Which to buy?

I haven't driven a Touring edition, but I do not recommend getting a car without VSC, which is one of the most important safety features you can have on a car. Given that, I understand that the Touring edition is not that much more than a regular model equipped with VSC. It is rare to come across someone who regrets getting more options on their car--unless they simply can't (or shouldn't) afford it. If the Touring edition is well within your affordability range, go for it!

 

I agree, the traction control, VSC, and air bags all around are items that I would consider necessary. Anything else is gravy. I believe the touring edition has larger wheels and a larger air foil on the rear hatch window. Other than that, I don't know of any differences. The larger wheels probably do make a difference in handling, but you would probably have to drive each, one right after the other, to be able to tell the difference and know which you like better.

Good luck with the choices!! Either way, you probably can't go wrong.... :lol: By the way, how many miles do you have on the '01??? and does it still get good mileage??

 

good to hear they are lasting that long. Makes me feel good that I am financing mine instead of leasing it

 

I would have gotten the touring if I could have. At only a few hundred dollars difference the wheels and upgraded suspension are worth it.
I don't know about VSC. My car doesn't have it and I have never owned a car that has it so I can't comment on it's neccesity. Maybe in the snow and ice it would be a good feature. Here in California I can do without.

 

I have the Touring and currently have 6,500 miles on it so far (majority from the road trips to Houston and back) and I like the way it handles. The suspension does pretty well and to me it handles nicely, especially in the snow and ice. Where my Olds I would be a little nervous because the car would fishtail at times and has no ABS whatsoever the Prius keeps it straight and doesnt slide off anywhere.

And, the Touring has the Bridgestone tires standard with the 3 years Platnium warranty so at least you dont have to worry about the lame Integrities.

I believe the Touring is well worth it.

 

I drove a 2004 Prius, Package 8 for over two years which I traded in November for a 2007 Touring Edition, Pkg 6 [loaded].

When I compared like 'packages' on the 'standard' and 'Touring Edition,' there was only $270 difference. The HID headlights, improved suspension, 16" wheels and better tires were well worth that to me. The suspension has a better 'feel' - more toward the 'European' than mushy 'American' - and compared to the 2007 'standard,' the ride was a little firmer, felt better overall. With only ~1,600 miles on the clock, it's too soon to compare MPGs, although I'd expect them to be a bit less than I achieved on the 2004 due to the tires - time will tell on the MPG count. In any event, I will not expect best MPGs until over 5,000 miles on the clock - perhaps even 10,000 - that's the way it was on my 2004 Prius. I tried the wheels with and without the 'covers' and preferred the covers look.

Although an Internet Salesman assured me that all leather was 'port installed,' I asked him to take a look at the specifications on the pkg 5 compared to the pkg 6. He learned the difference. We felt the factory leather would be a better fit and didn't care for the feel of the pkg 5 'port installed' with the "Liquicell" pads under the leather - wife said it felt lumpy. The pkg 5 also does not include the leather-wrapped steering wheel.

The $270 difference I mentioned was based on the 'loaded' for both standard and touring. Due in part to the HID headlights, that difference is greater when you analyze pkg 4 or less. Bottom line: The Touring Edition was worth the difference to me.

 

Yes, I agree, though I don't have Nav and Leather, I do have the otherwise fully loaded Touring. It has all the other gadgets and features that Prius has coming to it. The price difference, when you consider that it has all these features, was insignificant. The important thing is the way it handles, which I like very much and prefer over the non touring model.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(walkinghat @ Feb 1 2007, 09:44 AM) [snapback]383909[/snapback]</div>

Color. We must have color.

 

And you'll find that the Touring works just fine in snow and ice conditions even with the wider tires - or maybe you'd rather not find that out living in Florida.
Grey 07 w/ 4,000 miles - now getting 33mpg w/ ambient temps in single digits.