I have a 2005 Prius (Package #6) that I bought in July 2005. With the current financing promotion and tax credit, I'm considering buying a new Prius (Package #5). Even though the package numbers are different the feature sets are equivalent. With a new Prius I'd have a new car, a new warranty, rear view camera, auxiliary audio input, updated DVDs for navigation, and an improved interface for the display with a few new features. But I'd lose the override for the navigation system, as well as the cassette player (which I wouldn't need with an auxiliary audio input). When I figure the payments I have left on my current Prius, the payments I'd make on a new Prius, and the tax credit, I'd end up paying about $5,800 more if I bought a new Prius. Should I do it? Thanks Dave
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dvandelay @ Mar 11 2007, 12:24 PM) [snapback]403851[/snapback]</div> I wouldn't wait too long if you want to do it. Rising gas prices will probably push Prius prices back up again soon. We just traded up and are glad we did. We miss the nav override but enjoy the improved features and the higher resolution MFD really makes a difference. We had HOV stickers which we no longer needed so we sold the 04 ourselves and it only cost us $1800 plus taxes (don't forget to figure them in) to upgrade. We took advantage of the 0% 24mo financing so that helps as well. Also, we were going to need new tires soon so overall, it seemed like a good decision.
My calculations do take sales tax into account, but I have not figured in the maintenance costs. My understanding is the tax credit goes way down after the end of the month, so I will be making a decision very soon. Thanks, Dave
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Mar 11 2007, 12:42 PM) [snapback]403866[/snapback]</div> Me too, or at least the 2009.
I'm curious as to why you would want to trade in such a recent Prius for a new one. What does the 2007 have that your current 2005 doesn't have? Is your current car running ok? Is there something about it that drives you nuts that's fixed in the 2007 model? Is it really worth $5800 to trade up to what appears to be an equivalent package? Being from the "drive-the-car-into-the-ground" camp I would keep the 2005 if there wasn't anything wrong with it and it still fit the needs of you (and your family). YMMV of course.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dvandelay @ Mar 11 2007, 12:24 PM) [snapback]403851[/snapback]</div> To Reply to this message: Mailto [email protected] To View the WEB Page: http://www.fishers-landing.com Random Random's: http://fishers-landing.blogspot.com/
We just traded 05 pkg#1, plus 6 cd cghr for 07 pkg#2. Cost was $3400. plus T&L. We gained VSC, Smart Key, Seat air bags, Back-up camera and a car with no miles. If we would have kept the 05 we would've needed tires and had to make a decision re. extended warranty. We thought prices and financing were such that we also bought a second 07 pkg#2. We are in So.Calif. and the gas prices are VERY high--$3.17 yesterday. Unknown where you live --IF So. Cal. PM me and I'll gove you dealer info. Carl
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(moxiequz @ Mar 11 2007, 03:47 PM) [snapback]403874[/snapback]</div> I don't have any complaints with the current car and I detailed the differences in the original post. If it cost $100 more to get the new one I'm sure you would break the 'run it to the ground' tradition. I'm just asking for people's input on whether $5,800 is still worth upgrading. -Dave
I just got a 2007 #5 and love it. My wife got the 2005 and she loves it compared to her 2003 Sienna. I would advise you to get the 2007. Many subtle changes and improvements in the car, plus the Toyota incentive price is right! Of course, adding a few mods and changing the tires will boost the $5800 cost...
If you had the choice of the touring model ( i took my first ride yesterday) then i would say upgrade. I know that the 07 has a superior suspension system to the 04 and 05 models. The touring model has the best suspension of all.. *sigh*. I still don't get why they discontinued them. sorry.. off subject. You sid the price but you didn't list payments and terms. the curtain airbags give better results compared to the side impact bags. You will gain the camera, tire pressure monitor, and better LCD with a better Nav cd if that is equipped.
I am very happy with my 07 package #6. I may of waited to long missing the HOV sticker by a couple months and less of a tax break. I did get 3K off the sticker that helped make it a little bit more evan. Anyway I am very impressed with the car. I just wish there was a Lexus version if they picked up the touch points like double wish bone suspension front and rear, lether detail better sound system.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dvandelay @ Mar 11 2007, 03:24 PM) [snapback]403851[/snapback]</div> I did the exact "upgrade" just a month ago for all the reasons you've stated and am glad I did. You do lose the manually tapped out override, but there is still the speed wire interrupt, either physically or with coastaletech.com's LockPick 3 product which I have. If you were to upgrade the nav dvd you would lose it anyway, unless you made some frankenstein dvd on your own splicing together bits of your 2005 cd with the newer one. There's also the new voice command for address entries that I think is great. And don't forget the voice-dial capability, on-screen caller ID and the ability to manually enter and edit your phone book, all stuff your 2005 can't do. Also, the 2007 cd changer can handle MP3 and WMA cd's that the 2005 could not. I never used the cassette anyway, so that was no loss to me.
You also get Tire Pressure Monitoring, more accurate Fuel tank bladder system and high resolution 32k color MFD. It is not clear in here. I think you get better engine controls to speed up cold start up as well.
Update: I decided to make the purchase. We have two local dealers. I told them I was ready to buy and that I wasn't going to go back and forth between them. I asked them each to give me their best price and I would buy today from the one with the best offer. Their offers were within $100 of each other -- about $1,600 lower than the original quote. I ended up getting the Seaside Pearl with Package 5 for $25,558 plus tax. It will end up costing me $4,237 more than I would have spent had I kept my 2005 Prius. Thanks for everyone's input. -Dave
CONGRATULATION'S!! Don't forget that your resale also went up, (if you decided to sell it in the future).
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Prius Steve @ Mar 12 2007, 08:46 PM) [snapback]404507[/snapback]</div> Thanks. There are actually a bunch of other factors like that which made the decision even easier. -Dave
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dvandelay @ Mar 12 2007, 07:54 PM) [snapback]404485[/snapback]</div> Great! Just curious, what color 2005 do/did you have?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(AnOldHouse @ Mar 12 2007, 10:11 PM) [snapback]404541[/snapback]</div> The 2005 was silver. -Dave
