SO many choices!

The difference is a year. Fewer option packages, and the rear wiper is standard in the '05. The '04 was available with the nav system.

I don't know, maybe someone else will speak up.

No subscription service. You can get a new map DVD as needed for somewhere in the $200 range, as I recall, but you certainly don't need to.

No, but you could get an aftermarket nav system. It wouldn't work through the touch screen but would probably be cheaper.

You can buy a new map DVD if you need updated maps.

 

You can use, in theory, any Bluetooth capable cell phone on any provider. Since your phone is 4 years old, you probably are out of your contract and can get a good deal on a new phone, so you might want to look into that. (I like my Sony Ericsson T637, although it doesn't ring through the car speakers.)

I find the nav system somewhat useful for showing nearby fast food and gas stations on the map. I've used it a few times for getting to places I haven't been, and once or twice where I know where I am, and where I want to go, just not the best way between the two. It's handy, but I really wanted the bluetooth handsfree kit, I could do without the nav.

 

I am suprised nobody mentioned this. Coastal Technologies has an adapter that will let you connect up to 2 video sources, and 2 audio sources, where one of the video and audio sources can be linked together. I believe it does not require the NAV.

http://www.coastaletech.com/04prius.htm

As for NAV, I love it. I was using it a lot when I was doing vistations. Even now since I left, it comes in handy for finding shortcuts or ways around jams, since many sidestreets don't have outlets to where I want to go, but some do.
If you have the preset for Home, it can get you out of a community maze when you get disoriented.

I don't have a cellphone so Bluetooth handsfree is moot right now, but I know I would love it if I had it.

 

"it comes in handy for finding shortcuts or ways around jams, since many sidestreets don't have outlets to where I want to go, but some do.
If you have the preset for Home, it can get you out of a community maze when you get disoriented. "

These are my main uses, too. I'm the type that can't just sit in traffic, so this lets me feel like I'm outsmarting the crowd of morons.

 

I really haven't used mine all that much but the times I did have it has been extremely useful. Finding a residential address at night when you can't find the street signs, getting turned around in a city you don't visit often..."do I need to turn right or left to get home?" I no longer have to drive several blocks out of my way only to discover it was the 'other' way.
Sure, it's an expensive toy but I figure it could save a life in some instances. Certainly it saves gas by getting me where I want go withoug any wrong turns.

Love it!

 

Don't forget Package 6 has other features such as side curtain airbags, Homelink (you hit your mirror to open garage door), Vehicle Stability Control, etc;

Intermittent Rear Window Wiper, Vehicle Stability Control,Front fog lamps, HID Headlamps, Smart Keyless Entry System, Security Alarm, Homelink Garage Door Opener, Voice Activated Navigation, JBL ETR AM/FM/Cassette/6 Disc changer w/9 speakers, & Driver & front passenger seat-mounted side airbags and front & rear side curtain airbags(AF)(BC)

 

The NAV system is rather spendy, but I love it. But, I'm a gadget freak. More than anything, I really like being able to punch in an address and just drive off without another thought. The NAV lady is very accommodating when you decide to deviate from the course or miss a turn. Now that I have one, I can't imagine buying a car without one.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DanMan32\";p=\"72949)</div>

I haven't actually tried this - how does this work? Say you're stuck in traffic and say, "this sucks!" How do you quickly find an alternate route? Is it assumed that you've already set a destination, and you just get off the freeway and start driving and let the NAV lady adapt? Do you take the trouble to specify the freeway that's jammed as an area to avoid? I'd be very curious to learn new techniques to using the NAV system to get out of traffic jams.

 

Hello,

I own a package 3 (BI) (side curtain airbags & SKS - Smart Key System) and I will preface this post by saying that I LOVE everything about my car.

Having said that, if I could have just added the NAV system without the upgraded stereo or the HID headlights (and if cost had not also been a factor) I would have done it in a heartbeat.

I am already looking far, far down the road at my future Pri' and planning to get all the bells and whistles when the time comes.

Do I miss not having the NAV? Truthfully, occasionally it would be nice but not $3,965 (the difference in cost between the two pkg's.) nice.

As I can get a fantastic aftermarket GPS system that even has the voice activation abilities for about half the price, and it would be able to be used in any car I happened to be in, that is the route that I will probably go sometime in the not to distant future.

If I had never seen the NAV in action (test drives and once on someone else's car) I would never miss it. I am alas, a gadgetaholic and would like to have it more for the bragging rights than for anything else.

Still, if you can afford to spring for the whole kit and caboodle, I say go for it! Heck, you might even want to have the leather upholstery as well.

One note on the leather. I discovered by doing a little math that some dealerships are hiding the so called "fair market pricing" amount in the leather add-in. Then they can still say truthfully (oxymoron alert) that they sell all the cars at MSRP.

I saw a Pkg. #6 stickered at $26,742 with the leather added bringing the total up to $29,999. That meant they were charging $3,257 for the leather if you drove the car off the lot right then.

However, I had asked about getting leather upholstery added to my car after its purchase and was told that it would cost $1,200. The $2,057 difference is clearly where they are still looking to make a markup on the backend.

But I can say that if you can't or don't get the whole shebang, you won't really miss it or feel cheated. This is not like getting the manual transmission 4 speed because you couldn't afford the automatic with 4wd.

These cars are so well equipped even at the base model level that the extras are truly just that, extra.

When I was researching and searching for my car I did a costing out of the extras if you were able to purchase them individually (ie, not bundled in preset packages).

