Can't get the package I want.

Wow!.. to me that says tons!... Its one thing to accidently build something bad during an upgrade, its quite another to have that problem globally and still not deal with it!

That tells me they just don't care, or they just don't see it as a problem...

 

I test drove both an 06 HCH and a friends 04 Prius. I found that the 06 HCH had better steering, and the suspension was MUCH "tighter" than the 04 Prius. To me, the driving feel was analogous to a minivan and a "decent" Japanese sports coupe. The 04 Prius being the minivan.

With all that said, I still have a deposit down for a 06 Prius due mainly for the gadgetry, but NOT because it drives better than the 06 HCH. However, if your definition of "fun" is viewing the various displays on the MFD, playing with SKS, using the HID's, having heated side mirrors, engaging VSC, etc., then, yes, the 06 Prius is more "fun" than the 06 HCH. However, if your definition of fun is precise stearing, tighter suspension, and overall better road "feel", then the 06 HCH is MUCH more fun.

 

I haven't been inside of an '04 Prius, but neither the '05 Prius nor the '06 Prius felt like a minivan to me. And the '06 HCH didn't feel anything like a Japanese sports coupe to me. To each their own on comparisons. It all depends on your reference points, IMO. I've driven mostly economy cars (Chevette, Colt, Corolla) with what I call a fake sports car thrown in for a short time ('86 Daytona) and a variety of friends and relatives cars of all types over the years.

As for 'fun', I wasn't referring to any of your definitions above, except maybe the displays. But I think of those more as educational rather than 'fun'. IMO, the diagram showing how the car is running (ICE vs electric...braking and battery charging, etc) helps the driver (and passengers) learn about the vehicle and increase the likelihood of improving the performance. Granted, performance means different things to different people. I'm only into cars as a means of transportation, not to be fast or impress my friends. I don't even like to drive all that much.

In any case, the '06 HCH felt pretty much like a newer version of my '95 Corolla to me. Right or wrong, it felt safe and reliable and boring and practical. The seats seemed a little more comfortable than I was expecting, but that is about it. I liked it and would have been fine buying it for the hybrid technology in a new vehicle, but it didn't "grab" me and say "YES! I want to buy this NOW!"

On the other hand, driving the '06 Prius actually felt fun, which is definitely not a normal reaction for me while driving. When I was driving, I wasn't looking at the displays. I didn't even like looking at the display while backing up with the rear camera. I'm sure I'll get used to it eventually, but it was just plain awkward that first time. I even put the 'key' in the slot even though I knew you don't have to. I'll also get used to that. I cannot really put my finger on what precisely defines it as "fun" for me, but it was that indeed. FUN! Priuses are nothing special around here, IMO, since I see them everywhere I go so it isn't the 'rare' factor. Maybe just because it doesn't feel as safe and predictable and boring as my current very reliable car does. It felt different and more exciting. Maybe because it will provide our family with a more suitable replacement for my Corolla with more flexibility (commuting, road trips, camping, etc). Maybe because the hybrid technology seemed more apparent to me in this car versus the HCH and I am buying a new hybrid for its hybrid technology. The seats were not as comfortable as the HCH, but I didn't find them uncomfortable. Just more typical economy seats. All I know is both my husband and I were ready to buy the exact one we test drove right then (which was only a few hours after we test drove the HCH). We held off for the tax credit (less than a month time difference between test drive and tax credit going into effect) and because I wanted a more exciting color than the driftwood pearl that we drove. DH preferred the driftwood pearl, so it is currently our second choice until I can show him the other colors and convince him to go wild! LOL

 

It could also be a matter of what your used to...... I got used to my Jeep Grand Cherekee's suspension... I even put on one level stiffer shocks for smooth rides on gravel roads and still my son and my wife says it feels like a boat!
Its very smooth and graceful around corners and I don't feel every little road bump that thier cars do.
They are use to feeling the road alot more..... that gives them the feeling of more responsiveness and control.... but to me it feels like a roller skate without adequate suspension.

I have very accurate control and feel for the road in my jeep, yet they disagree when they drive it.

Its definately a matter of taste and comfort zone.

As long as nothing is loose and its consistent in its responsiveness..it should be just a matter of getting used to it.

