Thinking about a Prius...

I can suggest a few things:
1. Gas prices- Totally understand this one.

2. Status- A new Lexus CT200H gets 42 mpg and is similar to the Gen III. Might be worth checking out.

3. Cloth seats- Last summer I sat in a Black Gen III with leather seats and felt like a BBQ rib, so I chose the cloth. They imprint easily when the seats are folded, but smooth out after a little while. I don't have kids so leather may hold up better than cloth? Mine still look new after a year. One complaint is the lumbar support, so it might be a good idea to go top of the line on the seats for a better support. I don't weight but 175 Lbs, so I seem to fit into the seats nicely and it does not bother me after hours of driving.

 

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1. I have Prius III no package. I use a TomTom. Just transfer your Garmin. I keep mine in the sliding console and mount it on the flip up cup holder when in use.

2. Not aware of aftermarket steering wheels, but I'm sure someone has some leather to wrap around it. I didn't find it necessary for me.

3. I like my cloth seats; I'm tall and wide, but have plenty of comfort. I've spilled coffee, cola and food on my seats and so far they clean up nicely. There's no adjustable lumbar support, but you do get a height/tilt adjuster. Sometimes, I wish I had leather, but not worth the extra package cost to me. I love heated seats, but wouldn't spend the extra $$ just for that. How cold does LA get that you need seat heaters? I think heated seats can be installed aftermarket. There's been thread discussion on this issue.

You're seeing Hollywood drive this car more and more, so that should be an indicator of status and prestige; especially with the technology, low-emissions and high MPGs.

Best wishes as you research what's right for you.

 

If you want to save some gas money, buy the Prius.
If you want to save a lot of gas money, consider a plugin hybrid or an EV. Current plugin hybrids and EV's can cover your 40 mile commute without a drop of gas and be good for the emissions as well.
LA is the perfect place for PHEV's and EV's.

The Prius will be a step down in luxury from the Audi.

Sound like you are sensitive to cost, bear in mind saving gas money doesn't mean you will spend less overall in the long term. There are plenty of other costs to be taken into account, the 2-3K battery replacement for instance.

 

It's a lease. Surely it's not for more than eight years.

 

If you hate it on your MB and never your use Garmin device, I suggest you save your money and don't get the Toyota nav. OEM car nav systems are really too pricey vs. PNDs like your Garmin.

There have been numerous complaints (some very loud) here on Priuschat about the Gen III's nav system. I can't speak to whether they're warranted or not since I have no Gen 3.

I personally have no big complaints about the OEM nav on my 2nd gen other than the map updates are too expensive (not Toyota specific). I do like the fact that it's always there available for me and I don't have to take out my PND, attach it to my friction/bean bag mount and later put it away. (I do this w/a Garmin unit for my other car that has no nav.)

But again... if you hate the nav system or never use it, it's a waste of money.

There aren't a whole lot of plugin hybrid nor EV choices right now. You'll be waiting a long time for a Volt or a Leaf and the Volt is very pricey while the Leaf is relatively cheap after the $7500 Federal tax credit and $5000 CA tax rebate.

Also, since the OP seems to be interested in saving $ on gas, for PHEVs like the Volt, it may not make much sense in CA due to CA electricity rates (check your bill) and the price of premium gas (Volt requires it). See http://blogs.insideline.com/roadtests/2011/03/2011-chevrolet-volt-fuel-economy-update-2.html. There's discussion of Edmunds' long term testing of the Volt at http://priuschat.com/forums/chevrol...-has-chevy-volt-in-their-long-term-fleet.html.

Totally agree about the last point.

 

And since the OP is in CA, the HV battery is warranted for 10 years/150K miles. Since the Prius is AT-PZEV, it also gets a 15 year/150K mile warranty on emissions and some hybrid components.

But yeah, if the OP plans to lease again and not buy the car at the end, it's moot.

