"Touring Package"

AS I am in the UK I cannot report on the different package levels in the US, but I know the touring version has the firmer suspension and 16 inch wheels as used in the UK and Europe as against the 15 inch wheels on other gen2 models in the US.

John (Britprius)

 

Forgetting my manners, welcome to PC, lots of information and helpful people here so any questions just ask.

It can be very helpful if you put your location in your avatar as PC is world wide and different countries and regions have different variations and systems on the Prius so making diagnosis and advice more accurate if at leased the country of origin is known.

John (Britprius)

 

The HID headlights have had problems since they burn out and cost big bucks to fix.

 

Before buying, personally verify the features that Tideland lists above. In the used car market, the fraction of Prii labeled as Touring is far larger than the fraction Toyota actually built.

I believe the Touring wheels also have 7 spokes, compared to 6 spokes on the regular Gen2 wheels. 5 spokes indicates Gen3 wheels.

 

Sometimes dealers will swap the wheels but if you look in the driver door jam there is a sticker that has the original tire size. If it shows 185/65R15, it is not a touring model. If it shows 195/55R16, it is. Also if you crawl under the rear of the car and look at the rear shocks they will have red and pink stripes and blue paint on the springs. I have attached a picture of mine. My car is a 2007 with 127k miles so the stripes are a little faded. Also the touring model wasn't available until 2007. I have seen many 2004-2006 cars advertised as touring models.

 

Love those wheels..... Tell me about those rims, please.

 

They are the OEM alloy rims with the OEM plastic wheel trims on top.

John (Britprius)

 

Sorry, I'm not clear on that..... Are they 16, 17 or 18" wheels. And when you say plastic wheel trim do you mean plastic hub caps?

 

Yes 16 inch wheels with plastic hub caps (wheel trims in the UK). Standard fitting for all gen2 Prius in the UK.

John (Britprius)

 

Uh... all headlights burn out.

As for big bucks, depends. One can get Philips D4R Xenon HID Headlight Bulb, Pack of 1 : Amazon.com : Automotive (sold straight from Amazon, not a 3rd party) for $46.46 currently.

 

The big bucks is the $200 that the dealer charges to put the bulb in. Not everyone can manage the bulb replacement.

 

the Touring wheels are 16 inches and they will bolt on the Gen III also. But, the standard tires ( I think 195x55) can be hard to find in a LRR size.

 

That's why many of us that hve 16 inch wheels use 205/55/16 tyres. Much greater choice of tyres, cheaper price, and much lower RR. Also gives the advantage of greatly improved handling of the Prius.

John (Britprius)

 

It is pretty easy. Everyone should at least try.

 

Agreed.

John (Britprius)