PETITION! - WHY no available moonroof with Advanced Tech package? LISTEN UP TOYOTA!

I'm the kind of person who will buy the best of the best if it is available. If the moon roof was available for an additional cost, I would buy it.

 

PETITION! - Please don't use that font ever again.

 

What's up with the giant letters?

sorry ... I had to be funny.
oh! and welcome to PC. Toyota certainly knows their own markets, and what they'll bear. I know there's always exceptions. For example, they don't sell a baby poo yellow green Prius. So if you want one, you have to do it yourself:




But Toyota knows roughly how many they'd sell. Similarly, if you over 'gizo' a car, it'll cost a ton more. so you have to do it your self. Let us know how that goes for you when you get it done.

 

Hill that car is awesome! It makes me laugh every time I see it. Have you seen it yet this year? G

 

I do agree, not offering a true 'fully loaded' model was a bad business decision. It's obvious Toyota realizes this car attracts a lot of people who usually shop for a luxury car, and that's great. Let's face it, the advanced tech package would not be considered for a second by anyone shopping for a $22,000 car if it were available on the base model. It costs 20% of what the car does for things that are of questionable utility but unquestionable coolness. Those interested in keeping pace with the luxury barges like the A8 and S class are not as concerned with price.
These people expect a roof in their cars as much as they expect leather seats. It's not going to go over too well at the country club that Toyota makes you choose between the moonroof and the radar cruise control. I'd stick with my German car and not compromise. Somebody will make a true luxury hybrid that is popular soon enough.
I also agree the 'engineering' excuse does not make sense at all. You're already forcing people to compromise efficiency with the 17" wheels (which look way way better than the 15s incidentally) and like I said, those shopping the 'fully loaded' prius are not going to care they spend $20 more a year on gas because they lose out on 2 mpg. If the car can't handle 100 extra pounds safely as built, that's a pretty serious issue. Should I not buy this car if I have overweight relatives that may ride in it?

 

I try not to go that rout ... in fear that I may

 

The weight issue is not as simple as you think.
I believe the added wieght of the solar moonroof will cause the 10 Prius exceeded the weight classification to be classified as a different weight class. That means for the EPA mileage test, more dynamic drag will be added resulting a lower EPA FE rating. I think Toyota does not want to have two mileage ratings for the Prius or the EPA would not allow this.

 

What about the signal mirrors? Why no signal mirrors? Toyota owes us some signal mirrors! :madgrin:

 

It's inevitable (and they know it) that some will disagree with their choices no matter what, but I suspect the marketing/sales/financial wizards at Toyota are incredibly skilled at pricing their cars and bundling options to optimize volume, $ sales and profitability over the life of the vehicle build (they may withhold some combinations for later years as mentioned above). I want a sunroof without the solar package or nav, but I don't see a need to shout about it (large font). I will either pony up $3600 (unlikely) or just buy a plain IV - the world will still spin on it's axis either way.

 

So, can I reply if I disagree? Look: Toyota says there are some engineering constraints. Maybe there are. More likely, I think Toyota decided it couldn't produce and sell a $35k Prius in economically viable numbers.

Don't worry. If money is no option, I'm sure you'll be able to get you solar sunroof or AT added eventually. I bet someone will offer it after-market eventually.

 

I don't know about the 2010, but the Gen2 has a recommended load limit of 810 lbs. This is not a secret.. it's all on the door jamb label. Make your decision accordingly.

 

Engineering impossibility. Either that or signal mirrors are so last century.

It that with or without fog lights and navigation installed? What if I have XM radio and the heavy rubber floormats?




I think it is important for consumers to know what exactly the engineering issue is that prevents a moonroof from being installed on a car with more high tech electronics than normal. Is it somehow unsafe for Larry the car audio guy to solve this engineering problem in a few hours for $1000?

 

Here are the two reasons that make the most sense to me. The first one is completely understandable and reasonable. The second one I can understand, but it doesn't have quite the "weight" as the former.

Reason #1:

Reason #2:

 

This is not even a technological issue, as this configuration is allowed in Europe. I would imagine the extra weight could have prevented the car from getting the 50 mpg rating with the 17" wheels, and the solar roof.

Bottom line is that it will not be available in the US with this configuration for the 2010 model year. With enough perceived demand to offset the engineering costs that may need to be overcome for the US market, Toyota may reconsider this for a later model year.

 

I think this is a tempest in a teacup. Yes, Toyota does not offer a fully loaded Prius, at this moment, on it's initial release date. I seriously doubt they will keep it that way. I'm sure as they see demand for a fully loaded model grow they will provide it. But with 2009's cluttering up the lots and the economy is still at the bottom, the economic sense of a fully loaded Prius at launch makes no sense.
Give Toyota 6 months and then see what they offer. My best guess is they will "Find" some way to produce a car with all the gadgets and price it accordingly.

 

.. i don't get it.. how come a guy with only 9 post is trying to make a petition on something he odviously knows nothing about?....

it's a weight issue... everyone can argue this as much as they want.. you have to have allocated passenger weight carrying capacity.. adding in extra computers makes it a 4 person car instead of 5 with luggage... add more things and it turns into a car with the weight limit of 3 people... so forth.. so on... unless you want to pay more for a beefed up suspension that is re engineered to hold more weight comfortably... but everyone wants to save money.. and this is how they're doing it for now.

it isn't like toyota doesn't listen. in 04 there were all kinds of complains that they all modified by 06... so.. petition... not necessary.. just add to the forums that are already here and working just fine. btw.. toyota knows.. they've known since the release that it's a "problem".. mainly because a lot of employees want things mixed up too..

i would say you can't have your cake and eat it too... but it's a prius.. you've had your cake.. stop taking second.