Questions from a Gen2 Owner

I think the non-touch screen controls are only in the level II Gen3, when you get to level III, IV, and V you get the touch screen back. Or perhaps it's only cars with the Nav and Bluetooth packages - if you go to the Toyota web site and try to 'build my car' it should describe which option levels get the touch screen.

 

My III with NAV has touch screen. Think it is NAV that put it there, put could have been upgraded head unit of the III. Don't know that I'd miss it personally outside the NAV functions. You've got steering wheel buttons with touch tracer for switching among the screens for fuel economy info. More time with eyes on the road.

 

We all have our own criteria when choosing a new car/appliance/furniture/clothing, etc... When I took a thorough test drive of 2009 Prius, I chose not to buy it: since I spend a lot of time in a car per day, ride comfort and seat comfort were my main criteria. Since I work in computer technologies, touch screens are not a novelty to me since 1999, so I was not impressed with the tiny joystick shifter on the dashboard nor with a bulky screen in the middle.

When I took 2010 Prius for test drive I noticed a huge improvement in the ride softness and seat comfort. But these are *my* standards, CylonSix.

If you put a big value into the joystick and the screen -- and they make you feel happy and look more "exclusive" in front of your friends -- of course you do not need to change your car. Life is too short -- let's enjoy it while we can!

 

Really touch screen is that important to you?

 

I.M.O the Gen II is a classic...distinctive and purposeful...the Interior is also better especially with more thoughful interior utilization such as the door storage and console design. There are reasons to upgrade to a Gen III but if you are happy with the Gen II why not just keep it?

 

You dont need the touchscreen. Its overrated. In the Gen II, all the touchscreen did was control climate control, radio, and show you hybrid info. Hybrid info is now stremlined into the dash for easier viewing. The fact that the radio is standalone makes it easier to upgrade as well. And climate control is separate as well.

since you want your own navi, i see no problem. Gen III is bigger than the Gen II, gets better mpg, plus theres the new car appeal. After years driving in my dad's gen II, i'm more satisfied owning my own Gen III. His prius, although a prius, doesn't seem like enough car for me. But that's probably what every gen II owner thinks of the gen I priuses.

FYI: the touch screen is only available with the NAV. That's the purpose of the screen in the Gen III, for Nav/Radio Functions. Climate & Hybrid functions are separate. I like that the hybrid info is stremlined into the dash. Having it on the touchscreen makes it hard to see in glare situations.

 

The touch screen in the gen II looks great with all the colors but I prefer the gen III screen since it seems to show more info. I do find the gen III more comfortable than the gen II but I could honestly say that both Priuses are excellent. If I already had a II, I wouldn't change it but considering how much a certified II costs used, why not get the new III? The steering has more feedback in the III, the seats are better, I think the front end of the car is more stylish(IMO), etc.. These are just my opinions.

 

I know this thread is 10 days old, but I'm a bigmouth, so ...

It is largely regarded that navigating through layers of Gen2 touchscreen is cumbersome at best. Then, if that touchscreen poops out in your 8th year of ownership, or SLT, and you want a new one, you better have $4k+ to hand over.

Now do you really want that cool, but unnecessary touchscreen?

If you get nav in the 2010+ Prius, the audio and nav are touchscreen based.

 

Speaking from the experience of 77 K miles in my Gen 11 the Gen 111 is a better car in every way. Power, size and comfort, oh and it gets even better mileage. What not to like.
Oh ya the price.....

 

the gen III having an integrated info display is a bit safer since you keep your hands on the wheel to control it instead of having to take your hand off the screen to touch it. does this mean a lot in the world of iphones and navigation where our hands are busy anyway, probably not. just pointing it out.