Thinking about pulling the trigger in Big D

http://www.toyota.com/prius/options.html

Looks like Pkg #3 is the lowest pkg with Bluetooth ... no HID headlights.

Pkg #4 adds HID

Pkg #5 adds Nav

Pkg #6 adds Leather

I'm a newbie, but I think it's rare to find Pkg #3 and Pkg #4 out there ... Toyota likes to send them out with more things on them so you're obligated to spend more than you'd like to and get things you otherwise wouldn't ....

 

A little bit tighter suspension I believe ...

If you scroll down the link I posted, the Touring Pkgs are below the standard pkgs ...

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Hostage46 @ Apr 14 2007, 07:20 PM) [snapback]423406[/snapback]</div>

Dan,

If you want to fly to Tulsa, I suggest that you check Jim Norton Toyota. They have 21 Prius automobiles listed on their site today. We bought our 07 model from them a couple of months ago. It is the second car we have bought from them in the past two years. The salesman we bought both cars from is Rob Loethen. He is very knowledgeable and not at all "high pressure". You can check their inventory and contact them from their website. http://www.jimnortontoyota.com

Some of the cars have leather option. The one we got has cloth, we prefer that over leather.

Good Hunting,

Warren

 

Go for the touring model. the 04 you drove has a shitty suspension. Sure.. it works. the 04 is like a corolla compared to the touring which i could describe as a Camry feel to the suspension.

At the same price you can pick up a Camry hybrid ( fully loaded prius - touring )

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Husker4theSpurs @ Apr 14 2007, 08:29 PM) [snapback]423410[/snapback]</div>

That's right, I just picked up the Package 3 Prius. I absolutely love the bluetooth integration. I now handle a fair amount of business calls from the car with ease. I was like Dan, the one extra I had to have was the bluetooth.

 

To the OP, I'm not sure it makes much economic sense to dump your (already pretty economical and very new) Civic and get a Prius. You should run the #s and see how much you can realistically get for either a trade in or private party sale and compare it to the gas savings. Don't forget to factor in the $787.50 tax credit, if you aren't subject to AMT. If you can get a Civic Hybrid cheap (even though I feel it's inferior in many ways), it might be a better deal, esp. since it still qualifies for a $2100 tax credit per http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=157557,00.html.

FWIW, per http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/calculatorC...=1&id=21736, the old EPA ratings (I assume you have an automatic) on the 06 Civic were 30/40, 34 combined, and under the new method it's 26/36, 30 combined.

You can look up the value for the 07 Prius at http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/calculatorS...amp;model=Prius.

Since you had some mileage expectations, perhaps you don't know about the EPA test procedure. You can see a summary at http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/how_tested.shtml and http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/fe_test_schedules.shtml.

Without knowing too much about your commute and driving habits, I'd realistically expect somewhere between 40 mpg and 50 mpg, possibly into the mid to low 50s overall. Much beyond that IMHO is difficult unless you keep your speed down (below 70 mph) and your route is conducive to pulse and glide. The Prius' gas tank isn't very big either, BTW. Due to the "guess gauge", you should get gas ASAP when you are down to 1 pip, which means you'll likely put 9.xxx to maybe 11 gallons in at most.

Here's another FYI for you http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/bu...s-206/index.htm.

 

I'm also in Dallas, averaging 45mpg after 4500 miles.
Only 42mpg this week, it was better 10 days ago when it was warm

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Hostage46 @ Apr 14 2007, 10:04 PM) [snapback]423497[/snapback]</div>

Although Hondas apparently hold their value very well, KBB IMHO generally seems a bit on the high side. I'd look at what Edmunds says too for private party value. 15K miles for a 6 month old car is a lot IMHO and will in turn reduce the value of the car.

Again, w/o knowing much about your commute and habits, I'd factor in a predicted mileage of low to mid 40s, to be on the safe side. To expect a lifetime avg. in the low 50s is tough, at least for me here in CA w/our special blends of gas, w/my route and the usual speeds I travel. My lifetime avg. is ~45.5 mpg per my calculations.

 

Hi Hostage46

You're definitely in a better "buy" situation regarding a Prius than you would have been last year.

Have you logged on to Toyota.com and checked inventory of North Texas dealers? You can probably find which dealers have the Package 3 you seem to be seeking. Try: 'Toyota.com' - Locate a Dealer - ZIP Code - Select a Dealer - Find It Fast - Build Your Toyota - Prius - on from there.

I kept track of dealer inventory and "available" {on the way} last November to be aware of what equipment, colors, etc. were in stock or in transit. I did shop the deal with 4 dealers in the Dallas area and made sure all knew I was shopping by having the salesperson's business cards visible on my legal pad. I was willing to walk out, just say "no" to the overall deal - and did just that. The successful dealer called me back and I made a good deal at that time. Due to the Texas sales price tax on a new car (6¼% of total price or 'difference' when trading), I chose to trade rather than sell my 2004 on the street. My '04 was low mileage, no damage, fully equipped and immaculate. I bought from Roland Crenshaw, Internet Manager, Cowbly Toyota, Dallas. I choose to have maintenance done at Toyota of Richardson who maintained my 2004 Prius.

I bought the Touring Edition Package 6, trading my 2004 Package 8 Prius. I liked the 16" wheels, Bridgestone Turanza tires, firmer suspension, HID headlights, Backup Camera and factory leather trim which included the leather steering wheel and avoided the port-installed leather "Liquicell Comfort" pads under the leather - felt lumpy to us. I'm getting 42-45 MPG "around town" (Dallas) and 50-52 MPG straight freeway driving at 60-70 MPH, after 3,000 miles on the clock. I expect the MPG to increase with more miles on the odometer. This is with Toyota-recommended tire pressures of 35 psi front/33 psi rear - didn't like the 'feel' of higher pressures I had used on my 2004 Prius.

Good luck on your negotiations.

 

I bought mine entirely by phone, fax, and email. Have them bid on your desired package, then see whether the seller you like best will give you the best deal.

I did not buy from them (they were the runner up) but I have my service done at Toyota of Richardson.