For my money the additional air bags are essential and at $650 a bargain. Package #1 (GY) gives you just this option and if you are playing close to the vest this is the least expensive option available.

Pkg. 2 (AG) offers the SKS at $450 + the Anti-theft system and auto-dimming rearview mirror with the HomeLink universal transceiver at a cost of $470.

SKS is a wonderful feature, very handy, very convenient and impresses the heck out of the neighbors. It is not essential, but it sure is nice to have and well worth the cost.

$920 is the #2 bundle price, but if you ask me, this option would be a bit of a waste. The anti-theft system does sound like a good idea, but with a car that can not be started without its keyfob (whether you have SKS or not) and thus can not be hotwired or have the non-existent ignition "punched" this seemed like a waste of money to me. As for the fancy mirror, this was absolutely something that I knew I would never need so...

Pkg. #3 (BI) gives you the extra air bags at $650 and SKS at $450. This is what I choose and am very happy with. Add $1100 to the base price for this option

Pkg. #4 (AM) is sometimes referred to as the "Safety Package" and adds the High Intensity Discharge headlamps (HID), fog lamps and Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) to the pkg. #3 bundle. For an added cost of $975. Total Pkg #4 cost is $2,075.

The two downsides I can see with this one are the fact that the fog lights can not be used independently and that the HID lights have been stolen by some nogoodnicks causing expensive and extensive damage to the front ends (hoods and fenders) of the affected cars. Still, the VSC is a very valuable safety feature and is especially necessary if you live where ice and snow are a frequent driving concern.

Pkg. #5 (AI) gives you all the features of Pkg. #1 & #2 with the upgraded JBL 6 disc/cassette stereo and 3 additional speakers added. The stereo adds $620 ($2,190 all together).

For me that stereo had better be able to cook me dinner and detail my car to justify the expense. The stock stereo I find sounds just great.

Audiophiles may disagree but I have no problem cranking it up to earbleeding volume (if desired).

The volume level numbers are not standardized so a level 20 on one type of stereo could sound like a whisper and on another could sound like a shout. If you close your eyes and adjust to your ear alone loudness is not a problem. I can also get the base to thump just as much as the lowered Honda in the next lane.

Then we have Pkg. #6 which combines all of the features offered in 1 - 5 with the NAV added in as well. The NAV is $1,900 with the package total at $5,065.

If you could just add in the NAV for its cost alone to any of the other packages it would be superduper.

Oh, and whichever package you choose, you should definitely consider getting the floor and cargo mats and the cargo net. You don't have to get these with the car as there are some very nice aftermarket items available that will work just a well and look just as good for less money.

However, if you are like I am (a bit on the messy side) having these items installed when you drive off the lot is a better idea than risking the damage and waiting to find a good deal would be.

That said, if you know for sure what interior color you are going to get you could try checking here in the Private Sales section or on ebay to find what you need for less than the $262 the mats and first aid kit combo costs.

Please be mindful of the fact that my numbers are based on the research that I did in the last week of January, 2005 and are for informational purposes only.

It helped me to see how much each added feature really was when I was evaluating what I really wanted and needed on my car.

Good luck in your purchase. Whichever package you choose as long as it is nestled snugly in a Prius you can't go wrong.

Take care,

Tisza

 

Savannahsixt,

First lemme answer your questions about the Nav - yes, it's voice activated - you'll see on the file library a list of voice commands that work with the nav system (the favorite for showing off the cool system to the friends is of course, "I'm hungry", which displays restaurants). I don't believe it's possible to not get the homelink while still getting the auto-dimming mirror. I have no garage either, but the auto-dimming mirror is worth it alone, in my opinion.

As far as the dealer experience, this is not suprising. My experiences with dealers in the Washington DC area was similar - you'll find you've quickly learned more about this car than most dealers - the key is to find a good tech who will be doing the maint. on it who knows more than the dealers, obviously. Also, this car has much less of a profit margin for dealers than say, a 4x4 or SUV, which they also have readily available - so don't be suprised to hear from the dealer as I did once, 'you know, the Scions are pretty cool too if you'd like to look at one of those instead...'

Best of luck finding a good dealer - I truly believe that where the car stands today no one should be paying over MSRP for it anymore with the amount of shipments coming in. Call around to find a dealer offering a fair deal and go with them instead.

-m.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Widdletink\";p=\"73197)</div>

!!

Any more like you at home?

 

I didn't think I'd use the GPS much and considered getting a #6 but a #9 came in first so I got it and I'm glad I did.

I live in LA and have found many routes around town that I didn't know about, (Ever try to navigate through Bel Air to avoid traffic on the 405? It's an impossible maze but a breeze when using the NAV system.)

It's also useful when you are in a new area and want to find a Costco or McDonalds etc. Saves me from searching for a phone booth with an intact phone book. I've even found some stores I didn't know about in my own area.

One feature I recently discovered is that when you are following a route and run into traffic there is a detour option that will automatically calculate a new route around the jam.

I am a convert and will require a GPS in any new car I buy from now on.

 

I have a Pkg. #6 and I love it. If the Bluetooth was availible separately, I might have chosen to skip the NAV. However, after having the car a month, I'm really glad I have it. It's great for all the reasons previously stated.

One thing I'm not sure has been mentioned is resale value. Sometime down the road you may be looking to sell the Prius (for me, it may be when the Lexus releases a hybrid version of the GS). From what I understand, a "loaded" vehicle will command a significantly higher price than a lesser-equipped version - so you may recoup the some of the money you spent up front.


DGStan