Is the Solar package worth the extra money?

I am suppose to pick up my IV with solar today. I am having second thoughts and getting a V with navi only. I had a V with ATP and a V with navi before. I miss having a moonroof with my other cars. But, I love the 17s and the LED headlights. What to do, what to do?

 

. . . and if you think them Driving is that Dangerous, they can still VOTE ! Now That's Scary !

I haven't tried my auto park gizmo yet. I'm intrigued to see how well it can park. As a city dweller no longer, I seldom have the need, and have always done the Parallel Parking myself. I'll post my opinion once I use it.

 

The self park is a nice gadget to show off to friends. But, that is it for me. It is slow to engage, read the parking spot, and then start to back up. With the back up camera you can whip it in the spot in no time. And you don't have the frustration of other cars going around you or honking at you.

 

In New York, if you can't park the car in 10 seconds, the spot will be gone. Also, you better be able to park in a spot 1 foot longer than the car. You get good at it.

 

I have a large electric cooler on the back seat where I keep my lunch, juice smoothies, vitamins and supplements, blue ice. Cooler comes in handy for bringing groceries home. Also have extra solar panels: two on the dash ($20 at Kragen), one large one mounted on rear seat head rest slots ($40 at Harbor Freight Tools) plus a small one in a triangle window -- all hooked to an extra battery on back floor to power my cooler a little longer. Also sometimes I leave my dog in the car while I go in a store. Windows cracked and solar blower going. (If a long time, I leave air conditioning on, with car in park and brake on, locking doors by reaching from outside, and reaching in to quickly roll up window; and using hard key to get back in.)

 

I got it and thought I would regret it. But interesting note, and a cloudy day I parked in spot and the battery was at 2 bars. When I left, the car was cool, and the battery was at 4 bars... I'm pretty happy if it works that way on regular basis...

 

Yes, I agree it does well keeping the car cool. It does generate lots of airflow. But, it doesn't charge the traction battery. It only runs the ventilation fan.

 

Face it, it just looks cool. That's enough.

 

Then someone is charging my traction battery in other ways. Cause it was charged.... or maybe the display isn't working, but I'm not saying anything...

 

I got it because it was the only way to have a sunroof, and in fact thought it was a rather lame feature to have... but found out that it actually works pretty well. The remote AC was also very nice. I certainly don't regret getting it.

With that said, I think it is worth the extra money to you if it improves the driving experiences. Having a brighter cabin made that difference for me, and it is a significant differentiator. The solar ventilation part was just a bonus.

 

There are two benefits to not having the solar package: 1. You have the aerodynamic benefit of the tunnel design of the standard roof that is unlike that of any other car on the road. 2. Your roof is not burdened with the extra weight of the plexiglass panel, fan, and moonroof, thereby benefiting from lighter weight, a lower center of gravity and lower roll center. The carbon fiber roof available on the BMW M3 coupe provides the same benefit of lower weight and lower center of gravity to those who forgo the standard steel roof and moonroof..

 

I don't know anything about the weight or the aerodynamic thinks that you said here. But here in Greece we have very hot climate and it is very useful and convenient to turn on the A/C 2 minutes before you enter the Prius. And when you get in to feel the cold air.

 

Yup, I'm not clever enough to make the calculations but I wouldn't be surprised that the effect of driving xx miles/kilometers with the windows open to cool it down offsets quite nicely compared to the weight of the roof etc...Remember the versions without the roof have heavier other toys that you can't get with the roof...

 

I purchased the 2010 Prius with Package III, which includes the solar. I strictly wanted the backup camera since I considered the rear split window setup a major annoyance, so I felt I had no choice but to get the solar package for the rear camera. Between the solar cooling and remote AC feature, I am loving it in the summer days with 100-deg temperatures...

So yes, it was worth it to me.

 

We just wanted a regular sun roof not some fancy solar ones and we didn't have any choice but opt in the package.
IMO, Toyota should just put a regular sun roof on all Prius, we are paying $20K+ for the car already.
The solar sun roof is just a market scam.

 

Question: Will the remote AC turn on the heat in the winter?

 

Don't think so. If the engine is cold there is no hot air.
In winter you gotta use the heated seats then.

 

Or you need the remote start.

 

No you have to start the engine.