Basic v. Touring

Here you go

http://www.google.com/custom?hl=en&saf...h=priuschat.com

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(william hung @ Oct 28 2007, 12:25 AM) [snapback]531452[/snapback]</div>

Hi William,

You can also go to the Toyota Prius online page:

http://www.toyota.com/prius/models.html

The Touring has the following over the Basic:

Tuned Suspension (stiffer springs and shocks)
16" Wheels instead of 15" Wheels
Wider Tires
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Headlights
Fog Lights
Heated Outside Mirrors
Larger rear spoiler
Cruise Control
Tonneau/Cargo Cover
Dual Front Seatback Pockets

The main purpose of the Touring Edition was to provide better handling (stiffer shocks & springs, larger wheels, wider tires).

Personally, I think the Touring Edition is well worth the extra $2225 (this is a good price for all the extras provided in the Touring). For me, the biggest plusses of the Touring Edition are the better handling, the HID Headlights & the Fog Lights. I bought the Standard Edition in 2007. If I could have a do-over, I would buy the Touring Edition.

Good luck.

 

I love my touring. Well worth the price.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Boo @ Oct 27 2007, 10:07 PM) [snapback]531467[/snapback]</div>

That is not entirely accurate. The standard model, depending on the package selected, can be equipped with all those features except the tuned suspension, 16-in. 7-spoke alloy wheels with P195/55R16 tires instead of 15-in. alloy wheels with P185/65R15 tires and trim rings, and larger rear spoiler.

It is not necessary to get the Touring unless you want those three options.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(william hung @ Oct 27 2007, 11:02 PM) [snapback]531443[/snapback]</div>

I'm not sure about a good, clear concise link.

We traded for an 08 touring about a month ago.
We had an 05 regular and the body roll in turns was something I did not like.

The Touring has:

stiffer sport suspension.

16" wheels and tires. The rims are 6 spoke instead of 5 (still has the cheesy covers).

bigger rear spoiler. I plan to measure and compare. It is not noticeably bigger.

For me, it was worth the $300 extra for the stiffer suspension. It feels much better now.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Sonny Jim @ Oct 28 2007, 08:09 AM) [snapback]531528[/snapback]</div>

That's true. Although I answered William's question accurately and thoroughly, he now has a more complete answer. But imagine the ensuing brain damage of comparing 2 Editions + 6 Option Packages, and all described by Toyota in confusing and sometimes contradictory ways!

 

I used to drive a lowered mustang with amazing suspension. The Touring Prius is nowhere NEAR to the handling of my old car, but the basic prius just felt too goosey to me. I love my touring, but my husband like's his non-touring. Its all a matter of driving it & seeing which you like more

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(msirach @ Oct 28 2007, 09:41 AM) [snapback]531533[/snapback]</div>

Some would say that the Touring has even cheesier (sounds like advertising claim on a pack of Chee-tos or Cheese Doodles ) covers because they cover the entire wheel instead of just the outer rim.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(msirach @ Oct 28 2007, 09:41 AM) [snapback]531533[/snapback]</div>

$300 extra ... was that a typo?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(william hung @ Oct 28 2007, 12:42 PM) [snapback]531601[/snapback]</div>

You can price a new car on the toyota Website and between the base Prius and the base Touring, It was a little over $300 more (sticker price)

We got a package 6 Touring and the comparison was similar.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(william hung @ Oct 28 2007, 01:42 PM) [snapback]531601[/snapback]</div>

You really should test drive both editions as much as you can. Maybe you'll like the handling of the Standard Edition just fine. Or maybe you'll hate it (as I do), and gladly pay more for the better handling Touring Edition. Why not start by borrowing your brother-in-law's Standard Prius for a day or two?

Note that if you buy the Standard Edition, but end up being dissatisfied with its handling, there are things you can do to improve handling, e.g.:

Increase Tire Pressures to 42 front/40 rear - $0
Buy the BT Tech Stiffenning Plate - $169
Buy Better & Wider Tires - $300 to $500
Buy TRD Sportivo Shocks & Springs - $Very Expensive
Buy Tom's Suspension Braces - $Very Expensive

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(msirach @ Oct 28 2007, 01:56 PM) [snapback]531609[/snapback]</div>

I still don't get it. Prius is $20,950 MSRP (sticker price). Touring Prius is $23,220 MSRP (sticker price). That's a $2,270 difference. How did you arrive at a $300 difference?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Boo @ Oct 28 2007, 11:19 AM) [snapback]531620[/snapback]</div>

I don't have the time right now to look up the exact prices, but my recollection is that the higher the package number, the smaller the price differential between the standard and the touring editions. The main reason is that HID and fog lights are already included in the higher option packages of the non-touring edition.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(IsrAmeriPrius @ Oct 28 2007, 05:50 PM) [snapback]531698[/snapback]</div>

The touring also has larger wheels, 16-in. 7-spoke alloy wheels with P195/55R16 tires, vs the normal Prius which has 15-in. alloy wheels with P185/65R15 tires.

 

If you add the options that you CAN get on the base Touring to the equipment that is standard on the Touring, the difference is fairly slight. Comparing Pkg #6 on each level, the difference is around $500.

 

Dude, I didn't get the touring and I regret it now. the dealer did not "sell" me on all the features and I didn't realize what I was giving up, had I known I would have gotten it.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Husker4theSpurs @ Oct 28 2007, 09:11 PM) [snapback]531738[/snapback]</div>

Thanks. I think I got it now. msirach did not mean that the base Touring costs only $300 more than the base Prius. Rather, msirach meant (more or less) that a Touring Prius with the highest numbered Touring Package (Touring Package #2) costs only around $300 more than a base Prius with the highest numbered base Prius Package (base Prius Package #6). And paying $300 (really around $500 MSRP) more for the Touring Prius is well worth it because of the stiffer/superior handling of the Touring Prius.

 

Sorry for the confusion. I was in a hurry when I posted, but I see you have it figured out now.

In the past, I drove Corvette's, Camero's, & TA's . Now my daily driver is a Honda Insight which has very stiff suspension and very little of it. So I prefer a stiffer ride when I drive my wife's car.