Options for a Four or Five?

I'm with you mike go for the five, stand your ground on this one! I just don't see the need for a solar roof here in Minnesota summer or winter.
The five is #1 in my book

 

The solar roof is just a gimmick in my opinion. If I can't leave my dog in the car without it suffocating then what is the use?

 

Sorry - where is that written? I have checked the Toyota.com website and found no reference whatsoever about a special power steering motor or better/different shocks/springs for the Five. I have seen other PC users refer to this, without any documented reference, about these differences.

Regarding the fuel consumption, the Toyota.com does not mention any difference in the mpg between models with 15" or 17" wheels. In the EU websites, there is a +0.1L/100km difference on all fuel consumption estimates (city, suburban, combined).

 

Turning radius: Toyota Prius - 2011 Performance & Specifications

As for the more powerful brushless steering motor on Prius V/Five, i heard/read this on this forum. Apparently, the factory repair manual mentions this. And with this "improved" motor, the lock-to-lock is a full turn less...thus, the V/Five's quicker ratio steering is sportier. I actually have the repair manual on CD at home...so, i will try and look it up.

As for the unique shock/spring on Prius V/Five, I started this. All you need to do is call your local Toyota dealership Part's department. You will get the same answer i got from 3 different dealerships around me. See this post by me: http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...n/83242-package-v-question-3.html#post1164529

Both the shocks and springs are unique on Prius with 17" rims...aka Prius V/Five here in USA.

Another member mentioned that when put side by side, if you press on the Five's front bumper one side, there is less bounce/rebound on the Five vs. the Two-Four. I have not had the chance to confirm this.

 

Originally we were given that information by the "Prius Team" who posted on here quite a bit around the time the gen3 was introduced.

It is also mentioned in the maintenance manual, two types are referred to, the motor used in the V is called the "brushless type steering motor". I believe it was required due to the faster steering ratio of the V, the brushless motor reportedly has more power.

I just checked the alignment specifications and the V has slightly different specifications for all of the parameters. I believe this fact and Thai's part numbers indicate the V has some suspension differences.

 

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To clarify, the only information given to us by the Prius Team was with regard to brushless EPS and tighter lock-to-lock number in the V but they still maintained that all the trims use the same European-tuned suspension. The "different part number" suspension was discovered by Thai et al. through research but this isn't a real indication that it's better.

 

Yup, that is why i have never said that the V's suspension was better, but that it is UNIQUE among the Prius models.

 

Yes, but by saying "The V has unique suspensions" you're giving people the impression that they're somehow better.

 

Maybe i should have a link to Webster Dictionary in my signature??

 

You're correct, but it still gives people (even the OP) a false impression. It might still be true that the V's suspensions are in fact better but the only evidence pointing to this is circumstantial.