 

True, Daniel! One of my beefs with the HCH is the dash and tach. That tach is such a boner -- why have it? It's the "Optigrab" pulling your eyes down. And to check RPMs on a hybrid? That thing should be reworked into an MFD that can be toggled from the steering wheel. Another BIG oversight from the designers -- trendy looking dash and interior mated to a plain Jane exterior. Bad choice!! It's inconsistent design that will, I believe, drive some folks away without their knowing why.

 

Jack,

Actually, thanks to this web site I know exactly how much profit the dealer makes on each 2005 package. Kiloran (thanks Kiloran) did up a nifty excel worksheet that shows exactly how much the dealer has to work with. Based upon the 2005 pkg #6 and accessories I would be interested in the dealer's profit is about $3500. The MSRP is about $27000. If the dealer offered it to me for $25,500 plus tax and tags I would seriously consider buying the 2005 and leave it sit in my garage until the snow has melted!

The only reason I hesitate to drive 50+ miles to buy in New Jersey is because I don't like driving home a brand new unfamiliar car on unfamiliar roads in (with my luck) a blinding snow storm. My preference is to take delivery in April. I know 50 miles does not sound like much, but, when it means finding my way through a major city to get to NJ it's not going to happen. The other problem is that I am not trading in my present car, so I have no one to take me that far to pick up a new car.

Springtime

 

I guess for me the fun of the Prius is knowing it has all that technology.

My previous car was a Civic (for 15 years), and before that a Jeep CJ-5 (for 12 years). The Civic had a manual 5-speed and felt "sporty" to me in that the steering was tight, compared to the Jeep, and it didn't feel like it was always about to roll over.

My first impression of the '04 Prius was that it felt more like an old man's car: A stick shift lets you feel like you are actually operating the car, but the Prius does everything itself, and the handling was not as tight. But since I am an old man, I decided I could live with both. And then, as above, the technology is fun. And once I installed the EV switch (the Costal Tech version) I had another toy to play with.

The Civic is, as mentioned above, boring, safe, and practical. The Prius, for me, is fun, safe, and practical, AND is a milestone in automotive technology.

 

Your welcome. Glad to see them being helpful!
2005 Model Year Prius Calculator, Excel Spreadsheet
2006 Model Year Prius Calculator, Excel Spreadsheet
It's possible you could arrange to rent a car you could leave at the dealership.
Many dealerships have relationships with rental companies.
Ask your salesdroid if this seems like a path that might work for you.

 

YES! Like what other folks mentioned the 04-06 Prius is "fun" to drive because its a different driving experience, not in the sports car sense. When I test drove my buddy's Prius, that was my first ever experience sitting and driving in Prius. He took a few minutes to explain to me how to start-up the vehicle and put it in gear. The feel of "gliding" with only the electric motor, and the way the ICE starts and stops was very novel. My wife has a large MFD in her RX330, so I was also already used to the MFD. The location of the "traditional" displays, speedometer, warning lights, etc., was a bit annoying on the Prius. I like the more traditional non-centered instrument cluster.

I do like the layout of the 06 Civic's cluster. I especially like the idea of smaller MFD's on the 06 Civic. The water temperature guage just right of the speedometer also doubles as an instantaneous MPG display, the displays toggle using a dash mounted button. However, I did feel that the "HUD" bump for the speedometer was a bit high and I did feel a little claustrophobic due to the higher than normal dash. The tachometer is useful readout too keep the ICE running at lower RPM to maximize MPG.

Bottomline, both cars are still "econo" boxes, and each one is "fun" to drive but for different reasons.

 

Good idea. Always thinking!

 

Good! We need to keep track of these rare dealers somewhere. Every year it comes up. Maybe we can pin up a thread that says "dealers who have traded packages with other regions". People would have to understand that it wouldn't necessarily happen all the time, as personnel/policies change.

 

A so-called "little thing", but BIG to me. When I drive my other car now, I really don't like changing my eye focus---or even the momentary loss of road vision---to look down at the speedo. Spoiled, spoiled, spoiled. But Toyota does things like that (not all equally felicitous), and they're often thoughtful. Same thing with the little indicator of which side you gas cap's on.