Prius and navigation system ??s

[vamom]

I am finally getting a new car. I thought I would get a van, but with it only being ds and me, and gas prices ...I really think I want a prius. I installed my husky in it the other day for a test drive. I didn't spend alot of time on it, but it looked like I needed to remove the headrest and recline bar for the best fit.

It is ok to remove the headrest right?

Does anyone know if I can use latch in the center for the 2007?

Any opinions about the prius?

I really like the idea of the navigation system. Any experience or opinions?

Would i be better served with a portable unit or the installed version?

Thanks,
Wendy

[oxeye]

My sister has a Prius and she and her DH love it. They also have the built-in navigation system and I've loved it when I've been in the car. :) I think most of the time it's more cost-effective to buy a separate unit but then you don't have the sleek built-in effect right?

It's been a nice car for them. Their DD is only 7 months old so all that's been installed it in is a Snugride and a Safeseat 1. I don't know how the other seats fit but the back seat seems pretty roomy for a car that size. :)

[Jeanum]

The 2007 LATCH manual says Toyota does not allow borrowing of the outboard lower anchors to do a center LATCH installation, sorry. The only info. I can find about the headrest is a note in the LATCH manual for the '01-'06 Prius models that says, "Owner's manual says to remove headrest and anchor bracket covers first, then install tether strap and re-install headrest." I'm not sure if this means the headrest must be installed or if it's just instructing how to route the top tether relative to the vehicle headrest during a carseat installation, nor if the same info. is in the '07 Prius' owner's manual or not.

I wish my DH would fit in a Prius but he's too tall in the torso for it and his head is jammed up against the ceiling.

[DaniCPST]

I would definitely opt for the navigation system...once you have it you will wonder how you ever lived without it!!! Aftermarket units are okay but they do not have nearly as many cool usable features that OEM ones will come with. And the whole stock looks is so much nicer than an aftermarket one stuck to the window. Can you get a backup camera with nav? I love my backup camera and that is another great thing about going OEM.

[vamom]

yes, all of the packages include he backup camera, too cool!

I drove a town and country van with navigation for a week in 04 and I was crazy about the nav system, so when i saw that the prius had it, I wanted it. I just could not decide if it was worth the extra money to go to package 5, or if it was more econimical to by a handheld. I do prefer the look, but I am really frugal (most days).

My dad test drove with me, and he is 6'4 - maybe he is use to not really fitting anywhere, but he thought the prius was really comfortable.

If I put the husky in the center is it just as safe to use the short belt route?
I think the long belt route would upset ds (major sensory issues), but I want to do what is safest. I only put it in once and I just used the short path. It did not sit tight at first, so I pulled the headrest and the recline bar and it went really tight.

[DaniCPST]

Ok, I had to add one more thing after your last post. When I bought my 2005 Sienna 2 years ago I wanted navigation but when we bought (right before the 06's were coming on the lot) there were not any limited Sienna's with navigation in a color that I was okay with. So we ended up not getting navigation but had everything else and we regretted not waiting for one with nav every single day we owned the van! With cars you can only miss the options you don't get...so get it!!! It will also help with resale because a lot of people will buy one with 7,000 more miles and nav over yours with less miles but the same price.

[vamom]

Thanks - I took the plunge and placed my deposit today. I am the soon to be proud owner of a 2007 prius package 5 (smart key, backup camera, stability control, anti theft, homelink, auto dimming mirror, jbl 6 disc cd, bluetooth, satallite radio, mp3/wma playback, hid lights, voice dvd navigation). It also has traction control, abs with electronic brake force distribition with brake assist, not to mention 8 airbags (sure beats my 1)!

I am so excited! I am having leather added (the interior fabric had marks just from me leaning into put the carseat in), so I hope to have it early next week.

Wendy

[Jeanum]

Cool and congrats on the new vehicle! :cool:

[oxeye]

Congrats on the new car!!! Definitely share pics with the car seat when you get it. :D

[Karen]

We have a Pruis. The backseat is roomier depth wise than the Camry Hybrid. We tried out Boulevard in the back of both. I LOVE my Pruis. We didn't get the nav system, but I kind of wish that we had. Sounds like you got an awesome package!!!

[vamom]

How do I add pics to my post? I am a bit computer illiterate at times!

Thanks,
Wendy

[Judi]

I would love to see pics of cs it the back. I haven't installed in one before.