Help thinking thru Model picking

Have you driven an IV and a V? The difference in tire size makes a big impact on the driving feel. Which do you prefer?

Yah, the toys in the V are fun, but not enough to get me to spend the extra $. My other car is an Audi and their commercial 'for people who like to park their cars' made me smile.

 

I'll probably get attacked again, but to me the solar panel isn't worth it, especially in cooler and/or cloudly regions. I have lived in FL & TX and it doesn't take that long to cool a car down once you get it moving so it's an unnecessary novelty convenience IMHO (including remote AC, not related to solar). As I understand it, Toyota intended the solar panel to trickle charge the battery but had to abandon that purpose due to RF interference or something like that. I think it might have been more useful as a trickle charger although 59 watts charging a 1300 watt battery? So the solar ventilation wasn't even what Toyota was going for. If you want it for the novelty, go for it.

 

I ordered my IV because of the sunroof (not solar panel) and the heated leather adjustable seats. The solar aspect is a cool prototype but I'm not expecting important function yet. I can't live w/o sunroof in a new car.

 

Agree with Midpack...not worth the $3600 to pay for the solar....of course it is my opinion....

I live in Michigan..how long does it take to cool that tiny car? I got a base package and very happy with it. I DO like a sun roof but was not ready jump thru so many hoops to get it...

Just used the $ saved to pimp up my retirement account:mod:

 

For me, being a "gadget guy" I just had to have the solar roof. I live in Metro-Detroit, so it is not really necessary, but come on, how cool is a solar panel on the top of your car that drives a ventilation system? If it were offered, I would have purchased a V with a solar roof. I also liked the "gadgets" in the V, but they not were not as cool to me as a solar roof!

My only "gripe" is the IV label. IV is viewed as less than V, so it seems like a step down.... Not really true as you cannot get a V with a solar roof. I would have preferred something like V version 1, and V version 2. My IV, with every available factory option is every bit as expensive as a V....

As for ride and tires, I did not buy the Prius to be a sports car. I wanted maximum MPG. The 15" tires are a very standard size and offer many options when it is time to replace them. Because there are many options, prices will generally be lower. I find the ride in my IV to be fine. I have a 2003 Mini Cooper S to satisfy my spirited driving needs....

One thing that I really do not like about the IV is the lack of fog lamps.... The gray plugs do not do justice to a $30K plus car.... I will probably add fog lights in the future to address that concern. Then I will have the perfect V version 1!

 

I'll just throw out a few bits that I have gleened from reading these forums for awhile, and hopefully they will help you out.

From what I can see, of the 3 cool options of the AT package...the Dynamic Radar Cruise Control seems to be the only feature most people use. The parking assist and the lane keep seem to have a few quirks, so from what I've been reading, most people don't use them.

Living in Florida, I'd say go for the Solar Roof...IF you park outside all day long. I would have loved to have a sun roof, but I rarely spend an entire day with my car parked outside, so I just opted to buy the IV with no packages. It seems the solar roof works the best during high noon when the sun is directly overhead, and works sparingly without direct sunlight.

I'm sure you'll get some better suggestions from people who actually HAVE these features, but thought I'd help with what I've read on here.

 

While the "advanced technology package" does seem pretty cool, I'd rarely ever use it.
I know how to park my own car, and I'd never be in the situation where I'd need a car to keep me in my lane. I don't even like the idea of trusting that sort of thing.
If you're too tired or drunk to drive, YOU SHOULDN'T BE DRIVING.
They are cool techy features, but THOSE aren't necessary for a driving experience.

A sunroof on the other hand, while not NECESSARY, is a nice accessory that you either want or don't want. It's not like you can just "make a sunroof" like you can "make your car park" or "make your car stay in its lane."
Even without the solar ventilation, I'D STILL CHOOSE A SUNROOF OVER THE "ADVANCED TECH PACKAGE."

The fact that it will ventilate my car on those hot days, and it gets HOT here, I think that's a total bonus.
People keep saying how "the solar ventilation is overpriced at $3600...."
It's not that it's overpriced, it's that it comes bundled with a SUNROOF, and the NAVIGATION SYSTEM - two things that I personally would be getting anyway.

