I don't think the LED headlights make much of a difference at all, maybe even slightly less vision with them, but they take up a smidge less battery. They look a bit cooler though. The thing I got my V for was the radar adaptive cruise control and the other safety features tied to it. And after having it for a few months, I like the radar cruise control even more and I wouldn't want to do without it! I drive a lot on rural highways and it has cut my frustration level WAY down. That's worth the $6K by itself to me.
The Prius Team is on the record in saying that all the trims have the same European-tuned suspension. The rumor that the V has "unique" suspension was started by Thai based on the finding that they have different part numbers, but there's no evidence that they are actually better or different other than part numbers. The V's EPS does have brushless motor that allows the tighter ratio though. The Prius Team mentioned a plan to re-configure the lower trims (II-IV) to have this tigher ratio but Toyota scraped this plan last year.
Thank you for that 32k .. Now i understand =). So i guess my options are see if the dealership i contact will be willing to try and get me a Prius V with no Nav just so i can get my LED headlights or i get the IV without nav and get myself some rims, fog lights, and nav. I just really wish they would offer LED On the lower models. I hate how they force you to get extra stuff that has nothing to do with other things. Like the Lexus CT 200H. you need to get some retarded stuff to get LED head lights and leather seats -_-.
I hear ya. My perfect package would be LED headlights and leather. That's the stuff you want OEM and warrantied. I can upgrade fogs (also OEM) and rims myself thank you very much.
The first time I tried it was on my test drive in slow go traffic on the freeway. Freeway traffic in California during rush hour or just about anytime except midnight to 5 AM is frustrating. To have the cruise slow down for traffic and then speed back up again is amazing and takes a lot of the stress out of the commute. The cruise ends up doing all the P&G for you. I am getting 52-55 mpg avg. in my first few weeks of ownership.
It's not released yet in EU - in Germany will be released in "March/April 2011".... If the price difference is substantial, as I expect, but offers a totally different level of comfort and same FE, it is worth considering, but certainly would not do any good to the overall TCO. IT would simply look better, but cost more. If the difference instead is "contained" (e.g. <3k€) for a similar level or better equipment (Lexus does not sell much at all in EU, especially in Germany...you know, land of BMW, Audi and Mercedes...), it would get way more attention from me, if I had to buy a car right now. I will surely go to test drive it, to compare the experience with the Prius, since they share the exact same drivetrain, although it is said that the management of the drivetrain is somehow, someway, different.... (???)
Regarding the CT200...just from one preview at one site(truthaboutcars) two things jumped out and I quit reading: "When you open the door another word quickly leaps to mind: ‘tight’. This is the tightest vehicle I have experienced since the RX-8." and "Well, acceleration is marginal at best, with sixty arriving in the mid-9’s, and and the chassis is taut to the extreme. You feel every one of the road’s imperfections." Bummer.
You can put all the leather, wheels, technology, plushness, and even an 'L' on the grill, but it still doesn't change the base car .... the CT200 is around a $20K (OK, maybe $22K ) car .... same as a Prius ... Lexus pricing it at $40K loaded is laughable .... even $30K 'unloaded', is laughable ... there's about 100 cars that are far better than a hybrid Matrix with 'quasi-hybrid' MPG at those prices .... throw a dart at any consumer reports and you'll hit one. The Hyundai Elantra comes to mind for about $18K, and 40MPG highway. Are people crazy ... or what ??? I absolutely LOVE my Prius, but I'm realistic enough to know what it is I'm sitting in .... and it sure aint no $30-35K car. REV
Even Car & Driver said they would take a Prius over the CT ... If $300 worth of Ballistic Sound Suppression material makes it as quite as the Lexus then all your really getting is the emblem.
and a much smaller, far more expensive car that gets 20% less mileage .... sounds like the deal of the century ... I think I'll run right over to my Lexus dealer now. REV
Short answer to title question: to tick off gearheads. Seriously, someone who borrows to buy another new car before their last one is paid for is clearly not concerned about minimizing expenses. If they wanted a luxury car that's what they should have bought.
Absolutely !!! I have no idea how people think these cars are somehow 'luxury cars' or even remotely approach 'luxury car' levels. They're ECONOMY cars. Paying an exhorbitant price for something does not make it something else ... REV
If I were buying one today I would agree. Prior to 2005 I would say it was the GS. I put 240k miles on my GS and then passed it on to my Daughter who is still driving it. Never a problem other than the usual wear and tear. I loved that car. My next car would have been an IS but Lexus wouldn’t budge on financing so I went for my first BMW at 0.9%. Was never as happy with it as the Lexus. Traded it for my Prius.
Mmmm nice story....Lexuses are very reliable and compared to a Toyota, are manufactured with phenomenal detail and precision. But in terms of actual performance, many Lexuses, I'm afraid, are nothing more than glamourized Camry V6s. The CT200h propels Lexus' unfavorable reputation that their cars are expensive Toyotas (Prius in this case). This is where the IS350/F actually stands out. Not only does Toyota not have an analogous car in its lineup, but the IS350/F is purely peformance based. The LFA is a whole nother beast which I would rather not get into. Actually I would love to get into an LFA.
Sorry! I didn't know you were talking about the "F". I thought we were talking about great performance not OUTSTANDING!
A Prius is a Prius. I think the CT will appeal to some one who have to have a Lexus. I think the Lexus customer service may be superior..(apparently you get lattes at their service). But personally you can't beat the Prius brand and Prius will have its strong followers..
