Why buy a prius?

[disneysteve]

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

Actually, this isn't just true of the hybrids. When gas prices shot up, a lot of people were rushing to trade in their older cars for new, more fuel efficient cars. The numbers didn't add up, though. It made more sense to keep a paid off car that got 18 mpg than to go out and finance a brand new car that got 25 mpg. Most people are bad at math, though, or don't bother to run the numbers. They just acted on the thought that a more fuel efficient car must be the better deal.

[boosami]

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

I have a friend who bought the first hybrid SUV, traded it for a Prius, then traded that for a plug-in Prius. For him it's definitely a status symbol of how "liberal" and "green" and "eco-friendly" he is. Every time I see him he tells me how I am wasting so much money on gasoline.

I asked him to add up how much he has spent on financing those hybrids over the past 3 years and compare that to my annual gas expenditure of $2,000 and we'll see who is wasting money.

[Broken Arrow]

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

Yeah, I've seen the new, redesigned Insight, and I think it's obvious who they were trying to copy. But at the same time, it's also rather unfortunate because I really did love the MPG of the original Insight (something that I think will be lost with the redesign).

[boosami]

Actually, this isn't just true of the hybrids. When gas prices shot up, a lot of people were rushing to trade in their older cars for new, more fuel efficient cars. The numbers didn't add up, though. It made more sense to keep a paid off car that got 18 mpg than to go out and finance a brand new car that got 25 mpg. Most people are bad at math, though, or don't bother to run the numbers. They just acted on the thought that a more fuel efficient car must be the better deal.

I mentioned this kind of thinking in a previous thread. These are the same folks who:

• Finance a new car that takes "regular" gasoline to save gas money on their paid off car that takes "premium"
• "Buy 4 Get 1 Free" to get a deal when they only need one
• Buy anything and everything simply because it's a "good deal" or on sale

[MonkeyMama]

I'll respond more later (short on time).

But we are ones who will likely buy a Prius.

We've had a subcompact for a long while (paid $8k almost new) but the Prius is considerably nicer and higher quality.

Our subcompact gets 40mpg freeway, quite easily. I personally refuse to move backwards. I think it's insane that cars these days are LESS fuel efficient. All the other comparisons listed get less fuel efficiency.

I'll take the crticism from this crowd but IRL I know too many people who buy $20k cars who think the Prius is "too expensive." When I look at the price of cars I don't quite *get* that. If you mean in comparison to $10k cars sure.

We'd go new with a Prius for the battery warranty. We would likely keep the car 20 years (ideally). Prius was the first, and is the best in my opinion. It's where I would want to put my money. I think for our purposes it will pay off in the long run.

(We're not car shopping for another 5 years + so ask me again then. I am not set on it or anything and wouldn't be surprised if more fuel efficient cars come out in the interim. I do agree most people buy it as a status symbol. Our relative bought one when they first came out and we have been wanting one since - but waiting for it to make financial sense).

[LivingAlmostLarge]

MM, I would like to be more green, but not at the expense of my pocketbook sadly. Although one can make the argument you are more green by buying used cars because you are reducing, reusing, and recycling a car!

[disneysteve]

I think it's insane that cars these days are LESS fuel efficient.

That's true. People often forget that. There were lots of cars back in the 80s that were more fuel efficient than anything today. The 1980 VW Rabbit got better mileage than the Prius does today. Of course, the Prius is a much nicer car, better equipped, more safety features, etc., but if you are just talking about efficiency, it really isn't all that impressive. The world could be doing a far better job of making fuel efficient cars. They just need to do it in an affordable way because most people, myself included, are not willing to pay thousands more to get a more efficient car.

[disneysteve]

MM, I would like to be more green, but not at the expense of my pocketbook sadly.

I think that is the bottom line for most people. Look at CFL bulbs. You can get a 4-pack of regular bulbs at the dollar store or pay $5 or more for a single CFL. What do you think most people will do?

Fortunately, the cost of green products is gradually coming down as the technology gets better and the market grows, but still, most folks will choose cost over green concerns.

I wouldn't buy a Prius because of cost, but also because I don't want something that small and I don't care for the design at all. I believe there is a hybrid Camry, but I wouldn't buy that either because of the price premium over a regular Camry.

[prosper]

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?

A ford Fusion is not allowed to ride in the HOV lanes unless there are 2 or 3 occupants in the car.

[tripods68]

I think what's loss here--Buying a HYBRID is about LIFESTYLE.

