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General questions before buying

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by davidadner, Aug 21, 2009.

  1. davidadner

    davidadner New Member

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    I've read through many threads but still have some questions.


    1. Navigation System
    - I've seen mention of a "Garmin update".
    - Is this for the built-in NAV system or are people talking about something else?
    - Is the built-in system already Garmin and this is an update to it? Or does this switch it to a Garmin system?

    2. Solar roof
    - The sales person we spoke with said if he had all the money in the world he still wouldn't buy the solar roof option. He said it only runs for a few minutes and won't do a reasonable job in south Texas weather (where it averages high 90's/100 in the summer months.) After reading some of the threads I got the impression the fan system runs longer (or at least isn't limited to just a few minutes). I understand this isn't an actual AC and it's basically recirculating air so I'm not expecting miracles. But since cracking windows an inch has normally resulted in noticeably cooler intertior in other cars I've had I would have to think this is at least a bit better than that. I'm wondering if the salesman tried to de-emphasize the feature due to low availability mentioned in other threads.

    3. On the Toyota website when I "build" a Prius it defaults to the "Owners Rewards Package" for $600. There's another package with the same name but is $1802. The $600 actually seems to include more items so I'm not sure where the price difference comes from.
    - When I looked online at what the local dealership had it always includes "Owners Rewards Package". Is it likely this is the $600 version or the $1802 version? (I'm not actually sure how reliable the online search is since it lists around a dozen cars at my local dealer but when we went there they only had one or two cars on the lot.)
    - Are these packages worth the cost? I see there's "autocare" with mentions oil changes, tire rotations, etc. Is this for life? Or for a set period? Is there a recurring cost?
    - Is there any reasonable chance that I could avoid purchasing this package if I didn't want it?
     
    #1 davidadner, Aug 21, 2009
  2. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    1. The system is not a Garmin. The map updates that come out are expensive, you have to buy a whole new navi dvd and it costs somewhere between $200-300 I think. Some do not like the navigation system when comparing it to a Garmin type unit that can be had for a few hundred bucks, but I don't mind it since it gets me where I want to go and it is not suction cupped to my window.

    2. I do not have the solar roof, I have the AT package, but Rick on here who lives in Arizona where it gets quite hot says it definitely helps. It doesn't keep the cabin as cool as the outside air, but it does keep it noticeably cooler than a car without the solar roof. I think it runs as long as the sun is providing ample power through the solar panels. The remote A/C which you activate through a button on the remote runs up to 3 minutes. So you activate that up to 3 minutes before getting into the car to further help cool the car.

    3. Sorry, not sure about this exact option so do not want to give the wrong information. Maybe it is only in your area...
     
    #2 Paradox, Aug 21, 2009
  3. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

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    1. No, Garmin is an aftermarket unit.
    2. He doesn't have a SR Prius available and wants you to get what he can obtain easily.
    3. Googling shows it's a port-installed option, available only in Gulf states. Don't know anything about it, but others in the know can help you.
     
    #3 32kcolors, Aug 21, 2009
  4. davidadner

    davidadner New Member

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    Thanks for the responses so far. Here's what the "Owner Rewards Packages" show:

    $600
    1. (PB) Rear Bumper Protector
    2. Carpet floor mats
    3. Trunk mat
    4. (WL) Wheel locks
    5. (CF) Carpet Mat Set (---is this differen than floor mats?)
    6. (CN) Cargo net
    7. (DS) Door Sill Enhancements
    8. And then there's a graphic that mentions:
    a) Toyota autocare
    b) Roadside assistance

    The $1802 package has:
    1. (PB) Rear Bumper Protector
    2. Carpet floor mats
    3. Trunk mat
    4. (CF) Carpet Mat Set (---is this differen than floor mats?)
    5. (CN) Cargo net
    6. And then there's a graphic that mentions:
    a) Toyota autocare
    b) Roadside assistance
    (Which again, I'm not sure why this one is so much more expensive when it has 2 fewer items; it doesn't have the Wheel Locks or Door Sill Enhancements).
     
    #4 davidadner, Aug 21, 2009
  5. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

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    #5 32kcolors, Aug 21, 2009
  6. Felt

    Felt Senior Member

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    I can only respond to Q-1. The above are correct .... it is not a Gramin.

    I was truly unhappy with my Nav (G3, IV) ...... until I read the manual. There is a lot more potential in the system that is not immediately understood. I own a Garmin handheld unit, and thought I knew "all there is to know about GPS systems." Not so.

