Looking to purchase a Prius II (Package A)

1 - Prius techs are increasing in number every day it seems, but it might be difficult finding one still. That being said, don't let it put you off! You only need a Prius tech when something goes really wrong with the car... a vast majority of people with a Prius will only ever have the car in for routine maintenance, which anyone can do (oil change, rotate tires, etc).

2 - I'm not sure what the canadian packages are, but it definately pays to get one with the side and curtain airbags. While you hope and pray you never have to use them, they dramatically increase the safety rating of the car, and i've seen several posters that attribute those airbags to saving their life in an accident (from what i've heard on here, just everyone walks away from those accidents with only some bumps and bruises - the airbags really do their job). After that, it's all personal preference. the bluetooth cell phone hook up is nice, as is the GPS, but only if you really want them and think you would use them. If you didn't have them on a rpevious car, you won't miss them on this one.

3. The Prius is decent sized. From the outside it looks small, while the intrior feels huge. It has a fairly tight turning radius. It's smaller than the Camry, but larger than the Corolla. Coming off a 2-door sunfire, which is a pretty small car, i have to say this handles about the same (ignoring differences in engine). You also tend to sit a little higher in the Prius than other normal cars i've been in, giving you a better view of the road.

I hope you can convince her to at least give the Prius a test drive! most people here simply fell in love with the car when they got in it for the first time!

 

Just a warning, the pillars on either side of the front windshield appear huge at first, making it feel like there's a large blind spot. after a few days you don't notice it, however, and it really isn't a problem. Also, the front windshield seems huge, since it has a different slope than most other cars. The placement of the instrument cluster, and the creative use of mirrors with them, make it much easier to quickly check speed and such while driving - It's closer to the windshield, and looks "farther away", meaning you don't have to adjust your focus as much.

Some people have also complained about the view out the back, so you might want to look at that as well. If the view from the back bothers you, check out the backup Camera - it's standard issue here in the states now, not sure about Canada. i have it, and love it.

Unfortunately, the seat height can't be adjusted with the current Prius. the back tilt and forward/back position can be, but not the height. The only people i've heard voicing complaints about this, however, are the really tall ones (like 6'8''+)

As for the HyCam, the trunk is small. smaller than the normal Camry, since the batteries protrude into it. With the Prius, it's a completely different story. Looking at it, you can't even tell the batteries are back there. Also, being a hatchback, there's a ton of storage room when you need it (in another post, someone fit two mattresses from a twin sized bed and a futon cushon all at once!)

If you can't get a test drive in one, there are a couple of other options you could try. Many rental car companies are adding them to their fleet, and you might be able to find one there. Some taxi drivers are also picking up the Prius (there was one up in Canada that was very widely known). Unfortunately, with the high demand for the car, dealerships generally don't keep any on the lots, so you may have to get creative to find one (even if it's just to ride in).

 

The Camry hybrid is larger outside, and has less cargo room than the Prius. I'll be getting a Prius because:
a) It is very efficient in use of space - outside about the size of a Corolla, inside about the size of a "normal" Camry.
B) It is a very cool high tech. car.
c) It is the "untimate hybrid" mileage wise.
In that order.

The cost of a Prius is about the same as a "normal" Camry.

Our available packages in Canada are, base, with no options (pack A), pack. B, all options except nav., and pack. C all options (leather not offered). (for those to lazy to check the site )
From pack A to B there is about a $4000 cost. From B to C there is about a $3000 cost.

The only way to get the side and curtain airbags is to go with pack B or C.

Look around, a dealer should have a car to test drive. Right now is a bad time, as they have just cleared out the 2006s, and the 2007s are due any day now, so that's why you don't see many in stock.

I was impressed with Toyota City in Wetaskiwin, Alberta. Let me test drive a new one, and later on, a used one. Didn't bug me to buy, but did offer to take $2500 off list on a pack B (without me even asking). Probably too far for you to travel but just some info for barganing.

I'm watching the dealerships for the 2007s, because the electronic brochure indicates we get rear disk brakes. I think my car just sold last night, so am getting anxious.

 

Definately the best of luck to you. Like i said, with any luck she'll just fall in love with the car on the test drive, like many of us here have.

