Basic v. Touring

I am trying to decide wether to get a prius touring edition or a prius without the touring package... I understand that the touring edition handles better on the road... can anyone that is familiar with both tell me if the touring edition has a "rougher" ride?
When I test drove the prius without the touring package, I was really impressed on how smoothly the car drove.
I currently drive a 3 series bmw and enjoy the way it drives. The car sits pretty low to the ground and i do feel every pot hole and bump in the road.... I am not sure if my bmw was this rough when it was new. I have had it since 2000 and it now has about 200,000 miles... IT is staring to feel like i am driving a wagon over rocks now.
Any info greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

 

The differences are primarily aesthetic and comfort oriented. The Touring Option, as it suggests, has been developed for the driver that spends significantly more time in the vehicle, i.e., touring...

Now that sounds sort of sassy, but consider that the 16 wheels offer a significant difference in handling and smoothness of ride. More tire on the road and less susceptibility to road surface conditions.

The car feels inherently safe. It's stable and rides very smoothly--much like a larger vehicle with less susceptibility to push and turbulence from vehicles around it. Oddly stable, actually, but it has alot to do with the .26 drag coefficient (mouse-over on the 'D').

It is slowly losing it's "Economy Car" stature as the technology moves ever closer to mainstream thought and "For the time being, this is still the benchmark if you're looking for a hybrid-powered car" that rides like a full grown European sedan.

I personally opted for the Touring/#6 because, and this is MY preference, I wanted ALL the bells and whistles if I were going to give up the power of my previous vehicle. I've since found I made the right choice, and I don't miss the truck at all. It's a completely different mindset and I've found myself learning how to squeeze even more mileage out the Prius--and taking more trips.

The Touring model, even fully loaded, is completely affordable and comfortable. The Prius itself has more room inside than many American sedans and the room for passengers in the back is more spacious than some mid-sized cars I've owned in the past. You won't be disappointed. I've owned a Merc, a BMW 528i, numerous sedans and trucks. The Prius is the first Japanese car that I have owned and, once I got over the quirkiness of some of the features (the cruise control is my favorite obsession), I've found that it's very solid and the technology will keep you amused for quite some time. AND you WILL change the way you drive.

 

Isn't fair, I'd like the bigger spoiler but it isn't available here.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(skguh @ Oct 29 2007, 09:42 AM) [snapback]531918[/snapback]</div>

When I bought my 2007 package 6 I was told that the Touring with the 6 package was not available in NY - not sure why, but I could not order that combo.java script:emoticon('', 'smid_2')

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JacksonMs @ Oct 29 2007, 12:04 AM) [snapback]531838[/snapback]</div>

Thanks so much for the response. If I am understinading the information correctly that you are giviing me, you are saying that the touring edition has a smoother ride when compared to the non touring model..... I Have a 100 mile round trip for work every day and want to choose the correct model prius.
I was very impressed by the smooth ride when I test drove a "regular" prius that did not have the touring package... Are you saying that the touring model offers a ride that is more smooth since the tires are bigger?
Also, How well do these cars hold the road in rainy weather?
Thanks Again.

 

I have not driven an '08 but I did note in the Canadian Premium Package specifications that it's turning circle is 34.1 ft. where as my '05 is only 16.7 ft. Seems like quite a change for a 1" difference in wheel size. Not sure what the wheel size is for the base 'o8 package.
Gary

 

I test drove both the 08 Touring and the Non-Touring w/Pkg 6, and although the Non-Touring was softer, it was definitely right up my wife's alley for her 100 mile rt commute. I don't like the bigger spoiler, I plan on getting Traklites anyway, and I'll mod the suspension when she doesn't want to drive it anymore since I like stiffer and tighter handling.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Canuck @ Oct 29 2007, 08:49 PM) [snapback]532231[/snapback]</div>

That is a difference in how they calculate the turning circle. Your measurement of 16.7 feet is half the circle, the 34.1 feet is the whole diameter of the circle. I don't think any car currently selling new except perhaps the Smart car would turn in as tight a circle as 16 feet!!

 

You can tinker it up and put straws on the spokes, for all I care, but the question was what's the difference, not who can jerry-rig the best. End game is that JacksonMS has a decision to make and the differences, though seemingly subtle, easily account for the difference in price and handling. Putting more air in tires so the ride like wagon-wheels, duct tape on the front grille, and driving without A/C aren't practical nor reasonable for the average driver. And I don't know if most people have driven the roads of Mississippi, but smooth matters when driving for long distances.

Jackson, e-mail me.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DaveLeePrius @ Oct 29 2007, 09:27 PM) [snapback]532297[/snapback]</div>

Yes, David, you are quite correct. Wasn't really thinking but just was comparing the specifications shown in our '05 brochure with those in the '08 one we picked up yesterday.
Certainly couldn't be my age but probably the climate we have up here north of you.
Gary

 

I've owned both, and the Touring definitely DOESN'T have a smoother ride. From the handling characteristics I'd say it has stiffer springs, higher shock damping and heavier sway bars, plus lower profile tires. That all adds up to a noticeably harsher ride. It's all in what you are looking for. I thought the standard suspension felt WAY too soft and floaty, a typical family car ride. The Touring is much closer to a European sports sedan in feel and handling. (It's no sports car, but it's much closer).

 

Any idea where to find a Touring edition in the DC area? It isn't an option to build one on the Toyota site and I am getting the sense that they are difficult to find. Any idea if it will get easier in early 08?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mobyuvm @ Oct 30 2007, 03:02 PM) [snapback]532542[/snapback]</div>

Just from punching in different state zip codes, New Jersey may be the closest state for you to get one now (I checked VA, MD, PA, DE, then NJ).

 

A customer left me his 08 Touring for a week as he was going on a trip and wanted me to install our BT Tech plate on it.

I can definitively say that the touring has a "firmer" feel to the ride but is in no way punishing. It seems to take turns with a bit less lean and still handles bumps and road irregularities very well.

In the short time that I had it I can say that I really liked the way the touring option felt over the "standard" model. It is not leaps and bounds better but just enough of an improvement to appreciate.





<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Boo @ Oct 30 2007, 03:33 PM) [snapback]532552[/snapback]</div>

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(patsparks @ Oct 29 2007, 10:39 AM) [snapback]531942[/snapback]</div>

No worries mate. Buy any spoiler you like, paint it to match, and bolt it in.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(patsparks @ Oct 29 2007, 09:39 AM) [snapback]531942[/snapback]</div>

I can't never understand why Toyota isn't producing more of the touring model. At this moment, there are only three tourings sitting on the dealer's lots in the state of Louisiana (out of >50 base and standard versions)!

 

The Touring may be a little "rougher" than the base suspension Prius, but I didn't find it "rough" at all. It felt more connected to the road imho. I have driven soft cars and sportier cars and I found the base Prius a little soft and floaty compared to the Touring. I drove the base Prius first and when driving the Touring next I immediately appreciated the ride more. I'm not saying the difference is huge, but just that I could tell right away.

 

just put a deposit down today on a 2008 silver, package #6 touring.


one thing i forgot to ask...

are the HID headlamps the same thing as xenon?

 

Yes, they're the same. Congrats on your purchase!

 

thank you!

and thanks for answering my dumb question, too. just had to make sure.

i'm very excited for it to arrive. never thought i would buy a car like the prius, but now that i have done my research i wouldn't want anything else. well, i'd prefer a new body style but i'm not waiting over a year for it.