Solar panel roof OR LED headlights & 17" wheels (IV or V)?

I would like the solar roof without the Nav (not possible right now) and the power lumbar support, which means I would take the leather. The ATP, while nice, is not something I really need or am willing to pay for. Don't care about the 17" wheels. I don't care about the upgraded stereo.

So what I really want is a Pkg II with solar/moon roof and lumbar support. And of course they don't come with those options. Grrrrr.

 

When they installed the sun roof, did they put in any additional structural support for roll-overs and body flex? I bet they didn't. There's usually more to factory installed sun roofs than simply cutting a hole in the roof and plopping in a sunroof. There are structual issues that need to be addressed. That's why SUV's and mini-vans - for years - did NOT have a sun roof. I know i wanted to put an after-market sunroof in my SUV, and the dealer advised against it for the very reasons I mentioned above. With new models, and body changes, they were designed into the vehicle. That's the correct way to do it. The roof plays a big part in the overall safety structure of the car, and without proper modifications, you've now weakened the roof structure.

Also, you only have half of what the iV is about. the other half, and maybe the most unique part of the IV is the solar panel.

 

If you want lots of features, you go V. But if you're in a super hot area, maybe you'd want/need the recirculation thing more than all the other features. 60 watts optimum for just circulating out hot air? I duno. It works for some, but imo, it's a lot of dough for what you get. You go for the V, it can still be retrofitted for remote AC, too. But as you see by all the posts so far, to each their own.

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As I mentioned, a dealer can't preference a V with no ATP in California so it can't be special ordered. They must grab one at the port en route to other regions (or acquire from other dealers like Dianne Whitmire of MB Toyota who manage to do so). It could be a long wait.

I bought my black V at Longo as well.

 

You have a IV?

It will bring the inside temperature, which could easily reach 130F on 80-90F days, down to the outside temperature of 80-90F. If you park in the shade, the point is moot.

Oh, and for the "dough", you also get a sun/moon roof. For many of us, that's an even greater reason to get the IV.

 

SDM44, check the dealers in the Phoenix area via the net... I think AZ may be more likely to have V's w/o the AT package, as that's how mine came. I know the dealer here in Prescott has another V in stock without the AT, but not in black.

Anyway, just a suggestion. I think I remember hearing that V's w/o AT are hard to come by in SoCal, but I may be wrong...

 

I'm puzzed, then?? If all this is/was the case, why would you even consider a IV?

I assume you knew what the IV features were (ie, as a M3 owner, I'm assuming you are a "car guy"), and how they would be used...but if none of them are of value/interest to you, what's the point of the thread? You already had your answer long before the first response to you post was ever made.

All this said, enjoy the Prius. It's a great car.

 

My guess is he didn't consider his parking situation when he created this thread, but at least he had the insight to consider it at this time of the year unlike some of the others who don't realize their mistake until two seasons too late.

 

Sorry, don't remember as I'm one of those different breed of 2010 owners But, yeah, at least they can still reap the benefit of less hit to the wallet even if gas price drops.

 

I can find lots of IV in my area (but none have solar roof). I can find very few V (and none of the them have the Tech Pkg).

 

Still wish you could get the sunroof by itself. Considering it for the III but it comes with the solar panels and here in the NE hail is a possibility although I think Toyota would have thought of this.

 

I already informed you that in posts #13 and 45. They can't preference one as the V without ATP isn't delivered to California at all. You'll need to locate one out of state or find a motivated dealer like Dianne Whitmire of MB Toyota who grabs them at the port en route to other regions (I do notice her January inventory has none available at this time, but she will get one for you if you place a deposit).

 

No, it's either the solar/sunroof combo or nothing.

You can also install an aftermarket sunroof on the V if you like.

 

If I were living in LA and parking the car often under the sun, I would probably get the solar roof option, but I find the 15" wheels pretty terribly looking and their driving stability not as good as with the 17" wheels I got instead. I took the more expensive Prius "Life" trim here in Germany (the middle one, of the 3 available), just to get the wheels... 17" is what I had test driven, and I wanted the same good grip feeling.

If instead looks is what you are interested in and don't live in Germany like me you should get the 17" wheels and LED lights - if and when the car is too hot, simply drive 1-2mins with all windows down to have the temperature of the cabin go down from 80C+ to 35-40C as fast as possible, with the AC already on to cool off the vents/tubes and then close everything. If the AC already did not do it, set the the air recirculation on for a while.

If you hate doing this, and looks are not that important and you are not looking to drive "fast", take the solar roof - having e.g. 35C air going in the cabin continuously, is certainly going to keep the cabin to a more manageable 50-60C or less temperature and the cooling down procedure will last a lot less, likely without even opening the windows.