To v, or not to v, THAT is the question!

I have very similar situation. Wife has 08 Gen II pkg 5, and I was replacing 2000 Lexus RX 300. I love the driving experience of the Prius, and the v is very similar if not a little better with bigger body and 17 inch tires. It took me a whole year to find what car features are important to me and then wait a couple of months for the perfect vehicle fit land on our shores and make it to the dealers. My important features are, good MPG, has room for 2 big dogs in back, and has gadgets (had to give up sitting up higher in RX300 SUV).

What are your Bride's important features? You said rear visibility? The Prius v has a nice full rectangle window to look of and I can see everything I need to behind me. But I have to admit it does look a little small relative to a non-prius. What did she think of the rear view after your test drive?

As for Dealing with car dealers; Use Prius Chat's new Certified Dealer Program to get an offer $XXX above "Dealer Invoice", then you are in the position to take that great offer if your local dealer still says "We can't go below MSRP in this brand new model." I was surprised that my salesesperson "got permission" to offer below MSRP. It only took 1 week, 2 - 3 phone calls, 2 visits (one to test drive, one to give them a chance to match my fixed price, $XXX above invoice offer. )

One last disclosure. I used TrueCar.com to get the fixed price quotes, but I appreciate everything Prius Chat has done for the entire Hybrid interested community and would encourage everybody to use their new service

 

We are very happy so far. I have just had our Prius V for a couple weeks after trading in my 07 FJ Cruiser. We wanted something that would useful for trips and taking our 2 dogs out (both medium sized one 40 lbs and one 65 lbs).

I really really really wanted to buy the CT 200h F sport. I was willing to accept that I wouldn't be able to fit the dog kennel in and we would have to use our dog hammock to move dogs (I do anyways in the prius as its just easier than hauling kennels, the boys have seatbelt harnesses that keep them in place). However I am 6'5 and 290 lbs... I just couldn't justify buying a car that I didn't fit in. I was short on head room with their sunroof and had just barely enough on the base modle without the sun roof.

Over the "vee" we came. While I have to admit the exterior doesn't even come close to how good the ct looks and no where near the front end of the ct f-sport the prius interior is arguably nicer (other than the centrally located spedo ect) and the options and what you actually got for you dollar in options thumped the ct in a very very large way. To make myself really happy I splurged a little more than I had anticipated and go the touring and tech packag (package V in the states I believe).

Do I still drool everytime I see a ct and everytime I drive by the dealer and see the f sport the child in me tells me to go in and tell them I made a mistake and I will take the ct f-sport.... yes I most certainly do. But I think I am in the car that meets and exceeds every single one of the things on my list when I went out to buy a car... well maybe it misses the exerior styling checkmark but other than that I am happy and then some.

 

To v!!!!

 

Q. Does the standard stereo in the Prius v sound OK?

While the JBL stereo is standard in Prius Liftback III or higher, it is only available as part of the Advanced Tech Package in the Prius v.

 

I wish i would have known about the V when i got my '10 gen 2. would have been a perfect light hauler.

 

I had an 08 G2 Prius that I sold for a Jeep diesel. My wife liked the Prius (she had a mini cooper s) except for the visibility. We went to the dealer to buy a 2011 Prius and ended up with a 2012 Prius v (model 3). The visibility (much better in v) was a big factor as was comfort (I'm 6'4"). IMO, it drives completely different than my 08 Prius, the extra width is more stable in wind or there is some other factor that makes the car feel more substantial on the highway.