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Your Opinion: Prius TWO or Prius TWO Eco?

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by fsu23phd, Jan 8, 2016.

  1. fsu23phd

    fsu23phd Active Member

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    So it looks like the dealer has a confirmation that they will get 2016s on Jan 28. I am about to put my name down on one, and pay the deposit. I have to decide soon.

    What is your opinion on the Prius Two vs Prius Two ECO?

    The MPG difference seems negligible.

    The Prius TWO ECO doesn't include a rear windshield wiper or spare tire. But, it does have the 3 door smart key system, which I do prefer (I have a 2005 Prius with the 3 door smart key system, and a 2010 with the 1 door smart key system, and I do like the 3 door better).

    The price difference is negligible, about $500.

    Any thoughts?

    I just noticed a slight difference in cargo volume, with the ECO having almost 3 more cubic inches. Any ideas whats up with that?
     
  2. 48mpg

    48mpg Member

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    I know its the new thing to save weight but I will not drive a car without a spare wheel.. the rear wiper I might have used once but we don't get snow in florida..you are right $500 on a $25,000 car is meaningless. I am waiting to do a safety recall on my 05 for my dealer to get the 16's maybe I can get one as a loaner while they have my car
     
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  3. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    Just pure sight unseen opinion, but personally I'd probably go with The Prius Two ECO. The rear windshield wiper has negligible value to me, and maybe I'm becoming part of the lazy unskilled generation, but NOT having a spare just means I'm not at the roadside trying to put one on, with traffic zooming past me.

    Better efficiency is nice, 3 Door Smart Key is nice, and more cargo volume is nice.

    Comparing those two models I feel the ONLY way I regret getting the Prius Two ECO, is if I wake up someday wanting a rear wiper and/or a spare tire. Which I suppose could happen.

    I've also read some threads that seem to suggest the majority of the ECO's efficiency benefit is coming from the tires, which of course is a replaceable wear item.

    But I'd probably go with the ECO just based on getting the 3 door smart key as opposed to the single door, on that factor alone.

    PS.
    Deposit or otherwise, I always try to avoid being or letting myself be rushed. I'd probably NEVER buy a vehicle sight and touch unseen.
     
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  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Book Cover Judge

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    I would go with 2, not 2 ECO. The wiper I could live without, but not the temporary spare. Also the tires it comes with are hell-bent-for-high-mpg, but maybe push it too far? And then pay an extra $500, with omissions? Nope.

    In your shoes though, I'd snap up a 2015.
     
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  5. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    In NC, I do not suspect the -29 degree limit on the battery is an issue.

    Without a spare, the load floor is lower, and not flat.
     
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  6. Pijoto

    Pijoto Active Member

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    I travel a lot outside major city areas, and the spare has saved me a lot of headache a few times already, wouldn't dream of driving a car without one. Also, Toyota NIMH batteries is tried and true reliability, go with the Two, and save that extra $500 for when you need to replace the OEM tires for whatever LRR tires that are on the Two Eco.
     
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    the only concern i would have is the tyres. i would want a test drive under varied conditions before deciding. i suppose the worst that can happen is your up to $1,000. difference.
     
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  8. southtxprius

    southtxprius Junior Member

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    I like the rear wiper for use in the rain.
     
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  9. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    I'd wait until they are on the road for a while first. Being first is not always best.
     
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  10. mmmodem

    mmmodem Senior Taste Tester

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    2 ECO for the woot. (y) I used my rear wiper exactly twice. Once to show my wife how to turn it on. And once when my daughter found the control while playing in the car. If you ask me now, I've forgotten how to turn it on. I wasted my money on it as I did on the standard heated seats.

    A spare tire can be purchased separately. At least that's what I said to myself when I bought the PiP. 3 years later, I still haven't purchased one. I borrowed the spare from a Corolla one time when I went on a long trip.

    I think the extra space is due to the wheel well delete for the spare tire. My PiP for example doesn't have the storage cubby underneath the flat floor like all other Prius.
     
