Out with the old, in with the new... yay!

A week ago I was involved in an accident that totalled my 2005 Prius (package 6? Can't recall - anyway it had the Nav etc.). Yesterday we bought a replacement - a 2008 Touring with Package 6 (Leather, Nav etc.) in Silver. My old Prius was Salsa Red and really showed the scratches my kids managed to put on it, so I'm hoping Silver will not show them so much. In 2005 I paid MSRP - $100 for my Prius. Yesterday I paid MSRP - $1900. The new car was actually $450 cheaper to buy than the old, and has leather and a backup camera, 16" alloys etc.

So, some observations:

1) Love the leather-covered steering wheel.
2) Some on the forum have commented that they tried both Touring and non-Touring, and couldn't tell the difference. Well, I can, and I think the Touring feels alot more solid at highway speeds - firmer suspension, less body roll, more precise steering. So far I'm happy with my decision on that front.
3) Finally I can enter phone numbers directly into the address book!
4) Higher resolution MFD is easier on the eye.
5) Backup camera is great for parallel parking. I never have understood the fuss about the alleged poor rearward visibility, but since the MFD is there it's nice to have the camera. I checked out the Camry Hybrid and was surprised that Camrys with Nav do not include a backup camera.
6) I prefer the texture of the plastics on my 2005 Prius.
7) No more 'I agree' button to press on the Nav - it just displays a message for about 3 seconds. Now why can't they do the same thing for the phone functions and let you use them in motion?
8) 51.2 mpg after 210 miles on my first tank. I was a bit concerned that the Touring 16" wheels might increase fuel consumption - but I'm very happy so far...

 

I bought the car at Concord Toyota. If you're not bothered about the Touring, talk to Sue in the Internet/Fleet Dept. at Antioch Toyota. She gave me a quote that was about $2300 below MSRP for a non-Touring Prius, package 6. Best price by far in my area.