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Options Question

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Sid, May 6, 2005.

  1. Sid

    Sid New Member

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    It's my understanding that there is just one Trim Level available, but that there are different option packages. I'd like to keep the price down to under $25K, and the closer to $20K, the better.
    What suggestions do you owners have?
    Is there any "must have" options?
    Is the "base" model still nice?

    TIA :D
     
  2. galaxee

    galaxee mostly benevolent

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    I paid $24,500 for package 5 (before taxes and etc, I think the total loan was $25,600), it is very well equipped. You can check out toyota.com/prius for a good description of all the option packages and prices for each package. If I were you I wouldn't get anything more than I think I'd use. I admit I won't be using the HomeLink system since I park in a parking lot at night...

    Keep in mind some places only have certain option packages available. You can find out what you can get by trying the "build your own" tool.

    Good luck!
     
  3. Godiva

    Godiva AmeriKan Citizen

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    Basic option.

    I've got the basic package #1 package and it's just fine for me.

    But I do have the Prius carpet mats and cargo mat, the cargo cover and the cargo net. I like them.

    I also bought additional items:

    Complete set of Exact mats. I think these are essential if you have the nice Prius carpet mats. Especially the Cargo Exact mat. If you don't have the mats, then get something from CostCo or Target.

    Horizontal cargo net. I really like this. In fact have used it more than the vertical cargo net.

    I have two cargo totes, but others say the ones at Target are just fine. I've got both mostly full and use them quite a lot.

    I just had a clear bra/headlight protective film installed as well as side door trim.

    I put the bumper protector on the back.

    I have a parking guide (thanks Arizona Charlie), an antennae ball (thanks ToothYoda), leather console cover and display hood (thanks RobinRedBreast) and Dale's great decals.

    I bought a complete set of shades for the window from the Priuschat Shop, but if I had to do it again, would only buy the Hatch window and use something else for the sides and front.

    I have a Dashmat and GT seatcovers just for the front.

    I bought CD holders for both visors and burned my own CDs.

    The only option I might have been interested in was the homelink mirror, but I have an older garage door opener and am not sure it would work. So I use the garage door opener that came with the door. I keep it in one of the console cupholders so it's not a big deal. I wasn't interested in SKS or NAV. I would have liked the upgraded stereo system but I've heard sometimes the 6 CD loader gets jammed and the speakers aren't much better than the standard. I mostly listen to the radio anyway, so playing a CD one at a time is just fine.

    Mostly I wanted the Side Curtain airbags and that's what package 1 is. That's your basic.

    But if you live where the winters are snow and ice, you might consider the package that has the extra traction stuff. I know package 6 has it.
     
  4. paprius4030

    paprius4030 My first Prius

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    Once you have the SKS you wouldn't want to be without it LOL. I think Pkg. #2 would be want I wanted if I was going to get another prius.
     
  5. Uh-Oh

    Uh-Oh Junior Member

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    Godiva: What are "parking guides"? I may need this!
     
  6. Uh-Oh

    Uh-Oh Junior Member

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    Never mind Godiva...saw it on the 34 things thread.

    Thanks.
     
  7. Dan Gross

    Dan Gross New Member

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    Well, I'm finding that I may go out of state to get Package #4. My commute to work is ~35 miles and I live in upstate NY so VSC is, to me, a necessary "insurance policy". The more I read about stability control, the more I "gotta have it." Too bad, too, 'because I could have a #3 in the next week...Can't rationalize the extra $3K for the Package #6, much as the techo-nerd in me would like to...
     
    Eileen-54 likes this.
  8. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    I would say at least Pkg 4 "AM"

    VSC is pretty damn good. Side airbags + Side curtains are peace of mind in case some nice person decides to run the red light and t-bone you (touch wood). The HIDs are cool but I've heard the standard halogens are more than adequate.
     