IMO, one of the big selling points of the car has got to be this forum... There's tons of information here for the person who loves the car, and even more when something (rarely) goes wrong. We've even got access to a Prius tech for some small advice when needed (and he's one of the best, from what i've heard).

best advice: don't talk about prices until after the test drive. let her form an opinion of the car in her mind not clouded by money.

 

The back-up camera is not stndard..... on the 2007, it starts on the #2 pkg....... I love it also.....

 

In Canada you have to get the full deal (pack C) to get the backup camera. It's included with the Nav.

Justification time! Be aware the Prius is quite large inside, as I hinted above. Rear seat legroom is amazing! Just keep telling yourself you're getting a Camry that's small on the outside and you'll be fine.

Being from Winnipeg, you'll also have to get winter tires, so you may want to factor that into the equation. I'd recommend trying to get the dealer to take back the OEM tires when you buy something like Nokian WRs to put on when the car is new/delevered (so you don't have to worry about changing them every winter).

Also, search here for winter operation (I think my thread is still active in "Technical"). Unless you take steps the Prius can be a cold car in winter. It's not that hard, however. Just putting on the front "vent covers", also refered to as "lips" can make a big difference. Or a proper cold front. Your car will come with the block heater.

 

Package B for the win. It's a bit pricier, but you can't deny the addition of some important safety elements like the VSC, and side air-bags. I got Package B for the side airbags, since the folks wanted piece of mind after the bad accident with my old car. I thought I would be content with a basic package "A", but now that I have the "B" package, I don't know what I would do without SKS, Homelink or VSC.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(MSantos @ Oct 6 2006, 05:37 AM) [snapback]328855[/snapback]</div>

I've taken my Prius in twice for the regular routine maintainance to the dealer. No complaints about the servicing or hybrid knowledge of the technicians. Was in and out of there in under 30 minutes and each time it was under $60 for the servicing (oil change, tire rotations, etc etc every 5K miles). Now that hybrids have been around for 5+ years in North America for Toyota, I think a lot of the dealers have service techs that are more familiar with the cars and how they function/operate, etc.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(MSantos @ Oct 6 2006, 05:37 AM) [snapback]328855[/snapback]</div>

Unfortunately I don't know anything about the packages offered in Canada. I would just look at what each package offers and decide based on your needs/wants as to which one would be worth your $$.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(MSantos @ Oct 6 2006, 05:37 AM) [snapback]328855[/snapback]</div>

Considering I'm on the small side (5'2"), not unlike your wife, I feel VERY uncomfortable driving my husband's Accord. I feel like it's indeed too much car and I've always had issues with parking it and getting into spaces easily, no matter how much room I have. Considering the Camry is probably the same size as the Accord as far as outer dimensions go, I would probably have had a difficult time driving and parking one also. Those 2 cars, along with the Mazda6, were on my list of cars to look at when I was looking for a new car.

Then someone mentioned the Prius, which I'd heard about but hadn't really thought about. After looking into them, I went ahead and ordered one. A month later I had the opportunity to test drive one and I felt comfortable immediately upon sitting in the driver's seat. No issues whatsoever with parking it, I feel very at ease in parking lots, knowing that the Prius will fit in many small spots, and even into compact parking spaces because it's so "skinny" compared to the wider Camry and Accord. If I had gotten a Camry, Accord, or Mazda6 that is similarly equipped to my Prius (I had to have the fully-loaded one with everything), the cost of the car would have been quite similar to what I paid for the Prius but I'd be getting worse gas mileage, paying more to fill it up at the pump, polluting more, and having somewhat of a tougher time maneuvering and parking the thing no matter how much I 'practiced'.

See if you can stop by a few dealers and let her sit in the driver's seat of the various cars you're looking at, see about getting a test drive also, and see which one makes her feel the most at ease and comfortable in, driving, and parking.

 

Does she like -your- car? Give her that, and -you- think about the Prius.

 

If I might I would suggest this; Go to your dealer and ask to meet with the Prius Tech. Shake his or her hand and talk with them. Are they excited about this technology? An eye to eye meeting will tell you a lot. I (We in Olympia) are lucky to have one of the "good guys" to work on our cars. Toyota did a very smart thing in bringing this technology to the community. The future of transportation will not be in Internal Combustion Engines. Computerized electric drive trains are where we are going for now, and Toyota, Honda, and to a lesser extent Ford are getting valuable hands on training for their service people.