about to buy - need advice

I'm not going to be much help here. I live in Santa Cruz and bought a Touring back when that's all any lot around here had! Quickly, that situation changed. My understanding, gleaned from the dealer -- so take it with about a 1/10th grain of salt -- is that the Touring Edition is being pulled back and only sent to other parts of the country. Actually, they said "East Coast," but I've heard people saying that they get them in Arizona and Texas and the like. So, maybe that'the same thing to this dealer in Monterey.

Anyway, I'm thinking you may not have many in Seattle, since we don't have them down here on the West Coast anymore.

As for seats. I think the leather should cost around 1K, regardless of whether you get pre- or post-installation. I believe people prefer to get the leather installed after buying the car.

As for the GPS thing, I am hoping people write and say "Worry not, it is exceedingly hard to steel a Prius."

Stay tuned for real answers from real people. Oh, and I forgot to mention that we have the #2 or 3, can't recall which, but it was the model that has every feature, save leather and nav. We didn't want to spend 3 grand more to get those two features. We are quite happy so far. We paid 28 out the door, so sans license and tax, it was 25,500. Now, you should be able to get the same thing for 23? or so? People are getting them at dealer cost -- which of course really isn't dealer cost, so don't let them make you feel guilty.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(verine2116 @ Feb 4 2007, 05:53 PM) [snapback]385308[/snapback]</div>

You may already know this, but if you don't :

A replacement HID headlight is over 200$. HID headlights are a theft magnet apparently (search this forum for details).

You'll need to take it to the dealer to replace a fog light bulb.

 

Get factory leather, don't feed the dealer any more than you have to. Do NOT get an extended warranty or service option from the dealer. Both are available here at lower cost and service is mostly changing the oil, anyway.

The Prius is a hard car to steal, particularly if it has the Smart Key System (SKS), and that is a very cool, fun feature. The only way to steal the car is to load it on a flat-bed truck. Insurance is for the HID headlamps, and you can change the fog lamps yourself if you're handy. Make sure you get side-curtain airbags and Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) if you can possibly afford it. Since you want leather seats, you should afford it.

There's not all that much difference between the TE and the SE. The standard edition does not handle poorly, and a BT Tech brace will make either handle better. Get grippy tires; the Goodyear Integrity tires are marginal, IMHO.

Welcome to PriusChat! Let the fun begin!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(verine2116 @ Feb 5 2007, 10:30 AM) [snapback]385529[/snapback]</div>

The TE doesn't come with VSC, if I remember correctly, it's wheels and tires, upgraded suspension bits, and HID headlights. Well worth the $270, if just to avoid the Integrities.

 

You get VSC on the Touring at package #3 and up, as I recall. If you are getting factory leather you will have VSC. Check out www.toyota.com, the package contents are listed there. I entered a Chicago zip, but go ahead and enter yours. Note that the available packages differ depending on your location. That's why they have you enter your zip.

The Toyota "factory" leather includes leather on the steering wheel and shift knob. The aftermarket leather doesn't. Note that "factory" leather could be "port installed" as well. Aftermarket leather is usually less expensive, and you can have it installed locally. Check out http://www.autoleathers.com/HTML2/AL.MAIN.FS.html. With this outfit you can have as much leather as you can afford. Factory leather is "leather seating areas" only. That's the middle bottom seat panel and middle seatback panel. The side bolsters are vinyl "fake" leather. They look good, but are not leather. With Katzkin you can order the covers with as much of the panels in leather as you like, perforated or solid, in whatever color you like. You can also get the upholstery shop (Katzkin will recommend one if you ask) to install heaters and lumbar support at the same time, if you like. The "basic" Katzkin leather package is similar to the factory leather (seating areas only) and costs around $1200, but includes leather on the console (again, vinyl unless you order real leather there).

Note also, that the seats will have airbags in them (side airbags) and the leather covers must have "breakaway" stitching. My local Toyota dealership uses Katzkin to add leather (which is not available from Toyota in Canada).

You can get whatever you want, with a little work.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(verine2116 @ Feb 5 2007, 12:53 AM) [snapback]385308[/snapback]</div>

In the UK, all Priuses which are purchased with the leather option are upgraded when they arrive. The standard seats are removed and the leather ones installed.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(verine2116 @ Feb 4 2007, 07:53 PM) [snapback]385308[/snapback]</div>

I just purchased a TE, Pkg 3 with dealer added leather in Atlanta, GA. Dealer charged $1,000 to install the leather, and the guys that they "outsource" this to did a great job, and did it in 24 hours! Leather seating, armrests, and center console.

I had to search to find a Grey Pkg 3 - finally had to have my local dealer pull one off a lot in Charleston, SC.

Good Luck!!

 

My dealership said leather would be about $1100 if they installed it. I decided that I could wait a couple of years or until I mess up the fabric before doing any leather. Also, in the upper midwest at least, touring editions are very rare. Good luck getting the car you want!

 

<_< As always, options and packages are buyer preferences...

As for the leather, we had the opportunity to compare factory-installed to port-installed and preferred the factory-installed. Port-installed in North Texas includes "Liquicell Comfort" which consists of thin pads installed under the leather. My wife said they felt lumpy. Besides, the factory leather also includes leather-wrapped steering wheel. The factory leather was about $1,100 as I recall. $1,800 is robbery!

For us, the Touring Edition was worth the small difference of $270 over the "standard" edition. The difference varies depending on what package and options you buy. In our case, we went the "full enchalada" - Package 6, Option A. You might consider shopping in other Toyota Regions and do a "fly - drive home" deal, or have your Prius shipped - that is, if you can't get the edition, package and options you want nearby.

You're gonna LOVE your Prius... it's a remarkable car.