  9. Sid

    Sid New Member

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    Well, I found out that where I live the most basic package is not available, neither is the third level, which is actually fine with me as the 2nd level package will meet my needs. Now it's a matter of when, not if, I buy a Prius :D

    Does anyone know what range of financing is available from Toyota? My wife and I have excellent credit. The sales rep told me that there was really no leeway in sale price due to the demand, but possibly low financing may be available.
     
  10. IsrAmeriPrius

    IsrAmeriPrius Progressive Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Sid\";p=\"87847)</div>
    I don't know about the current rates, but at the time that I purchased my car, Toyota Financial beat my credit union by 0.3%.
     
  11. Claudia

    Claudia New Member

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    About financing - I checked Toyota's rate a week or so ago and it was considerably higher than if I borrowed the money from my bank. Bank was about 6%, and Toyota was more than 8%. Of course the bank then wanted to steer me toward a lower interest rate IF I used a home equity loan. I learned years ago not to borrow money against an irreplaceable asset (such as a home).
    I'd rather pay the higher interest rate.
     
  12. DanMan32

    DanMan32 Senior Member

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    Holy Cow! That's high! AAA was able to get me 4.5% through GTE FCU last month. It was a refinance, so I don't know what they'll do for a new purchase, At first they would only finance 100% of NADA retail, but I am upside-down. They then offered 125%. That required me to pay down my current debt some.
     
  13. A2Prius

    A2Prius New Member

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    Option Package question

    I'm a Michigan resident who ordered an '06 Prius with Options Package #5 (code AI) in January. My salesperson called me at the beginning of April to sheepishly notify me that Package #5 is NOT available on Priuses built for my part of the country! I'm pushing the dealership to get me a Prius with #5 (my car will be delivered in December), but in case they can't come through for me, I'd like to know the states in which this options package is available. Thanks in advance for any help y'all can give me.
     
  14. mikepaul

    mikepaul Senior Member

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    I'm hoping tires that grip the road a little better will lessen the impact of traction control. Every time I try to accelerate while the wheels are turned, dry road or not, I feel the power being denied and that doesn't seem too safe to me.

    VSC has only kicked in one time I noticed, rounding a curve 'too fast' in wet weather. It's an OK option since I'm not sure it's the one that's been annoying me: I may just not see the VSC light while looking at the road...
     
  15. galaxee

    galaxee mostly benevolent

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    A2Prius- I got a package 5 in Durham NC for MSRP. Where do you live?
     
  16. raybon

    raybon New Member

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    I've got package 4. It has all the safety features I wanted without the extra features I would never (homelink) or almost never (NAV) use. The 6 disc changer would have been nice, but I'm going to just work something out for my ipod instead.

    Glenn
     
  17. Robert Taylor

    Robert Taylor New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Sid\";p=\"87558)</div>
    Buy a good used '04. But, they are poor deals since the Prius is holding its value so well. The usual depreciation just isn't happening because the market demands far more of these vehicles than what Toyota can produce.

    The highest value package is a package five, it gets all the safety features but no NAV/Bluetooth.

    I ordered the highest package, all options including the glass break sensor. I can honestly say that the Bluetooth has been wonderful with my Razr V3 from Cingular, people don't know that they are on a car system with me (vastly better tires did make that happen too)

    The NAV system has been far more useful than what I thought it would be. Overall I am quite pleased at having spent the extra dollars to get the high end package. I think it is the best value in what really is a premium technology car.

    The Prius seems pricey at the low package level, a real bargain at the high package level.

    9980 miles on mine today, its still FUN to DRIVE!

    This is the hot car to have right now, people ask me about it every time they get a chance. Happened today even. I may have sold one today.
     
  18. A2Prius

    A2Prius New Member

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    I live in Ann Arbor, galaxee.
     
  19. Dan Gross

    Dan Gross New Member

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    What I ended up doing was going to Toyota's web site, and did a "build me a Prius" using zip codes from nearby cities out of state until it let me select the package I wanted (got the zip codes from usps.gov ). I wanted package #4, which is sold in PA (as I mentioned above, I want the VSC). Package #5 is what they sell in NYS instead...And after doing a quick check, NYS might be your closest option...