Prius IV vs Prius V

Tough decision. I really like the sunroof as a sunroof, the solar roof doesn't interest me.

That said, the V is heads and shoulders a better looking car IMHO with the MUCH more attractive wheels, and the more aggressive front end provided by the LED headlamps and foglamps. After having HID headlamps for years I couldn't go back to Halogen, and some kind of foglamp has to be put in the front of the IV I feel. So if you look at the cost of an HID kit, fog lamps, and new wheels and tires...you could buy a V, you just loose the roof.

Plus the radar cruise is a great feature, I've played with it on my dad's LS430. LKA and the parking assist I have less experience with.

For me it would be a V with the ATP. I'm hoping they'll do a V with ATP and the roof, until then I don't think I can pry my wife out of her '04.

 

I admit to wanting a Prius with all the bells and whistles. That is the Prius V with the AT package. I've been driving it for 7 months now regularly use all of the AT features except the Lane Keeper Assist. The LKA needs bright white lines and our freeways are not in the best of condition. I use the Radar Cruise Control even on city streets. It helps increase the MPG. The 17" tires and tuned suspension really makes the car stick to the road so it doesn't drive like an "econobox". My advice: buy the best car you can afford.

I heard from my salesperson that Toyota wanted to have a model V with sun roof and/or solar option but the added weight cut the mileage below the marketing goal of 50 MPG combined. Unless Toyota engineers can squeeze a few more MPG from the 1.8L engine, I don't think you will see a model V with the sun roof & solar option.

 

I don't think thats the issue, I think its them trying to get the car below a certain weight threshold for some sort of US emissions certification, or them figuring that they wouldn't really be able to sell a volume of $36k or so V's w/roof. $36,000 for a Prius is a lot...

 

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There are many of us who bought this feature and still like it, why scrap it just because you don't like it.

Actually it works quite well considering, yes it would have been nice to recharge the HB but it still serves a purpose and maybe the next gen will work out the bugs and recharge the HB.

 

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I bought the V over the IV primarily because I wanted the fogs. I inquired at dealers locally and they were affirmative that factory fogs would not be an easy install on the IV. In fact, I had a close eye on future expenses, and hence from that p.o.v. I preferred a IV in every way (smaller wheels = slightly better f.e. and lower cost tire replacements, save on the initial cost premium on the fancy stuff such as the (again) larger wheels and LED lamps). I had sunroof on my previous car, and hardly ever used it; plus I didn't think the sunroof on the Prius looks great from the inside. Hence, in my opinion, the s.r option was unnecessary fluff that I didn't care for.

So all the while (I waited 2 months to finally find my Prius) I was waiting for a base V (in concurrence with most other users, I think the navigation system is not worth the premium demanded for it). I always thought the ATP is way too cool, but in perspective of the + $4500 premium for it, I wasn't keen to get it! However finally I found my V with the ATP listed on eBay as a new car at > $2500 discounted from the MSRP, which per my research, was may be a couple 100 over the dealer cost price. I didn't mind going over cost for what I was expecting to pay for a base V considering that I was getting the cool ATP for that money! So I went for it.

Your considerations, availability and priorities could of course vary. Good luck!
:car:

 

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Ditto to that I also have a V ,stock 17s really make the car , nice handling well balanced, more road noise on coarse pavment than I like but very happy w/ this car 6500 miles

 

Story about power seats. Almost always had em, last 15 yrs anyway. Anyhow, the power drivers seat in a 1996 Cad I had, decided to go crazy when I pushed "exit" to get out one day. After getting out of the car, the seat decided to go crazy and go all the way to the steering wheel. I couldn't get in to drive and the power seat would not work in any direction. I did manage to get the key in hoping the memory still worked and it did, allowing me to drive to the dealer. Cost around $300 for power module repair. When we picked up the Prius, Wife's words were "well we don't have to worry about not getting in the car again.