I need advice please on switching to a lower Prius package. (My 3rd Prius)

We went for the Canadian Touring package, which has the 17" wheels, LED headlight, garage opener in the mirror and also the radio upgrade with XM ready. It was an impulse buy though, it was sitting on the lot, and so on...

It's sort of a stripped-down US V: doesn't have the radar cruise, parallel park, lane control. Anyway, I could live without all of the features mentioned above. We're actually on 15" steel snows right now, don't notice the difference. And I found sunroof a negative: just reduces headroom too much. I'd likely go for the II, if we were doing it again.

The one negative with 15" wheels: the dang wheel covers.

 

Getting the full boat makes sense if you plan to keep the car for 10 years and run it into the ground. However, if you're upgrading every 2-3 years, getting the top trim makes less sense, unless you can lease for the same amount.

You don't have to live with yellow halogens. There are plenty of Twos through Fours with HID bulbs that do quite well in the Gen III's projector headlights.

 

IIRC, you might have to pop for a four or higher package if you "have to" have 3 door keyless.
I do not know. I'm one of the Prius Poor that have to roll around in a two---and it's not even my car...my beloved company owns it.

The more tightly you box yourself in with "gotta have" options, the more money the dealer (and the manufacturer) is going to make on you. G3's start at under 25-kilobucks and shoot very rapidly north of 30.
It doesn't cost that much more to up-option the car, if you're the one making the car.
If you're a bi-annual trader, you're paying even more!
What did you pay for the 2010? What are they (really) going to give you in trade?

Do a little arithmetic gymnastics on the cost per mile and you'll probably be kinda surprised---or maybe not.
It's yer dough, and car sellers have to eat too.
If you can afford the cars, which for some people is entirely different from being able to make the payments btw.....then I'd say make a list of your "gotts to have" options and drive your 2010 to the nearest Toyota dealership. There will be a car on the lot that suits your needs!! If not....SOCAL has plenty of Toyota dealerships from which to choose!!!

Me?
I have to factor daffy little things like eating and sleeping indoors, to say nothing of retirement, clothing, electricity, and so on.....so my list of "gotta have options" looks a little different.

Good Luck!!!
Let us know what you get...

 

I think the 2012 Four will be a hot one because of the power adjust
Softex heated driver's seat. Plus you get the new touchscreen with Entune apps and JBL GreenEdge speakers in the audio.

Skip the Four with sunroof as that will be bundled with the Advanced tech package with HDD nav, HUD and all that ..... $$$

2012 Three gets 3 door smart key, but the new sound system might be pretty limp. Gone is the amplifier under the front passenger seat and 2 less speakers. No power adjust seat and it's fabric.

There's likely a way to replace the halogens for HIDs or maybe LED headlamps later on.

The ride quality is pretty good with the 15" wheels too.

Prius c? Wow. Yeah, it's cute, but I don't think you realize how small that car will be - 156" long. That's almost 20" shorter than your Prius. It's a subcompact car.

 

I do not know, FWIW, since you already have a 3rd gen, I don't think it makes much sense to buy another of the same gen (yeah yeah, the 2012 is a mid-cycle refresh). I'd wait until the 4th gen or maybe get some completely different car as a 2nd car? It's pretty costly to go through cars that often, although Toyota definitely prefers you buy more cars.

If you don't like your halogens, I'm sure there are upgrade kits for your lights to something you like better. That's way cheaper than getting another car...

Heck, when the 3rd gen came out in January 09 (shipped in May 09), I didn't see a real hurry to upgrade my 06 (bought in January 06) to a 3rd gen despite the many improvements and new available features. My 2nd gen still works fine. I'm unlikely to replace it until the 4th gen comes out (whenever that is) unless my 2nd gen gets totaled.

I'm still looking to lease a Nissan Leaf as a 2nd car, once I figure out where I'll be working. I left my last job awhile ago and live far from much of everything so its range might not work wherever my future job is.

I've never leased a car before and have only ever taken a car loan once. It was for my former 350Z, even though I had more than enough cash to pay for it...

 

I don't like to switch my cars so often, just made a terrible decision with the 09 and Coupe, learned hard lessons. Isn't it nice to keep a car for a long time, cause you know it, like a pair of well worn jeans? I could see myself going at least 10 years with this 2011, maybe 15 or more. Well, depending on reliability and lack of accidents.

Your main complaint was the 17" wheel/ride quality. That's any easy change. Save a bundle just get new wheel and tires.

 

The 2012 Three will have 3-door SKS.

 

If you trade in the '10, you should get good money for it. It would be worth spending the time to shop around on the trade-in value.

If you can wait a bit for the c to show up, do that. My sense is, part of the value for you in trading in every few years is to get something new and different. The c (and the V, for that matter) score very high on that factor.

 

My quick and easy advice?

You seem to be at a point where you have so many questions about what you want, that I think your best move is to attend an auto-show, or venture to a dealership and sit in, and investigate a hands on approach to the products you are considering.

You're really all over the map. Everything from Moon-Roofs, Heated Seats, LED Headlamps, Plus or Minus...and even throwing in The Prius c at the end.

Only you can decide what configuration or product you want. And right now? Your horizon seems so wide, I wouldn't venture a guess as to what your destination should be...

Go try out products. Experiment. And ultimately? If you can afford it? Don't compromise once you decide what you want...but deciding what you want is your first step.

 

If you haven't already done so, check in with Dianne Whitmire at Carson Toyota. She makes good deals and is a lady of her word. Her dealership moves a lot of cars and will give you a good selection from which to choose, regardless of which model you decide to buy. Good luck.

 

As a minor correction, it is not possible that your old package 8 had LED headlamps. LED headlamps were introduced for the Gen III. Perhaps you meant to say that your package 8 Gen II had HID headlamps.

Tom

 

How tall are you? You do know the c will be a subcompact car the size of a Honda Fit, right?

As for me, I've no interest in first cuts of first year models. And although I went into 3 cars in 3 1/2 years, that was not my original intentions. I am more than happy to be settled in on this 2011 and would be pleased as punch to drive it to 200k miles and beyond.