New to Prius.. need input.

I got the Touring only because it was only $600 more than a package #6 (leather). I like the wheels better, especially after removing the wheel covers. I wanted the leather, I like leather. I wanted the HID's and Navigation. With respect to suspension, I cannot comment because I never drove the regular Prius.

I spend a lot of time in my car, so I figured I would get it loaded.

My advice to you is if you decide you want a Touring Edition and you find one on the lot and you like the color, buy it. The Touring model is difficult to find, most are pre-sold before they make it off the boat. I worked every Toyota dealer in Southern California trying to find a Magnetic Grey Touring. Dealers would say they have it, but then they would say it was sold from under them. I "settled" for a Silver the day my lease expired on my other car.

Lastly, always remember that the Prius is no M3, so don't ever try and compare the two.

 

Welcome to the forum, kormaster. Your M3 definitely has the performance, but the Prius has good mpg numbers. If you are still heavy and aggressive on the throttle, the Prius will give you less mpg as expected. Once you decide which Prius you want, be prepared to change your driving habits since their is a lot to learn with the Prius. Oh yes, it is also fun to drive. Congrats on considering to go green. :clap2:

 

I would say, you don't have to change your driving habits, but you may decide you want to once you have the car. I still drive 65 mph on the highway for local driving and 70 mph or faster on longer trips. I get about 50-55 mpg under those conditions. If you choose to you could do better by slowing down a bit.

Also I don't know the details but have read elsewhere on this site that if you can't find a touring model, you could get a base model and do a couple of mods on your own. I think the real differences between touring and base are wheel size and suspension.

 

I have a 2007 Touring and I commute in LA traffic every day...86 miles one way. Never having driven the non-Touring...I cannot comment. However, driving a Prius means relearning how to drive (if you really want to get the improved mileage which is why I bought mine in the first place).

Stop and Go traffic is a not fuel efficient. Everytime you touch the brake...you lose MPG. Cruising at 60 MPH I can usually get 56-58 MPG...best I've ever gotten is 65.8 MPG in 104 miles driving from an elevation of 2,500' to about 300' in Long Beach. Uphill/downhill really effect you mileage. And, do learn to use the regenerative braking!

But with 192 miles to drive everyday...squeezing every bit out of a gallon of gas is my daily entertainment.

Harold

 

The M3 is a Bavarian performance machine. The Prius is a world class urban commuter machine. Its relatively cheap especially to maintain. Its fun to drive easy to park and runs really good. Do not expect it to even approach M3 handling/speed but up against all its contemporaries in its category its a top pick. At least Consumer reports says so. And I do too.