Going to buy a new one - need some advice

I am definitely buying a Prius in 2 months since I moved to the exburbs and need a hybrid to get on the HOV.

I am thinking about a Prius III. But I like heated seats and I may spend 3 hours in the car a day so maybe trim level IV.

Question 1: Any advice from long distance commuters about what accessories are good would be appreciated.

Question 2: I am thinking seriously about the Prius IV because it has a driver seat that is motorized. In a long commute, it is nice to be able to move it around. Your opinion is appreciated.

Question 3: I suppose a GPS is nice but I can also use an aftermarket GPS. Any thoughts?

Question 4: Is there a shortage of 2010 Prius? I am just wondering what my bargin position is. If there is an excess of cars, I can bargain harder. I am clueless. I might get it through a car broker so save all the hassle.

Question 5: Noise. I have a Toyota Sienna minivan. How is the noise (road/wind) in the Prius compared to a minivan? Just wondering if anyone knows.

Thanks. I'll be joining you (Prius owners) soon.

 

Thanks for your quick answer. I had not realized that even with option package 4 that the seat is not motorized. Looks like I am looking at option package 5 which is about 30K or more to walk out the door. With tax and everything, it must be over 30K since, if I am going all out, I want a backup camera. Yikes.

The alternative is to get option package 3 and be happy with the savings. I note that all the packages has the same basic safety equipment. There are additional safety equipment if you pay more money. But package 5, without pay any extra money, does not have any more safety equipment that package 2 does not have.

I am seriously thinking about package 3 or package 5 now.

 

I have one more question. What is an integrated fog lamp. I must admit I don't pay attention. I've driven a few cars. There is High beam. There is low beam. Then there is a setting generally for turning on the running lights.

I always set my headlights to auto. Then I turn on high beam when needed. Otherwise, I keep it on low beam and auto.

I don't recall there ever being a switch for fog lamps. In fog, I drive low beam. Just asking. Finally taking an interest in cars. So is the integrated fog lamps a big deal. Is there a switch for turning it on in the fog?

Thanks for all your helpful advice. I appreciate it.

As for running over the curb, it has not been a problem with me. I see you are from Mass. Many of my Boston friends have run over the curb. In Boston, the turns are not constant radius like in California. You can run over the curb if you are not careful. It is terrible. I have no solution. If you have to drive on that type of road, and if you think you will run over curbs, you do need a car with more ground clearance.

 

With respect to not having the auto-off lamps. I got a Prius brochure for the Virginia area. If you go to Toyota.com, they give you area specific brochure. They mention that trim level 2, 3 and 4 get "Projector-beam halogen headlamps with auto-off feature." Maybe I am not reading the term correctly. I say this with all due humility - not trying to be sarcastic.

Marketing people have a funny way of stating things. I remember they said a watch has perpetual date - turns out it has no date at all so it is perpetually correct.

Of course, I believe you too.

Maybe it is a region specific thing. I hope it is a region specific thing - and maybe Virginia Priuses have them. Or else I would have to learn to remember to turn the headlights on and off again. I haven't done it since 1996. I am not trying to be a prima donna here. Just that even the economy cars have them nowadays.

So here is the current plan:

Prius 3 basic model. Which should contain an input for my ipod in the stereo (absolutely essential). 6 disc changer for my audiobooks (absolutely essential). Telescopic steering wheel (absolutely essential). Auto off headlights (most likely no - but hopefully it is not the case).

I hope to save a lot of money on insurance because the car does not cost so much to begin with. I am also hoping to save on sales tax and the dreaded Virginia annual excise tax.

One more question for all you kind folks - can you get the colors you want? Or is there is shortage so you need to take what is given within reason?

 

Thanks. I am sorry for the confusion. I read more carefully one of the post above.

"Also worth noting because you brought it up, the Prius DOES NOT have auto-on headlamps. I don't know why this is because even the Yaris has them."

As I see it, the headlamps do not turn on automatically. However, based on the brochure, it turns off automatically. I'm getting confused but I gather that's how it works. So I turn it on automatically and it will turn itself off. Don't worry. I don't need handholding at this minute level. I'll just go to the dealer and look.

Unfortunately, I cannot do a test drive right now. While I need a prius right away, I can't do it until I buy the house. That's because a test drive would involve a copy of my license and the dealer may do a credit check. Too many credit checks will lower my credit rating and that's a really bad thing when I am applying for a mortgage. Sort of a mess.