advice needed buy now or wait for 2006's

From what I understand, there may or may not be some structural (stability and soundproofing) changes to the 06... I was never able to find a source stating that it would actually be done here in the US. However, prices are going up by about $300 soon. I don't know about availability of the 06 toward the end of the year, and the way it's going the tax deduction will be dropping substantially for hybrids purchased in 2006...

But if you are sure you could get an 06 by the end of the year, why not go for it? I would.

There are mixed reviews of the NAV system out there. We went without and get along just fine. Some complain of GPS trouble and some will not drive without NAV... so it's personal choice I think.

I'd say go with the Prius if you're looking for a nice commuter car to get around town, with capacity to carry a LOT of stuff if need be. The Escape sounds nice.. but it is bigger and any SUV just wasn't my style. But I bet it would hold more stuff. (for the record though, with seats folded down I fit both our trail bikes in our Pri)

And lastly. $3500 for leather and sunroof? Sounds kinda pricey to me. But I'm no sunroof expert...

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DRT\";p=\"106426)</div>

Well if leather and a sunroof is what you want (and its available on the 06s) then you probably should wait. Otherwise when Nov does roll around you'll end up regretting it.

I pretty much got what I wanted in my car so Im happy with it.

Honestly, if my commute was only 15 miles round trip I dont think I would have started to think about a Prius. My commute is much longer so owning a Prius was almost a necessity.

I went with the Prius over the other Hybrids (escape, insight, civic and highlander) for the simple fact that it gave the best MPGs.

The insight never even crossed my mind. Too small of a car.
The civic isnt a ful hybrid, its pretty plain, and doesnt get as good of MPG as the Prius.

I didnt want an escape because I didnt need nor want a small mini SUV. Ive looked at the regular Escapes and they arent that big. I'd actually be surprised if they had much more cargo room than the Prius.

The hilander was out of question because I didn tknow about them until I went to the dealership. Yeah its nice and gets great gas mileage for a mini-suv but it wasnt what I was after. I wanted the Best gas mileage possible while still in a good car. The Prius is surprisingly roomy and the body styling has grown a lot on me.

Anyways good luck with your decision!

rene

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DRT\";p=\"106426)</div>

Hey, I used to drive a '96 Saturn SC2. Mine had less than 50,000 miles on it. My nephew has it now. Nice to know he'll probably be able to put another 100,000 miles on it.

Do you really want leather seats? My Saturn had leather seats and now I'm not so sure I want them back. Cold in the winter and blistering, burning hot in the summer. Plus the maintenance. And do you absolutely have to have a sunroof? The roof of a Prius is specially designed to be aerodynamic and I don't see how they can install a sunroof without impacting the mpg. Unless you don't care.

Do you want the Nav? Some people really find it convenient. Plus the bluetooth if you have a cell phone.

Just because this car is available now doesn't make it that great a deal if it has extra stuff (at a $3500 price markup) that you don't necessarily want and doesn't have stuff you do want.

They aren't *that* scarce.

As for the 2006 issue...if you like the Tideland Pearl (gray/green) color then buy a 2005 as they're doing away with that color. I think they are also discontinueing the Salsa Red if you like that. As for the rest....I don't think that changes are all that noticeable. My car is plenty stiff and solid and it's a lot quieter than my Saturn so the little tweaking they're doing for the 2006 isn't that big a deal to me.

Also consider this. If you wait for a 2006 and you don't get it before Dec. 31 you miss out on the $2000 tax thing. It drops to $500 in 2006.

Take a test drive and read up on all of the packages so you get the color and package you want, instead of paying a premium for what's available.

Above all....patience.

 

The 2006 is coming out about Thanksgiving. There will be a leather seat option (not aftermarket). There will be no Salsa (now like the red of the Lexus GS300), or Tideland (changing to the Silver Pine of the Avalon). The Silver color is changing also (new one like like Flint Mica).

Only other change is supposed to be some appearance changes in the front -like bumper.

This is from a very very connected Prius oriented dealer.

