Been looking at web sites with info on the "v"...this one has some great information from experienced owners....Test drove one last week and ordered one today...V-5..Blizzard pearl..floor mats and mud guards.... Traded in our '08 Town and Country..16MPG Talked to the dealer about swapping the 17" wheels/tires for the alloy 16" on the v 3...I like the taller profile tires...any thoughts ..??
I'm planning on getting a Prius v 5 w/ATP within the next few months and was considering the same thing. Can't help but think the 16" wheels are going to give you a slight edge with mpg, though I have not seen any hard Prius v data one way or another. All my research shows that 16" tires are lighter (than a 17" of the same diameter) and 16" wheels are lighter - both adding up to lower rotational inertia. Also, more and cheaper options for tires in the 16" size, e.g., no Michelin Energy Saver A/S available in 215/50R17 (from Tire Rack). See this thread in the Gen III forum... http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...ng-getting-17s-but-i-dont-want-lose-mpgs.html The Gen III Prius is known to take a 2-3mpg "hit" when you go from the 15" to 17" wheel/tire combo. Be interested in knowing what the dealer decides. I would say moving to the 16" wheels would be a "downgrade" in equipment. They would undoubtedly charge the person that bought the car with the 17" wheels a "wheel upgrade" fee.
