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So I'm buying a prius this week and can't decide between option packages 2 and 4. No. 2 gets me stability control, smart key and rear camera. No 4 upgrades me to a 9 speakers (yay), 6 cd changer (pointless since I'm an ipod hound), bluetooth compatability, an alarm system, and HID xenon headlights with foglamps (might be worth it). My question to everyone is this: does $2,000 actually buy a better sounding stereo and are the brighter headlights worth it? Any and all comments are appreciated!!!
www.toyota.com/prius/options.html
www.toyota.com/prius/options.html
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Re: 07 Option Packages - Help a buyer!
Mon, January 22, 2007 - 11:00 PMI see they've changed the packages around again. The HID headlights are nice, but I don't think they're worth $2k. The fog lamps are absolutely worthless. You can't even tell when they're on, and there's no way to have just the fog lamps on. They only can be turned on in addition to the regular headlights, and since they don't actually add anything, don't bother. So I guess it comes down to the stereo. I suppose you could go to the dealership and have a listen and judge for yourself, but $2k buys a lot of aftermarket gear, eh?
Stability control is good to have, and Smart Key is da bomb! Smart Key is the kind of thing that never in a million years would I ever have decided to buy, but now that I have it, I love it. I can't speak to the backup camera as they didn't offer it in '04. Rearward visibility does suck on the Prius, and I cracked a taillight lens backing into something.
HTH -
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Re: 07 Option Packages - Help a buyer!
Mon, January 22, 2007 - 11:57 PMBack up camera is cool. You know the stickers that are on some side view mirrors "Objects in mirror may be closer than they appear"? Well it goes double for the back up camera. However, based on the poor visibility out the back window, having the camera in tight spots is helpful. I have had a 2006 Prius for 5 months. We got the loaded package - everything. I haven't looked up the 2007 package options - so this may be included - but the GPS system is the best thing since sliced bread!!!!! I absolutely love it. -
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Re: 07 Option Packages - Help a buyer!
Tue, January 23, 2007 - 12:03 PMYeah, my '05 is the loaded package too, and I don't regret it. The NAV system is great. I use it quite often, and can't imagine getting a car without one. And in the interests of domestic tranquility, having the NAV system ends a lot of arguments before they even begin!
The only things that I find useless or not worthwhile are the fog lights, and the automatic day/night mirror. -
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Re: 07 Option Packages - Help a buyer!
Tue, January 23, 2007 - 1:11 PMThanks for the advice everyone! Sounds like you all like the nav package, which does sound very cool, though I'm not sure I need to spend the money since I've lived for so long without it. Also, my girlfriend's a crack navigator and says I should spend the extra money on bling for her. =P That being said, are there ongoing fees to use the system? Or do you just purchase maps to load into the computer? -
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Re: 07 Option Packages - Help a buyer!
Tue, January 23, 2007 - 1:19 PMThere are no ongoing fees. However, as I understand it, every few years, it will be worth while to get the maps upgraded to include new construction.
The navigation system is much more than a rolling map. Yes, you can type in addresses and it will plot a course - but you can also look for things. When I'm in an urban area, I notice that gas stations are not as readily locatable by sight. I can ask the system where are there some gas stations? It pops up with a whole bunch, in a list telling me in which direction they are located and how far away - I choose which one, based on which direction I plan to go, and it takes care of the navigation. It has many categories of things it can find for you - not just gas stations.
Another point I love about the system is involves traveling to other - unfamiliar places. I live in Portland. I drive to the Seattle area several times a year - finding an address, a Thai restaurant or whatever I want is no big deal. I never have to carry a map now. I was queen of the Thomas Guide, and now, I never need it.
I cannot imagine passing up this option. -
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Re: 07 Option Packages - Help a buyer!
Tue, January 23, 2007 - 1:38 PMwow, my 01 prius gotten in 00 had only floor mats for options :)
i added a sunroof, it's a fabulous thing but unfortunately the new model has that awful roof shape that precludes adding one.
hope they come out with a new model soon, i'm coming close to 100,000 miles!! -
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Re: 07 Option Packages - Help a buyer!
Tue, January 23, 2007 - 1:46 PMSounds pretty cool! Glad it's largely a one-time expense. Speaking of Portland I'm interviewing for a job near Portland in a few weeks, and with that may be ending my 5 year run in California. That NAV package would be good for finding gas stations and such if I do end up moving. Too bad it's not a seperate option. -
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Re: 07 Option Packages - Help a buyer!
Tue, January 23, 2007 - 2:09 PMGood Luck with your interview. I noticed in downtown Portland, there was a billboard advertising reduced monthly rates for a particular parking garage if driving a hybrid car. Very hybrid/environmentally conscious here. I love it. Visiting my family in SW Virginia, I saw no hybrids on the road during the whole week. I much prefer the preferences and lifestyle here.
I volunteer a lot with schools. I needed to go to a high school in an unfamiliar part of town. I typed in the name of the school, the city and it popped up on the NAV system. Getting there was no problem. I love it.
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Re: 07 Option Packages - Help a buyer!
Tue, January 23, 2007 - 4:17 PMExcellant! That's one of the reasons I'm moving!!! I'm a city planner by training, so it's important that people think I can find my way around any urban center. ;-)
As a side note I visited my family in Iowa over the holidays. Needless to say, the priuses were collecting dust on the dealer's lot, much like they do in too many parts of the country. -
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Re: 07 Option Packages - Help a buyer!-tangent
Wed, January 24, 2007 - 9:12 AMcomplete tangent, can one get into being a city planner from being an architect, or do they usually need to have a city planning degree? -
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Re: 07 Option Packages - Help a buyer!-tangent
Wed, January 24, 2007 - 4:56 PMHI Sue! the short answer is yes! Can't talk much now...send me a private message about your potential transition. =) -
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Re: 07 Option Packages - Help a buyer!-tangent
Thu, January 25, 2007 - 8:48 PMThanks again everyone! Bought a red #2 Prius at Santa Cruz Toyota and boy am I happy. Sound system rocks and the lights are plenty bright. Also, I found the staff highly professional and courteous. The salesman (steve lombardo) not only beat every other price quote I brought in, he had a salesperson follow me home (60 minutes away) as i returned my old car to my house and then drive me back to the dealership to pick up the vehicle, prepped in my absence. -
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Re: 07 Option Packages - Help a buyer!-tangent
Sun, January 28, 2007 - 11:35 PMCongratulations on your new Prius. I'm sure you'll love it.
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Re: 07 Option Packages - Help a buyer!
Wed, January 24, 2007 - 9:18 AMOver on the Yahoo Prius groups, owners have reported that "updates" to the NAV system are $200-$300 each. They don't come out very frequently -- not annually, for sure. The only POIs that are listed are for companies that paid to be included, which means you won't find everything that's available, but that's less of a big deal for, as you say, gas stations than it is for, perhaps, Thai food or bakeries or that kind of thing.
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