Am I settling if purchase a III instead of IV?

I don't think you're settling. Actually, I think you're making a smart decision. You're also saving a wad of money too.

For me, the benefit of the III is the bluetooth. I really think the IV is a bit ill-equipped for the money. People buying a IV ought to consider the V, but that's just my opinion. I can appreciate how dealer trades and inventory are becoming hard to get. Despite the new aftershock, automakers announced Friday that they were beginning to bounce back from the March monster. Toyota will resume car production at all its plants in Japan at half capacity from April 18 to 27. (from an AP post on internet news)

 

nothing wrong with second best, more americans should try it.

 

That depends on you.

I find that the II is fairly well appointed for a base level. I personally do not think that the IV's and the V's are worth the price difference---and neither does KBB if my limited observations are correct. Others will disagree with passion.
However (comma!) if you're used to rolling upscale sheet metal and you want to drive a more eco-friendly car, then you may find the G3-II a little spartan.
It really all depends on how much you value your car as a status symbol...and we Americans are pretty heavily invested in using our cars for that.

IMHO...a paid for house and car beats heck out of driving a more upscale car---and/or living in a more upscale neighborhood...

Like I said.....sup to you.

 

Unless you do a lot of night driving the auto-dim mirror is trivial. Don't know if the Bluetooth is different, my guess is no difference based on looking at the sales brochure page where they list the features for the different series. The difference in MSRP between the 3 and 4 is $2800. My wife wanted leather because she was "settling" for a smaller car. So I found a 4 with no nav or sunroof. I am not a fan of after-market changes particularly where the front seats have built in side impact airbags. Who knows if the guys that add leather will stitch that area so the air bag deploys properly? All in all I think a 3 is a $ensible choice but my wife is happy and that is priceless...

 

My 2010 Prius was my second one and I have reached the age in life where I do not want to settle for second best. I have a red Prius iv with sunroof. I like the leather seats, steering wheel, bluetooth, sunroof, solar ventilation and sat radio. I drive 100 miles a day and I think that it the determining factor, not what "the neighbors think". Most of my neighbors have BMWs or Lexises and could care less about a Prius. Are these extras worth a few thousand more? Over the 15 year lifespan of the car, the cost is trivial. Yes.

 

Well said, I have just bought a silver Prius IV (wanted a red but couldn't find one close by. I have reached senior status in my life and if money is not a pressing issue go for the IV. The wife loves the leather, and heated seats. I like the solar ventilation and sunroof.

 

I am amazed by what comes on a 'base' car nowadays. Looking at the techie gadgets you get for your thousand dollars leaves me shaking my head.

'Settling' is buying something other than a Prius.

 

The only person who can answer whether YOU are settling..is you...

I can't remember off hand the specific differences between a IV and a III, but you should be able to look at a brochure or go to the Toyota website and "know" exactly what you are getting and not getting if you choose a III.

The price of Prius keeps going up. In general, I've always thought II's and III's were good values. In my opinion, there is no "stripped down" Prius.

I think your best approach is simply to "know" exactly what you are getting. Are you happy with it? If so great. If your plan is to upgrade aftermarket or modify, then you are set.

I guess what I'm saying is outside of a few things like sound system, and a few other amenities, I don't think buying a III instead of IV is a huge drop off or represents a enormous difference in product. Especially if you are willing and planning on making specific upgrades aftermarket.

But only YOU can answer for yourself whether you want to accept the differences.

 

It's strictly a personal choice. If you don't have the inclination or ability to selectively add upgrades you want on your own, then buy the model that already has what you want.

Prius pricing is like cable or sat TV pricing. In order to get a few things that matter to you, you have to upgrade a group or two and pay for a bunch of crap you don't care about.

If you get a III and add leather you will have a lot of options to choose from instead of the one factory option. When I put leather upholstery in my II I got 2 tone leather that matched the existing gray and charcoal in the interior, perforated leather seating area and gel pads in the front seats. I like it a lot better than the factory leather.

 

:cheer2: The important thing is that you got what you wanted. That price sounds good considering the possible coming supply crunch

 

Enjoy, let us know how the leather install goes, and what choices you decide (brand of aftermarket leather and gel or no gel).

 

Congrats on the car. We love our Prius III. We were not interested in a IV because we actually don't like leather seats, and certainly don't want to pay a couple grand extra for them. When we were shopping in December, the dealer had a III on the lot that fit what we wanted exactly: Barcelona Red, solar roof, and homelink mirror. It's now our car. One caveat: if the IV had power seats we would buy it.

 

Do you always take cheap shots? In every post in threads like this, you like to whine about the upper model and/or their owners.

I doubt that anyone on this forum thinks the Prius is a status symbol! If you think so, then you are one shallow dude!

 

There are more differences b/w Three and Four beyond the leather seats:

leather wrapped steering wheel
heated seats
power lumbar support for drivers seat
SKS - unlock passenger side and hatch
auto-dimming mirror and Homelink
plasmacluster ionizer cabin filter
water-repellant front windows