2010 Prius Option Packages at NAIAS

I think Toyota might be making a mistake offering the 17" wheels and 215/45 series tires in the Platinum package.

I'm quite sure the 45 series tires will serve up a noticeably harsher ride.

I think it would be smarter to stick with a 16" wheel for the Platinum and perhaps a 205/55 tire.

Anyone else have comments on low-profile tires?

 

I agree that the ride is likely to be harsher in that there will be less cushioning. The ride likely will be a bit more exciting -- cornering and general road handling will be much better, but driving in snow, sleet and even rain could be a bit too exciting.

I'm all for the suggested 16" wheel with a narrower and taller tire. I think this would be safer for all weather driving and a better "fit" for all of the safety equipment on the Platinum.

The 17" wheels look great, but I'd trade them in a heartbeat to get a softer, safer ride (w/ better MPGs).

 

I'll take the 17 " wheels. I wouldn't mind tighter control and better handling.

I bet they don't come to Australia.
Is this a second thread about this?

 

No, duplicate post in starting a thread about it.

I wanted a headline for people to be looking at and discussing ASAP.

Tires and wheels ... very important

 

I hate buying these types of tires. My wife's outback has 225/55/17 and those tires cost a freaking fortune. It cost me the same to get her Kumho's online through tirerack, as it cost me to get Michelin X-Radials with 80,000 mile warranties.

Give me 15's or give me death!

 

Anybody who is not going to be happy with their Platinum 17" wheels can trade them with me for my 15" Silver wheels when my 2010 Prius arrives later this year (I'm actually pretty serious).

 

Glad to see lots of discussion on this! And I will say that I am sorry we can't yet reveal all the packaging yet. I know it's torture for you, but our hands are... um, tied right now.

If everything works out, we do hope to release the packaging information in late March (without pricing). Don't hold me to it, but that would be the earliest.

Hope that helps.

Doug Coleman
Prius Product Manager
Toyota Motor Sales USA

 

Nice one Prius Team, but

awww, the North American kids get all the attention! ;-)

What's the 3rd choice there Pat? I only see two in your list.

We get 2 models here: Base & i-Tech models & I note that the prices just went up ($46,490 for base, $53,390 for i-Tech!!). No SKS on either, but i-Tech has leather seats, nav, side airbags, and more speakers.

Who knows when we'll see the "2010s" here, or how they will be configured. Toyota sell more cars here than any other manufacturer, (in fact more than the next two combined) I guess that makes us an "easy date", we'll buy pretty much whatever they put in front of us (even if they are used JDM cars refurbished by Toyota - like mine).

The moon roof option means I would probably go "Gold" if and when I had the chance, but I would miss showing off with my IPA.

 

Well I guess this pretty much confirms I will not be able to get a 2010 since I have a lease ending in Mid April.

 

Third choice is no Prius at all.
iTech has SKS here.
Toyota Australia wont back grey imports here. Spare parts and service just turn their back on you when you mention them.
Your car prices are completely mental!! I thought ours were bad!
I'll never buy a car with a hole in the roof unless I get a spectacular deal on it.
IPA? What's that?

 

IPA is intelligent parking assist.
The JDM cars aren't "grey" here - Toyota themselves are bringing lots of them in - Refurbished at their NZ Toyota factory, then on-sold as "Signature-class" vehicles. When I bought mine it was nearly three years old, but it was "refurbished" (don't ask) and came with 5-year full mechanical warranty.
Other importers bring them in too, noteably The Clean Green Car Company
The Clean Green Car Company ::: New Zealand's Hybrid Car Specialists

 

Thanks for that, brain fart.
I guess mine was refurbished when I picked it up. They repainted the bonnet and replaced the left front shocker, what else is there to do on a 3 year old Toyota?

 

going to the NY event tomorrow- can't wait to see it!
waiting to see if the government will bring back rebates on hybrids! I can see everyone screaming about rebates on "foreign" cars......

 

like fookie, i'm also serious about trading someone their 17" wheels and stock tires for my anticipated 15" wheels and stock tires.

prius06, my current lease ends in march. public transportation is awful in my city and i'm a realtor, so i'm going to beg, borrow, or steal my family or friend's vehicles until i can get my hands on the 2010 prius that i want. it'll be well worth the added hassle for a couple months. i just hope you have some alternatives available to you as well.

 

I'd buy a $400 bomb for the interim then flog it for $350 a couple months later.

 

Or you could do a lease swap with someone that has a couple of months left. There are plenty of those now with the economy the way it is.

 

Appreciate the thought but I have no desire to do that. I would prefer to just purchase a car that I am going to keep. Also, the hassle of buying a beater for 2 months and all the registration mess that goes with that is not appealing either.

If it turns out the price is too high, the Prius will get ruled out anyway but everything is cloaked in secrecy. (The pricing and when it will be available. )

I even thought of renting a car for a month but that is really $$$$. I'll figure something out I guess.

 

06prius: does your lease company offer the option to lease your vehicle for a couple more months? honda is offering me the option to extend my lease from 1 to 24 extra months, and i would have the same payment and pay only sales tax on the payment amount for those extra months. it's worth asking about...