Replacing my vintage '05 Prius - what's my best fit?

The 4 is closest to what you have now in terms of accessories, it does come with imitation leather and a power seat. If you chose a 3 no dimming mirror, no JBL and no power or leather seat. Hope this helps, I'm looking for a new one myself, and have done some research, good luck.

 

i've never gone back to a dealer and found the same salesperson still there, that's amazing. congrats to dianne!

 

Since I lust after it, I'd suggest looking at the Telsa Model S, but you already killed that with the condo complex and no convenient power outlet.

I commute daily 160 miles round trip in a 2013 3, with the Solar Roof, and so far it's been fine. None of the terrors of the Bad Front seat have manifested for me. (According to the lore, the 2005's were worse anyways)

I'd suggest getting the 3. It's not a JBL, but it's up to you if you would notice the difference. I like the solar roof, since it keeps the car cool while I'm at work. (it has solar powered fans that cool the car, you don't open the sunroof)

If the better speakers are important, just invest the money in aftermarket speakers. I'm sure it's less than upgrading via a 4 or 5 package. (Maybe?)

 

I've bought 2 cars, and my family has bough 7 cars off the same salesman. It's large dealership too with over 40 salesman.

Sometimes the salesperson makes the difference.

 

Just because the PiP has a plug doesn't mean you have to plug it in. My sister just got a Leaf and never intends to plug in at home because electricity costs more than gas for her. She's going to rely on work and free stations.

Anyway, back to the subject. You can get a PiP base from Dianne for $31k - $4k total rebates = $27k. Basically paying $1400 more than a comparable trim Prius III for HOV access and heated seats. In Los Angeles, that should be well worth the time savings.

 

I'm curious how your sister would manage this day in day out. Obviously being able to charge at work is a huge plus. I live in a condo with a garage w/ 120v outlet, but the 120v charging time just isn't practical enough. I can't think of any free charging stations nearby except for Costco and the dealerships, though I've never really checked online.

 

OP, perhaps consider the Three Persona series? It has the leather. No JBL, but many with that system have said that the increase in sound quality is minimal. No dimming mirror either, but you'd be spending quite a bit less money.

 

Honestly, I don't know either. She just leased the car last week. She has a 35 mile round trip commute. So, she only needs to charge for about 3 hours to full at the free charge station at work. For the weekends, there's a DC quick charge at the local college close to her home. She visited last weekend and filled up the car in 15 minutes (from half I guess?). It barely lasted her a "single Cataan game" on her iPad.

Up in the Bay Area, there's a free charge station every 5 miles or so usually in some obscure location off the freeway. It's not very useful for me at all but you'd never be stranded unless you're an idiot NYT reporter. Luckily for sis, she happens to live a couple minutes from that obscure college location and it happens to have one of the few CHAdeMO plugs for free.

 

Our 2012 3 came with an autodimming mirror. I don't know if it was a dealer installed option or what, but we have it and like it.

 

I've listened to JBL / non back to back. No way the base system (which doesn't have the amplifier) stands up to the JBL. Base system lacks bass. Bunch of midrange / treble sound but not much power. But, if want good sound on freeway, better plan for road noise insulation upgrade also.

 

The stereo in my Personna is better than the stereo in our 2. However, my daughter's Corolla's JBL sounds better than mine.

 

Not without aftermarket solutions, I don't think.