Although I don't necessarily disagree with this, it's kind of like so many other things in life: No one likes attorneys, until they need one. No one likes paying insurance, until they need it. So many people don't like police, until they need them. No one likes taxes, until they want to want to take their kid to a nice park or enroll in a nice school. No one likes politicians until.................ummmmm, ummmmm, ...chirp...chirp...all I hear is crickets...chirp etc
I had similar quandary, window-shopping Canadian Prius: Visual Tables of Gen4 Package Combinations | Page 17 | PriusChat The HomeLink mirror only comes in a top-end "technology advanced package", which also includes Softex seats (faux leather?) which I don't want, and nixes the spare tire, which is a total deal breaker for me. @Tideland Prius has commented, that you can get the homelink mirror put in, custom. It's even offered in PriusShop*, though that one says not compatible if the car has Toyota Safety Sense. *PriusShop has been missing deliveries lately. I would not consider it till problems are resolved.
Also note that Safety Connect and roadside assistance should be able to help you out for the first 3 years (no need to change the tire yourself on the busy highway). 3 years/36,000 miles if I'm not mistaken.
So it looks like it'll be the Prius. The Camry can wait until we replace the 4Runner. Now, the question becomes whether to go for the 2017 Three at the current discounted prices or to wait and see what changes the 2018 brings. So what are the chances of the following for 2018? 1) Toyota add the option of a temporary spare to the Four. (Do Fours, or their equivalent, in any other countries include a spare? Clearly not Canada but what about Europe or Oz?) 2) Toyota add the Homelink mirror to the Three. 3) Toyota add the powered driver's seat to the Three. I think that any of these is fairly unlikely. Usually refreshes just involve moving options from being part of a package to being standard along with minor price tweaks. Any bets on what 2018 might bring?
Typically the 3rd year brings a mid-life update in the Prius lineup (earlier than other models which do it on their 4th year) so there's a possibility that 2018 will bring some bigger changes. Hoping that 2018 brings Entune 3.0. The Prius is the hybrid leader, yes, but also a techie car. Some people won't care about Entune (2.x vs. 3.0) but at least the graphics will be more contemporary. And yes the usual shuffle of packages and standard features. Perhaps some new colours (either as an add-on or to replace current ones)
Have you considered a career as a diplomat, or even one of those so-called politicians? Aaa, I really like my Hypersonic Red and hope they don't change it for a green or orange finish!
I hope not. It's a nice unique colour. (They have canned Prius-specific colours before... basically the ones we've chosen lol - Tideland Pearl and Blue Ribbon Metallic)
Just to wrap this up... In the end a Three in the hand was worth a Four in the bush, or some such nonsense. This afternoon we traded our 2005 Prius for a 2017 Three and now start on the process of bringing ourselves up to date with all the technology. It's amazing how much it has advanced in the last 12+ years. Thanks to everyone who replied with their suggestions.
