before purchasing what are the pros and cons??

Also wanted to note ... my best routes for fuel economy seem to be where the speed limit is 35 mph and flat ... I usually get up to 39 mph and feather off the engine and glide on electric only at just under 40 mph.

 

after getting this type of mpg, i dont want to go no-hybrid ever again. Not saying i will take a prius again in 3-4 years. But I love the mpg. My dad has a lexus truck hybrid and hes getting 28mpg in a SUV! Cool right.

Love using the HOV lane here in south florida, such a great reasn to have a hybrid.

 

One of the best things about this car is having so many people on PriusChat who are willing to share their expertise and knowledge when a question arises.

 

Topher,
So, what did you do?

In case you haven't acted yet, one pro that I haven't seen is that the car really is different looking--people have said no head turning factor, but I think it looks like my childhood idea of a small spaceship with extra bonus wheels. Since in my childhood, I thought that having a spaceship would be the coolest thing imaginable, this was a good thing for me.
Plus all the other pros people have given, down especially to RRxing's comment on PriusChat folks.

Con:
What a number of folks have said already: the rear visibility is BAD, especially to the passenger side rear when changing lanes. U WILL learn to use that right mirror a lot more, and even then it's not that good.

Overall, it's an excellent car. No, it doesn't quickly pay back the extra cost for the hybridness (but it might if gas prices double soon . . .).

 

No one's mentioned the rear visibility fix in a while:
Car Talk | How to Avoid the Blind Spot

 

I agree with everything that has been said. I find the acceleration more than adequate to enter an interstate.

The two cons that have been mentioned that I agree with are:
1) Visibility (you get used to it).
2) Ground clearance. (This is not an off road car nor one to take on a badly rutted road either.)

 

Here's a pro -

3rd Gen Prius is currently the best small-midsize 5 seat hatchback available.

 

You can also get one of the stick on spot mirrors that attach to side mirrors. They help but I'm not having any issues with visability.

 

I never compare hatchback to sedans because hatchbacks always cost more than their sedan counterparts.

That said, the Toyota Matrix hatchback base a close 'non-hybrid' comparison. In this area, the lowest sticker price Matrix with automatic in $19,540

Prius II sticker is $23,560, so $4k difference.

but, the Prius is - more comfortable, better front and rear seating, smart key door, push button start (which makes a car much harder to steal w/o towing), 50 MPG vs. 28 MPG average, better ride quality, and quieter interior.

At 12k miles driven / year, $2.75 avg gas, Prius gas savings = (428-240) x 2.75 = $517

w/o the added comforts, you'll earn back the $4k in less than 8 years. Hopefully the battery lasts 15 years.

 

I will be testing that theory soon (unfortunately) in that I'm moving to an area with a 5-mile gravel road (with one severe rut and a lot of rocks). I hope to actively be involved in filling in the worst rut of the drive and installing some PVC pipes for rainwater drainage along with pouring a base to smooth out the hill as much as possible. It will be interesting to see how/if the car holds up.