About to Buy my First Prius. Looking for Advice!

I agree Indy. Nothing beats a Garmin GPS. That being said, I have a Prius with Nav + solar sunroof and a Garmin. To get a Prius with the options that I wanted required me to get a package that included Navigation. I find the various other features included with the Nav screen to be useful and don't regret getting it. Ultimately it comes down to deciding what your "must-haves" are and choosing accordingly.
Speaking of choices, I don't think we have heard from LAGirl recently. Since she asked, I'm sure she has her preferences.

 

Maggie & Brucester: I know exactly what you're talking about. When I got my Odyssey, the only one I found with the features I wanted for my kids also came with the NAV system, so I did not have a choice.

LaGirll: Hopefully we helped you a little bit. If you have a back-up camera already and a Garmin, it really makes no sense at all to spend the extra cash in the Prius NAV.

 

This is a classic example of YMMV. I have the OEM Nav and four Garmin units. I really like my Garmin marine chart plotter, but for auto use, I prefer the Prius OEM system. Even though I prefer the built-in system, I will admit that it is highly overpriced, like most OEM accesories.

Tom

 

Take a chill pill. Portables are great and they make a lot of sense. They are a considerably better value than built-in systems. The Prius Nav also controls the audio system, not a big deal but it is convenient. Our Lexus Nav also works the climate control and has other info screens regarding the hybrid system operation, instantaneous and avg mileage, etc.

The fact is that portable GPS units ARE targets for thieves. Even if you remove the unit from the car, if you use a suction cup mount and do not wipe off the marks they leave, the thieves will break in and try to find it.

For LaGirl, given that you're near Nawlins (gets hot there), you're in the car a LOT being in the real estate business, and probably driving clients around a lot, the Solar sunroof option might be very useful to you. It's expensive, but in your situation might be very desireable. I'm not sure which model level is required for the Solar option.

As previously stated, we like leather so it was model IV for us. We just lucked out that the dealer's last one available was a IV with leather AND our desired red/tan color combo.

I was originally sceptical about the Prius, I thought it was a compact car and not as safe as something bigger. It's not a compact and is apparently a safe car, alhough I doubt it would do well in a confrontation with the likes of a Ford Excursion.

Get the IV with leather, nav, and possibly solar.

 

I'll wait until you recommend me one because you probably need them all the time...

 

... and I'm so glad I don't live in northern VA !...

 

Hi LaGirl, I have never owned a hand held GPS unit (Garman, etc.). I've never owned a car with a back-up camera until my Prius. The options I wanted were heated seats and Solar Roof: how's that for a dichotomy? To get those features, the bundled packages gave me the Moonroof, Navigation, JBL radio, Satellite XM, and the back-up camera.

I'm planning a lengthy road trip later this month, when I expect to try the navigation in-depth. You have more experience with the back-up camera than I do; so far, the back-up camera is a nice feature but I still rely on looking where I'm backing up and the Nav around time hasn't been a big plus or minus. I don't have any of the complaints of some on this discussion board who have had Nav packages on other cars. But, my expectations are pretty low because they were not 'must haves' for me.

Overall, I'm really happy with the Prius; much happier than I expected to be. And, I'm happy with the Package IV. Maybe, I'm just easy to please, I don't know any better, or my overall satisfaction with the car out-weighs the minor inconveniences others have expressed with some of the features.

As someone else pointed out: figure out the features you want (or must have), then select the model version & option packages that covers your minimum requirements. Good luck on your purchase & welcome to PriusChat. --TK

 

I have the max trim G2 Prius. I like it's features just fine, but if I was trying to save money I would buy the lowest trim with full safety features, and then add aftermarket toys as desired. This is particularly true for people like me that keep a car many years, since toys tend to age pretty fast.

I do agree with an earlier post that a realtor carting around customers might very well justify the solar roof as a business expense.

 

I'm in the same position as you are: I'm at the end of my Murano lease and just purchased a Prius IV with nav/solar.

I really got used to that back-up camera on my Murano. I thought it was a joke when I first got it but couldn't believe how much I came to rely on it. Note one thing about the Prius backup camera...it doesn't have those incremental, colored lines on it like the Murano screen, so you can see how close you are to an object but cannot really judge how far you are from it.

Have fun!

 

How much opportunity do you actually get to parallel park in northern Michigan? I know we get a lot of practice here in NY/NJ.

 

This forum is a great place to learn about the Prius and I'd suggest you read it every day if you can. Also, go to the Toyota website and download their brochure and then go "build" your own to see what the options and packages would cost -"what if" scenario. I ordered mine and was told 4 to 6 weeks and got it almost 5 weeks to the day. I was flexible on the interior color and a couple of other minor things, but basically got what I wanted. They told us that we would have to pay MSRP and there was no negotiation on price since there was a waiting list of people ready to pay that. Got the Nav to get the backup camera and have enjoyed it. I'd also suggest ordering the Heatshield sunscreen for the front windshield. It fits perfectly and helps tremendously if you live in a hot climate (like Texas). We also had the windows tinted after purchase by the dealer. That has also helped with the heat of the sun. Hope you have a good buying experience and get to enjoy your Prius soon!

 

Wish I could answer that. I haven't picked mine up yet. It's setting at the dealership with my name on it but I'm delaying the pick-up date because I don't turn my Murano in until the 19th. But thank you for reminding me, I just called the saleman to verify that no one can test drive it before I pick it up. I'm SO anxious to get the Prius that I don't think I'll be able to wait until the 19th.

I've loved the Murano and averaging around 21 mpg it was the best SUV I've owned but I am sick of being held hostage at the gas pump.

The real test of how it will feel to not be sitting as high up, will be when I drive on the freeways around Mpls. a couple times a month. I think it will just take some getting used to. Gotta be better than driving our Miatas on those freeways!

Have fun.

 

Oh Boy, Colors!! Actually, I think, in this marketplace, you should be flexible about colors. Pick a couple or three that you'd be happy with. I actually picked the ones I definitly did not want and worked backwards. Silver was not my first choice, but Now I'm very happy with it. I love this car - and I realize it could be chartruese and I'd still love it. I might have to be blindfolded - but I'd love it!

 

I can't say enough about how much I love my Pearl IV SR 2010 prius. Every time I pull into the gas station and fill the tank I am ready to imitate Meg Ryan in When Harry met Sally. From having driven gas guzzlers for the last 38 years I am so impressed by the 55.8 mpg I am getting. When I have a tank of gas that I get less than 55 mpg on I am upset. Spoiled already!. I have just over 5000 miles on the car.

 

Blizzard Pearl, period. It is the most beautiful, most popular, refreshing, fancy, classy, cool color for the new Prius. Go for it and you will not regret!