Does Anyone Buy The Standard Models?

It's great you did not go into debt to get your Prius. I for one like all the options that the Prius has and would like a few more, auto headlights, power seats to name a few.

If you had more options like the navigation system I am sure you would use it. My wife thought that I was wasting my money when I bought my Garmin Nuvi for my truck until we took a trip and it worked great helping us get around Atlanta by telling us to get in the right or left lanes to make upcoming turns with plenty of advance notice. When you are moving with traffic on unfamiliar expressways at 70MPH it really helps.

When we bought our Prius that was one option we had to have built in. Bluetooth is another safety feature for anyone with a cell phone.

But thats why they make different packages for different people, not everyone wants all the bells and whistles. Enjoy your Touring edition, it is a great car.

 

I only wanted stability control, but that couldn't be had at the time without getting the rest of Package 2. So that's what I got: backup camera, smart key. Didn't want or need to pay for the extra toys.

 

Same here just pakg 1 back up cam, sks, reg. stereo. I plan on using a Garmin nav system that way it can go in other vehicles also and cost $$$$$$$ less

 

I was hoping for one without any packages, but there was no availability that I saw. So I settled for package #1. I was only in it for the drivetrain--I'm not into bells and whistles. Package #1 has way more stuff than I need. I'm starting to like it though.

Eric

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(spideyman @ May 22 2007, 03:13 AM) [snapback]447207[/snapback]</div>

We have the base 2007 model. The only thing I wish I had was an ipod port. Other than that, all the other stuff is fluff and I wouldn't want it, or want to pay for it.

Dave

 

Is it even possible to buy a Prius (or any Toyota, for that matter) without some sort of package? I can't recall ever seeing one that didn't have atleast one package included. Even the rare, base, 5-speed Corolla I've seen has had either a lame, high-priced 'power convenience package' with power door locks and windows or a better cruise-control package. But they all had one or the other.

Option choice is the one area that domestic manufacturers have an edge. It's always been possible to order a domestic vehicle exactly as one wants, i.e., options a la cart. With the Japanese manufacturers (Toyota, in particular), you have to take what they have, which means there's an option price-gouge built-in. It's quite aggravating but if you want a Toyota, you have to live with it.

There are signs that Toyota is having to adjust, though. The new Tundra isn't selling as well as hoped and it's believed that part of the problem is the lack of option choice. People who buy full-sized trucks are used to getting them with the options they want and, historically, Toyota isn't set-up to sell in that manner.

Honda is almost as bad. While it's possible to get a Honda with specific, stand-alone options, all Honda options are dealer-installed, meaning the dealer can charge as much as they like (and the price is always exhorbitant). For example, dealer-installed Honda air-conditioning on their base models is an astounding $1200.

 

We bought the base model, plus the "Dealer's package" that they threw in, namely, the floor mats, and the rear bumper applique.

We had the option of getting one with package #3, but we weren't really interested in that.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rae Vynn @ May 22 2007, 11:49 AM) [snapback]447381[/snapback]</div>

Our base model has these options too, as well as the first aid kit.

Dave

 

If the base Prius had included the backup camera I would've purchased it. For me the backup camera is a necessity. The Prius' rearview is just too restricted for me to feel comfortable operating without the camera.

So I tried to find the lowest package that had the camera (package #1) but no dealer in Northern California had them (or so I was told by all 20 or so dealers I contacted). They had the base models and package #2 models but no package #1. So I went with package #2.

 

Peer pressure "forced" me to get package 7, with the navigation, and i'm so happy i got it. It's the best thing since sliced bread. I'm not impressed with the back-up camera, i've had my Prius almost 11 months and i still don't trust it...

 

If you keep the car several years, the added cost of option packages is really not that big a deal. $3000 in options, would only be $300 a year, less than $1 a day over a 10 year period. I didn't have any need for Bluetooth, but now I'm glad I got it. If like me, you almost live in your car, why scrimp on the toys and comforts?

 

One thing to consider is that not all packages are available in every area. For example, in 2005 there were 6 packages. In Southern California, only #1, #3 and #6 were available and most of the time only #6 was on the lots (this was when the Prius was few and far between). I didn't want to get the NAV or the BT, so I planned to get a #5. The closest state that could get me one was Nevada and the day I mailed the deposit I got a call saying #5 was no longer available. I decided to "bite the bullet" and get the #6 (in So Cal) and am happy that I did.

 

I have a 2005 Package 1, simply because I don't need most of the options that were offered.