 

I would test drive both the Prius and the Escape hybrid. I HATED the Escape - it had absolutely no pick-up. At the first tiny hill, I realized that I could never own that car. (I commute across a mountain 2 days a week). On the other hand, the Prius has lots of pick up and is fun to drive. I also had a local Ford dealer tell me that they were not even going to sell the Escape Hybid becuase it was an "underpowered useless car" in the hilly,rural area where I live. I might challenge the useless as I get the best mileage out of my Prius on rural roads- but the underpowered is definitely true.
The other advantage for me for the Prius is that the ICE does not have to be on to run the A/C - in the Esacpe the ICE runs non-stop if you want A/C - given that I have been known to use the A/C in the winter, this wasn't what I wanted.
I also have two co-workers with conventional Escapes and they live up to their "Fix or Repair Daily" reputation.

 

Keep in mind that if your commute is only 7.5 miles each way you are not going to be getting 50+ mpg - aside from that you won't go wrong with either an 05 or 06. Maybe wait for the 06 and then buy a leftover (if there are any) 05 at a slight discount - you never know.

 

Have a Driftwood Pearl #6 2005. Love it. Find the nav useful and fun to play with. You can probably find one quickly if you look around. There was a long waiting list locally so I went 50 mi. away and they were able to find me one in a couple of hours. Had it delivered the next day.

Other advice here on the 2006 model and the 2005 rebate is good. Like the headroom (I am 6 ft.) and wouldn't trade it (and decreased mpg) for a sunroof. Had one before and really don't need one now.

Just be sure to drive one before buying to make sure you really like the car. Drive it as much as possible.

 

Well, I don't know for sure if the 06 rius will be made in China or not...





My 05 Prius is Made in Japan. If this means something to you, may be you should considering buying one now. :roll: (No political motivation intended here.)

 

Hey DRT,

Just a little FYI. The leather is available in the Southeast. I got an '05 Silver with leather at MSRP. I don't know if it is an option for you, but you might consider looking into some of the Southeast dealers. I got mine at Cobb County Toyota in Kennesaw, Georgia. Great people. Hope this helps some. By the way, I love the leather. For me it is less maintenance than the cloth. Just my humble opinion.

Dan

 

I had exactly same dillema. I wanted the '06 really badly and was willing to wait and until the end of the year. Then I really thought about it and purchased '05. BTW I am picking it up tomorrow.
You don't know if you are going to get '06 right away when they come out so if you don't make it this year, you can't claim the $2000 deduction. I am going to enjoy the car now and instead of waiting until who knows when. '06 is not supposed to have that huge of a change to make it worthwile for me. And you don't know if the '06 will have al thise things you want anyway. So, I would go for '05 and be happy.

 

I think it is a mater of timing and dollars.

I ordered my Silver #6 4 months ago. It will be here next week. Of course I could pass and wait till the 06s to arrive. I would still be at the top of the list.

Because of the certification process for autos here in the US I don’t think you will see any major changes. Colors and maybe more options, power seat, leather and maybe a better high end stereo. I doubt a sunroof will be an option as that would go against MPG.

Dollar wise you might get the $2000 deduction of you put the car in service in 05 AND Toyota does the IRS paperwork for the 06. Otherwise the deduction will go down to $500.

Also, Toyota might hike the prices another 3% for the 06s with the idea that this will some how help GM. (Maybe GM should consider selling a Prius clone like they do the Vibe (Matrix).

If you can find a 05 now take it. Otherwise order it and wait for the 06s. Once you get on the waiting list it will just be a matter of timing. By mid August we should know more about the 06s.
-Lee

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bandgeek\";p=\"106526)</div>

But DRT wrote:

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DRT\";p=\"106426)</div>

The leather option in the Southeast is installed by the distributor and is NOT a factory installation.

 

I was told that no leather is available as an option on a prius from the factory. It is a marketing decision at toyota not to offend the sensibilities of potential "green" buyers.
I had leather installed and I like it very much but it was pricy, almost 2000$, so leather and sunroof for 3500 sounds about right.
-Paul R. Haller-

 

Excellent! I'll be curious to see what color you choose, when the colors are finalized. As you point out, I haven't seen anything definite about Flint Mica yet (i.e., announcements from Toyota.)

 

Nobody knows anything about the 2006 Prius.