 

1. I have a 2010 III, which I like. However, I would dearly have loved to have the backup cameras. Compared to every other car I've ever driven, and that includes minivans, the view out the rear and rear quarters of the Prius leaves something to be desired. I'm in dread of the day some local 3 year old stands behind the car or runs in from the side. However, on non-nav cars, it's possible to get a backup camera system whose display is on the rear view mirror. So, if you're not getting a NAV system, I'd go with that.

2. I've got the standard steering wheel. I like it. It's no worse or better than the one on other cars I've driven, but, I guess, those cars haven't been high status: Civics, an old Accord, minivans, Datsuns, and a VW Beetle. I really like the built-in bluetooth on the III and up, though.

3. I've got the cloth seats. I like them. And, generally, I don't like leather, which is one reason I didn't go for the IV. I do not know, leather to me seems like a high-class vinyl, and I don't like vinyl, either. I don't buy leather couches, either, but there are people who do. YMMV.

KBeck.

 

Unfortunately, on US model Priuses, there's no factory installed option to get a backup camera w/display on the rear view mirror. It'd have to be aftermarket or the dealer might be able to install one. I'm sure it'd be a WAY less than spending (MSRP of) $1930 extra to add nav to a Prius Three.

 

Backup camera is nice to have but defitnitely NOT a must have on a car. Glancing at all mirrors, turning of head, going slow will do. Relying too much on backup camera can actually get you into trouble - It doesn't show things coming from backside very well.

 

2) Can get someone to do a professional leather wrap with WHEELSKINS brand wrap which is a good one.

3) Cloth seats are fine long as you don't spill, smudge or sit with dirty clothes. Check the lumbar support for you on the Prius cloth while sitting well back in the seat. Don't need heated seats with cloth.

 

I've always had a portable NAV unit, and I have hated putting it away all the time. The moving of it from one place to another prevented me from using it as much as I otherwise would. I like the Gen III Nav (so far).

The Prius is a great car, I don't think you will be disappointed.

 

I just came from a 2006 Prius Pkg II. I just traded for a 2010 Pkg IV with leather, sunroof and nav.
1. The Nav - it's ok, but if your buying it only for the GPS just go buy a Garmin or TomTom. However, with Nav you get a whole bunch of options that are nice: the backup camera and iPod integration to name a few. Once you use a backup camera you'll wonder how you ever backed out of a parking spot without it.
2 - 3. I chose pkg IV for the leather. In the past I was always against leather, cold in the winter and hot in the summer. I started doing animal rescue a few years ago and let me say the leather cleans up way easier than cloth. The cloth will stain even if you treat it with ScotchGuard. I found the leather seats to be more comfortable than the cloth. The lumbar support is wonderful. The heated seats have been nice when it's chilly outside.

I don't regret buying the pkg IV.

 

In LA, go for a package IV with the solar roof and enjoy the NAV. Ditch the wheel covers and add the TRD sway bar from the XB and be done with it. Coming from a long line of expensive German cars, you won't regret it.

 

Since you mention Sirius, I've seen threads like http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...2-2010-prius-satellite-radio-signal-weak.html. I have no idea (nor do I care) since I've never owned a Gen 3 nor have I owned a car w/satellite radio. My stereo usage is almost exclusively from iPod Classic and iPhone 4 (music, podcasts and some streaming).

Hopefully we'll be welcoming you on board soon. :rockon:

 

Coming from an Acura TSX, though I miss the sportiness and the luxury feel, I definitely do not miss: the premium fill up (Premium gas just hit $4.15 here at my local Chevron), the insurance (I went from paying $120/month to $28/month, not to mention a 5% hybrid discount!), and the interior room, people are always shocked at how roomy it is especially in the back.

Even though I do have the Nav, it was the backup camera that I really wanted as it has helped tremendously especially when parallel parking and backing out of spaces when I can't park forward. I do have a Droid Phone with free Google Maps Navigation on it that I find myself using more than the car nav and has been great, plus with bluetooth audio streaming I can stream the audio from phone to the Prius and listen to the Nav & Music player at the same time.