Is package 5 worth the extra costs?

I've a package 5 (wow, you got quoted $900 less than I paid!) and I'm pretty happy with it. There are some minor annoyances I have with the navigation system, like the multiple names things get (SAFEWAY, SAFEWAY INC, etc -- on Honda's navigation system you can search for things beginning in SAFEWAY and sort by distance, but on this one I haven't figured out how), but in general it works quite well. The Bluetooth has been great, though voice dialing has been one gigantic pain in the anatomy.

 

Actually, I DECLINED the Package 5 in favor of the Package 6.

I much preferred the factory leather due to the port-leather "Liquicell Comfort" thin pads installed beneath the leather - felt LUMPY to us. You might want to Google "Liquicell," In addition, the "port" leather omitted the leather-wrapped steering wheel. The cost was the same and the factory leather was a perfect fit.

The only negative was about a 10-day wait for the Package 6 but I'm happy I waited.

My 2¢ worth.

 

This is a decision that you will have to make, since all of them are great packages. I have a 2006 package #7, which is everything but leather. I wasn't sure about the extra cost for the NAV system, but my wife and I would get the same package in a second if we had to do it all over again. We really like the integrated NAV. Garmin makes a better user interface, and Toyota has some irritating lock-outs that keep you from messing around too much under way, but having the NAV system integrated into the MFD and steering wheel controls is definitely worth it. That's my two cents: buy the NAV system.

Tom

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(lotto @ Apr 16 2007, 12:33 PM) [snapback]424160[/snapback]</div>

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Here is the approach I took in purchasing my Prius. First I went the COSTCO referral route. Then I did the test ride/drive. The sales person showed me the invoice on the car he demonstrated. I was impressed. The car had the # 6 package. We took to ignoring the windshield price,and the sticker price. The arrangement with COSTCO was set. I then had to decide if I wanted to tap into my moth eaten wallet and purchase the car or did I want to deplete the yet to be distributed pending inheritance of my heirs possible post passing windfall!.

While I was hemming & hawing, stroking my chin and grasping my wallet , I asked if the trunk, front and rear floor mats were included. There was an immediate response, yes, and I said draw up the papers, for a number 5 package, he asked if I was interested in the demo car with 43 miles on it and had the # 6 package at the same price of the #5 package, I responded, "yes" but I hated the color red! He asked if I was interested in the "0", na-da % financing I did a quick masterbatical calculation and concluded that was another 4.5% saving and then called my heirs and informed them their pending potential inheritance had just taken a "hit". If you are a conservative person and the money is from your wallet, go for the #5, if you feel the heirs need a "hit" got for the #6 and have them throw in the mats! I have over 5000 miles in less than 3 months on the car and have no complaints. I swapped my Chrysler Concord for the Prius and will state the Prius is a better car!

If this helps, I am pleased, if not, such is life.

 

I just bought a Red 2007 Package 5 myself (upgraded from a Tan 2005 Package 9), and I absolutely love it. I was adamant about getting the Nav system - it's awesome, and much better than the after-market solutions I've seen. I'd say it's very well worth it - you'd be getting an even better deal than I got!

 

WOW!! I paid $26,070 for my 2007 package 4. That was back in Nov 2006.
If I am not mistaken, package 5 comes with the anti-theft system that shuts down the car when the window glass is broken by a thief. I could be waay wrong on this, but if it's true, adding a Navigation + Anti theft for extra $1122 is worth it.

$1122 for Nav alone I think is not a bad deal, I would pick #5 with that price. You can always buy the portable gps, but it's no match with having on-dash Nav system that you have less worry of being stolen or inconveniently put on/off.

but that's just me.



<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(lotto @ Apr 16 2007, 02:33 PM) [snapback]424160[/snapback]</div>

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(lotto @ Apr 16 2007, 02:33 PM) [snapback]424160[/snapback]</div>

Lotto, welcome to the site. Whether or not the extras are "worth it" is up to you. I don't have a bluetooth device and I don't like Toyota's nav system because of the implementation and very high price if you want to upgrade the maps. Also, it is reported that the US maps don't include Alaska & Hawaii. For $1100 you can buy an awesome aftermarket GPS device.

 

I was totally on the fence when I bought my '06. My husband the techno-geek REALLY REALLY wanted all the bells and whistles, though, so I went with the Nav package. I, too, found the nav lock-out (when you're moving) irritating, until I found somewhere on this forum all of the voice shortcuts ... now I'm hooked.

