm definitely not going to buy a car from him. Anyway, I recently test drove a 2011 with Plus Package and a 2012 (both Fours)... I liked the handling of the 2011 with the Plus Package a little better, but I like some of the minor new features and nav and audio improvements on the 2012 (with solar roof package) so I'm probably going to go with 2012. So, I was curious if anyone knows if there will be a Plus Package available, like the Toyota press release from September said there would be.

    Also... I'm excited to be getting close to buying my first Prius! Seems like a great car, between the MPG, the size (not too big, not too small), the gadgets, and the (predicted) reliability.
     
    #1 Matt M., Feb 1, 2012
  2. kanevil

    kanevil New Member

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    User "WE0H" has a 2012 Plus Package 3 arriving in May so you might want to contact him about the details.
     
    #2 kanevil, Feb 1, 2012
  3. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    Yes, Dianne has said that the PLUS package will be available on the 2012 Prius.

    As for the guy who 'thinks' he is a Prius Expert... is he on this page? I doubt it because I know everyone who is on there and none of us are salesman lol.

    Prius Plug-in: Expert Decal
     
    #3 Paradox, Feb 1, 2012
  4. Matt M.

    Matt M. Member

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    Thanks for the replies. The "I'm a Prius expert and there's no such thing as a plus package" guy was a sales manager at Sunnyvale Toyota.
     
    #4 Matt M., Feb 1, 2012
  5. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    Nope, he's still not one officially from Toyota. :)
     
    #5 Paradox, Feb 1, 2012
  6. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    LOL@Mark. :) I love watching the real Prius experts in action at an event. The poor people that Toyota hires to show the cars at events are total noobs compared to you guys. I think people even mistake Jon for the chief engineer. Little do they know he is just a Canuck.

    OP, you can always buy a non-plus package car and add the plus package yourself for much less money. I admit those wheels are nicer than most aftermarket choices though.
     
    #6 F8L, Feb 1, 2012
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  7. WE0H

    WE0H Senior Member

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    I spoke with my local dealer in Coon Rapids Minnesota and they showed me the order info on the 2012 Plus package. They quoted me $2999.00 :) I have yet to order my car as I have to decide either Smart Motors in Madison WI or Carlson Toyota in Coon Rapids MN :confused: I am driving to Florida next week and expect the dealers down there to have 2012's so I will be checking them out. In the mean time, I continue to drive the rental 2010's ;)

    Mike
     
    #7 WE0H, Feb 2, 2012
  8. Matt M.

    Matt M. Member

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    @WE0H, thanks for letting me know!
     
    #8 Matt M., Feb 2, 2012
  9. WE0H

    WE0H Senior Member

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    I seroiusly hope I find a Plus package in Florida to see with my own eye's rather than staring at pictures on the computer. Last winter I went down there to sit in a Five and guess what? There were none to be found in Orlando :( I'll have more time this month so I will drive around further if I can locate a Plus to see in person. I am very shy about ordering a car without first seeing exactly what it would look like.

    Mike
     
    #9 WE0H, Feb 2, 2012
  10. Matt M.

    Matt M. Member

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    I understand! I come from owning a couple of old RX-7s, then an Acura Integra GS-R and now a Subaru turbo Legacy wagon. Handling is important to me! I was pleasantly surprised when our local dealership happened to have a 2011 Four with nav with the Plus Package, as I wrote in my original post. I drove that and then the 2012 Four without Plus. I would like to try both again... I think the Plus did improve the handling, though it wasn't a -huge- difference, and the 2012 without Plus didn't feel too awful to me. So, although I'm glad to know Plus is available for 2012, I'm not sure I'm going to spend the extra $3k.

    Good luck finding a 2012 with Plus Package to test drive!
     
    #10 Matt M., Feb 2, 2012
  11. dustoff003

    dustoff003 Blizzard Brigade #003

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    As F8L mentioned you can get the Plus Performance Package parts piece mail, I am thinking of going that route. I have quoted one of my posts below with the part numbers I have found so far. Some can be found on the internet for sale. I would be curious to know what dealers in your area charge for the items I listed?

    http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...ustoff003s-2011-prius-v-five-chronicle-7.html

     
    #11 dustoff003, Feb 2, 2012
  12. Matt M.

    Matt M. Member

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    Thanks! One more question - does anyone know if going from standard to Plus Package (either factory-installed or owner-installed) reduces mileage? I'm just curious about that.
     
    #12 Matt M., Feb 2, 2012
  13. Remstarasianboy

    Remstarasianboy Junior Member

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    I read somewhere that the 17" rims reduce actual mpg by 5. Don't quote me on that though. They sure like nice though and it's a small sacrifice.
     
    #13 Remstarasianboy, Feb 2, 2012
  14. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Yes. By approx. 2-4mpg as best we can tell. It also depends on how you drive it. Using hypermiling techniques will widen the gap between PEM 15s and Plus Package 17s as will your choice of tires since there are not a lot of LRR tire options for 17s although the lists growing. In my case I lose 6+mpg in my GenII when performing the same wheel swap.
     
    #14 F8L, Feb 2, 2012
  15. Matt M.

    Matt M. Member

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    Thanks - I agree, the car looks great with those Plus wheels on it.
     
    #15 Matt M., Feb 2, 2012
  16. samsprius1

    samsprius1 Active Member

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    Mike talk to Scott at Maplewood Toyota! Most cars, Best price in MN!
    Really nothing to see just a Prius with springs, wheels and body kit?
    just order it so you can drive it this summer! Take care.
     
    #16 samsprius1, Feb 2, 2012
  17. WE0H

    WE0H Senior Member

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    I added up the prices for the Plus packaged listed above piece by piece which does NOT include paint. The total is $2897.10
    The local dealer quoted me a Plus package for a 2012 Prius at $2999.00 installed, which includes the factory paint and I get to keep the factory wheels & tires for spares. The factory Plus package only comes in certain colors, so the pieced together kit would work for those with the other colors.

    How much does materials, prep & painting cost to duplicate the finish on a factory Plus package?

    Mike
     
    #17 WE0H, Feb 2, 2012
  18. WE0H

    WE0H Senior Member

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    Thanks Sam. I will for sure run over there and see how I like the dealer. No question I will have my Prius in May even if I have to get it hauled across state lines :p My current summer car came from Saturn of Sioux Falls on a flatbed ;) I was told worst case if I have to have a order submitted to Toyota, that it would be 2 months to get the car. I can wait. Been driving rental Prii since 2009 and so far surviving, but still a bit freaking out not owning one yet as I have to drive my 21 mpg SUV in between rentals :( Thankfully I get to pick up my next rental Prii on Sunday the 5th & don't have to bring it back until Feb 26th :rockon:

    Mike :tea:
     
    #18 WE0H, Feb 2, 2012
  19. WE0H

    WE0H Senior Member

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    Same here, I had a '90 RX-7 GTU which I foolishly traded in on a new car in '95. Bad choice. My current summer car is a Competition Packaged Ion Redline. The comp has the posi. I put some ZZP parts in it as well as their software which made it a screamer of a ride but holy cow that baby sucks down the gas. It was fine before gas got jacked up but I can't justify dropping big $$$ in the tank each weekend for the thrill ride. Plans now are to autocross the Prius so the reason to get the Plus package. I will be installing chassis braces to stiffen that part of it up also. You know what I am thinking so no explanation needed ;)

    Mike
     
    #19 WE0H, Feb 2, 2012
  20. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    #20 Paradox, Feb 2, 2012
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