Touring or no touring? Which Pkg? HELP

We have a 2007 Touring and like it very much. I don't remember which package for sure, five I think, but it is the one next to the first leather package. Our intention is to buy aftermarket leather when our seats begin to show wear or get dirty. I always prefer cars that handle well over those which ride soft. Having said that, I have driven both Touring and non-touring models and I think they ride the same. The Touring has the best looking wheels I think.

 

I'm not sure about anyone else, but when I was shopping for mine back in January-March, all the Tourings i found were Package 6.

 

I must chime in on this thread. If you notice, I started a "ranting" thread today about how aweful the NAV system is, but it seems like some people don't find it so terrible. If you want leather, I don't think you can avoid the NAV. Regarding the NAV...my opinion is not a high one. Our other car is an acura and the NAV is just fantastic. Easy to use and reliable. Can use it like a phone book. Can search for a buisness, get the phone number, call with inquiries and then use the route guidance to get there, all while the vehicle is in motion. You'll have to install an aftermarket item to use the Toyota NAV while the car is moving (search google for Lockpick 3).

As far as the leather...we did because of kids and spills.

I find the seats pretty darn comfy. As a matter of fact, I like them very much!

All in all, I absolutely love my Prius, even more than an E series Mercedes I used to own. I predict it will become an icon like the VW bug did some years after it was introduced.

Whichever model/package you choose, I don't think you will be sorry.

Good luck! :dance:

 

have u heard that the touring model is almost impossible to get?

 

when i purchased my touring my bank which i eventually did not have them finance, did a search of the dealers, found the specific color i wanted and then had it transported 50 something miles away to san jose, i was never asked to pay for this service

 

In light of the recent consumer reports article that reported a 10 feet improvement in stopping distance, I'd take the Touring. That and the tires are so much better looking.

 

yah the base prius rims are really ugly. the alloy rims look so much nicer. the only thing you should be warned about is the stock touring wheel size of 195 55 16 limits you to two chocies of tires, namely the michelin pilot primacy or the bridgestone turanza or runflat tires. if you upgrade to 205 55 16 you have more then 150 choices of tires, i havent bought tires yet, but i am about due

another small warning is that the touring wheels do not come with wheel ornaments, so expect to pay $15-$21 dollars each
from your toyota dealer for the wheel ornaments.

you have three choices
1) keep the plastic wheel covers on, possibly to keep your alloy rims a secret from world
2) take off the wheel cover, thus showing off your nice alloy rims, and ugly bolts in the middle
3) take off the wheel cover, show off your nice alloy rims, install the wheel ornament to hide ugly bolts

 

I have the 07 touring and love it. Put sheepskins on the front seats and i have a 4 year old, so i find leather much easier to clean than the fabric...and you know the damage kids can do to cars, not to mention the car seats that wear the fabric pretty badly.

I do love the nav system, although I've only used it about 6 or 7 times. You cannot use it while the car is moving, but this is a good thing IMO..seeing one should be looking at the road while driving.

The bluetooth is an absolute must. Love it! especially now that the cell phone laws are taking effect.

If you can find a touring...go for it!

 

Dealership told me to get pkg. 3 and upgrade to leather - no nav. - added xm kit

 

Pkg 3 Touring owner here - GET THE TOURING! No need for leather and overpriced navi.

 

Im confused. I got a 2008 pkg 2 which has the touring package. The rear shocks do have the red and blue stripes. Maybe what I got was the touring suspension and not the whole package.
What am I missing.

 

You bought something for over $20,000 and paid no attention to what you were getting? I have package 3 which includes everything but leather and navi, I would imagine pkg 2 would be lacking addtl things.

 

have had package 6 2008 touring for two weeks. seems great to me. the naviagation is complex, but I wanted the leather seats and touring suspension and wheels. seat seems surprisingly good compared to others comments on uncomfortable seat. I agree on the braking, especially with little ones onboard.

 

All I wanted was touring. I didnt want any of the nav, bluetooth, leather ect. Just touring. They had two on the lot and thats what I drove away with with package 2.

 

I like the touring model also. With the short supply of cars available for demo rides at dealers I have only driven the non touring model. The salemen(who I am not sure I believe) tells me the touring ride is stiffer then the base model, and there is more road noise in the cabin and gets less MPG. I would appreciate it if some of the touring owners can let me know the real truth.

 

I recommend pkg 3 at minimum. I consider Smart Key, Vehicle Stability Control and Bluetooth to be indispensable for safety and convenience.

 

casey,
my friend has a touring edition and he says all those claims are true. He is only getting 45 mpg while I regularly get 51. He claims more noise and its a stiffer ride, which makes for better handling. I myself rather have a more plushy ride.

 

the touring struts have red and pink stripes

 

Palmetto, Kuki,

The Navigation system in the Prius CAN be used while driving the car. Please go to Toyota.com, select the Prius, select videos/demos, and select Navigation System. The demo walks you through all of the uses of the Nav system including inputing addresses and route selection WHILE DRIVING. My wife and I use this feature all the time. Basically, you push the talk button and say "address". The system then walks you through the process by pushing the talk button and in-putting state, city, street, and finally, address, ALL WHILE IN A MOVING CAR !!!!!!!

A friend of mine drives the Lexus 400h hybrid and his NAV system is very similiar to the Prius. I think it is a good system and enjoy using it.