    Good Luck. The Prius is a wonderful vehicle. Comfortable, quiet, no rattles, and with 4000 miles, my "lifetime" fuel efficiency is 53.9 mpg. Hard to beat!!
     
    #6 Felt, Aug 21, 2009
  7. nola_Prius

    nola_Prius New Member

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    From what my dealer told and showed me, the only sill enhancements in the GST region through the port-installed options are not the illuminated ones. He said that the dealerships can order the illuminated ones, though. The non-illuminated ones are $197 and the illuminated ones are $355 if I remember correctly.
    I don't think I would have paid nearly double what I did, just to get the illuminated ones...at least not upfront...maybe eventually I would have, but now that I have the regular ones, I doubt I will.
     
    #7 nola_Prius, Aug 21, 2009
  8. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    A rear bumper protector & floor mats are useful. The rest is overpriced junk, IMO. "Next time" I'll affix a black rubber strip across the bumper. You can buy these accessories cheaper after you buy the car.
     
    #8 JimN, Aug 21, 2009
  9. TKY

    TKY Member

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    Hi Davidadner, Garmin is an over the counter, usually handheld or dash mounted, GPS. It is not the built in Nav system. Both can be updated with new release software maps and data. The discussions seem to indicate the Garman are less expensive then Nav system updates from Toyota.

    Your #2 - The ventilation fan for the Solar Roof definitely runs for more than 2 minutes; the salesman is either deceitful or ignorant. I have parked my car in the sun for several hours. When I return to the car the fan is running. Then I sit in the car to check temperature and fan operation and after sitting in the car without starting, after more than two minutes the fan is still operating.

    Someone else asked about the Solar Roof in high humidity climates. I'm in Denver, CO so I can't talk to a high humidity climate. What I can say, is that when I read the manual it talked about temperature inside the car but I do not recall it addressing a clip level regarding humidity. --TK
     
    #9 TKY, Aug 22, 2009
  10. bps

    bps Active Member

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    "Owners Reward Package"

    Translation: we're going to screw you by squeezing as much money out of you as we can.

    Hope this helps,
    Bryan
     
    #10 bps, Aug 22, 2009
  11. radioprius1

    radioprius1 Climate Conspirisist

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    Yup! "Owners Reward Package" actually means they are rewarding the owner of the dealership for tricking you into buying the package :)
     
    #11 radioprius1, Aug 22, 2009
  12. davidadner

    davidadner New Member

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    Yes, I figured that's the case. :) I wonder what the likelihood is the dealer would sell me a car without it? The online search showed every car already had it included. If I order a car do you think I could avoid this package? Or since it's installed at the regional level will they force it on me regardless? I know I'd ask/insist and see if I could avoid it regardless but I'm wondering if this is a lost cause or if I have a reasonable chance.
     
    #12 davidadner, Aug 22, 2009
  13. snoctor

    snoctor Member

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    1. I haven't read about the Garmin update but can tell you that my model 3 with solar roof and nav has the Denso navigation. I thought I might not like it but am very pleased with how well it operates.

    2. The sales person may have his opinion, BUT he/she doesn't know what he/she is talking about. The solar roof vent runs continuously as long as the sun is shining directly on the panels (easily from 10AM to 4PM). I live in California's Central Valley (usually 95+ with full sun) and the vent system makes a difference. Without the vent the temp in my car can get over 150F after sitting in the sun for 4 hours (highest I measured was 165!!). With the solar vent running the temp doesn't go over 125. So we're talking as much as a 40 degree difference. The vent makes more of a difference for shorter periods of time (say when you're parked for 1 hour while on a shopping run) and when the outside temp is lower. Sounds like your weather is similar to mine. I love the feature PLUS it is a sun roof which is cool in and of itself.

    3. Sorry don't know.
     
    #13 snoctor, Aug 22, 2009
  14. IraS

    IraS Member

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    The Owners Reward Package is a port installed option (PIO). Gulf States Toyota (GST) installs one of these packages on any car they process which is not a special order.

    If you order your car through your local dealer, you can get the car configured exactly as you want it. The dealer can request the car without any PIOs, except the ones you want.

    I ordered my Prius V w/ATP through my local dealer (Round Rock Toyota) and it came with only the options I asked for (the carpeted floor mat set and the rear bumper protector).
     
    #14 IraS, Aug 23, 2009
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