Why buy a prius?

[disneysteve]

I'll give you one reason to by a Prius (or other overpriced hybrid). In Northern Virginia (DC suburbs) you get an exemption for the HOV lanes if you have a hybrid.

Very true. Whenever we go down that way, I always notice how the beltway is overrun with Priuses (especially the HOV lanes).

[wincrasher]

Your comparison is not valid. The cars you are comparing are not similar.

You should compare the Prius to cars like the fusion, camry, sonata and accord. That narrows the price gap a good bit.

Even against these cars, the Prius does not have a good ROI. But then again, that's not the point of it.

[swaymonae]

Boo that car. Just boo.

[disneysteve]

You should compare the Prius to cars like the fusion, camry, sonata and accord.

The Prius is tiny compared to the Camry, Sonata and Accord. They aren't the same class.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Wincrasher, the size if you look it up online puts it into the compact car category based on wheel base, tires, and interior space. It is NOT a camry, accord, or sonata sized car.

And as for riding in the HOV lane, what about buying a Ford Fusion which is cheaper and still eligible for the tax credit?

I think I get why you buy it, but is it really to feel better about the environment or make a statement?

With the realization it's a lot cheaper to buy a cheap car which is pretty fuel efficient instead of the prius?

[disneysteve]

Wincrasher, the size if you look it up online puts it into the compact car category based on wheel base, tires, and interior space. It is NOT a camry, accord, or sonata sized car.

Exactly. I checked. Here are the lengths of those 4:

Prius - 175 in.

Camry - 189.2 in.
Sonata - 188.9 in.
Accord - 194.1 in.

So an Accord is nearly 20 inches longer than a Prius. Not comparable cars at all.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

I was also going to say that if you buy a Prius owner bought it for environmental impact, then they should also be using cloth diapers, napkins, grocery bags, etc. They really should be biking and using public transit right?

[disneysteve]

I was also going to say that if you buy a Prius owner bought it for environmental impact, then they should also be using cloth diapers, napkins, grocery bags, etc. They really should be biking and using public transit right?

I believe that every little bit helps, though I do chuckle when I see someone at the supermarket putting their groceries into reusable bags and then wheeling the cart out to their Hummer or Navigator for the ride home.

[GREENBACK]

This is a new technology that will take a while to perfect, like all new technologies(not sure where all those dead batteries and the lead are going to go). I'm all for lower mileage and lower emmisions but how do you market this to an average family. The majority of working people make ends meet and maybe save a little. You can't expect them to spend thousands more to maybe help the enviorment or save a few pennies on gasoline. I don't see a lot of positives in this idea currently. There is still a lot of debate about global warming so that's another strike against the hybrids.

[project15]

I think the Aveo's number of 29.85 for city mpg at $4 per gallon is incorrect.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

thanks I'll look at it!

It is a lot of money to be spending on a car.

[m3racer]

Thus I was wondering, is buying a Prius a status symbol much like a McMansion?

I hope you're joking. I don't know what a McMansion is but the Prius is most definitely not a status symbol.

[tripods68]

The new Honda Insight 2010 will start selling UNDER $20K. New 2010 Prius will also be selling near $20K.

LAL,

I wonder how these numbers change if factors Tax Credit buying hybrids. I think Obama new plan gives buyers $5K tax credit if you trade your old vehicle buying a hybrid. I heard this on CNBC last week.

[tulsa_sr5]

Based on interior space the prius gets categorized as a midsized like the camry accord etc, not a compact. Also, the batteries are recycleable, and Toyota has a $200 offer out for any unwanted pack. They are worth more than that as they can be "reconditioned" and reused.

Not saying the prius is the best way to save money on a car, just trying to interject some pro-prius thoughts.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

m3racer, I should say more of a "statement" symbol than status symbol! It's a statement that you are "green" and don't care about money.

The prius tax credit was gone a long time ago. The ford fusion is still available, same with the honda. I think this would be a new credit?

Still I personally wouldn't do it. It doesn't make any sense to buy a hybrid if you already own (like i do) a reasonable compact car.

Tulsa, actually on the blog thread I showed the size difference in interior space Toyota Markets the Prius as midsized, but it's substantially smaller than normal midsize sedans! And someone who works for Toyota admitted that!

The interior spacing is closer to the cars I compared it to gas mileage wise! In fact the Prius is smaller legroom and headroom wise in some cases!

So just because it's marketed as midsize doesn't mean it is! It's not when you actually look at the dimensions!