Basic vs Advanced

A discussion about the additional features found in the Advanced model can be found in this thread:

http://priuschat.com/forums/toyota-prius-plug-in/98054-what-does-7k-really-get-you.html

 

The differences are all "features." The two models are mechanically identical: Same engine, transmission, batteries, brakes, body, wheels, tires.

I won't list the add-on features of the Advanced, because I'll forget one. The coolest feature of the Advanced, I think, is that you can check charge state and activate the AC when your car's parked, via your smartphone.

 

there are a few things i would pay individually for, but i dont think it's worth the extra money for all of them.

 

the price difference against their features is outrageous

 

Well, wait for the national roll out. Hopefully by that time, there will be more choices available.

 

Toyota added the PLUS package in 2011 model year. 2012 also got different equipments with the mid-cycle refresh.

For Prius PHV, a wishful thought is Toyota to offer a middle trim for the 2013 model year.

 

wouldn't it have been sweet if toyota had allowed pre orders to purchase a base model and select options ala carte? sort of a bonus for early adopters! no, i'm not living in the past.

 

No doubt they would have squeezed another $2,000 or $3,000 out of me if they'd done that, although I generally hate a la carte feature packages. When we bought our Honda Odyssey minivan after the kids were born, there were three choices: LX, EX, and EX with DVD. Chrysler, at the same time, had about forty different option packages. It was too confusing.

 

well, option packages are confusing imo. but single options are simple and costly to the manufacturer. they would have sold a lot less $ 40,000. cars and a lot more above the basic cost. i wonder if they would really come out behind? of course, in normal manufacturing, the cost would be in building so many different cars. but since ours were pre ordered, it wouldn't have been as much and great pr for toy. it might have even increased pre orders.

 

Some of the features of the advanced lend themselves more to freeway cruising. I chose the basic because most of my trips will be 2 to 3 miles into town on country roads where the prime use of the vehicle is in electric mode. Vehicle spacing won't be an issue. Also being hearing impaired, using aides, the more sophisticated sound system doesn't improve music quality for me. I am however looking forward to using Pandora.

 

I sure hope that the sound system in my standard trim package is still pretty good. I wonder how hard it would be to upgrade just that part of my PiP.

 

From what I've been reading in the Gen3 Audio subforum here, upgrading a few of the speakers improves the sound dramatically. That should be pretty easy. There are also lots of DIY threads there to do it. Beyond that, it gets a bit more complex, but nothing a car stereo shop couldnt handle. The only limit would be your budget.

 

Don't do that. The Plug-in Prius is very popular HERE, but in a place called the Real World, it's high price will limit its popularity. In fact, it may be that the pre-order customers will pay the highest prices, because Prii usually sell well below MSRP. Just remember: It's only a car, it's made in a factory that cranks them out all day long. There's always another one.