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Package 3 or Package 4?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by nooaah, Sep 25, 2009.

  1. nooaah

    nooaah New Member

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    In replacing my destroyed 2008, I basically will have an even swap in getting a 2010 package 3. My question is, would it be worth me paying the difference to jump up to the package 4 e.g. leather seats and solar panel? I can afford it, I just don't know if it's truly worth it. I really would like the leather seats, though. I definitely don't need or want the nav system.
     
  2. Mike Dimmick

    Mike Dimmick Active Member

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    The Prius IV does not come with the solar panel. The additional $2,800 over the Prius III gets you:

    - Water repellant front side windows
    - Ionizer in the air conditioning
    - Three-door smart key (i.e. on passenger door and rear hatch as well as driver's door)
    - Leather seats
    - Auto-dimming rear-view mirror with HomeLink

    The solar sunroof comes in a package with the nav system, the whole package costing some horrible amount of money. The price isn't actually currently listed on Toyota.com. The navigation package on the IV now includes Safety Connect which isn't available on the III.

    There are effectively 10 packages available:

    Prius II
    Prius III
    Prius III with Nav
    Prius III with Nav and Sunroof
    Prius IV
    Prius IV with Nav
    Prius IV with Nav and Sunroof
    Prius V
    Prius V with Nav
    Prius V with Nav and Advanced Technology Package

    However, not all of the above configurations are available in all regions - in some areas, and Philadelphia is one, you can't get a Prius IV without Nav, according to the 'Build' tool on the Toyota.com website.
     
  3. cpatch

    cpatch New Member

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    I have a III and if I was buying again and had the money I would most likely go for the IV, partly for the leather seats (and steering wheel) and partly for the 3-door SKS vs. 1-door. I'd also go with an aftermarket nav system rather than Toyota's.
     
  4. nooaah

    nooaah New Member

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    Oh, weird. The manager at the dealership said the pkg 4 they had also had the solar panel. Maybe I misheard him, I'm on all sorts of pain drugs right now haha.

    You both would recommend hopping up to the leather, though? I already have a really good Garmin unit.
     
  5. wvgasguy

    wvgasguy New Member

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    I like the leather, some don't (usually they don't like OEM leather in anything though). The 3 door SKS and auto-dim are nice features.
     
  6. royrose

    royrose Senior Member

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    You might have to go out of region to get IV without nav or solar.
     
  7. Bica2go

    Bica2go New Member

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    The IV also comes with heated seats which are very nice for chilly fall, winter and spring days! The drivers seat has lumbar support too. I'm definately spoiled by the 3 door SKS.

    Go ahead - get the IV, you'll love it!
     
  8. nooaah

    nooaah New Member

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    The heated seats are great! I had those in my 04 Mazda6. What exactly is the 3 door SKS? I'm probably just not familiar with the terminology.
     
  9. nooaah

    nooaah New Member

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    Oh, also, I'm getting conflicting reports: Does the JBL system indeed have iPod/iPhone connectivity via USB? From what I read, all Priuses with JBL built from September on will have this feature.
     
  10. pkscout

    pkscout Junior Member

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    My 2008 was totaled last month and I went with the IV as a replacement. I *really* wanted the lumbar support, and it was worth it. The seats in the IV are so much better than the ones in my 2008 I can't really describe it. Given the 2008 package I had, I didn't want to give up the 3 door sensors or the homelink on the mirror.
     
  11. Old Bald Guy

    Old Bald Guy Old Bald Guy

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    Get the V. It's worth it for the 17" wheels, which also gives you a quicker steering lock to lock, better handling, and better ride. Plus the 17" Brigestones I have are much better tires in the wet than my 15" tires were on my 2008.

    The solar roof isn't available on the V ... but who really actually needs it?

    I have heard complaints on these forums from people bashing the nav system ... and haven't figured out why. I have a Garmin nuvi 765 which I used in my 2008 ... but my 2010 has the nav system and it is, to me, better than the Garmin. Go figure.
     
  12. Carnutt

    Carnutt Member

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    Interestingly the system is not compatible with the iphone and not all iPods.:confused:
     
  13. DaveinOlyWA

    DaveinOlyWA 3rd Time was Solariffic!!

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    SKS= smart key sensor

    means you can walk up and open both front doors or hatch when its locked. on pkg 3, only the drivers door will do it. that is BIG reason for me when i got pkg 4.

    if dealer told u solar comes with 4, you might not have a choice. it is pretty cool to have though. expensive, ya, but what isnt these days? the leather, adjustable drivers seat, its all pretty cool
     
  14. Bica2go

    Bica2go New Member

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    SKS is the smart key system. The II and III have a sensor only in the drivers' door. The IV and V have sensors in the driver's door, passenger door and hatch.
     
  15. anniea

    anniea New Member

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    Just a correction: On the 3, according to posts on PriusChat, the SKS can be programmed to open all doors if you prefer that, so don't let that be the reason to select 4 over 3.

    3 vs. 4 was the very decision I struggled with a bit. As I saw it, the main significant difference was leather vs. cloth, as the other items weren't important to me. I preferred cloth, so I chose the 3. Had I preferred leather, I would have gotten the 4. But if Homelink and self-dimming mirror (etc.) are important to you, and you like leather even a little bit better than cloth, I assume you'd select the 4.
     
  16. DaveinOlyWA

    DaveinOlyWA 3rd Time was Solariffic!!

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  17. nooaah

    nooaah New Member

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    Sheesh, this is a tough decision. I know I'm going to be able to afford any model I want after the settlement (my lawyer says we'll settle out of court and it'll be substantial). I'm not in the business of throwing money around and it would actually be nice to put most of the money I get into some sort of longterm savings.

    I just really want the backup camera, SKS, leather seats, and 17" wheels. Would the 17" wheels mean I'd get a Touring or did they do away with that with the Gen III? I'm so out of the loop and I think I have to buy one this coming week! Argh.
     
  18. ggood

    ggood Senior Member

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    There is no touring, all the models supposedly have the same suspension. You want at least the IV with Nav, so you'll have factory leather, 3-door SKS and backup camera. Only the V comes with the OEM 17" wheels. The V also has a better steering assembly, with a tighter steering ratio (but turning radius is a little larger). V also has LED headlights, but you may not care about that. Note that those 17" tires are low profile, so there's a bit less cushion than the 15". Also mean s slightly lower mpgs.
     
  19. nooaah

    nooaah New Member

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    Hmm, I paid about $28k after taxes for my 2008. Is that about close to what you described?
     
  20. ggood

    ggood Senior Member

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    For a Philly zipcode, it looks like $28,550 for a IV with Nav (add $1,800 if you want SR) and $30,000 for a V with Nav (add $3,200 if you want AT). The IV might cost you an extra $600 if you can't find a nav equipped car without USB and Safety Connect.