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used hybrid camry vs prius gen 2

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by yakapo, Jan 19, 2011.

  1. yakapo

    yakapo New Member

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    My first post. However, I've been lurking for a little while. I'm fairly certain that my next vehicle will be a hybrid. I've narrowed it down to the camry hybrid ('07-'09) or a gen 2 prius touring model ('07-'09).

    I currently drive a '98 honda accord ex coupe w/ over 200k miles. I've read the pro's and con's of the Prius. The biggest concerns I have with the Prius are the braking distance and handling (or lack there of). The camry hybrid will accelerate better than my current vehicle but lacks the cargo space of the prius. My wife and I don't have children yet, however we are in the market. :D:D:D=D From what I understand, babies require lots of cargo space.

    I'm curious if the touring model of the Prius would have similar braking / handling characteristics to my current vehicle. Also, how much difference would it make if I were to purchase larger wheels and sticky tires?

    Please post your thoughts and suggestions. Thanks!
     
    #1 yakapo, Jan 19, 2011
  2. Hal W

    Hal W New Member

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    Prius wins hands down. If you are after fuel economy and a very practical a comfortable car the Prius is hard to improve on. H
     
    #2 Hal W, Jan 19, 2011
  3. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    The Camry will give a bit more comfort but poorer mileage. Also a bit less -useable- space (rear seats won't fold).

    Rent a Prius for a few days to find out if it fits your needs. The GIII isn't much different from the GII, just a bit more efficient.
     
    #3 David Beale, Jan 20, 2011
  4. Ryanpl

    Ryanpl Active Member

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    Our family has a Gen II prius and have two kids, ages 2 and five. My wife and I are able to fit them and their stuff in the car without a problem. Typically we'll have their car seats, diaper bag, lunchs if we're going our for the day and other related stuff. When we go on vacation we have a soft roof bag carrier to carry everything. If you guys have kids I'd consider a good stroller, i.e. Inglisena Zippy or something that folds nice and small. Ryan
     
    #4 Ryanpl, Jan 20, 2011
  5. stevemcelroy

    stevemcelroy Active Member

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    The Prius is pretty amazing in that you can cram a great deal of stuff into a relatively small car. From what I have heard the Camry hybrid is about the polar opposite. The driving dynamics of the Prius are not great - there is a reason why all of the driving enthusiast magazines and shows make fun of it. That being said, it is made to be an extremely efficient and practical car that gets great mileage and has proven itself to be very reliable. If you are not ok with a pretty vanilla driving car I'd probably pass on both - just off the top of my head if I were looking for a small, efficient, reliable car with good usable room with a pretty high fun to drive quotient I'd probably look at a Honda Fit.
     
    #5 stevemcelroy, Jan 20, 2011
  6. yakapo

    yakapo New Member

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    Thanks for the input. I just might see if a dealer will let me drive a used gen2 prius for a day or two. My concern regarding braking distance is emergency stops on the highway. I can think of at least 2 times in the last few months that I had to really stop in a hurry on the freeway. It's hard to keep a safe enough distance on dallas highways. You back up a few car lengths, then someone cuts in, and over and over again until you get frustrated and tailgate like everyone else.
     
    #6 yakapo, Jan 22, 2011
  7. BAllanJ

    BAllanJ Active Member

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    That will depend more on the tires than the car I would think.
     
    #7 BAllanJ, Jan 22, 2011
  8. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    Both come into play. If the OP really wants cars w/the shortest braking distances, he'll really need a sports/sportier car. See Best & worst cars review, best safety performance, for example.

    I just looked at what Consumer Reports got in their brake testing. Assuming OEM tires, it seems that the gen 2 Prius has an edge.

    On an 04 Prius for 60 mph to 0 braking, they got 143 feet for dry and 152 feet for wet.
    On an 08 Prius Touring (tires are different on touring), they got 133 and 140 feet.
    On an 07 HyCam, it was 145 and 157 feet.

    These are from http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/models/used/toyota/prius/ratings-and-specs.htm and http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/...compare-models/0608_family-sedans_compare.htm. You'll need a CR subscription to access them.

    Short of upgrading the brakes, it looks best to get a touring and get tires that perform even better than the OEMs in dry and wet braking.
     
    #8 cwerdna, Jan 23, 2011
  9. snead_c

    snead_c Jam Ma's Car

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    As has been said Prius is more flexible but ride is a little less comfortable on long trips but...mpgs are MUCH higher.
    Rent and drive each.
    I have a 09 Touring and the 16" wheels are big enough...very good tires are more important. I would not increase tire width or diameter.
    Stopping distance is safe enough with good tires unless you drive too close to stop at normal speeds.
    :welcome:
     
    #9 snead_c, Jan 23, 2011
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i have an 08 prius and my wife an 08 hycam. neither is sporty, i've never hit the brakes hard enough to know which is better. our kids are grown so we're pretty much alone. 5 people is much more comfortible in the hycam. mpg's and flex space better in the prius. i can get much more in the prius from home depot and the garden center. the hycam is so smooth and quiet, it's almost like a lexus. if i could get 50mpg with it, i'd have one too!
     
    #10 bisco, Jan 23, 2011
  11. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    #11 cwerdna, Jan 23, 2011
  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    after driving the hycam for 3 years, i agree with your total assessment. i havn't driven the altima and i'm not sure they sell it in massachusetts. after 10 years of camry's, my wife would have to experience u/a before even thinking about another vehicle. although, i think i recall her mentioning the fusion hybrid.:eek:
     
    #12 bisco, Jan 23, 2011
  13. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    The NAH is sold in MA as MA is apparently a CARB state. Click on the * under HYBRID at 2011 Nissan Altima Sedan, Hybrid | Vehicle Specs | Nissan USA. I did see a couple of them as taxis in Boston.

    Hahaha about u/a. During the whole Toyota u/a debacle w/the press blowing it out of proportion via daily coverage, my mom (knows nothing about cars) was semi-glad she had a NAH and didn't buy a HyCam. :rolleyes:
     
    #13 cwerdna, Jan 24, 2011
  14. That_Prius_Car

    That_Prius_Car Austin Kinser

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    I'd definitely recommend test driving them both, but remember, in the Camry Hybrid, you get 20mpg less than a Prius, with a Prius, you get 60/40 split fold down seats, a hatchback that makes it even more versatile, it's seriously about the same size as a Camry believe it or not. If your worried about performance, here are the specs.

    Toyota Camry Hybrid Top Speed - 117mph
    Toyota Prius Top Speed - 109mph

    Toyota Camry Hybrid 0-60 - 8.3 seconds
    Toyota Prius 0-60 - 9.9 seconds

    Toyota Camry Hybrid EPA fuel estimates - 33-34mpg
    Toyota Prius EPA fuel estimates - 45 highway 48 city 46 combined

    As for handeling, well, it's not a formula one car haha, but the Prius isn't bad. It comes down to you having to test drive one for yourself, though...if your going to have kids, I wouldn't be worried about performance. :)

    Good luck and happy car shopping!
     
    #14 That_Prius_Car, Jan 24, 2011
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