I found a 2007 Touring Base for sale and wondered if I should steer clear of the Touring. I've read that the 16" wheels and larger rear spoiler have a negative effect on MPGs. I've also read that the HIDs can be problematic. The car has 86,000 miles and the private seller won't budge below $10,490. This feels high to me, especially if a Touring model is not going to get as good MPGs as a non-Touring model. This will be my first Prius. I've done a lot of research and reading PC threads but welcome more thoughts on buying a Touring model and if the price on the one I found is too high. I look forward to getting a Prius and contributing to PC in the (hopefully) very near future. Any and all thoughts and advice are welcomed. Thanks in advance.
Is it a for sure "Touring" model? Many are advertised as a touring model but are not. Even so, I would not pay extra for the touring model and I personally would try to avoid it because of the mpg hit. The only way I'd buy a Touring model would be if I got a serious deal on it.
It comes down the personal preference, the mpg difference won't be that big. If this is your first Prius, it won't matter either way as you won't know the difference...... If you can find a regular Prius that's cheaper, then go for that. If this touring model is the same as other regular Prius's prices, you should get the higher end model for your money.
I agree that there's probably no reason to steer clear of the Touring. Many prefer the handling of the Touring, due to its chassis stiffening brace and different struts. They usually average just slightly less MPG, but not enough of a difference to avoid them. The HID headlamps due tend to be less reliable than the non-HIDs, but many non-Touring Prii also have HIDs (they're packaged with the round fog lights in the lower bumper valence, for easy identification).
I did slide under the back of the car to confirm it is a real Touring model. I think the only reason I am considering it is that it is the only Prius in my area with less than 100K on it. But, I tend to agree with you, usnavystgc, I think I'll keep looking. Thanks for the input.
If you consider cars with 120k-150k miles you can save big money and it's pretty hard to wear one of these out. Taxi companies have been trying for years.
So, I decided against this Touring Prius. Wasn't a fan of the more expensive 16" tires, possibly fewer MPGs, low level of options and it was way over priced. Instead, I found a 2005 Prius with Package #6 and only 67k on the clock. Excellent condition and always garaged. Really glad I found the car I found. Now.....time to learn about these cars and hyper-miling techniques. Looks like I am in the right place!
Don't really want to throw numbers around publicly, but I did get it at or under KBB, NADA and Edmunds TMV. The private seller was very fair on price, honest and professional. All the stars aligned on this car - even found the color combo of my choice.
Congrats! It's kind of fun to look at the original product brochures. ToyotaReference has them (on the right, below the color chart--click on the year and then the red, "view" button below). Toyota Prius Touchup Paint Codes, Image Galleries, Brochure and TV Commercial Archives
Thanks for the reference link, tanglefoot. Very cool archive of information. I dig this kind of stuff. A lot. I have stacks of car brochures I collected as a kid (way back before the internet....).
