Waiting for Prius Touring

Tough call as both versions are worth the wait.
I've driven both and like the touring better for highway driving and that's what we were lucky enough to get.
The base seemed a bit soft on the highway and I'm sold on the safety benefits of the touring: shorter 60mph stopping distance (by ~10-12 ft) and the tighter handling.

 

Is this going to be your 2nd Prius? If so, I would wait since you already have a Touring and might as well be happy on your next purchase. Not all folks can afford a Touring, but I think the price difference is too much compared to a non-touring model. You can easily mod the suspension and brakes for less and will perform better than a Touring...I would think.

 

I've driven both and prefer the feel of the touring hands-down. Better handling equals a safer vehicle in my book. I think it's worth waiting for the touring.

 

I just got my Touring #6 and i love it. It is better than I thought it was going to be. I drove the non-Touring cars before, but something about the Touring is "me", so I had to get it.

 

I'm waiting for the Touring. Everything I read about it says that's the one we want. We are currently in week seven of our wait and we will continue to wait.

 

Not a fan of the Touring, don't like the wheels. I like the standard wheels/trim rings. And I heard the ride can be a rough one.

 

What's interesting to me is looking at all of the addys of folks on this thread, because when I went to the dealer in Bethesda, MD with a friend a couple weeks ago and inquired about the Touring model, he said they were (allegedly) *only* available in California at this point and that East Coast dealers couldn't get them at all. I can't imagine why he'd say that if it weren't true given that my friend was not only ready to pay cash dollars for any model, he was also willing (and now is) to go on their waiting list. So it's not like the dealer would be losing a potential customer either way.

 

I'm on week 12 and it's looking like it's going to be a longer wait still. *sigh*

 

I picked up my touring about a week ago here in New Mexico. I wasn't fussy about the color (love the mag gray I got) partly because I figured they didn't get many touring models in at all. I'm delighted with the car and glad I got the touring package. The wheels and slightly extended spoiler look great and I really like the responsive handling.

 

I think I can confirm that they're not available in the mid-Atlantic, at least.

Go to http://www.toyota.com/prius-hybrid/index.html and click on "research" and enter your zip code under "Build Your Prius." If you're like me (a few miles north of where you are) it won't come up as an available Grade of Prius. I only get Base Prius or Prius with Packages.

 

We considered the touring but our dealer told us that the wait would be VERY long, as they don't get many tourings and that the average driver wouldn't be able to really tell the difference between the two. I read a similar review online (car and driver maybe?) so we're just going with the base Prius. Still a 4 months wait for that.

 

Having been waiting for 11 wks now. I caved and gave my dealer another alternative and agreed to get a base in a package 4 if my Touring Package #2 does not become available any sooner since I am now vehicle-less and need a car by August.

I'm still hoping that the Touring becomes available first. Not sure if I did the right thing.

 

Hello, Neighbor--I live in Ashton and on the waiting list at Jim Coleman in Bethesda for a 2009. Got the same story on a touring request.

 

what is on the toyota website is not exactly true. touring models are available in midatlantic region and elsewhere but in much shorter supply. to get one you need to find a dealer motivated to trade/barter/fight to get you one in their allocation.

 

Unfortunately my dealer seems to be happy with just waiting to get a Touring allocated to them hence my having to get a non Touring. Otherwise I would likely be waiting forever!

 

The touring package is great, but there are only a few differences. I love my package #6, but it really depends on your driving needs. Straight and flat driving the touring will not make a difference. The touring is better on curves, but not that great. It does not take the curves as well as I would like it too.