The only things about the V that I like are the foglights and the bigger wheels. (but paying to replace low profile tires SUCKS!! Overpriced RUBBER!!)

If I had a V with the ATP, it would be entertaining for a while, but then I'd probably rarely use it. (just as most reports I've seen from people who have it.)
Honestly... if you don't know how to park a car, or if you really need something to help keep you in your lane, or if you're really lazy enough to want to drop the "staying alert and ready" factor out of driving... maybe you shouldn't be driving in the first place.

I've always enjoyed having sunroofs. They are fun during the day and also at night.
The fact that I get a solar power ventilation system and remote A/C and navigation is just added bonuses.
Granted, not everyone wants all three of those things bundled together, so I can understand that particular argument. However, anyone that lives around here knows how miserable it is to get into a car that's been parked in the sun for a while...and how nice it would be to combat that in some way. (ventilation + remote A/C!!!)

 

Ask yourself this.

1. Do I need the sunroof? Will I open it and use it? It's an $1800 feature, but priceless if you use it and love it. Don't chosoe it for the solar cooling function or the A/C remote start part - will you use the sunroof?

2. We all know how to park, parallel park, back into a parking spot between cars... and, by paying attention while driving, we can do without the dynam. laser cruise, and the rest of the AT package goodies.

3. Do you feel the need for the LED headlamps, the 17" wheels, and the fog lamps?

You can get a V package without the AT for an MSRP $30,100 or thereabouts with mats set. You can also get a IV with sunroof, mats for about $30,350.

Trade off the 17's, the LEDs, the fog lamps - and the better looking wheels for a sunroof?

That's kinda what it boils down to!

Di

 

Good advice, but maybe needs one correction: the sunroof is $3600, in the east, anyway.

 

Not when you factory NAV being on both cars (1800 fixed there regardless)

 

But you get the $1800 navigation option as part of that...making the sunroof/solar ventilation system/remote air-conditioning another $1800 option.

 

Thank you for clarifying that--I had missed that bundling every time I had gone through the website features and specs page, and the book too. I'm glad I didn't make a decision based upon it.

 

Agreed! SR or No SR. To each their own. I never use a roof. I do like the 17" wheels, LED's and fog lights. The car simply looks sportier with them. Many may not care though, so it's really about the SR.

I consider the wheels / tires / LED's and fog lights a bargan for the price differential over the IV. That's more than I can say for the other options (SR and NAV)

 

Wheels and lights can always be added afterwards...So can a sunroof, I guess, but I wouldn't trust an aftermarket sunroof.

I'll be tinting windows, adding HID headlamps, a few stereo upgrades, and then maybe upping to a bigger wheel on my IV.
I just hate tires that cost around $300 a piece...

 

Tire rack has several tires available in this size ranging from a little over $100 to a little less than $200. I don't know what kind of tire you'd have to pay $300 for.

I'm guessing 16" (an odd size) won't be significantly cheaper than 17".

So if you plan to add larger wheels and tires and HID's, can you really do that for the price differential between a IV and a V? You still would need the new steering box and fog lamps to complete the conversion.

I still say if you want a roof, the IV is the only way to go. If, though, you want the other features of the V you can't do it aftermarket near as cheap as what Toyota is offering this to you for.

 

Another issue with low profile tires is road noise. The wider tires with shorter, stiffer side wall carries more noise into the cabin. One of the great features of the Prius is it's quietness. Some of that would be lost although I have not driven a V, so I don't have personal experience with how much difference the 17s would make.

Of course, to some the road noise is part of a sportier driving experience, just as a freer flowing but louder muffler would be.

 

My understanding from all the car mags is that the Prius has road noise regardless of tires. A hatchback will make it hard to kill some of that. The 17" probably don't help that, but neither will 15's pumped to 50 psig as many do.

No one I know considers road noise as part of enjoying a sportier driving experience. Exhaust tunes (not noise) maybe, road noise, never.