Future Prius owner here, and I'm going back and forth between the 4 and 5. I like the idea of a sunroof for the extra light in the cabin, but it's not an option with the 5. Any idea why? And then I'm used to the higher end headlamp systems in other cars so I like the idea of the headlamps in the 5, the auto leveling, the fog lights. Also, on the toyota website, it lists two option packages with the 5. I don't want lane keep assist and auto parking, so i'd rather have the NY package. But then when i build one on my ipad i dont even get that option and my dealer shows all current and future inventory with the more expensive package, no NY. So it's going to cost me extra dough for features I dont want. Does the third gen prius 5 exist anywhere else with the NY package? Thoughts on 4 vs 5? Thanks!
I just wen through this same issue... Basically, some regions get some packages included without choice and some don't. I wanted a Five (like the LED headlights, 17" wheels, Fog Lights, Nav and backup camera, heated and power seats) but did not want the $5000 AT (Advanced Technology) package with the Radar Cruse Control, LKA, etc.... I had to find a dealer outside my (NY, NJ, CT) region who could get the Five without the AT package. Luckily for me- when I entered a PA zipcode on the Toyota "build your car" page it didn't automatically add the AT package (with no way to remove it) like it did with my regions zipcodes. So I contacted a PA dealer- he was very happy to get me a beautiful Blizzard Pearl Five without the $5000 AT package and we're both happy. I drove 150mi to get the version of the car I wanted- but saved $5000 in options I didn't want. You may have to do the same- try different zipcodes on the Toyota site till you find the nearest one that doesn't force the package you don't want onto your car.
I'm not sure of what you mean by NY package, but I assume that's the code for the solar sunroof. In the end, it's personal preference. I hardly ever opened the sunroof on the cars I owned, except to vent the hot air after the car had sat in the sun. The sunroof is not available on the five, so if it's a must-have you'll want to buy the four. I bought the five because it is the only way to get the Advanced Tech package. Parking Assist is gone for 2012 (despite what it says on the website) and replaced by Head Up Display, which is somewhat useful. Likewise Lane Keep Assist, which is mostly turned off. For me the must-have is Dynamic Radar Cruise Control. I had it on previous cars. Once you have had it you can't live without it, particularly for expressways. Make your choice and make it the best choice for you. No regrets.
Get the Five! The LED headlights are like top end HID systems- they're really bright and tightly focused. The LED headlight cluster looks completely different from the halogen cluster found on the two-four. It makes the car stand out! BTW- the hi-beams are single std halogen bulbs. But the LEDS are so bright- you may never use the hi-beams. The included fog lights really fill in the front end grill nicely. The heated seats are very nice in cold weather- the power driver seat is very comfortable. The Five without the AT package does come with the bakup camera, Voice commands, GPS nav, JBL Geeen Edge system, XM radio, Entune, HD radio, etc... The only thing I'm not thrilled with on the Five is the auto-dimming rear view mirror. It just doesn't dim quite enough for me. Luckily- I hardly ever drive at night. Only negative to the Five- you get a few mpg less with the 17" wheels. Maybe 3 to 5 mpg less by one recent posters test, although in my first week driving five days to work- I ended up with 50.4mpg indicated on the "CONS" display.
No if you go build a 5 on their website it gives u a choice of two tech packages. One has the extra lane keep assist and other nanny systems I don't want. The NY is the code for the cheaper but still cool tech package. No option at all for sunroof on the 5.
Put dark cellophane "plastic" over the light intake for the rear view mirror, makes it think it's night time and darkens it, helps with bright lights in the rear view mirror during daylight hours, 17" wheels are only putting more rubber on the road, in a panic stop or turn you'll have more control, safety first...Depending on your average speed you mileage will of course be lower overall, mine is 1.5mpg, higher speeds..lower still.
Aha! I didn't understand until I plugged in a Houston zip code to see what you meant. Ironically, Houston has a NY package while New York doesn't. I did notice that the Houston website configurator is for the 2011 Prius and still has the 2011 colors. You should find a knowledgeable sales rep (not always easy to do) to find out just what your options are in a 2012 model. Having seen the NY package now, I understand its appeal, but as I said earlier, the DRCC is a great feature.
I was thinking the same way back in January. All my cars have sunroofs and while they are not open that often the light shield is -- to provide more light into the cabin. I was having a hard time justifying the 2k cost of the option on a Prius. That is how I ended up with a five w/o TP. My 11 has the misty gray interior -- that color and the many windows provides plenty of light. Most of my other cars have smaller windows and dark interiors and the sunroof provides much needed light. Have not missed it. The wheels and the LED headlights (once properly adjusted) made the cost of the upgrade to the five worth what I paid for it -- the fog lights don't add much light. Even without the sunroof and the AT my Prius was a bit overpriced for what is is ........ time will tell.
Ya, and then add in the AT (part of which I don't want, the rest I really do want) and it really gets pricey. At least I got an offer for just a little over invoice rather than having to pay msrp, no matter what I choose.
d2mini - go on truecar.com ...... I used it for pricing and I was able to see the true costs. And also what other dealers said they would sell the car for. I bought my car in PA near my weekend place and using the information from truecar made the negotiations easier. They would not meet the cheapest price listed -- but we came within 700.00 initially and did a bit better on the five even thought they had to go and get it. All were under the listed "invoice" price
The Five would also come with a quicker steering ratio which you may find nicer to drive than the Four with the slower steering ratio. You might want to try both and see.
i drove a 3 and a 5 yesterday. Not back to back though so i didnt notice the steering but good to know.
Well -- I bought the 11 because of the discount and the 0 % for 5 years -- mine was under invoice -- not MSRP ... not a lot under. I think is was a couple hundred -- about $2300 off of msrp ...how quick we forget ;(