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  11. Blizzard_Persona

    Blizzard_Persona Senior Member

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    I used the rear wiper a lot on both my liftbacks as well as my wife's v when I drive it. Rain, snow, condensation... It makes a huge diff. I like the rear wiper.


    Now if you live in Cali or the sort then yeah it's not really needed.

    As to the spare tire. My old Prius three (wife driving at the time) hit a huge rock that some kids threw into the road we assumed and demolished the stock tire. So thank god for a spare. A can of fix a flat slime junk would have been useless.

    So I think my vote is for the two..

    Edit: the fact that the Eco rear seat area does not fold flat or at least is not level (personally that seems backwards) is another deal breaker for me. I have not camped in the back of my Prii yet but would in the future and that would make it more difficult to get comfortable for sure.
     
    #11 Blizzard_Persona, Jan 8, 2016
    Last edited: Jan 8, 2016
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  12. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    Yea...I'll give up safety equipment for mpg...NOT!
     
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  13. Pijoto

    Pijoto Active Member

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    That would definitely be a deal breaker...sleeping in the back of a Prius on an air mattress is sublime, being able to run the a/c all night with minimal gas usage is a killer feature, IMO.
     
  14. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    I suspect rear wipers are going to slowly vanish with many vehicles.
    Sort of like the full sized spare tire that use to ride in a case on the back of The Rav 4.

    Better aerodynamics, cleaner look.

    I live in a very rainy environment, and I can't say I never use it. But usage is pretty occasional. I really feel I could survive without it.
     
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  15. KrPtNk

    KrPtNk Active Member

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    I would definitely get the Eco. If Toyota didn't have confidence in lithium they wouldn't have used it in the plugin.

    Why wouldn't you want to own the model with the best mpg? The cost difference is minor.
     
  16. roamerr

    roamerr Member

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    Rear wiper is a waste to me. I look forward when driving and really never have said the rear window being wet is an issue. Truck drivers drive everywhere not seeing out the back window. As for a spare I think I would rather have one but don't care much. My last experience with a spare was 1986 hitting a chrome bumper laying in the road in Atlanta at 3am. That bumper would have destroyed more than a tire on a Prius so not sure that's valid.


    iPhone ?
     
  17. Gokhan

    Gokhan Senior Member

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    The only reason why Prius 2 Eco is more expensive is the Li-ion battery, which is an upgrade over Prius 2.

    You get better battery, better MPG, no spare tire, no rear wiper, and higher price with Prius Eco.

    I am a little skeptical on the Prius Eco MPG numbers. Hopefully Consumer Reports etc. will also test those numbers. I find it hard to believe those numbers unless the CVT is radically differently programmed for Prius Eco, making it a slower but more fuel-efficient car.

    You can make your selection based on the individual dealer color availability and discounts.
     
  18. mmmodem

    mmmodem Senior Taste Tester

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    You also get 3 door SKS, illuminated entry, auto on and off headlights and two tones wheel covers instead of full.
    Visual Tables of Gen4 Package Combinations | PriusChat
    You will notice that the four has the same cargo volume and no spare. Which is why I think the spare tire wheel well is re-purposed to extra cargo space.
     
  19. Gokhan

    Gokhan Senior Member

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    It's a really annoying fact that you will have to have your car towed if you get a flat, as most flats that happen while driving aren't repairable. Having to have a brand-new car towed is -- just wrong.
     
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  20. mmmodem

    mmmodem Senior Taste Tester

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    Don't think I agree with you there. Most flats I've had just needed more air.
    Don't disagree with you there, inevitably, it will be Thanksgiving night when you get the blow out that the Fixaflat cannot limp you home. Every tow truck driver would be home celebrating the holidays. That's what one unlucky forum member here experienced with their new PiP 3 years ago living in the same area as me. I worried about it but I've also read too many stories of accidents changing tires on the side of the freeway.
     
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