One thing I've been amused at since owning my Prius for a year, is that most seem to think it's really important that everyone know what trim option they have. I know for some things it might be important, particularly the stuff shown in the center screen. But it does seem very elitist, and silly given the lack of real luxury items in the Prius.
We frequently cannot answer any Audio, MFD, GPS, lighting, seating, or wheel/tire questions without knowing which trim level the Poster's v is. But yes, many parts of the car are the same. (just wait until they ask very location specific questions without any hint of their location)
I don't really sense anything elitist in people advertising or sharing their respective trim levels. Hey, I'll be totally honest. No surprise. I purchased a Prius Two because it was the cheapest trim level. Lowest priced buy in..new. And I especially thought it was a good deal, if only because the differences in what you get from trim level to trim level in a Prius are pretty minimal. In other words, I think a Prius Two compared to most other vehicles IS very well equipped. My Prius Two was equally equipped to my outgoing Honda Fit Sport...which I paid more for things as basic as keyless entry. Honda made me pay extra, just to get a center console. But higher trim levels? More power to you. I think I'd like the sunroof. I just couldn't justify the expense to jump up and get it. Most everything else up the ladder? Well perhaps my tastes are Spartan. I really felt I could rather easily get along nicely with my "Bare Bones" Prius. But that being said, advertising or sharing that you have a Prius of whatever trim level, I think is just a necessary function of smoother communication. PS. Out in the "real world" I just say I own a Prius. Nobody has ever countered by asking me what trim level.
Here, it's a Prius v Five, the Five serving primarily as a data point that assists equipment identification and troubleshooting. Away from here, it's a Prius v, or in some cases just a Prius.
There's no pecking order in the Prius world. A Prius is a Prius, regardless of generation, model, or trim level. When asked what you drive, and you reply, a Prius, that's says it all. Very few things in life can be answered with a one word answer. When you signed up for PriusChat, under personal details, your vehicle year and model are required entries. As JimboPalmer stated, it helps in answering post.
I guess you've all given me great perspectives. And you're right, Prius is an easy one-word answer. I've only had to tell one person that I left my extension cord at home
I do not know..... Prius drivers being elitist???? I've read posts in the pip sub-forum suggesting that we plebeian non-pip owners should stay the heck out of 'their' forum.... I've gotten the same vibe in the C-type world. Interestingly enough, the station wagon (v) owners usually just consider themselves as driving a........Prius. Well.....except for some of the more elitist "fives." Out in the real world? A Prius is a Prius. I don't like buying yesterday's technology at tomorrow's prices, or being told that pleather is "soft-tex leather" (the automotive equivalent of Chilean Sea Bass) so if I ever get to be a Prius owner instead of just a Prius driver? I'll be a "two" with a paid for vehicle and money in the bank.
I would think you Fives would want your own forum. The quick extra $3 grand didn't hurt, hey, it's a Five! But then you needed to get warned about other traffic, maybe opt for a hole in your rook with a fan for five grand, and still have a crappy stereo. Who knows, maybe those fake leather seats will impress the casual Kia owner. But, you'd have your very own forum. All tongue in cheek razzing away guys
Is this where we want a Prius that goes all the way to Six? (actually I want a Four, that has 3 door SKS but no leather and 16 inch wheels)
[/QUOTE]This is so something a "two" would say.[/QUOTE] Elitist! Now if you'll excuse me, Wal-Mart is having a sale on retro-vintage T-Shirts.
Absolutely a Six is necessary. The Six would be a $1,850 upgrade, which adds tire pressure readings for all tires, and rear speakers that rear seat passengers can hear. All Six models will have a TPRSYCH badge on both side fenders, and a badge on the rear as well. Another nice touch will be a rear bumper appliqué that says SIX in bold lettering.
My 2005 is a package 6 - the top of the line & I absolutely love it. Let me count the ways... JBL sound system - It's got 7 speakers (or is it 9?) and it sounds terrible. I replaced the head unit with an aftermarket radio & a TYTO-01 adapter (to make it work with the amplifier) and it still sounds terrible. Before the summer is over, I plan to install a pair of front door speakers and wire them directly to my stereo (thereby going around the JBL amplifier). This will cost no more than $50, and I expect that the sound will be much improved. The amplifier and remaining speakers will be orphaned. Navigation - Seems OK, but since I am routing the audio through the TYTO-01 adapter, it has no sound. I use a $100 Nuvi instead. Once I replace the front speakers and route the sound (to the other speakers) back the normal way, the sound will come back, but I will probably just continue to use the Nuvi (we're talking 2011 technology vs. 2005 technology). Bluetooth - It's so cool! I start the car, and about 45 seconds later, the MFD tells me "Bluetooth Connection Failed". It probably works fine (I never bothered to set it up), but I use a ~$15 bluetooth headset instead. I have the phone attached to a stand on the dash, so I can talk hands-free with either my headset or the phone's speakerphone feature. I don't see much advantage in syncing my phonebook to the car and using the car's built in speakerphone. Fog lights - Never used them a single time (there's not much fog around here), but they look nice! Alarm - I can't even be sarcastic about this one, as I hate car alarms; nothing more than a noise disturbance that everyone ignores. Obviously, it is well worth it to pay an extra _____ (fill in the blank) thousands of dollars for these wonderful features. But I bought my car used, so it wasn't me that made this wise decision (I cannot take the credit for the wisdom of another). In all seriousness, I do love the car, but is has nothing to do with the options package.