For example, without taking your hands off the steering wheel, you hit the button on the wheel with the face/voice symbol on it, and say "Address" (this must be done while you're on the map screen).
Hit it again, and say the state name.
Hit it again, say the city name
Hit it again, say the street name
Hit it again, say the house number
It'll find the location, then hit it again and say "Enter Destination" and it calculates the routes. You don't need to look at the screen or take your hands off the wheel. All in all, it takes me under a minute to do all of these ... once you're used to it, it's just as fast as punching everything in on the on-screen keyboard.

You can also use the same voice-command function to set the temperature, audio volume, etc. Pretty cool.

I don't have a cell phone with bluetooth capabilities ... yet ... But now that I have this car, my next phone upgrade with definitely include it.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(lotto @ Apr 16 2007, 12:33 PM) [snapback]424160[/snapback]</div>

The Nav sucks, buy the Garmin Nuvi 660-670 much better system or go for the pkg #2 and the Nuvi and save approx $3,000.00 dollars, but only go for the #2 if it has all the safety devices.

Wildkow

 

Just over $1100 is a good price for the Nav system. I kind of like the functionallity of my Garmin Nuvi 360 better, because it actually reads the real street names, and you can mount it up by the rear view mirror for a heads up view, but it is not so integrated with climate controls and such.

My plan is to learn the voice commands like the previous poster suggested. What I have learned so far is that it recognizes your voice better if you speek at a regular rate. If I very deliberatly say OR E GON, it will think I said Wisconson.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ohm86 @ Apr 16 2007, 06:29 PM) [snapback]424345[/snapback]</div>

That's the only good thing about the Nav system IMO but it hates my voice and gets the city or street name totally wrong about 70% of the time. If you get out anywhere in Central California it may find your address but it won't give you turn by turn directions on how to get there. Toyota calls that a safety feature. :lol:

Wildkow

 

The other nice thing about the integrated nav is that it is integrated with the Bluetooth phone hands-free system. You're running late and do a search for Costco and it shows you the list (yes, I agree about the various names of Safeway, etc.), you pick the one you think you want, click the screen item info button, then the phone button, and your car calls Costco so you can ask them when they close.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Charles Suitt @ Apr 16 2007, 01:09 PM) [snapback]424191[/snapback]</div>

The OP inquired about the merits of the NAV system, not leather upholstery.

 

HI , and welcome!! We recently purchased an 07, with nav (and leather) and love it. It has a few quirks...but what doesn't. If you like elect. toys...and gadgets.....get it...without question...the wow factor and this is cool factor is off the scale....

Also...if you think about trading in a couple of years...it will be a great pkg....

john/teresa

 

I dislike leather for many reasons and went with the package 5, paid 26k in december. That is a great deal

personally I love the nav system although I don't use it often

 

Get the NAV- it helps when you get lost- it is INTEGRATED- no wires, plugs, worrying about charging etc.
We were soooo glad we did- last eve went to a gated retirement community of 17,000 of all private roads and it found the location without a miss... awesome. The brand new Chevy Nav the person I was visiting had did not even do that.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(lotto @ Apr 16 2007, 01:33 PM) [snapback]424160[/snapback]</div>

I wouldn't have bought my Prius without the Bluetooth and GPS. I love it! I just routed myself all over Denver for mother's day stuff today. It hit every location on the dot.

 

ABSOLUTELY Buy the Pkg #5 for the Costco price. You can't beat that, and you get all the integrated goodies. The car has so much more "gee-Whiz" factor with the Nav and bluetooth, Vsc, anti-theft, smart-key etc. Each one of those things is sooo, way- cool I don't think you should do without them at that price. Any Prius is great , but all those options just elevates the tech-no factor and are very much worth it. Just the novel concept of liberating oneself from having to deal with an ordinary key is awesome ...(Smartkey). I would not have thought so until experiencing it myself on a daily basis. Imagine being able to regulate your A/C, operate you audio system, Make all you phone calls and receive satellite course guideance, via your own spoken word, everyday!
I got a Pkg5 for only $200.00 more a couple weeks ago.! I loved it. It's is the futute of transportation, disguised as an ordinary car.

 

We bought our 2007 non-touring with everything but leather (I forget the package level, but it was the second to highest).

Anyway, my comment on the NAV system is that it works quite well, and being integrated is not a theft target. If we'd bought a high-end Garmin NAV device, I'm sure it would eventually get "liberated" from our dashboard. The Bluetooth is also handy, mostly for safety reasons (hands-free).

As for the leather, we had it done aftermarket which allowed the addition of heated seats.