I'm currently driving 1995 Altima but get roughly 20-24 miles per gallon. I love this car as a commuter but I get lousy mileage. Paid $3K for it 3 years ago. So we are looking to buy probably in about a year from now. Since we also like to take mini-trips to San Francisco or Monterey...hybrid would be perfect for a family of four like us.

The new Insight Hybrid price $19,800 (MSRP) comparable with the new the new Civic 4-door EX-Leather near $21K. In contrast the Insight gives out better mileage 42-45 versus 34-36. The Insight also does not carry higher premium cost either. It's something we are eyeing now.

Prius and Insight target people who don't mind driving smaller sedan but like to get more mileage with ECO friendly in mind. The new Hybrids now are comparable (under $20K) cars like the Civic, Camry, Corollo, SCION, Elantra, Altima (no option). The only differences that will significantly increase prices are the options. Like I said, we like the new Civic (leather option) but with the Insight we might just change our mind.


PS - I wouldn't buy AVEO period...stay away!

[minnie1928]

Here's my story. Around Sept. 2006 I started to change how my family impacts the environment. I changed lightbulbs, installed smart strips, got a drying rack for laundry, etc. I also started looking into hybrid vehicles. At the time I had a 2002 BMW X5 SUV that was completely paid for. I looked at the Toyota Camry (Prius inventory was virtually non-existent at that time) and fell in love. My BMW got about 15-17mpg on premium fuel if I babied it. My Camry (yes, I traded a BMW for a Toyota!) gets anywhere from 40-45 mpg on regular fuel.

Did I save money? I like to think that I did. In my situation, my trade in covered most of the cost of the car. At the time, the tax credit was still available and that covered almost all the difference. Since then I've been getting twice the mileage at a cheaper price per gallon.

At one point my Camry had to spend the night at the dealership and they gave me a loaner Prius. I gotta say, they are HUGE on the inside!! Steve mentions length of the various cars above, and I'd have to say that for a shorter car it certainly makes up for it on the inside.

I have driven my Camry from PA/NJ to Walt Disney World (Steve's not the only Disney freak here ) 3 times with my husband and 2 children. It is very comfortable on long drives.

With all that said, when I made the decision to buy my Camry it was not 100% a financial decision. But, then again when is buying a car 100% a financial decision? If that were the case, then all the "frugal/cheap" people would be driving the same kind of car. All the "performance" people would be driving the same car, etc.

While I liked my BMW, I LOVE my Camry hybrid!

[tripods68]

Those cars that we use to get higher mileage in the 80s are done. The reason cars are get less mileage today because cars are much heavier, offer more safety features/options, and more power. We can't replicate those cars in the 80s.

[MonkeyMama]

Tripod nails it.

It's funny because I went for a ride in a Prius immediately after my post.

It is 10 times as luxurious as our "$10k-new" car that we currently own. I was blown away because I hadn't been in a more modern one. I think it's a little roomier than our current subcompact (or comparable anyway). My dh wouldn't drive anything bigger anyway, which is part of the thing. HE LIKES small cars. & this is a pretty nice one. (Why I agree with Tripod's analysis). Anyway, I am still skeptical about comparing a Prius to anything you can get for $12k.

We drive our subcompact on big trips all the time - no complaints.

I just had to comment on the 80s car thing. Our car that gets 40mpg is a 2001 Ford. I am not talking 80s cars! Fuel efficiency has taken a backwards slide in the years since 2001. No surprise - the decade of Hummers and SUVs. No doubt the pendulum will swing the other way, probably before we buy another car anyway. IF that's the case I will probably see less draw in a Prius. (I'd personally buy the same Ford again but it is no longer manufactured. Not since 2001 or 2002 when it fell out of favor for the big ones. Which is the only reason they no longer make them - they are safe as a subcompact can be).

For now I think it would be a bit of a political statement if we did buy a Prius.

[tulsa_sr5]

MonkeyMama - look for some reviews on the 2010 prius, they have just started giving test drives to reviewers. It's supposed to be a big improvement in pretty much every way.

A couple more points to consider with the straight cost comparison that started the thread, look at total cost to own including maintenance and resale value, even insurance rates if you really want to dig in. The extra premium you pay up front for higher MPG's can also be offset if the car costs less to keep on the road, and holds its value better at resale.

[disneysteve]

I was behind a Prius a short time ago but it didn't look like other Prius models I've seen. I'm guessing it was an older one. It didn't have that odd egg-shape, chopped off tail look. It looked like a normal car. I did a quick search and found this photo:

http://www.automobilrevue.de/images/hybrid_toyota_prius1_01.jpg

I only saw it from the back, but I think it looked like this. Now this is a car I wouldn't mind driving. Is this an older model or do they still make this version?