First post on this forum. Thanks for having me. I've been shopping hybrids and recently test drove a 2010 Prius III and really liked it. I especially liked the way the center dashboard now tilts downward for a more sporty feel and separates the driver from the passenger. I drive approximately 20K miles per year, half of which is in urban areas. My dealer told me the main differnece between the II and III is the radio system. Is the Prius II radio noticably inferior to the III? Also does anyone know if there will be a 2010 Prius I?
No Prius I, it'll be for fleet sales but you wouldn't want it, really you wouldn't. It's not much cheaper, I forget how much exactly, but something like a thousand less but you lose many features for that grand. The III has the better radio, XM, 2 extra speakers with the jbl radio and a 6 disk cd changer and bluetooth. Some do not like the stereo, even the JBL. It's all a matter of how much aftermarket work you want to put in the car. My dad ordered a II but the III came in by mistake and he says he is glad he got the III in the end for the extra $1000. He says not having to add anything aftermarket for bluetooth and the 6 disc changer was worth it enough for him... I'm like him, I'd rather have the clean look of the stock system.
Welcome to PriusChat. I have a III, but only because that's where my deal took me. I'd do a III again just for the bluetooth, but honestly feel that the II is a better value, assuming you don't care about 6-disc CD and bluetooth. Certainly the driveline technology between the two models is the same.
